DelFest will return to the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD over Memorial Day Weekend (May 21st–24th, 2026) for its 18th annual celebration of bluegrass, roots, and community, hosted as always by The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys.
This year’s first wave of artists, announced on Wednesday, offers a dazzling display of acoustic excellence across generations including Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Punch Brothers, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sierra Hull, Mountain Grass Unit, Shadowgrass, The Creekers, The Band Loula, Wood Box Heroes, Colby T. Helms & The Virginia Creepers, and longtime emcee Joe Craven. Additional artists are due to be added as the DelFest 2026 approaches.
“I’ve known Alison [Krauss] for nearly 40 years, and it seems like at least half that time I’ve been trying to get her at DelFest,” shared Del McCoury in a statement. “Can’t tell you how excited I am to have her—and the rest of this incredible lineup—join us.”
Since its founding in 2008, DelFest has become one of the country’s premier bluegrass gatherings, celebrating community, creativity, and the enduring spirit of American roots music. DelFest 2026 will once again offer a weekend full of one-of-a-kind collaborations, riverside camping, family-friendly programming, and a palpable sense of musical homecoming nestled in the scenic heart of Western Maryland. The event remains a true celebration of bluegrass traditions and evolution, uniting legacy acts, genre pioneers, and the next wave of pickers in an intimate, welcoming setting.
To mark the announcement, DelFest has partnered with SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction (channel 77) for an exclusive Del McCoury Band in-studio performance, recorded live at SiriusXM’s studio in New York on October 27th. The special airs on Friday, November 14th at 11:00 a.m. EST, with replays Scheduled on Friday (9:00 p.m.), Saturday (8:00 a.m.), Sunday (12:00 p.m.), and Monday (9:00 p.m.) on SiriusXM channel 77 and the SiriusXM app. Eligible customers can enjoy their first three months of SiriusXM for free. Click here to sign up and experience all of SiriusXM’s programming.
Bluegrass Junction will also present “DelsGiving,” a Thanksgiving Day retrospective featuring highlights from DelFest 2025, including sets from The Del McCoury Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, Larry Sparks, Darrell Scott, Sister Sadie, and more.
Tickets for DelFest 2026 go on sale beginning on Wednesday, November 19th at noon ET here. Multi-day passes include on-site camping. DELuxe VIP, RV, Academy, and child/teen ticket options are also available.
Check out the initial artist lineup below. For more information, head here.
