The 2026 Railbird Lineup Has a Headliner With History—and Tyler Childers Is Owning Every Note of It. ML
Tyler Childers Returns Home to Headline 2026 Railbird Music Festival
Kentucky’s favorite son is coming home once again.
Tyler Childers, the Grammy-nominated, genre-blurring country star, will headline the 2026 Railbird Music Festival, returning to the stage where he delivered one of the most talked-about performances in the event’s history.
Announced Monday, Railbird will take place June 6–7 at The Infield at Red Mile in Lexington, with Childers closing out the festival on Sunday night. The Lumineers will headline Saturday, setting up a weekend packed with storytelling, strings, and soul.
It marks Childers’ third Railbird appearance and his second time headlining — a move fans anticipated but still cheered wildly across social media when confirmed. His 2023 headline set was a defining moment, and 2026 may be even bigger.
A Discography That Defines a Generation
Childers’ 2017 album Purgatory is now widely considered a cornerstone of modern Appalachian storytelling. Since then, he’s followed up with a series of acclaimed projects, including Country Squire, Long Violent History, and Rustin’ in the Rain — the latter two Grammy-nominated.
His hit In Your Love not only charted in Billboard’s country Top 10 but also landed three Grammy nominations, solidifying Childers’ ability to balance commercial success with deep lyrical resonance. From Rupp Arena to the Grand Ole Opry, and recently, the Healing Appalachia Festival, Childers’ live shows have become experiences — part concert, part spiritual reckoning.
Who Else Is Playing?
Sunday’s stage will also feature Zach Top and Ella Langley, two country newcomers with growing fanbases. Saturday’s main lineup brings the indie-folk energy with The Lumineers, and additional acts like Caamp and Mt. Joy ensure a diverse, roots-heavy weekend.
In total, more than 30 acts will perform across three stages, making Railbird one of the Southeast’s most anticipated festivals.
The Ticket Breakdown
Tickets go on sale Wednesday at noon via railbirdfest.com, starting at:
- GA (2-day): $265
- GA+ (2-day): $400+ – lounge access, private bar, A/C restrooms
- VIP (2-day): $765+ – priority viewing, merch perks, VIP lounges
- Platinum (2-day): $1,850+ – golf cart transportation, all-day dining, exclusive bar
- Trifecta (2-day): $12,500 – on-stage viewing, private reception, and the full VIP experience
With prices rising fast, fans are urged to set reminders and sign up for alerts.
After missing 2020 and 2022, Railbird has been back in full force at Red Mile since 2023. Last year saw Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll take top billing — but 2026 may be the most homegrown lineup yet.
