Outlaw Festival Alpine Valley 2026: Lineup, Tickets & Tips
The Outlaw Music Festival returns to Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin, on Friday, August 21, 2026. Willie Nelson & Family headline a six-act bill featuring The Avett Brothers and Lukas Nelson. Three more artists round out the lineup at one of America’s most iconic outdoor amphitheaters.
This marks the third Outlaw Music Festival stop at Alpine Valley in four years. The venue hosted the 10th-anniversary tour finale in September 2025 and a standout date in June 2023.
For the 11th-anniversary tour, Blackbird Presents and Live Nation scaled back from 35 dates in 2025 to just 12. Alpine Valley lands as stop six on that limited run, anchoring the heart acof the Midwest swing.
Nelson also brings fresh material to the stage. His 79th solo studio album, Dream Chaser, drops May 29, 2026 — nearly three months before this date.
Alpine Valley Lineup — Outlaw Music Festival 2026
Six confirmed acts take the stage on August 21. Here is the complete lineup for the East Troy date.
| Artist | Role |
|---|---|
| Willie Nelson & Family | Headliner |
| The Avett Brothers | Co-Headliner |
| Lukas Nelson | Supporting |
| Stephen Wilson Jr. | Supporting |
| Sierra Hull | Supporting |
| Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble | Supporting |
The Avett Brothers carry a deep catalogue of folk-rock anthems and serve as the main support act at nine of the 12 tour stops. Lukas Nelson, Willie’s son, blends rock and Americana with sets that honour his father’s legacy.
Stephen Wilson Jr. appears at 11 of 12 dates this tour, making him the most consistent presence behind Willie himself. Sierra Hull brings Grammy-nominated bluegrass mandolin to the bill.
Meanwhile, Don Was serves as the legendary producer and current president of Blue Note Records. He leads the Pan-Detroit Ensemble through jazz and roots-driven sets that open each show.
Tickets for Outlaw Festival at Alpine Valley
General public tickets went on sale Friday, March 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM CDT through Ticketmaster. Citi Card members gained early access via a presale starting March 25.
VIP packages include dedicated club access and upgraded viewing areas. Free general parking comes with every ticket — no separate parking pass needed for standard entry.
Add-ons cover lawn chair rentals ($10–$15), Fast Lane entry to skip the main gate line, and VIP club upgrades. Premier Parking and oversize vehicle passes sell separately for RVs and buses.
Venue Essentials — Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Alpine Valley Music Theatre sits at W2699 County Rd D, East Troy, WI 53120. The venue holds 37,000 fans across two sections: roughly 7,500 covered pavilion seats and a sprawling 29,500-capacity grass lawn.
The amphitheater occupies a former ski hill. Its natural bowl shape and wooden roof deliver some of the best acoustics in outdoor live music. The steep lawn provides clear sightlines from nearly every angle, even for fans sitting far from the stage.
Bag Policy
Only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12″ × 6″ × 12″ pass security. Small clutch bags (max 6″ × 9″) do not need to be clear. All other bags get turned away at the gate.
Cashless Venue
Alpine Valley accepts credit cards, debit cards, and mobile pay only. Bring a contactless payment method for concessions, merchandise, and chair rentals.
Lawn Seating Rules
Outside lawn chairs of any kind are not permitted. The venue rents low-profile chairs for $10–$15, and you can reserve them online or at the rental stands inside.
On the other hand, small blankets and beach towels work well on the lawn. Arrive early to grab a level spot on the steep hillside.
What You Can Bring
The venue allows one factory-sealed water bottle up to one gallon per person. You can also carry an empty reusable non-glass bottle. Food passes security if packed in a clear one-gallon plastic bag.
What to Expect at the Alpine Valley Show
Performances kick off at 3:30 PM on a Friday afternoon. Based on past Outlaw Festival set structures, expect over seven hours of continuous live music stretching past 10:00 PM. The Friday date gives fans the full weekend to recover.
Estimated Set Times
| Estimated Order | Artist | Estimated Time (CDT) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble | 3:30 – 4:00 PM |
| 2 | Sierra Hull | 4:15 – 4:55 PM |
| 3 | Stephen Wilson Jr. | 5:10 – 5:55 PM |
| 4 | Lukas Nelson | 6:10 – 7:10 PM |
| 5 | The Avett Brothers | 7:40 – 9:00 PM |
| 6 | Willie Nelson & Family | 9:30 – 10:45 PM |
These are editorial estimates based on past Outlaw Music Festival performance sequences. Official set times typically release closer to the show date.
Tailgating
Tailgating is a long-standing tradition at Alpine Valley. Parking lots typically open around 2:00 PM for a 3:30 PM show. Keep your setup within your parking stall and wrap up once the music starts.
Overnight parking after the show is strictly prohibited. The venue tows vehicles left in the lot, so plan your exit before the final encore.
Weather
Late August in East Troy brings warm days in the mid-70s to low 80s°F. Temperatures drop quickly after sunset on the exposed hillside. Bring a light jacket or hoodie for the Willie Nelson & Family closing set.
Where Alpine Valley Fits the 2026 Tour
Alpine Valley sits at stop six of the 12-date run. Two days earlier, the tour plays Shakopee, MN on August 19. The next morning, the crew heads to Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI for an August 22 show.
This venue carries deep Outlaw Festival roots. Willie Nelson brought the tour here in June 2023 with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Trampled By Turtles, and Molly Tuttle. He also performed with his grandson Micah Nelson (Particle Kid) during that run.
The September 2025 finale featured Sheryl Crow and closed the 10th-anniversary run in front of tens of thousands. Before that, Nelson played Alpine Valley for Farm Aid in 2019.
The 2026 edition covers just 12 cities, down from 35 in 2025. Every stop carries extra significance on this limited schedule.
FAQs
Is parking free at Alpine Valley for the Outlaw Festival?
Yes. General parking comes free with your ticket. Premier Parking and oversize vehicle passes cost extra and sell separately through Ticketmaster.
Can I tailgate at Alpine Valley Music Theatre?
Yes. The venue allows tailgating in the parking lots before the show. Stay within your stall and stop once the music begins.
What bags can I bring to Alpine Valley?
Only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags (max 12″ × 6″ × 12″) or small clutch bags (max 6″ × 9″). No backpacks or non-clear bags.
Can I bring my own lawn chair?
No. Outside lawn chairs are not allowed. The venue rents low-profile chairs for $10–$15 at on-site rental stands or through online pre-order.
Can I bring water and food into the venue?
Yes. You can bring one factory-sealed water bottle (up to one gallon) or an empty reusable non-glass bottle. Food must fit in a clear one-gallon plastic bag.
What time does the Outlaw Festival at Alpine Valley end?
Based on past Outlaw Festival shows, the final set typically wraps around 10:45 PM. Plan for a late-night exit from the parking lots.
The Outlaw Music Festival 2026 takes place at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, W2699 County Rd D, East Troy, WI 53120 on Friday, August 21, 2026. Performances begin at 3:30 PM CDT. The confirmed lineup includes Willie Nelson and Family as headliner, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sierra Hull, and Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble.
Tickets went on general sale on March 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM CDT via Ticketmaster, with Citi Card presale from March 25, 2026. VIP packages and add-ons, including lawn chair rentals, Fast Lane entry, and VIP club access are available. General parking is free with ticket purchase. Alpine Valley Music Theatre has a total capacity of 37,000 with approximately 7,500 pavilion seats and 29,500 lawn capacity.
The venue operates as cashless, accepting credit cards, debit cards, and mobile pay only. The Outlaw Music Festival previously visited Alpine Valley on September 19, 2025, as the 10th-anniversary tour finale with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Waxahatchee, and Madeline Edwards, and on June 24, 2023, with Willie Nelson, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Trampled By Turtles.
Willie Nelson also performed at Alpine Valley for Farm Aid in 2019. The 2026 Outlaw Music Festival is the 11th anniversary edition, organized by Blackbird Presents and Live Nation, covering 12 dates from July 3 through August 30, 2026. Alpine Valley is stop number six of twelve, following Shakopee, Minnesota, on August 19 and preceding Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan on August 22. Bob Dylan is not on the 2026 Outlaw Music Festival tour. Willie Nelson’s 79th solo studio album Dream Chaser releases May 29, 2026.