Festival Announcement & On-Sale Next Week!

Get ready! In only six days, on Sept. 9 at 9:00 a.m. ET, the Big Ears 2026 lineup will be revealed. As in previous years, there will be special pre-sales for our donors and previous pass purchasers, with festival passes available to the general public on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Lineup Announcement + Special Donor Pre-Sale

Tuesday, Sept. 9 • 9:00 a.m. ET

Previous Purchaser Pre-Sale

Wednesday, Sept. 10 • 9:00 a.m. ET

Public On-Sale

Thursday, Sept. 11 • 9:00 a.m. ET

Are you interested in donating to support the mission of Big Ears? You can learn more and donate at the link below! (Donors making a gift of $100 or more between Sept. 10, 2024 - Sept. 7, 2025 are eligible for the Special Donor Pre-Sale.)

Festival Passes

A Big Ears Festival pass unlocks over 250 concerts, films, talks, installations, and unexpected encounters over four unforgettable days in 20 downtown Knoxville venues. Three unique 4-day passes—Weekend, Premier, and Sonic Explorer VIP—offer varying levels of access and benefits. Pending availability and demand, a limited number of single-day passes may be offered at a later date.

Beginning this year, Big Ears is adopting an “all-in” ticket pricing model. All fees associated with our passes, including ticketing, processing, and venue fees, will now be included in the overall price of a festival pass—so what you see is what you pay.

Separately Ticketed Concerts

Big Ears 2026 will feature a limited number of separately ticketed concerts. These performances will be announced with the full festival lineup. Tickets for these special performances will be offered to all 4-Day passholders at a preferred price with VIP and Premier receiving priority access, followed by Weekend passholders, before making them available to the general public.

Prior to the on-sale for these separately ticketed concerts, Big Ears will publish the weekend’s performance schedule so patrons can make informed decisions about their festival journey. Keep your eyes on our newsletter and socials for updates!

Hotels

Knoxville offers a wide range of lodging options for every kind of traveler. Staying downtown puts you in the middle of it all—steps from venues, restaurants, and the energy of the festival. But nearby areas like Cedar Bluff, Papermill, and North Knoxville offer their own perks: more space, lower rates, and only a quick drive, cab, or rideshare into the heart of the action. Check out our website for a list of suggested hotels.

Big Ears has partnered with Visit Knoxville to offer festival patrons preferred hotel rates at select properties throughout Knoxville. While we have worked with Visit Knoxville and our local hotel partners to secure more discounted rooms than ever, these options are very popular and only available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Planning Your Trip

Need some help planning your trip to Knoxville? Our website features helpful insights and tips to help you chart your journey through an unforgettable four days.

Big Ears & Bandcamp Team Up for Bandcamp Friday

This Friday, Sept. 5, we’re teaming up with Bandcamp to champion independent artists. Bandcamp Fridays are select days when Bandcamp waives its share of revenue, so all artist and label proceeds from music and merch sales go directly to them. Since 2020, fans around the world have contributed millions of dollars to artists and labels on these days.

At Big Ears, we create sonic experiences that defy boundaries, celebrate independent voices, and bring people together. Bandcamp is where so many of those artists and fans connect directly—fueling a community built on curiosity, discovery, and connection.

This is just the beginning of our partnership. In the months ahead, look for more Bandcamp x Big Ears collaborations leading right into the 2026 festival.

So while you wait for the lineup reveal, mark your calendar for Sept. 5 to support the artists you love—and discover someone new—on Bandcamp Friday.