Bluegrass & Chili Festival

Sizzlin’ September Entertainment!

The 46th Annual Bluegrass & Chili Festival is set for September 11 & 12 in downtown Tahlequah. The weekend festivities will include three stages of FREE “pepper hot” concerts by national and regional artists. Headliners scheduled to appear include a host of award winners and festival fan favorites, The incomparable Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Grand Ole Opry Member Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Edgar Loudermilk Band, new young super group East Nash Grass, Goodwin Brothers and Volume Five. Special performances by the US Navy Band Country Current to honor the 250th Birthday of America and a special 25th remembrance of 9-11, presented by NSU and Love Bottling.

Bluegrass & Chili Festival Free Entertainment

A fine menu of sizzling entertainment is planned for the weekend. Top regional bands will entertain on three stages performing a variety of music including country, gospel, bluegrass, classic rock, rhythm & blues. Acts-to-date scheduled to appear include: The Roving Gambler Band, Heartland Xpress, Spring Street, Victory Road Trio, The Paul Holt Band, Harmony Hollow, Oklahoma Line, LandRun, The Mountain Heirs, The 3 or 4 F’s, The DnR Band, NineOne8Trackers, Izzy L, Tall Grass Tradition, Foyil Music School & Finnegans Awake. In addition to the free concerts, other musical entertainment highlights include: The “Junior Showcase” this showcase is designed to give talented youth 21 and under stage exposure and experience in a non-competitive showcase. An acoustic guitar will be awarded by a drawing of all the participants.

The Bluegrass & Chili Festival will SIZZLE with many other family activities. The Festival Street Market, with over 150 vendors, will include a wide variety of crafts, services and business showcases. Little buckaroos can find free activities at the children’s Kiddie Korral. The Open Car & Bike Show will give festival attendees an opportunity to see classic and current beauties. The Antique Tractor Display is returning with expanded activities including rug making, blacksmithing and hay bailing. Brand new this year “Chili Dog Derby”, Dachshund dogs will be running the streets on Saturday. See who will be named the fastest Festival weenie dogs! Other family fun includes inflatables and of course delicious food favorites. All these family activities will add spice to the weekend of family fun!

Mid-America Regional Chili Cook-off

Don’t miss the Mid-America Regional Chili Cook-off on Saturday the 12th. The International Chili Society Division winning cooks in the traditional red division, Homestyle and Verde will represent the Festival in the World Cook-off in October that boasts over $75,000 in prize money. All non-profits, civic, boy/girl scout type groups can enter the Non-Profit division for a $500 cash prize. All the cooking teams will compete for awards and of course bragging rights! Festival attendees can also sample the award-winning chili with an official taster kit on Saturday!

The Festival opens at 2p on Friday entertainment from 5p.-10p. and Saturday festivities from 10:00a-10:00p. For additional Festival information, festival updates and a complete list of festival partners at www.tahlequahchamber.com or www.bluegrasschilifest.com, eat0@eau0eav0eaw0 No event admission fee.

Festival Presenting Sponsors

The City of Tahlequah, The Cherokee Nation, Tour Tahlequah, Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce, and major sponsors: GRDA/TPWA, Big Country 99.5, KOTV The News on 6, Love Bottling and with assistance from Oklahoma Arts Council and Mid-America Arts Alliance.

Bluegrass & chili Festival 2026 Event Details

September 11-12, 2026  |  Downtown Tahlequah  |  www.BlueGrassChiliFest.com