Bourbon & Beyond 2026 returns to the Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky from September 24 to 27, 2026 with its biggest lineup yet. Headlined by Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, and Dave Matthews Band, the world’s largest bourbon, food, and music festival brings 104 artists across four days of rock, Americana, country, and beyond.
Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, Bourbon & Beyond is not just a music festival. It is a full sensory experience combining world-class performances with Kentucky’s finest bourbon distillers, celebrity chefs, and a food and drink culture that rivals any event in America. As Danny Wimmer himself puts it: “There is nothing else quite like it.”
Essential Details for Bourbon & Beyond 2026
- Dates: September 24–27, 2026
- Location: Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center, Louisville, Kentucky
- Tickets: Available at bourbonandbeyond.com
- Ticket Types: 4-Day GA ($391+), 1-Day GA ($164+), Mint VIP, Angel’s Envy VIP, Exacta Pass (combo with Louder Than Life)
- Airport: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
Bourbon & Beyond 2026 Lineup: Headliners and Highlights
Headliners
Foo Fighters – Dave Grohl and the Foos continue their reign as one of the most dependable festival headliners alive. Their marathon sets, packed with anthems like “Everlong,” “Best of You,” and “The Pretender,” are communal rock experiences that leave 50,000+ people singing in unison. Their energy is relentless, their catalogue is bulletproof, and no one leaves a Foo Fighters set disappointed.
Mumford & Sons – The British folk-rock band whose arena-filling anthems like “I Will Wait” and “Little Lion Man” made them one of the biggest bands of the 2010s. Their evolution from acoustic folk to expansive rock has only widened their appeal, and their live shows build to euphoric, arms-in-the-air crescendos.
Chris Stapleton – The reigning king of country music. Stapleton’s voice is one of the most powerful instruments in modern music, and his live performances strip away all artifice, leaving nothing but raw soul, blues, and country. Louisville is Stapleton’s backyard, and this headline set will feel like a homecoming.
Dave Matthews Band – The jam band institution whose improvisational live shows have built one of the most loyal fanbases in music history. Every DMB set is unique, and their ability to stretch songs into extended musical journeys makes them perfect for a festival headlining slot.
Rock and Alternative
Queens of the Stone Age – Josh Homme’s desert rock titans deliver some of the heaviest, most hypnotic riffs in modern rock. From “No One Knows” to “Go with the Flow,” QOTSA’s live shows are a masterclass in controlled aggression.
The Flaming Lips – Wayne Coyne’s psychedelic circus is one of the most visually spectacular live experiences in music. Confetti, giant balloons, costumes, and genuinely transcendent music make every Flaming Lips set an event.
Foster the People, Portugal. the Man, Of Monsters and Men, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick, Jet, Violent Femmes, The Fray, Plain White T’s, Fitz and the Tantrums, and Vertical Horizon add massive rock and alternative depth.
Country, Americana, and Folk
Kacey Musgraves – The Grammy-winning country-pop artist whose genre-defying approach has made her one of the most critically acclaimed musicians of her generation. “Slow Burn” and “Follow Your Arrow” are modern classics.
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – One of the finest songwriters working in any genre. Isbell’s literate, emotionally devastating lyrics paired with the 400 Unit’s tight musicianship make their live shows essential.
Hootie & the Blowfish – Darius Rucker’s original band, whose 90s hits like “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be with You” defined a generation of easy-going rock.
The Red Clay Strays, Charley Crockett, Counting Crows, Father John Misty, Goose, Jesse Wells, The War on Drugs, and 4 Non Blondes bring Americana, jam, and alt-country across the four-day weekend.
Why Bourbon & Beyond 2026 Will Be Legendary
104 Artists Over 4 Days The sheer scale of this lineup is staggering. With four headliners and over a hundred supporting acts spanning rock, country, Americana, folk, and jam, Bourbon & Beyond 2026 is one of the most packed festival bills of the year. The depth ensures there is always something incredible happening on every stage.
The Bourbon Experience This is Louisville, Kentucky, the heart of bourbon country. Bourbon & Beyond features tastings, masterclasses, and experiences with some of the world’s finest distillers. For bourbon enthusiasts, this alone is worth the trip. Combined with world-class music, it is unbeatable.
The Food Bourbon & Beyond’s culinary programming rivals dedicated food festivals. Celebrity chefs, local Louisville restaurants, and gourmet food vendors ensure you eat exceptionally well across all four days.
Louisville in September Late September in Louisville offers warm days and cool evenings, perfect festival weather. The city itself is full of character, from the bourbon distillery trail to the vibrant food scene on Bardstown Road.
Insider Tips for Bourbon & Beyond
Get the Exacta Pass If you are a rock fan, the Exacta Pass gives you access to both Louder Than Life (September 17-20) and Bourbon & Beyond back-to-back. Two weeks of festivals in Louisville is an incredible deal.
Pace Your Bourbon Tastings With this many distillers represented, it is easy to overdo it. Pace yourself, drink water between tastings, and remember you have four days of music ahead.
Do the Bourbon Trail Extend your trip to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Distilleries like Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace are all within driving distance of Louisville and offer unforgettable tours.
Stay Downtown The Expo Center is easily accessible from downtown Louisville. Staying downtown gives you access to the city’s restaurants, bars, and nightlife for after-festival adventures.
Do Not Sleep on the Undercard With 104 artists, some of the best performances will come from names you do not know yet. Arrive early, wander between stages, and let the festival surprise you.
Final Thoughts
Bourbon & Beyond 2026 is the ultimate crossover festival. With Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age delivering rock firepower, Chris Stapleton and Kacey Musgraves representing the best of modern country, Mumford & Sons and Dave Matthews Band bridging folk-rock and jam, and The Flaming Lips bringing psychedelic spectacle, all wrapped in bourbon, gourmet food, and Louisville’s unmatched hospitality, this is a festival experience that stands in a category of its own.
Secure your Bourbon & Beyond 2026 passes at bourbonandbeyond.com and start planning your Louisville weekend.
