The 22nd Annual

WATERMELON PICKERS’ FEST

September 10-12, 2026

Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds

in Beautiful Berryville, Virginia

Tickets on Sale Now!

Bands

Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland play fiddle with their band on the mainstage at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest. Purple stage lights shine above them.

Band Lineup and Schedule

Camping

Tents set up at the Watermelon Pickers' Fest

Tickets and Camping

Activities

Workshops, Contests, and Activities

Watermelon Poster graphic of a cabinet door opening and people playing music inside.

The Watermelon Pickers’ Fest Returns for its 22nd Year!

SEPTEMBER 10–12, 2026

After a successful 2025 festival, Stacey Sinclair and the SRSM Productions team are already at work planning the 2026 Watermelon Pickers’ Fest. Sign up for the SRSM Productions newsletter, The Watermelon Seed, to get festival news and updates.

2025 Festival Highlights

Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland play fiddle with their band on the mainstage at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest. Purple stage lights shine above them.
Michael Cleveland playing fiddle on the stage at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest
Christopher Henry plays mandolin with Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland on the WPF mainstage
A happy crowd dances in fromt of the mainstage at night at the Watermelon Pickers' Fest
Two members of the City Stompers hold hands and kick their feet behind them in symmetry during their performance on the Watermelon Pickers' Fest mainstage
Members of the City Stompers dance joyfully on the Watermelon Pickers' Fest mainstage
The Woodshedders performing on the dance barn stage
Fireside Collective performing on the mainstage at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest
The Neurology Jam Tent lit up at night, filled with pickers and observers
a woman playing fiddle with a mandolin player and guitarist in the background at the Neurology Jam
Neil is smiling, dressed in his Watermelon Princess costume, standing with a happy woman at the Neurology Tent
The dance barn at night, filled with happy audience members, viewed from the outside.
A live painter creating her artwork beside the dance barn stage
Close-up of Shawn Siochan live painting beside the mainstage
Ruthy Ungar plays fiddle as part of the Mammals' performance at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest
The Mammals performing on the Watermelon Pickers' Fest mainstage with lights and a watermelon backdrop behind them
From China to Appalachia performing on the Watermelon Dance Barn stage.
Seth Mulder and Midnight Run performing on the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest mainstage
Smiling close-up of Marcy Marxer performing at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest.
John R. Miller and his full band performing on the Watermelon Pickers' Fest mainstage
Dancers make a tunnel with their hands while people pass beneath during a square dance workshop at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' fest
John Bestwick playing guitar and singing with the Short Hill Mountain Boys on the Dance Barn Stage. Will Spaulding plays electric guitar in the background
Two young women, one wearing a watermelon-themed dress and the other in a black t-shirt, and a man with a bright show shirt smile and dance together at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest
Megan Downes of the City Stompers kicks up her foot and dances on stage, Danny Kniceley plays fiddle in the background
Two men sit on a picnic table bench and play mandolins together. One is helping the other learn a chord.
Melissa Wright plays guitar and sings with her Honky Tonk Revue in the Dance Barn
Cathy Fink singing enthusiastically and playing her banjo during the From China to Appalachia Performance
Pictrola performing on the dance barn stage at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest.
Hackensaw Boys perform on stage at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest
Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland talk during their workshop on stage at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest
Larry Keel enthusiastically cheering during his performance at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' Fest
Band contest winners, the Sheep and Goats, performing on the dance barn stage
Jack Dunlap and his son JJ sit together and smile for a photo. Jack is holidng his guitar and JJ has a Carey mandolin
A nighttime scene of a crowd standing in front of the Watermelon Pickers' Fest mainstage as Fireside Collective performs
Children, two little boys and a girl, dance and play in front of the stage at the 2025 Watermelon Pickers' fest
Crowd watching the mainstage act at the Watermelon Pickers' Fest at night

Help Make the 2026 Fest a Success!

Join us in making this year’s Watermelon Pickers’ Festival a spectacular success! By sponsoring the festival, you’ll help us continue a cherished tradition that keeps bluegrass and roots music thriving in our community. Your support ensures that festival-goers leave with unforgettable memories and the knowledge that your contribution played a key role in their wonderful experience. Click the button below to learn more. Then, get in touch and request a sponsorship application—let’s make magic happen together!