Railbird Music Festival 2026 unveils lineup: Headliners, performers, and more explored

Organizers of the Railbird Music Festival have announced the 2026 lineup, and buzz is already making its way around Lexington and beyond. The festival will return to The Infield at Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 6-7, 2026.

The lineup returns big-name acts on Saturday night when the band The Lumineers takes to the stage. On Sunday, Tyler Childers, a fellow Kentucky singer-songwriter, will headline. In total, the festival will offer over thirty acts across three stages alongside the headliners.

Tickets to Railbird Festival go on sale Wednesday, October 22 at 12 PM ET, and festivalgoers are told that for one hour between 12 PM and 1 PM ET, two-day general admission tickets will be at their guaranteed lowest price, and the price will go up after 1 PM. Railbird Music Festival will once again celebrate the music in the region and also the spirit of Kentucky with bourbon experiences.

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Lineup details and key performers at the Railbird Music Festival

The announcement brings a wide mix of acts, combining headline talent with rising names and established artists. The event's anchor acts, The Lumineers and Tyler Childers, infuse it with national and local flavor.

Saturday, June 6: The Lumineers will headline the night at Railbird Music Festival, with other acts on stage that day from Caamp, Mt. Joy, Sam Barber, Stephen Wilson Jr., Watchhouse, The Wallflowers, Robert Earl Keen, Waylon Wyatt, Mountain Grass Unit, Hazlett, Ken Pomeroy, Laci Kaye Booth, Sons of Habit, John R. Miller, and Colton Bowlin.

Sunday, June 7: Tyler Childers will headline the second day of the Railbird Music Festival, with additional performances that day from Zach Top, Ella Langley, Muscadine Bloodline, Houndmouth, Shane Smith & The Saints, Shakey Graves, Margo Price, Evan Honer, Willow Avalon, Braxton Keith, The Creekers, Kashus Culpepper, Carter Faith, Nicholas Jamerson & The Morning Jays, and Tyce Delk.

Three stages will mean that attendees will have choices around where to go and how to split their time between the big names and the lesser-known acts. The Railbird Music Festival website and media reports emphasize more than 30 artists.

Beyond the list of names, the timing of the ticket sale is also significant. Fans who buy early may secure lower-priced tickets. As noted, the two-day GA ticket tier will be at its lowest price between 12 PM and 1 PM ET on the sale day.

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Venue, ticket info, and other highlights of the Railbird Music Festival

The Railbird Music Festival returns to the infield at Red Mile in Lexington. That site has been the home of Railbird since the move from its earlier venue.

Ticket types and premium experiences are once again part of the offering. As reported, one-day and two-day tickets will be available. Along with general admission (GA) tickets, there will be GA+, VIP, Platinum, and various other package options. Last year's tickets were very much the same, and the highest-tier packages included lounges with shade, air-conditioned bathroom trailers, private bars, and golf cart transport between the stages.

In terms of timing, the tickets go on sale on Wednesday, October 22, at 12 PM ET. Both one-day and two-day tickets plus GA+, VIP, Platinum, Superfecta and cabanas, will be available for purchase. It is said that the two-day GA tickets will be at their best price during the first hour after sales go live at 12 PM ET. After that, the prices will only increase.

Another key element of the festival is honoring Kentucky culture, bourbon culture in particular. While many music festivals have bourbon on site, they do not feature curated bourbon experiences throughout the festival. While you are celebrating music, you can also expect tastings and brand experiences to complement your weekend enjoyment.

On travel and planning: with three stages and a large roster of artists, festival-goers should prepare to do a lot of walking. Premium tickets such as Platinum may provide additional benefits like shorter lines, better viewing areas of the stages, and possibly the service of a personal host.

Anticipating the kind of music one prefers: With The Lumineers and Tyler Childers at the helm, it looks like the festival will be embracing both folk-rock and roots-country sensibilities. That particular combination might have the ability to draw in a very large audience: local fans of Childers and visitors drawn in from the broader Americana/folk scene via The Lumineers. Further, the addition of artists such as Margo Price, Shakey Graves, Houndmouth, and more brings in plenty of variety.

Given the festival's history, first appearing in 2019 at Keeneland and then moving to Red Mile, the 2026 festival - in many ways - continues the festival's evolution.

Regarding timing for fans: Early bird (12pm - 1pm ET) may bring the most value to fans. Fans who do not act quickly will probably need to pay extra or have fewer ticket options available. Fans traveling in from out of town should probably start early with their planning for travel, lodging, and other considerations.

The Railbird Music Festival 2026 announcement provides a strong lineup for attendees, starting with major headliners, appropriate support, the same familiar Kentucky site, and special festival functions. For fans of music, in particular those with a leaning towards folk, American, and country roots, a very promising event will be held in Lexington on June 6-7.