COME ONE, COME ALL. Asher Weisberg (left) and Justin Vernon (right) stand in front of a pennant display of artists who will perform at the 2026 Eaux Claires festival this July 24-25 at Carson Park (100 Carson Park Dr., Eau Claire). The lineup, officially unveiled today at 9am, includes notable musicians – who have performed at previous Eaux Claires fests – alongside new acts from around the region and country.

After an eight-year hiatus, the Eaux Claires festival – with the help of Justin Vernon and friends – have officially announced the starting lineup for the 2026 fest, all surrounding a core premise: “more something, for more everyone.”

The lineup was initially announced to locals last night at The 410 Bar in downtown Eau Claire. As it stands, it currently includes 18 artists – spanning diverse genres and a mix of local and national talent – though more will be announced ahead of the festival. Additionally, “Writers In Residence” were announced, further exemplifying the festival's commitment to embracing new perspectives and fresh ideas.

A couple of headlining acts and bands who either have called – or still call Eau Claire home – will be recognizable to local listeners. Eau Claire’s indie-punk band Gash is set to take the stage during the July 24-25 festival weekend this summer, a first-time act for the festival. Additionally, The Union feat. Phil Cook, a previous collaborator with the Eaux Claires festival and friend of Vernon, will also perform.

Other artists that have performed in the Chippewa Valley – and part of the 2026 festival lineup – include Hotline TNT and Bizhiki, among others who are eager to step onto the playing field at the festival's venue: Carson Park. Bizhiki will also be the first act to perform and will provide a "blessed" offering to begin the festival weekend on Friday, July 24, Vernon shared.

The 2026 Eaux Claires Festival lineup, pictured above. More artists and creatives will be revealed in the coming months, festival organizers say.

The "Writers In Residence," a new intersection of the festival's artistic offerings, will present readings, discussions and collaborations from nationally-recognized names in the literary world. Michael Perry, the festival's narrator and a best-selling author based in the Valley, introduced the cohort yesterday evening.

"We just have a wonderful mix of poets and playwrights and folks who write for for Marvel comics," Perry shared with the attentive audience at The 410 Bar. "Above all, I just I'm so happy that we live in a place where folks are just open to try and stuff out."

Here in the Chippewa Valley, today's lineup announcement will be followed by a "local presale" for folks in the Eau Claire area. Beginning at 9am on Feb. 12, special access codes will be available to collect in person at six local businesses in and around downtown Eau Claire.

Eaux Claires 2026 "Local Presale" businesses include: 

The Local Store (205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire) - Open 9am-9pm
Leona's Pizzeria (406 Galloway St., Eau Claire) - Open 12pm-2pm / 4pm-8pm
Revival Records (128 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) - Open 10am-6pm
Abraxas Wax (320 Graham Ave., Suite 102, Eau Claire) - Open 11am-7pm
The Joynt (322 Water St., Eau Claire) - Open 1pm-2am
Racy D'Lenes Coffee Lounge (404 Riverside Ave., Eau Claire) - Open 8am-2pm

Additional special-priced tickets for the 2026 festival will be available through a "fan presale" at 9am on Friday, Feb. 13 and all remaining tickets will be available for purchase at 11am.

So, with all that said – and dozens of artists ready to arrive at Carson Park this July – will we see you at the ball park?

Follow along with Volume One online for continued updates. Visit eauxclaires.com to be the first to know about future lineup announcements, and festival updates.