Introduction:
Country Thunder Alberta Reveals 2026 Headliners: Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson & The Red Clay Strays to Lead 10th Anniversary Festival
Country Thunder Alberta is gearing up for a milestone celebration in 2026, announcing a powerhouse trio of headliners — The Red Clay Strays, Kane Brown, and Lainey Wilson — for what promises to be one of its biggest festivals yet. Marking its 10th anniversary, the event will arrive earlier than usual next summer, taking over Calgary’s Confluence Historic Site & Parkland from June 26 to 28, 2026.
The three-day festival will bring country fans a mix of established stars, breakout acts, and emerging voices, capturing the full spectrum of the genre’s momentum heading into the next decade. In addition to its main headliners, the 2026 lineup features a strong supporting roster, including Tyler Hubbard, Ian Munsick, Mark Chestnutt, Noeline Hofmann, Elizabeth Nicols, Logan Layman, Tony Stevens, Adrien Nunez, Chevy Beaulieu, Alee, and Jaiden Riley, with more artists still to be announced.
The anniversary edition of Country Thunder Alberta will also serve as the kickoff to the Country Thunder season, now taking place before its sister event, Country Thunder Saskatchewan, which runs July 9–12 in Craven, SK. Saskatchewan’s 2026 lineup is already stacked, featuring headliners Riley Green, Creed, and Lainey Wilson, supported by Gavin Adcock, Cameron Whitcomb, Max McNown, and additional acts to come.
Festival organizers say the decision to move the Alberta event earlier in the summer reflects both fan feedback and the desire to make the 10-year celebration especially memorable.
“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate ten years in Calgary than kicking the party off earlier in the year,” said Troy Vollhoffer, CEO of Country Thunder. “Kane, Lainey and The Red Clay Strays represent everything that makes country music so exciting right now — fresh energy, incredible talent and true connection with their fans. This anniversary year is all about celebrating where we’ve been and where we’re going, and we can’t wait to spend an unforgettable weekend in Calgary this June.”
With a decade of unforgettable performances behind it and a renewed sense of momentum, Country Thunder Alberta 2026 is shaping up to be one of the festival’s most dynamic and celebrated editions yet — a true milestone for Western Canada’s country music community.