Sheryl Crow Joins Willie Nelson’s 2026 Outlaw Music Festival

12 shows. Willie Nelson headlines all of them. Sheryl Crow plays six. The Avett Brothers and Wilco split supporting duties by region. Bob Dylan is out. General sale opens March 27 .

The 2026 Outlaw Music Festival covers just 12 cities roughly one-third the footprint of last year’s 35-stop run. Nelson is 92. The press release frames the reduction plainly: each night carries added significance, a rare chance to experience a living legend. That is not marketing copy. That is an honest description of where this tour stands in 2026.

How Many Shows Is Willie Nelson Doing in 2026?

The 2026 tour opens July 3 at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas, and wraps August 30 at Albany Med Health System at SPAC in Saratoga Springs, New York 12 shows total. Nelson addressed the scale-back directly: “Being on the road and playing for the fans is what I love to do. We don’t get to do as many shows as we used to, so every night out there means a little more.”

Nelson also recently announced his new album Dream Chaser, his 79th solo studio LP, due May 29. A new record and a focused 12-date summer tour make for a coherent plan.

The Full 2026 Lineup at a Glance

Stephen Wilson Jr. appears at 11 of the 12 shows. The Avett Brothers play nine dates. Lukas Nelson is on eight bills. Sheryl Crow is booked for six. Wilco plays three. The full rotating cast also includes Margo Price, Sierra Hull, Robert Randolph, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, Lily Meola, and Rodney Crowell.

The tour breaks into two clear legs a Texas run in July with Wilco and Crow, and a Midwest-to-Northeast run in August with the Avett Brothers.

Full 2026 Outlaw Music Festival Dates and Lineups

July Texas Leg

July 3 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory Willie Nelson & Family, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Margo Price, Lily Meola

July 4 Austin, TX Germania Insurance Amphitheater Willie Nelson & Family, Billy Strings, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Margo Price, Rodney Crowell, Lily Meola

Nelson’s annual 4th of July Picnic a standalone Texas institution running since 1973.

July 5 The Woodlands, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Willie Nelson & Family, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Stephen Wilson Jr., Margo Price, Lily Meola

August Midwest Leg

Aug. 18 Maryland Heights, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheater Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sierra Hull, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Aug. 19 Shakopee, MN Mystic Lake Amphitheater Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Sierra Hull, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Aug. 21 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sierra Hull, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Aug. 22 Clarkston, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sierra Hull, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Aug. 23 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sierra Hull, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Aug. 25 Tinley Park, IL Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sierra Hull, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

August Northeast Leg

Aug. 28 Wantagh, NY Northwell at Jones Beach Theater Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Stephen Wilson Jr., Robert Randolph, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Aug. 29 — Bethel, NY — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Stephen Wilson Jr., Robert Randolph, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Aug. 30 Saratoga Springs, NY Albany Med Health System at SPAC Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Stephen Wilson Jr., Robert Randolph, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Willie Nelson Setlist: What to Expect

No 2026 setlists exist yet. Based on setlist.fm data across multiple 2025 Outlaw Music Festival dates, Nelson’s set runs roughly 75 to 90 minutes and follows a consistent structure night to night.

Typical Willie Nelson & Family Setlist (based on 2025 Outlaw tour data):

1. Whiskey River (Johnny Bush cover opener, every night)
2. Stay a Little Longer (Bob Wills cover)
3. Still Is Still Moving to Me
4. Bloody Mary Morning
5. I Never Cared for You
6. Workin’ Man Blues (Merle Haggard cover)
7. Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (Ed Bruce cover)
8. Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
9. On the Road Again
10. You Were Always on My Mind
11. Georgia On My Mind
12. Good Hearted Woman (Waylon Jennings cover)
13. Me & Paul
14. Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die
15. Will the Circle Be Unbroken / I’ll Fly Away (medley)
16. Funny How Time Slips Away / Crazy / Night Life (medley frequent close

On shared nights with Wilco, members of that band have joined Nelson’s set for “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” Expect similar moments when Crow is in the building. The two have enough shared history — from their 2002 CMT Crossroads special to Crow’s appearance on the inaugural 2016 Scranton date alongside Nelson and Neil Young that some form of joint stage time is the norm, not a bonus.

Sheryl Crow Setlist: What to Expect

Crow’s Outlaw sets run roughly 55 to 65 minutes. Her recent touring setlists show a tight, hits-forward structure with one or two well-chosen covers.

Typical Sheryl Crow Setlist (based on recent touring data):

1. Steve McQueen
2. A Change Would Do You Good
3. Everyday Is a Winding Road
4. If It Makes You Happy
5. Real Gone
6. My Favorite Mistake
7. Strong Enough
8. Soak Up the Sun
9. The First Cut Is the Deepest (Cat Stevens cover)
10. All I Wanna Do

Crow has opened with “Steve McQueen” at the majority of recent shows and closed her slots with “All I Wanna Do” or “Soak Up the Sun.” At Outlaw dates, her set lands mid-afternoon before Nelson’s headlining close.

What Happened to Bob Dylan?

Dylan co-headlined every Outlaw Music Festival date in both 2024 and 2025. He does not appear anywhere on the 2026 lineup. Dylan announced his own separate summer amphitheater tour, with stops in Woodinville, Washington, Thackerville, Oklahoma, and Vienna, Virginia.

His absence clears the top of the bill for the Avett Brothers and Wilco to carry their respective legs both acts with the catalog depth to hold that position.

Tickets: How and When to Buy

A Citi Card member presale began March 25. General public on-sale opens March 27 at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster. VIP packages are also available.

Twelve dates across the country. Officially described as a “special limited run.” Move on presale if you have Citi card access.

What to Expect at the Show

All 2026 venues are outdoor amphitheaters. Most shows run three to four hours. Gates open mid-afternoon, so arriving early puts you in front of the full rotating bill.

The Outlaw Village market local food, craft beer, and regional vendors runs throughout the day at most stops. Each festival date runs as a full afternoon event, not a two-hour concert.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Willie Nelson performing at every 2026 Outlaw Music Festival date? Yes. Willie Nelson & Family headlines all 12 shows.

How many dates is Sheryl Crow playing? Six the three Texas shows in July and the three New York shows in August.

Is Bob Dylan on the 2026 tour? No. Dylan announced his own separate summer amphitheater tour and does not appear on any 2026 Outlaw dates.

When do tickets go on general sale? March 27 at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster. Citi Card member presale started March 25.

Are VIP packages available? Yes. VIP packages are available alongside standard tickets through Ticketmaster.

How long is Willie Nelson’s set? Roughly 75 to 90 minutes. He opens with “Whiskey River” every night.

How long is Sheryl Crow’s set? Roughly 55 to 65 minutes. She typically opens with “Steve McQueen.”

What time do gates open? Mid-afternoon at most venues. Shows run three to four hours start to finish.

Is the Outlaw Village at every show? Most stops include the Outlaw Village market — local food, craft beer, and regional vendors running throughout the day.

Why is the 2026 tour only 12 dates? Nelson is 92. The tour is officially described as a “special limited run.” Fewer shows mean higher demand at each stop.

Where does the 2026 tour start and end? It opens July 3 in Irving, Texas, and closes August 30 in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Will Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson perform together? They have shared a stage at Outlaw dates going back to the inaugural 2016 show. Expect at least one joint appearance during Nelson’s headlining set on nights they’re both on the bill.