MerleFest 2027 Lineup Lands Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, The Avett Brothers + More

MerleFest announced its 2027 lineup, led by Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Toy Factory Project, The Avett Brothers and Wynonna Judd. The festival runs April 29 to May 2 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

The 39th MerleFest installment also includes Del McCoury@88, a MerleFest “Delebration” honoring and featuring bluegrass legend Del McCoury with The Travelin’ McCourys. The Travelin’ McCourys will also present The Grateful Ball, their bluegrass-style tribute to the Grateful Dead, at the separately ticketed Late Night Jam on Saturday night.

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings are on the Thursday, April 29 lineup, along with The Brudi Brothers, Peter Rowan & The Walls of Time Band, Rev. Robert Jones, Presley Barker, Donna the Buffalo, Banknotes and Pete Wernick.

Toy Factory Project, the Marshall Tucker Band tribute led by original Marshall Tucker Band drummer Paul T. Riddle to honor the music of guitarist and songwriter Toy Caldwell, headlines on Friday, April 30. Del McCoury@88 plays that day alongside Jake Shimabukuro, The Earls of Leicester, Kruger Brothers, Magoo, Chatham Rabbits, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Chatham County Line, Altan, Larry & Joe and Wayne Henderson.

The Avett Brothers, who also topped the MerleFest 2025 lineup, lead Saturday, May 1, with Sam Bush, Mountain Grass Unit, Scythian, Jim Lauderdale, The Waybacks, Alison Brown, Mason Via and Tray Wellington.

Wynonna Judd is on the bill on Sunday, May 2, with Jake Shimabukuro, Slap Dragon and Jim Avett. Additional artists will be announced in early December.

Tickets are on sale now. Options include general admission, covered patio seating, reserved seating, camping and parking.