The word Festivarian means a lot of things to a lot of people, their backgrounds and hometowns wildly varied, their ages ranging from brand new to wise and weathered, but one specific trait ties them all together: The Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Dubbed Festivarians after a reinterpreted version of C.P. Cafavy’s poem, “Ithaka,” was printed in a 1994 Planet Bluegrass brochure, the term stuck and was embodied in a way that nobody could’ve guessed. These droves of families, friends, and music lovers make their yearly pilgrimage to Telluride’s Town Park to take in not just the most beautiful music festival, but maybe the most tight-knit community of repeat ticket-holders known to man. They know exactly what it means to be a Festivarian and are happy to invite newcomers to their fold.
“When you set out for the festival, ask that your way be long…
and if you find her poor, the festival has not deceived you,
without her you would not have set out,
and would not have known what it means to be a festivarian…”
Today, Planet Bluegrass—the team behind Telluride Bluegrass which takes place June 19-22 in Telluride, as well as other Colorado favorites like Rockygrass and Rocky Mountain Folks Fest in Lyons—added three more world-class acts to finalize the 2025 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Lineup: San Diego’s R&B fan-favorites, Thee Sacred Souls, New Orleans second line institution, Rebirth Brass Band, and the Trans-Atlantic Irish-American stylings of DUG. These additions cap off an already Festivarian-approved lineup featuring the heart of today’s bluegrass genre as well as music from the vibrant branches it has grown over the last three-quarters of a century.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival Daily Lineup:
Thursday, June 19:
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Thee Sacred Souls
I’m With Her: Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, & Aoife O’Donovan
The Travelin’ McCourys
Mountain Grass Unit
Olive Klug
Chris Thile
Friday, June 20:
Greensky Bluegrass
Lake Street Dive
Dan Tyminski Band
Punch Brothers
Tim O’Brien Band
Rainbow Girls
Water Tower
DUG
Saturday, June 21:
Toy Factory Project
Sam Bush Band
Telluride Troubadour
Kasey Chambers
Yonder Mountain String Band
Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, Antonio Sánchez Trio
Caleb Kauder and Reeb Willms
Still House String Band
Telluride Band Contest Finals
Sunday, June 22:
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
Zach Top
Telluride House Band
Rebirth Brass Band
Ken Pomeroy
New Dangerfield
Authentic Unlimited
Tickets and camping passes are still available in limited quantities for Telluride Bluegrass Festival 2025 and can be found right here. For more information, please visit bluegrass.com.
About Telluride Bluegrass Festival: Founded in 1974 and occurring annually during the summer solstice, Telluride Bluegrass has been inviting music fans to the historic mining town in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado for 4 days of adventurous acoustic music in the stunning Telluride box canyon for 50 years.
Since its early years, the unique genre of “Telluride Bluegrass” has embraced a diverse family of artists including Sam Bush, Robert Plant, Mumford & Sons, Brandi Carlile, Norah Jones, Janelle Monáe, Greensky Bluegrass, Emmylou Harris, and many of the world’s most virtuosic acoustic instrumentalists – the majority of whom have returned to the festival for 25+ years. With music on the main stage, intimate workshop performances at Elks Park, late-night indoor NightGrass concerts, and pickin’ in campgrounds and condos ‘til dawn, Telluride Bluegrass is the “granddaddy of the modern festival circuit” (Relix). Telluride Bluegrass is presented and produced by Planet Bluegrass.
About Planet Bluegrass: For over 30 years, Planet Bluegrass has been redefining the musical festival by creating exceptional experiences that protect the planet through environmental leadership and a strong community.
Fiercely and decidedly independent, their three festivals make a unique musical mark: each takes place in breathtaking natural Colorado environments, each features the world’s finest musicians and songwriters, and each embraces a “Leave No Trace” ethic that defines Planet Bluegrass as a leader in Sustainable Festivation. Planet Bluegrass presents Telluride Bluegrass, Rockygrass, and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, bucket list musical gatherings for artists and fans alike. Planet Bluegrass is invested in the next generation of songwriters and musicians as evidenced by Rockygrass Academy and Song School.
