The 2026 Bear Shadow music festival lineup features headliners Trombone Shorty (Saturday) and Charley Crockett (Sunday). Mavis Staples, Margo Price, Marc Broussard, Kashus Culpepper, Pony Bradshaw and J & The Causeways will also perform, according to an announcement from Highlands Festivals, Inc. today. The music festival is set to return to Highlands, NC, from May 29th-31st, 2026.
“We are bringing the heat with this lineup!” said Casey Reid, festival director and partner at Eleven Events. “After taking a year off, we knew our fans would be ready to rock again. The artists on our 2026 lineup are Grammy award winners, nominees and performers – proof positive that Bear Shadow is a must for the industry’s top talent … and a must-see for our fans.”
Bear Shadow, produced by Highlands Festivals, Inc. and Eleven Events, is a music festival named in honor of the bear-like shadow that appears behind the region’s Whiteside Mountain in the fall and spring. The festival features a variety of live musical acts for nearly any musical taste.
The festival promises a jam-packed weekend of music, mountains, mindfulness and community, including a special charity event and immersive daytime experiences.
Bear Shadow 2026 Lineup
Friday, May 29, 2026
An exclusive and intimate pre-festival concert will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026. This live music event will benefit Stage4Hope, a public charity connecting advanced-stage cancer patients to lifesaving treatment, travel support, emotional-wellness retreats, and lung cancer research. More details to come.
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Trombone Shorty: Natural born showman Troy Andrews, or “Trombone Shorty,” got his start as a musician at the age of 4 and by the age of 16, was performing in Lenny Kravitz’s band for his Electric Church World Tour. More than just a horn player, Shorty is an undeniable star with magnetic charisma, gracing national audiences and garnering attention from national outlets such as Vanity Fair and The New York Times. In addition to touring with stars from Jeff Black to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shorty has released five chart-topping studio albums; collaborated across genres with artists such as Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Foo Fighters, Zac Brown and Normani; played Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and nearly every other major festival; performed at the GRAMMY® Awards four times, at the White House six times and on countless TV programs. Shorty will headline Saturday’s Main Stage.
Mavis Staples: Mavis Staples has been performing since she was 8, marking over 70 years of blending blues, rock and gospel in innovative, yet timeless ways. Now 86, Staples has been inducted into several halls of fame (blues, rock and gospel), won multiple GRAMMY® Awards and collaborated with major figures such as Bob Dylan, Prince, Aretha Franklin and Willie Nelson. Her most recent album, Sad and Beautiful World, draws inspiration from the musician’s multigenerational experience in the industry and spans seven decades of the American songbook – a range nearly as vast as Mavis’ career.
Marc Broussard: Growing up the son of a Louisiana Hall of Fame guitarist of “The Boogie Kings” and immersed in the vibrant Lafayette, Louisiana music scene, Marc Broussard’s musical gifts were nurtured from an early age. Blending classic R&B, rock and soul into contemporary terms, the musician creates a sound true to himself and his roots. Broussard’s latest release, S.O.S. 4: Blues for Your Soul, featuring Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, is a blues cover record combining Broussard’s unique craft and classic roots.
J & The Causeways: Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, J & The Causeways will bring a combination of soul, blues, jazz and R&B to the Bear Shadow stage. Fronted by keyboardist Jordan Anderson, the group’s powerful sound is influenced by Anderson’s grandmother, a piano teacher in his Louisiana hometown. Her music collection featured a mix of influential artists from Otis Redding, Al Green, Queen and Aretha Franklin, all combining to inspire the group’s dynamic style. Anderson’s lead is backed by a six-piece band including: bass, drums, guitar, organ, saxophone and trumpet, blending together in harmonious, funky soul.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Charley Crockett: From singing with an open guitar case on the streets of Louisiana to selling out renowned venues, Charley Crockett has proven his talent and star power time and time again. The GRAMMY® Award-nominated Texas-born musician will headline Bear Shadow on Sunday, bringing his signature home-inspired “Gulf & Western” sound to the Basecamp Main Stage. In the past year, Crockett has headlined Red Rocks Amphitheater, performed in the Hollywood Bowl and played two sold-out nights at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Not only has Crockett received praise from The New Yorker, The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Variety; he often appears on late-night and morning TV programs, showcasing his talent to national audiences.
Margo Price: It’s been nearly a decade since country artist Margo Price released her debut solo album, and the unapologetically authentic star hasn’t stopped stunning fans yet. Boasting four records, a GRAMMY® nomination, countless star-studded collaborations and a lauded memoir, Price has proved her unmatched talent and ability to thrive alongside the mainstream, despite her unique approach to the craft. The independent-minded songwriter performs truth-telling classic country songs written from the intellect and gut.
Pony Bradshaw: Pony Bradshaw, born James Bradshaw has been deemed a “rambling troubadour” by Rolling Stone. Bradshaw is on his third release, Thus Spoke the Fool, continuing his habit of telling odd stories from different angles. His songs transport listeners to his now home, Georgia, with tales rich in imagery and a hybrid mix of bluegrass and Americana, rich with sounds of rustic guitar, fiddle and pedal steel.
Kashus Culpepper: Alabama-born country music star Kashus Culpepper’s musical journey began five years ago during deployment with the Navy. The 26-year-old veteran’s music has developed from cover songs to original tunes, moving from performing at dive bars up and down the coast to selling out shows across the South. Culpepper truly encompasses the sounds of the region, blending styles of country, soul, blues, folk and rock in his craft. The relatively new artist was named one of The Tennessean’s “10 Nashville artists you need to know for 2024” and has since proven his showmanship and talent on stages across the South.
Daytime Experiences
Also returning to the Bear Shadow schedule for 2026 are the beloved daytime events that allow festival goers to immerse in the outdoors. Daytime events at the 2026 Bear Shadow will include “Live Stream” fly fishing excursion with Brookings Anglers, and Summit & Sound guided hikes complete with an up-close-and-very-personal music experience overlooking high vista views.
The festival will be held at Ferngrove in Highlands, North Carolina.
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