Traverse City, Mich. — Plans are shaping up for one of the most memorable summer celebrations in the Grand Traverse region as the 100th National Cherry Festival has announced headline musical acts for its Pepsi Bayside Music Stage lineup in July 2026.
This year’s historic festival — marking a century of cherries, parades, fireworks, family fun and music in the Cherry Capital of the World — will feature marquee performances from The Fray with special guest Augustana on Wednesday, July 8, and multi-platinum country star Justin Moore with special guest Easton Corbin on Friday, July 10.
Big-Name Acts Take Center Stage
Headlining the mid-week concert slot, The Fray — the Denver-based rock band known for chart-topping hits such as “How to Save a Life,” “You Found Me” and “Over My Head (Cable Car)” — will bring its celebrated catalog to Traverse City. The group’s emotionally resonant songs and past Grammy and Billboard nominations have made them a favorite among festival audiences nationwide. Augustana, famed for hits like “Boston” and “Sweet and Low,” will open the evening, offering a blend of intimate pop-rock sound to set the stage for The Fray’s performance.
Festival organizers say reserved tickets for the July 8 show will be available in multiple levels — from general admission to premium and VIP Deck seating — giving concertgoers a range of options to experience the evening.
Country Flair on the Bayside
Just two days later, country fans will have plenty to celebrate when Justin Moore takes the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage on July 10. The multi-platinum singer, whose songs “Small Town USA,” “This Is My Dirt” and “You, Me, and Whiskey” have dominated country charts, returns to the Cherry Festival stage for the first time in more than a decade as part of the festival’s centennial festivities.
Joining Moore is fellow country artist Easton Corbin, whose smooth delivery and neotraditional sound on tracks like “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It” have earned him a loyal following.
Ticket prices for the July 10 concert also span several tiers, with general admission and reserved seat options for fans ready to enjoy an evening of country music on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay.
A Centennial Celebration
The National Cherry Festival runs July 4–11, 2026, drawing visitors from around the country for eight days of entertainment, food, parades, air shows and more. This year’s lineup reflects the festival’s evolution from its beginnings nearly 100 years ago as a local agricultural celebration into one of the region’s premier summer festivals.
Festival officials say they’re proud to mark this milestone year with a slate of performances that appeal to a wide range of musical tastes — from rock and pop to country — and look forward to welcoming fans of all ages.
Tickets for both The Fray and Justin Moore shows are available now at cherryfestival.org, with The Fray tickets on sale starting Feb. 6 and Justin Moore tickets currently available
