Big Ears Festival Plans 250 Performances Knoxville 2026

The Big Ears Festival will return to Knoxville from March 26-29, 2026, featuring nearly 250 performances across more than 20 venues. Headlining the event are notable artists such as Robert Plant, David Byrne, Laurie Anderson, John Zorn, and Flying Lotus, with a lineup that spans genres including contemporary classical, jazz, experimental, and rock. John Zorn is set to present twelve unique works, including collaborations with Laurie Anderson and others, while other artists like Pat Metheny and Alan Sparhawk will also deliver special performances. The festival, founded in 2009, has grown into a significant cultural event with an annual economic impact of nearly $69 million, despite recently losing $50,000 in grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Tickets will go on sale starting September 11, with pre-sales available to prior purchasers and donors. Big Ears continues to foster a vibrant community united by a passion for boundary-defying music and cultural exploration.