Organizers have announced the entertainment lineup for the 2026 Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, one of North Alabama’s longest-running music traditions.

The annual event will take place Wednesday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Oct. 3 on the campus of Athens State University.

Presented by the Athens State University Foundation and the convention’s steering committee, the four-day festival will feature nationally known bluegrass and gospel performers, along with the traditional competitions and jam sessions that have made the convention a regional favorite for decades.

This year’s entertainment lineup includes:

Wednesday, Sept. 30 (7:30 p.m.) — The Larry Sparks Show
Free preview night gospel concert

Thursday, Oct. 1
7 p.m. — Mike Compton & Andy Todd: Delmore Brothers Tribute
8 p.m. — Dale Ann Bradley

Friday, Oct. 2 (6 p.m.) — The Isaacs

Saturday, Oct. 3 (7:30 p.m.) — The Del McCoury Band

All performances will take place on the main stage at Founders Hall.

Admission wristbands will cost $20 per adult for single-day tickets on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, or $30 for a festival pass covering all three days. Children under 12 will be admitted free with a paid adult.

The Wednesday preview concert is free and does not require an admission ticket.

Tickets and competition registration are available at athensfiddlers.org.

Established in 1967, the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention is often called the “Granddaddy of Mid-South Fiddlers Conventions.” Each year, hundreds of contestants travel to Athens to compete for titles in 14 categories, including the coveted state champion designation, while musicians gather across campus for informal jam sessions that celebrate traditional old-time music.

All proceeds from the convention support the Athens State University Foundation, which provides scholarships and financial assistance for Athens State students.

The event is supported in part through funding from the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and the Alabama Department of Tourism.