Ann Arbor Folk Fest to Get Bluegrass Boost in 2026: Greensky Bluegrass Set to Headline
The 49th edition of Ann Arbor's beloved folk festival is shaping up to be a bluegrass bonanza. Kalamazoo-based band Greensky Bluegrass has been tapped as the headlining act for next year's event, bringing their signature blend of bluegrass and jam band influences to the iconic Hill Auditorium stage.
According to organizers, the decision to give Friday night over to a full-length set from the headline act was made in response to audience feedback. The new format will see Greensky Bluegrass kicking off the festival with a full concert on January 30, followed by shorter performances from a mix of artists on Saturday, January 31.
Greensky Bluegrass has built a loyal following in the jam band scene over the years, thanks in part to their five-piece lineup and versatile sound. The band's members - Dave Bruzza (guitar), Paul Hoffman (mandolin), Michael Arlen Bont (banjo), Anders Beck (dobro), and Mike Devol (upright bass) - have become synonymous with high-energy live performances.
Tickets for the Friday show go on sale at 10 a.m. on November 21, while tickets for Saturday's event are available now through The Ark's website. Prices range from $56.60 to $281.50, offering something for every budget.
The Ann Arbor Folk Fest has long been known for raising funds for local non-profit venue The Ark, and this year's event promises to be just as memorable as its predecessors.
The 49th edition of Ann Arbor's beloved folk festival is shaping up to be a bluegrass bonanza. Kalamazoo-based band Greensky Bluegrass has been tapped as the headlining act for next year's event, bringing their signature blend of bluegrass and jam band influences to the iconic Hill Auditorium stage.
According to organizers, the decision to give Friday night over to a full-length set from the headline act was made in response to audience feedback. The new format will see Greensky Bluegrass kicking off the festival with a full concert on January 30, followed by shorter performances from a mix of artists on Saturday, January 31.
Greensky Bluegrass has built a loyal following in the jam band scene over the years, thanks in part to their five-piece lineup and versatile sound. The band's members - Dave Bruzza (guitar), Paul Hoffman (mandolin), Michael Arlen Bont (banjo), Anders Beck (dobro), and Mike Devol (upright bass) - have become synonymous with high-energy live performances.
Tickets for the Friday show go on sale at 10 a.m. on November 21, while tickets for Saturday's event are available now through The Ark's website. Prices range from $56.60 to $281.50, offering something for every budget.
The Ann Arbor Folk Fest has long been known for raising funds for local non-profit venue The Ark, and this year's event promises to be just as memorable as its predecessors.
the way they're giving greensky bluegrass a full set on friday night, though? that's genius 
gotta love when festivals listen to their fans and put them first 
! Their live performances are always crazy energetic so I'm sure the crowd will love 'em 
. Giving them a full concert on Friday night was a great idea, gonna be so sick to see what they bring to the table. The Ark’s been doing some cool stuff with their non-profit venue fundraise so it’s awesome to see the festival keeping that momentum going 
The festival has always been good but I think this new format might just make it the best one yet! Greensky Bluegrass is a great choice as headliner - their energy is infectious 
! it's only fair to give the audience what they want, you know? greensky bluegrass is an amazing band and i can already imagine the energy in hill auditorium when they take the stage 
. been going to this festival for years and it just gets better and better 
I'm so stoked about Greensky Bluegrass taking over the main stage in 2026!!! 
They have a whopping 3.5 million followers on Instagram and their albums average a 4.8-star rating on Spotify! 
The fact that they're bringing their full set to Friday night already has me hyped for the entire weekend! 
The Ark raises an estimated $200k annually from festival proceeds, which is insane! 
just heard that Greensky Bluegrass is headlining the Ann Arbor Folk Fest in 2026 
still stoked tho!
greensky bluegrass is literally the best bluegrass band out there! their live shows are insane!! i love how they're headlining ann arbor folk fest in 2026 it's gonna be such a blast 
i'm def getting tix for both friday and saturday cant wait to dance the night away with greensky bluegrass 
they're like a force of nature on stage. I love how the organizers listened to audience feedback and decided to give Friday night over to a full-length set - it's gonna be a wild ride! 
I've already got my tickets for Saturday, can't wait to see some awesome folk/indie acts 
can't wait to see them kick off the festival! also, yay for a bluegrass boost to ann arbor!!
It's also awesome that tickets are available for all budgets, so everyone can enjoy the show. Can't wait to see what other talented artists are lined up for this year's fest! 
. cant. wait.
. It's clear that the organizers care about the community and want to make sure everyone has an awesome time 
. Bring on January 2026 and let's get this bluegrass party started! 
gotta say, $56.60 seems like a pretty steep price tag for a ticket 
tickets are pretty steep tho, 56 bucks for a day pass? might be outta budget for some folks