August Fest 2026—August 6–9, 2026
The Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival is held annually and features top national touring acts as well as the best bands from the Upper Midwest region in four days and nights of music on multiple stages, plus workshops, showcases, and much, much more!
There is a Pre-Festival Jam Camp for ages 12 and up starting on Tuesday, and then the Festival starts in earnest on Thursday evening!
It’s a summer’s worth of music and family fun in one week! Bluegrass, Old-Time Stringband, and related forms of acoustic and Americana music are combined to suit a wide range of interests.
Bring your own instrument and join in a jam or workshop, sign up the kids for the talent show, visit the food trucks and craft booths, or plant your chair in the natural amphitheater and listen to nearly 30 hours of great music!
However you experience the festival, you’ll have a GREAT time!
August Fest Activities
Friday Night Headline Concerts
Old-Time Headliners:
Martha Spencer & Lucas Pasley
Friday, 11/7 7:00pm
Bluegrass Headliner:
Tim Stafford
Friday, 11/7 8:00pm
50th Anniversary Celebration
MBOTMA’s 50th Anniversary Concert Celebration
Saturday Night, 11/8, 8:00pm
An all-star celebration of MBOTMA’s 50th Anniversary! Hosted by Edie Loy, with Musical Director Brian Wicklund, and many many special guests!
3-Day Workshops
Thursday 9AM–Saturday 12:00pm
3-Day Instrument Workshops
Guitar Workshop Taught by Tim Stafford
Fiddle Workshop Taught by Brian Wicklund (pictured)
MBOTMA Member Band Showcase
Badger Hill Brewing Stage (Europa Room)
Saturday, 1pm-6pm
Featuring:
The Waverly Girls
Last Pick’d String Band
Uncle Muskrat (pictured)
Double Down Daredevils
The Gated Community
Fireside Lounge
Friday & Saturday Nights
Pickin’ Parlor Live is an open stage event, where new bands (and old) play short sets for a lively audience—the stage is right next to the hotel bar! It’s always a great time!
Hosted by Doug Chasar
The Listening Room
Conference Room C
Friday evening & Saturday afternoon
The Listening Room was added to the schedule last year, and was immediately very popular. It’s another Open Stage performing opportunity, but for solo or duo acts only. It’s a great place to hear new songs by local songwriters, performing trying out new material, or simply making music more suited to a quiet space.
Hosted by Tim Wankel & Tom Peschges
Fireside Lounge
Saturday 5:00pm
The Draw Band Scramble is chaos meets serendipity! Drop your name in a (virtual) hat, and you’ll be grouped with fellow players into a brand new band! Rehearse Saturday afternoon, and perform at 5:00 in the Fireside!
Hosted by Adelle Hyrkas
Old-Time Dance Parlor
Scandinavian Room
Downstairs in the hotel is another whole world for Old-Time jams, workshops and dances!
If you love fiddle tunes, open-back banjos and dancing until your feet are sore, this is your place and your people!
Curated by David Vincent
Workshops & Theme Jams
Fireside Lounge & Studios
Saturday All Day
Saturday boasts a full schedule of learning and playing opportunities that just require you to show up!
Want to learn about social media for promoting your band? How about playing swing tunes? Want to get together with your Gal Pals?
Check out the Workshop and Theme Jam schedule and plan your day!
Curated by Mark Johnson, Tom Peschges & Mark Anderson