Event Overview

The Big Bull Falls Blues Festival is Wisconsin’s longest-running blues festival, held annually at Fern Island Park in downtown Wausau. The 2026 festival spans two days, Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22, offering a mix of live blues performances, food vendors, and beverages in a scenic riverside festival. This is an outdoor event and will proceed rain or shine, with updates provided on the festival’s social media in case of severe weather.

The Big Bull Falls Blues Festival 2026 offers a vibrant, immersive blues experience for music lovers of all ages, combining live performances, cultural engagement, and a scenic outdoor setting in the heart of Wausau.

• Friday and Saturday, August 21–22, 2026
• Fern Island in Wausau, Wisconsin
• Friday’s gates open at 4 PM & Saturday’s at 12 PM
• Music starting at 5 PM on Friday and 1 PM on Saturday
• Big Bull Falls Blues Fest
  

Festival Lineup

Festival Schedule
Friday, August 21	5:00 PM – Howard “Guitar” Luedtke & Blue Max 7:00 PM – Raine Stern Band 9:00 PM – Ally Venable
Saturday, August 22	1:00 PM – Tom Holland & The Shuffle Kings 3:00 PM – Mathias Lattin 5:00 PM – Ronnie Baker Brooks (nominated for Instrumentalist — Guitar Award and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award) 7:00 PM – Ana Popovic (nominated for Blues Rock Artist Award) 9:00 PM – Devon Allman Project (nominated for Blues Rock Artist Award)

Ticketing and VIP Options Ticketing and VIP Options

Tickets are available for Friday or Saturday only, not both days. VIP tickets include:

• Limited edition VIP t-shirt and lanyard
• Access to a private VIP area with front-row stage access, climate-controlled bathrooms, and a private bar
• Drink passes and dinner for both days of the festival
• Early access to the festival grounds (Friday opens at 4 PM, Saturday at 12 PM)
  General admission attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs for seating. No carry-ins, pets, firearms, or tents are allowed, though coolers with purchased drinks are permitted.

Additional Information

• Food and beverages will be available from vendors on-site
• Festival merchandise, including 35th anniversary items, will be sold
• Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations
• For questions about tickets, VIP packages, or volunteering, contact execdir@wausauevents.org or volunteer@wausauevents.org.

Accessibility and Transportation

Parking near Fern Island is limited, so the festival recommends staying at hotels with shuttle service. A free shuttle will run to local hotels on both festival days. Volunteers can receive free admission and a commemorative t-shirt by signing up in advance.

The 2026 festival promises a diverse lineup of blues artists, including both legendary performers and emerging talents, offering a mix of classic and modern blues styles. Attendees can expect soulful live performances, interactive workshops, and exhibitions celebrating blues culture.