The Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival is happening August 7–9, 2026, and if you’re anywhere near Teton Valley this weekend, you’re in the right place at the right time. This year marks the festival’s 36th edition, with a lineup that may be the strongest in recent memory—headlined by four-time Grammy winner Sierra Ferrell and Grammy-nominated Jesse Welles, playing their Grand Targhee debuts. If you’re planning to attend and need a home base that sleeps your whole crew, The Barn in Driggs puts you 12 miles from the mountain with a free shuttle stop right in the neighborhood.
What Is the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival?
The Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival has been a summer institution since 1988, running on the slopes of Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming—just 12 miles up the canyon from Driggs. After a four-year hiatus, it returned in 2023 and has gained momentum every year since. The format is simple and excellent: three days of live music on an outdoor stage at 8,000 feet, with the Teton Range as your backdrop and some of the best bluegrass, folk, and Americana acts touring today.
The setting alone makes this festival stand out. Unlike most major music festivals where the scenery is a parking lot and a fenced-in field, Targhee Bluegrass puts you on a mountain. The air is cool even in August, the views are unobstructed, and when the sun sets behind the Tetons on a Friday night, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.
2026 Lineup: Who’s Playing and When
The 2026 bill is a deep card with something for every kind of fan who falls anywhere on the bluegrass-to-Americana spectrum. Here’s the full schedule by day:
Friday, August 7
- 3:00 PM – Magoo
- 4:30 PM – Keller & The Keels
- 6:00 PM – Yonder Mountain String Band
- 7:45 PM – The Devil Makes Three
- 9:30 PM – Railroad Earth (headliner)
- 11:00 PM – Late Night: AJ Lee & Blue Summit (late night ticket required)
Saturday, August 8
- 11:30 AM – Kyle Tuttle Band
- 1:00 PM – The Brothers Comatose
- 2:45 PM – Shadowgrass
- 4:30 PM – AJ Lee & Blue Summit
- 6:15 PM – Mountain Grass Unit
- 7:45 PM – Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
- 9:30 PM – Jesse Welles (headliner)
- 11:00 PM – Late Night: Mountain Grass Unit (late night ticket required)
Sunday, August 9
- 11:30 AM – Hogslop String Band
- 1:00 PM – Lindsay Lou
- 2:45 PM – Tim O’Brien Band
- 4:30 PM – Sierra Ferrell (Sunday closer)
Sierra Ferrell closing on Sunday is a genuine get. She’s been on a remarkable run since her Grammy wins—intense live performer, devoted following, and exactly the kind of artist that makes a three-day mountain festival feel like a once-a-year event rather than a casual weekend.
Tickets and Getting In
Weekend passes and single-day tickets are available through Grand Targhee’s official Bluegrass Festival page. If higher tiers have sold through, Tier 4 and door tickets may be available at the festival box office on-site August 7–9. Late Night tickets for the Thursday/Friday after-shows require a separate purchase at the door.
The festival is general admission. Blankets and low-back chairs are the move. The stage faces west toward the Tetons, so plan on watching the mountains go from bright afternoon to alpenglow to star-filled sky over the course of a single set—one of those travel experiences that’s genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else.
Getting There from Driggs
From downtown Driggs, Grand Targhee Resort is 12 miles up Ski Hill Road into the canyon—roughly a 25-minute drive in normal conditions. During the festival, traffic on Ski Hill Road can back up, particularly Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, so build in extra time. A few practical notes:
- Shuttle: Grand Targhee runs a free shuttle from Driggs during the festival season—check the resort’s website for exact festival weekend schedule. The shuttle stop is convenient to The Barn, making it easy to leave the car and enjoy the late nights without stress.
- Parking: On-site parking is available at the resort but fills up, especially Friday. Consider carpooling from Driggs if you have a big group—one vehicle up a mountain road is easier than six.
- Cell service: Limited on the mountain. Download your tickets beforehand and grab food/beverage recommendations before you head up the canyon.
What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind)
At 8,000 feet in August, the daytime temperature is comfortable—usually low-to-mid 70s—but evenings cool quickly once the sun drops. Layering is essential if you’re staying for the headliners. Here’s a practical festival packing list:
- Low-back folding chair or blanket (high-back chairs are typically not permitted at outdoor festivals—confirm on the Targhee website)
- Light fleece or jacket for the evening sets
- Sunscreen and sunglasses—the alpine sun at altitude is intense, even on mild days
- Reusable water bottle (refill stations available; hydration matters more at elevation)
- Layers for the late-night sets—temperatures can dip into the low 50s after dark
- Comfortable shoes you don’t mind on grass and dirt terrain
- Downloaded tickets on your phone—don’t rely on cell signal up the canyon
Food and beverage vendors are on-site. The resort also has full restaurant and bar service, so you’re not stuck with festival food if you want a real meal between sets.
Making a Weekend of It: Combining Bluegrass and Teton Valley
The best way to do Targhee Bluegrass is to treat it as the anchor for a longer Teton Valley stay, not just a one-day drive-in. Here’s how a three-day weekend looks when you’re based in Driggs:
Friday
Sleep in, walk downtown for breakfast at Big Hole Bagels or Provisions, then head up to Targhee for the afternoon gates. Catch Keller & The Keels, Yonder Mountain, and The Devil Makes Three before the Railroad Earth headline set. Take the shuttle back to Driggs or hit the late night if you have tickets.
Saturday
Arrive when gates open at 11 AM and catch the full day—Kyle Tuttle through Jesse Welles. Saturday has the longest lineup and the best selection of mid-tier acts that reward early arrival. Post-headliner, come back to Driggs for a late dinner at Tatanka Tavern’s rooftop or Citizen 33 Brewery.
Sunday
Morning coffee and a slow start, then head up for Lindsay Lou and the Tim O’Brien Band before Sierra Ferrell closes things out at 4:30 PM. Sunday crowds tend to thin slightly, which makes it a great day to get close to the stage. After Sierra Ferrell, you’re back in Driggs by early evening with time for a sunset hike or a dinner at Forage Bistro before heading home Monday.
Where to Stay for Targhee Bluegrass Festival
If you’re coming with a group—family reunion, friend crew, college friends doing a summer trip—Driggs is the obvious base. You’re close enough to drive up every day, but you’re not sleeping on the mountain, which means real beds, real bathrooms, a full kitchen for breakfast, and yard space for the kids or dogs to decompress between sets.
The Barn sleeps up to 14 guests across 8 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, so your entire group stays together under one roof instead of split across three Airbnbs. We’re pet-friendly (two dogs welcome, $75 fee), five minutes from downtown Driggs on foot, and right near the shuttle stop for the mountain. For a three-day music weekend with a group, it’s the most comfortable and practical option in the valley.
The festival dates are August 7–9. Check our availability and book directly at thebarndriggs.com/book-online—spots for this weekend will go quickly.
