Festivals
The Chicks And Rascal Flatts To Headline Boots And Hearts 2026
Republic Live, producers of the internationally acclaimed and multi-award-winning Boots and Hearts Music Festival, has dropped its powerhouse 2026 lineup – and fans are about to experience the most electrifying edition yet. Returning August 7–9 to the iconic Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Boots and Hearts is ready to deliver a weekend that truly has something for everybody.
For over a decade, the festival has championed the #BootsLife – unforgettable moments, big-time performances, and a community of fans who return year after year for the music, the memories, and the magic of Canada’s largest music and camping festival. In 2026, Boots and Hearts ups the ante with a thrilling new three-day format – designed to make the biggest weekend of the summer even bigger.
The 2026 edition of the festival will showcase an outstanding lineup of award-winning talent including, GRAMMY and CMA Award-winning icons The Chicks make their Boots and Hearts debut as Saturday night’s headliner (8/8), and ACM Award-winning group Rascal Flatts close out the weekend as Sunday night’s headliner (8/9). This year’s lineup also highlights some of the most exciting new voices in country music performing at Boots and Hearts for the first time, including internationally celebrated artists Tucker Wetmore, Jessie Murph, Sam Barber, Dasha, Max McNown, Waylon Wyatt, The Jack Wharff Band, Kaitlin Butts, Ashley Cooke and Emily Anne Roberts. Multi-platinum, chart-topping artist Russell Dickerson returns to the Boots Main Stage on Friday (8/7).
Staying true to its roots, Boots and Hearts continues to champion Canadian talent. Multi-CCMA and JUNO Award–winning artist Brett Kissel, returns to headline the Front Porch Stage on Friday night. Platinum-selling favourites James Barker Band, make their long-awaited return to the Main Stage on Sunday. New festival debuts include breakout duo Thelma & James, acclaimed artist Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and rising names Savannah Jade, Tony Stevens, Mitch Zorn, along with 2024 Emerging Artist Showcase winners, School House. More artist announcements will be revealed soon.
Elevating the fan experience even further, Republic Live is introducing two new VIP options for 2026: the Daisy Duke’s Deck VIP+ at the Main Stage and the Front Porch VIP area – giving fans new ways to take in the festival in premium style. Already an eight-time CCMA Country Festival of the Year winner and recognized by the Academy of Country Music for Festival of the Year, Boots and Hearts continues to set the standard for world-class festival experiences.
“The Chicks said it best, ‘I’ve sure been down this road before,’ but there’s nothing like the road to Boots. This festival and team have always been dedicated to creating world-class experiences that bring people together, and our new three-day format is the exciting next step in that journey,” shares festival co-founder Eva Dunford. “It’s everything fans love about Boots, only better and more accessible than ever. Every aspect of our festival has been elevated to celebrate the spirit, community and connection that make Boots and Hearts the most unforgettable weekend of the summer.”
All ticket types, including weekend, single-day, camping and parking, will be available for pre-sale on Tuesday, November 18, at 10 a.m. ET, with public on-sale beginning Friday, November 21 at 10 a.m. ET at www.bootsandhearts.com. Fans can also take advantage of flexible payment options through PayPal or Klarna.
Additional announcements, festival programming, and partnership details will be released in the coming months. For the latest news, visit the official Boots and Hearts website.
Festivals
Governors Ball 2026 Release Daily Schedules
The set times are in. Governors Ball Music Festival just dropped its daily schedules for June 5–7, and the usual game begins: mapping your day, picking your battles, and accepting you can’t see everything.
Friday, June 5
Day one leans indie-pop into rap by night. Lorde closes the main stage at 8:30, opposite the tail end of Baby Keem(7:30–8:30). That’s your first big call: polished pop spectacle or Keem’s high-energy set.
Earlier, things get messy in a good way. KATSEYE (6:35–7:30) overlaps with Pierce the Veil (5:30–6:30) bleed, and The Beths (6:00–7:00) sit right in between. Indie fans will feel that pinch.
Midday conflicts are lighter, but The Dare (4:00–4:45) vs. Arcy Drive (3:30–4:15) creates a small fork in the road.
If you’re pacing yourself, the cleanest run is late afternoon into Mariah the Scientist (4:45–5:30), then pick your lane.
Saturday, June 6
Saturday is the most chaotic on paper. Stray Kids headline at 8:30, directly after Kali Uchis (7:30–8:30). That transition is smooth if you stay put.
The real trouble hits earlier. Major Lazer (6:30–7:30) collides with Blood Orange (5:30–6:30) and the start of Amyl and the Sniffers (7:30–8:30). Dancehall vs. alt-R&B vs. punk. Pick a mood and commit.
Mid-card is stacked with clashes: Ravyn Lenae (4:00–4:45) overlaps with Jane Remover (3:30–4:15), and Snow Strippers (4:45–5:30) runs right into Wet Leg (4:45–5:30). That last one is a true coin flip, two buzzy acts at the exact same time.
Sunday, June 7
Sunday might be the strongest day top to bottom. A$AP Rocky closes at 8:45, opposite the end of JENNIE (7:45–8:45) and Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (7:45–8:45). That’s the toughest final hour of the weekend.
The lead-up is just as tight. Dominic Fike (6:45–7:45) overlaps with Clipse (5:45–6:45) and Hot Mulligan (6:15–7:15). Three different crowds, same window.
Earlier, Japanese Breakfast (4:00–4:45) and Holly Humberstone (3:15–4:00) form a nice back-to-back if you stay mobile, but Between Friends (2:30–3:15) cuts into that flow.
The takeaway
Friday is manageable. Saturday is conflict-heavy. Sunday is stacked late.
If you hate missing songs, plan short splits. If you want full sets, accept you’ll miss something big. That’s part of the deal, and honestly, half the fun.
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts Announce 2026 Lineup
Vancouver’s summer concert calendar is locking into place. The annual Summer Night Concerts are set to return to the Pacific National Exhibition from August 22 through September 7, bringing live music back to one of the city’s biggest seasonal events.
This year carries a bit more weight than usual. The series will debut at the brand-new Freedom Mobile Arch, a 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre built for large-scale performances. The venue promises better sightlines, improved sound, and a more immersive setup for fans. It’s a major shift for the fair, which spent much of last year dealing with construction that limited its footprint and contributed to a drop in attendance.
Now, with the full site back in action, organizers are aiming for a reset. The 2026 lineup leans into that idea, mixing legacy acts with newer names across genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic.
Headliners include Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, The Beaches, Nelly, and Zedd, alongside artists like Mt. Joy, Train, and Barenaked Ladies. Special performances include Cynthia Erivo backed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearances from Punjabi Virsa, Weird Al Yankovic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pierce the Veil, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George & Culture Club.
The full schedule runs nightly:
- Aug. 22: Blue Rodeo
- Aug. 23: The Guess Who
- Aug. 25: The Beaches
- Aug. 26: Nelly
- Aug. 27: Zedd
- Aug. 28: Mt. Joy
- Aug. 29: Cynthia Erivo with VSO
- Aug. 30: Punjabi Virsa
- Sept. 1: Train
- Sept. 2: Barenaked Ladies
- Sept. 3: Weird Al Yankovic
- Sept. 4: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sept. 5: Pierce the Veil
- Sept. 6: Sarah McLachlan
- Sept. 7: Boy George & Culture Club
Tickets start at $49 plus fees and include admission to the PNE Fair. Presale began April 19, with general on-sale launching April 20 through TicketLeader.
New venue, full fairgrounds, and a lineup that leans both nostalgic and current. After a quieter year, the PNE looks ready to feel busy again.