Willie Nelson's Outlaw Music Festival Returns for 2026 With Stacked Lineup
Willie Nelson is bringing his beloved Outlaw Music Festival back for 2026 with one of the strongest lineups in the festival's history. The 12-date touring festival kicks off July 3 in Irving, Texas and wraps up August 30 in Saratoga Springs, New York.
The Lineup
This year's Outlaw Music Festival features a rotating cast of artists joining Willie Nelson & Family across the run:
- The Avett Brothers (9 dates)
- Stephen Wilson Jr. (11 dates)
- Lukas Nelson (8 dates)
- Sheryl Crow (6 dates)
- Wilco (3 Texas dates)
- Margo Price
- Sierra Hull
- Rodney Crowell
- Robert Randolph
- Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
- Lily Meola
The rotating lineup means no two dates are exactly the same, giving fans a reason to catch multiple stops on the tour.
Tour Dates
The festival hits three regions across the summer:
Texas Kickoff (July)
- July 3 — Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving, TX
- July 4 — Fourth of July Picnic with special guest Billy Strings, Austin, TX
- July 5 — The Woodlands, TX
Midwest & Great Lakes (August)
- August 18 — Maryland Heights, MO
- August 19 — Mystic Lake Amphitheater, Shakopee, MN
- August 21 — Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI
- August 22 — Pine Knob, Clarkston, MI
- August 23 — Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville, IN
- August 25 — Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Northeast (Late August)
- August 28 — Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY
- August 29 — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
- August 30 — Albany Med Health System at SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY
What Makes This Tour Special
The Outlaw Music Festival has become one of the defining summer touring events in Country music. Willie Nelson, now 92, continues to draw massive crowds by curating lineups that blend classic country, Americana, and roots rock.
The July 4th Austin date with Billy Strings is shaping up to be one of the standout shows of the summer. Wilco's involvement on the Texas dates adds an alternative edge that broadens the festival's appeal beyond the traditional country audience.
This year's scaled-back format of 12 cities (compared to larger runs in previous years) makes each date feel more like an event. Many of the venues on the route are premier amphitheaters that regularly host the biggest tours of the summer.
Tickets
Tickets went on sale March 27 via Ticketmaster. Given Willie's legendary status and the strength of this lineup, high-demand dates like the July 4th Picnic and the Northeast run are expected to move fast.
Check the Willie Nelson page on TourWax for the latest dates and ticket links, or browse more Country tours happening this summer.