We deal with a ton of festivals here at Gary Hayes Country and Merlefest has always been one of our top featured festivals yet. Right now, I have my ears to the ground watching all of the many lineups and compiling all of the necessary information that doing this involves.
We just updated this article today with things like the ever popular late night jam and other happenings all over the festival during the week of this event in their local community tied into this one. This festival is extremely integral to the overall economic stability of the state of North Carolina.
January 19, 2026 (Wilkesboro, NC) –– As MerleFest, presented by Window World, prepares for its April 23-26 festival at Wilkes Community College, the beloved annual event continues to build on its commitment to education, youth programming, and community engagement. Today the festival announced further updates from the MerleFest Archives at Appalachian State University, as well as the return of additional programs including School Day, Acoustic Kids, and the annual Silent Auction.
MerleFest Archives and Oral Histories: A Window into the Festival’s Legacy
The MerleFest Archives at Appalachian State University preserve the music, memories, and community that have defined the festival since 1988, offering fans a chance to revisit the past while celebrating what’s to come. Housed within Appalachian State University’s Special Collections Research Center (SCRC), the MerleFest Archives document the festival’s history from its founding in 1988 to the present, preserving recordings of live performances, photographs, and festival ephemera. The archives were formally donated in December 2020 through a collaborative effort between App State, the App State University Foundation, and the Wilkes Community College Foundation. The collection allows visitors to experience historic MerleFest moments through an interactive audio and video listening station, as well as by request access to physical materials at the SCRC, located in Belk Library and Information Commons.
To further expand the collection, the SCRC launched the MerleFest Oral History Project in 2022, capturing firsthand stories from artists, staff, vendors, volunteers, and fans who have helped shape the festival over nearly four decades. Select interviews and transcripts will be made available online, and individuals with MerleFest memories to share are encouraged to participate. For more information, call 828-262-4041 or email spcoll@appstate.edu.
School Day and Outreach
MerleFest School Day hosts students and their teachers from area middle and high schools on Friday to enjoy the festival free of charge. Over 2,300 school children from Wilkes and surrounding counties attend MerleFest annually through the MerleFest School Day program.
In addition to welcoming students to MerleFest, the MerleFest Outreach program brings MerleFest to the students. The MerleFest Outreach program enhances regional education by showcasing performances from festival artists in 17 public elementary and middle schools, giving many students who may otherwise not be able to attend a face-to-face encounter with the artists and their craft. This program reaches 5,900 students annually.
Acoustic Kids Applications Will Open February 1
MerleFest is proud to once again welcome its 2026 Acoustic Kids Showcases with Andy May. Since 2001, the Acoustic Kids program has given young musicians of any skill level the opportunity to perform on festival stages in a supportive environment. Beginner through pro, all musicians 18 or younger are welcome to participate and share their music with the MerleFest audience. Each year, the festival hosts three 1.5-hour showcases and a half-hour Acoustic Kids Ambassadors set.
Pre-registration is required to participate in Acoustic Kids and is open from February 1 through March 15 (or until all showcases are full, whichever comes first). Register early to hold your spot! Online registration, showcase schedules, and FAQs are available at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/acoustic-kids-merlefest/, and detailed registration instructions are at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/registration-instructions/.
The MerleFest Silent Auction Returns
The WCC Foundation is thrilled to continue the Silent Auction this year, featuring the convenience of online bidding and the chance to view items in person throughout the festival. You can browse and place bids before and during the festival — all without missing a beat of the music. This year’s auction will showcase an even greater variety of distinctive, high-quality items, and the 50/50 Raffle is back for another exciting year! Proceeds support the SAGE (Supporting Academic Goals for Education) First Year Experience program, empowering students to start strong and achieve their goals. Stay tuned for more details at merlefest.org/silent-auction.
MerleFest 2026 Announces a Star-Studded Late Night Jam Lineup, Band Competition Finalists, Acoustic Kids & Fan-Favorite Traditions
MerleFest, presented by Window World, has revealed a star-studded roster joining its highly anticipated Late Night Jam hosted by Old Crow Medicine Show. The beloved MerleFest tradition promises unforgettable collaborations between special guests including Charlie Starr (of Blackberry Smoke), Maggie Rose, The Creekers, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, DUG, Donna the Buffalo, and more to be announced.
This year’s festival also marks its 11th Annual Band Competition, where eight talented finalists will compete for the opportunity to perform on MerleFest’s iconic Hillside Stage. The competition performances will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the winner announced at 4:30 p.m. The victorious band will then perform on Sunday, April 26, at 11:00 a.m. on the Hillside Stage in front of thousands of attendees.
The 2026 band competition will feature:
Crystal Fountains (Charlotte, NC)
Fancy & The Gentlemen (Asheville, NC)
The Ghosts of Liberty (Oak Ridge, NC)
Honey Magpie (Chapel Hill, NC)
Kyle Horton (Banner Elk, NC)
Nick & Brew (Asheville, NC)
Pressley Laton (Boone, NC)
Stone & Snow (Cincinnati, Ohio)
MerleFest is proud to once again welcome our 2026 Acoustic Kids Showcases with Andy May. Since 2001, the Acoustic Kids program has given young musicians of any skill level the opportunity to perform on festival stages in a supportive environment. Beginner through pro, all musicians 18 or younger are welcome to participate and share their music with the MerleFest audience. Each year, we host three 1.5-hour showcases and a half-hour Acoustic Kids Ambassadors set.
Pre-registration is required to participate in Acoustic Kids and is open from February 1 through March 15 (or until all showcases are full, whichever comes first). Register early to hold your spot! Online registration, showcase schedules, and FAQs are available at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/acoustic-kids-merlefest/, and detailed registration instructions are at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/registration-instructions/.
The WCC Foundation is thrilled to continue the Silent Auction this year, featuring the convenience of online bidding and the chance to view items in person throughout the festival. You can browse and place bids before and during the festival — all without missing a beat of the music. This year’s auction will showcase an even greater variety of distinctive, high-quality items, and the 50/50 Raffle is back for another exciting year! Proceeds support the SAGE (Supporting Academic Goals for Education) First Year Experience program, empowering students to start strong and achieve their goals. Stay tuned for more details at merlefest.org/silent-auction.
