Jackalope Jamboree Pulls Together Killer Lineup for 2026
If you want to see some of the best artists in all of independent country music, but aren’t especially interested in crowds of 30,000 people, supporting some ugly mega corporation, or forking over four figures for tickets, The Jackalope Jamboree in Oregon is a great option. It’s the smaller festival with a big lineup that’s in a cool destination while also being affordable.
The Jackalope Jamboree has just announced their 2026 lineup for June 25th to 27th, and it is a doozie, with Kaitlin Butts headlining Thursday night, Shane Smith & the Saints on Friday, and the Turnpike Troubadours returning to cap the festivities off on Saturday. Rattlesnake Milk, Taylor Hunnicutt, Summer Dean, Ellis Bullard, Josh Weathers, Shelby Stone, and Presley Haile also help round out the lineup, with a bunch of other great acts from the region and beyond to discover.
With the front of the stage reserved for whoever wants to push themselves forward as opposed to super VIP’s, and a massive grandstand at the Happy Canyon Arena, there’s not a bad seat in the house at the Jackalope Jamboree. Pendleton, Oregon also gives you plenty to explore, from the historic downtown and the Pendleton Woolen Mills, to the surrounding natural landscape. There’s a reason Pendleton, Oregon is known as “The Real West.”
Jackalope Jamboree has a solid track record of recognizing great artists before the rest of the world catches on, and giving them opportunities on a big stage and in headliner spots. Kaitlin Butts is a great example of the how Jackalope Jamboree helps in the growth of important artists.
“I cannot believe I will be saying this, but I will be headlining my first ever festival with Jackalope Jamboree next year,” Kaitlin Butts said. “I’ve played this festival twice before, but I’m now headlining it alongside my favorite artists the Turnpike Troubadours, and Shane Smith & the Saints. Are you kidding me?! I can’t wait to see y’all there.”
Earlier this year, the Jackalope Jamboree was named #4 on Saving Country Music’s Best Country and Roots Festivals in the United States.
Pre-sale tickets go live Monday, October 20, at 9:00 AM PST, ahead of general sales on Tuesday, October 21, at 9:00 AM PST at jackalopejamboree.com .
October 15, 2025 @ 6:35 pm
Pendleton is a cool town and that is a cool line up! Unfortunately, looks like a have a conflict that weekend. Hope this festival can survive.
October 16, 2025 @ 7:47 am
I’m old enough now to dislike dense crowds, lines for bathrooms, traveling in general and over-priced crap beer. But artist lineup is so respectable that even this old codger would make the trek to see the show.
October 16, 2025 @ 8:30 am
It is such a well-run festival that you won’t find much of that — they even have good quality and reasonably priced beer. Not huge either. I bet maximum capacity is about 3,000.
October 16, 2025 @ 9:18 am
Killer lineup indeed! I would love to get over to Pendleton for Jackalope this year. However, my wife and I are expecting our third kid in early June… and it’s already been vetoed. Bad timing!
October 16, 2025 @ 9:22 am
One of the coolest things about this as well is that they typically have even more associated acts with pre and post parties outside the main arena and at local bars. You can quite literally consume music from Noon to Midnight or beyond. Its a great town to bar crawl and the Flying X speakeasy is a swank underground lair with NYC level mixologists. Walla Walla wine country is a short 30-45 minute drive with 120+ world class wineries. Grain growers distillery takes locally produced grains and turns them into craft cocktails and is a great lunch spot. Culture on a budget, this is the place to be.
The crowds are varied with a great vibe. We’re so excited that Kaitlin Butts gets her headliner debut there. Watching 20 cowboys throw roses on stage at Jenni Rose of Vandoliers was one of the greatest scenes of humanity I’ve ever witnessed.
What will make this one succeed is people continuing to show up.