Outlaw Music Festival at Jones Beach 2026: Wantagh Tickets & Lineup

The Outlaw Music Festival opens a three-night New York finale at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh on Friday, August 28, 2026. Willie Nelson & Family headline alongside Sheryl Crow, The Avett Brothers, and three more acts on Long Island’s waterfront stage.

The Northeast swing brings a different roster than the Midwest dates. Sheryl Crow and Robert Randolph step into the lineup for the final three stops, replacing Lukas Nelson and Sierra Hull. That swap shifts the sonic flavour from folk-bluegrass toward rock and blues.

Jones Beach Theater sits on Zach’s Bay — the only venue on the 2026 tour where the stage faces open water. The amphitheater has hosted the Outlaw Festival at least three times since 2022. This fourth appearance kicks off a Friday-Saturday-Sunday run through Wantagh, Bethel, and Saratoga Springs.

Nelson rides into the Northeast with fresh studio material. His 79th solo album, Dream Chaser, dropped May 29, 2026 — three months ahead of this date.

Wantagh Lineup — Outlaw Music Festival 2026

Six acts take the waterfront stage on August 28. The Wantagh bill reflects the Northeast-specific rotation that runs through Bethel and Saratoga Springs.

Sheryl Crow owns nine Grammy Awards and a catalogue that stretches from “All I Wanna Do” to her 2019 country crossover, Threads. She joins the Outlaw bill only for the final three New York stops, replacing the folk-roots acts from the Midwest leg.

Robert Randolph attacks the pedal steel guitar with a gospel-blues intensity that transforms every stage he touches. Like Crow, he appears exclusively at the Wantagh, Bethel, and Saratoga dates.

The Avett Brothers hold the co-headliner slot across nine of 12 tour dates, delivering explosive folk-rock sets that swing between intimate ballads and full-band eruptions. Stephen Wilson Jr. appears at 11 of 12 stops, making him the most traveled supporting act on the 2026 roster.

Meanwhile, Don Was opens each night through the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. The Blue Note Records president and Rolling Stones producer leads a rotating cast of musicians through jazz-soaked roots grooves.

Outlaw Music Festival Wantagh Tickets

General public tickets went on sale Friday, March 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM through Ticketmaster and Live Nation. Citi Card members gained early access via a presale starting March 25.

Prices start around $54.50 based on early listings. Friday night demand at a waterfront Long Island venue runs strong, so early purchase helps secure better options.

VIP packages offer upgraded seating and dedicated amenities. On-site parking fills designated fields (typically Field 4 or 5 for concerts). Arrive well before gates — the beach location funnels all traffic through a single-road approach.

Venue Essentials — Jones Beach Theater

Northwell at Jones Beach Theater occupies a waterfront position at 895 Bay Pkwy, Wantagh, NY 11793. The open-air amphitheater holds approximately 14,500 to 15,000 fans. The stage faces Zach’s Bay — a setting unlike any other venue on the 2026 tour.

Mobile-Only Entry

Jones Beach requires mobile tickets through your phone. Download and save your tickets before arriving at the venue. Cell service can drop near the beach, and the box office operates only on event days from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Cashless Operations

The venue runs primarily cashless. Bring a credit card, debit card, or NFC mobile wallet like Apple Pay for all food, drink, and merchandise purchases inside.

Bag Policy

Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12″ × 6″ × 12″ pass security. Small non-clear clutch bags up to 6″ × 9″ also qualify. Security rejects all other bags at the gate.

No Lawn Chairs

Jones Beach Theatre bans outside lawn chairs of any kind. Fans coming from Tinley Park — where personal chairs pass freely — should leave them in the car. No on-site rentals have been confirmed for this venue.

No Tailgating

The venue bans tailgating after the concert ends. Pack up and head out once the music wraps.

Waterfront Wind

The bay breeze picks up significantly after sunset. Even on warm August evenings in the mid-80s°F, the wind off Zach’s Bay can drop the perceived temperature by 10 degrees or more. Bring a jacket or hoodie for the Willie Nelson closing set after 9:00 PM.

What to Expect at the Jones Beach Show

Parking lots open around 1:00 PM. Gates swing open between 1:30 and 2:00 PM, and the first note hits at 3:20 PM. Based on past Outlaw dates at this venue, the show wraps around 10:30 PM.

Estimated Set Times

These are editorial estimates based on the confirmed 3:20 PM start and historical Outlaw Music Festival sequencing at Jones Beach. Official times are typically released through festival channels on the morning of the show.

Setlist Preview

Nelson consistently leads with “Whiskey River” and works through 20-plus songs spanning seven decades. Crow typically plays “If It Makes You Happy” and “All I Wanna Do” during her 75-minute set.

Weather at Jones Beach

Late August on Long Island brings warm, humid afternoons in the low to mid-80s°F. The waterfront amplifies the evening cooldown after sunset. By the time Nelson takes the stage past 9:00 PM, a light jacket becomes essential.

Where Wantagh Fits the 2026 Tour

Wantagh stands at stop 10 of 12, opening a three-night New York finale. The next night brings Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY on August 29. The tour closes at SPAC in Saratoga Springs on August 30.

A three-day gap separates the Midwest closer in Tinley Park, IL on August 25 from this Wantagh opener. That break marks the dividing line between the tour’s two geographic halves — and the point where the lineup shifts from folk-bluegrass to rock-and-blues.

Jones Beach has hosted the Outlaw Festival in 2022, 2024, and 2025. This fourth appearance cements the venue as a core stop on the tour’s Northeast circuit. The 2026 edition covers just 12 dates, down from 35 in 2025.

FAQs

Can I bring a lawn chair to Jones Beach Theater?

No. Jones Beach bans outside lawn chairs of any kind. Unlike Tinley Park, which allows personal chairs, this venue turns them away at the gate.

Does Jones Beach Theater accept cash?

The venue runs primarily cashless. Bring a credit card, debit card, or NFC mobile wallet like Apple Pay for all purchases inside.

What bags can I bring to the Outlaw Festival at Jones Beach?

Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12″ × 6″ × 12″ or small non-clear clutch bags up to 6″ × 9″. Security rejects all other bags at the gate.

Do I need mobile tickets for Jones Beach?

Yes. All events use mobile-only entry. Download your tickets to your phone before arriving — cell service near the beach can drop and the box office operates limited hours.

What time does the Outlaw Festival at Jones Beach end?

Based on past shows, Willie Nelson & Family typically finish around 10:30 PM. Plan for a slow exit due to the single-road traffic pattern at the beach.

How does the wind affect the Jones Beach show?

The stage faces Zach’s Bay, and the evening breeze off the water drops perceived temperature significantly after sunset. Even on warm August nights, bring a jacket or hoodie for the headliner set after 9:00 PM.