In Episode 66 of the Music Festivals Podcast you'll get the my take on the top 7 trends for music festivals in 2026. Plus, get a load of the wildlife Neighbors we find out and about at the Florida Sand Music Ranch including drone footage of a 14ft Alligator who lives in our lake we've named Althea.
With the 2026 festival season officially beginning, this week’s episode is a little shorter and a little more focused. Instead of a long interview, I wanted to pause, look around, and share what I’m seeing take shape across the U.S. festival landscape as we head into a new year.
Before we dive in, a big thanks to our presenting sponsors DLaw Coffee Company and Eventeny for their continued support. Music Festivals Podcast is now accepting applications for stream sponsors as we head into a year where we’ll be covering 30 to 40 music festivals nationwide. If your brand is interested in creative sponsorships that connect digital exposure with on-the-ground activations, there’s a link in the episode description and a QR code on screen.
Wildlife at the Florida Sands Music Ranch
This episode was recorded in residency at Florida Sand Music Ranch, and part of the joy of being here long-term is getting to know the non-human neighbors as well. Over the past few weeks, we’ve crossed paths with Jerry and Trixie the armadillos, Bobby the squirrel, and Althea the alligator, who it turns out has a mate named Cassidy. We’re still keeping an eye out for signs of the local panther or bobcat, and the bird life alone is worth slowing down for.
We’ll keep sharing daily shorts as we continue documenting the wildlife that makes this venue such a special place to host festivals.
7 Big Music Festival Trends for 2026
Let's get into what I like to call my smoke-filled crystal ball — seven trends I believe will shape the 2026 U.S. music festival season. These aren’t guesses pulled from thin air, but patterns already emerging across venues, promoters, and audiences.
1: Event consolidation - Many promoters are tightening their calendars, choosing to focus resources on one strong annual event rather than spreading budgets across multiple smaller festivals.
2: Software-supported operations - Small- to mid-sized festivals are increasingly adopting music festival management platforms to streamline planning, staffing, ticketing, and on-site logistics.
3: More breathing room between sets - We’re seeing festivals intentionally reduce the number of bands to make space for experiential activities, rest, and social connection rather than nonstop stage hopping.
4: A stronger focus on venue features - Festival-goers are gravitating toward destination venues that offer natural beauty, built-in recreation, and unique spaces beyond the stages.
5: The rise of the yellow balloons - Sobriety and sober-curious communities are becoming more visible and better supported at festivals, reflecting broader shifts in how people choose to participate.
6: Move over booze! - Cannabis-infused beverages are continuing to gain traction at festivals, offering alternatives that are beginning to impact traditional alcohol sales in subtle but noticeable ways.
7: Here come the RVs - With more professionals living and working on the road full-time, promoters are expanding RV capacity, hookups, and amenities to meet growing demand.
Neighbor Shoutouts and Community Love
Before wrapping up, I wanted to give some well-deserved neighbor shoutouts. Much love to the Whippersnap Media Team, Mugs (Anwar Jones) of Mugnify Reacts, Avromi “Steiner” from the Secondhand Talent Podcast, Dannie Miller of We Are The Lucky Ones, Randy from Volke Mon Productions, and Ryan McGuire and Danielle Inghrim for helping make introductions that strengthen this community.
Closing Thoughts
That’s it for this week, neighbors. Be sure to visit musicfestivalspodcast.com to subscribe to The Neighborhood email list for live stream announcements, festival news, recaps, documentary updates, partner offers, and subscriber meetups at festivals near you.
Up next week, we’ll be recapping HangCon, the annual hammock camping gathering that brings folks from across the country together here at Florida Sand Music Ranch.
As always, thanks to Eventeny, DLaw Coffee Company, and Florida Sand Music Ranch for supporting the podcast and allowing us to share a true behind-the-scenes view of festival life.
I’m NeighborN8, and I hope to be your neighbor at a festival soon.
Festival Performance of the Week:
Video Credit: @musicfestivalspodcast — Phinley McKee LIVE at Hookahvile 61 👉 Full Festival Set at J&M Ranch in Ansonia, Ohio (08.30.25)