WE FEST Music Festival in Detroit Lakes
Aug 5 - Aug 8
43rd Annual WE FEST
When: August 5-8, 2026
Where: Soo Pass Dude Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Hotel Accommodations are booked separately from event tickets.
To Book your room, call The Lodge (directly) at 218-847-8439.
GUEST SHUTTLE services to/from The Lodge & We Fest 1p-1:30a daily; every 30 min. (fee applies).
CofC FREE Shuttle Thu–Sat: Noon-2a; every 20 min. w/stops at Fairgrounds near beach & at We Fest West Gate.
WE Fest 2026 Headliners Announced:
Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Little Big Town, Jamey Johnson, Flatland Cavalry, Nate Smith, Max McNown, Randy Houser, Cooper Alan, Shenandoah, Diamond Rio, Brent Cobb, Maggie Antone, Elizabeth Nichols, The Droptines, Noeline Hofmann, Matt Schuster, The Kruse Brothers, Braden Jamison, Matt Rogers, Jordan Beem, Brianna Helbling, Zach Thomas, and more.
Since WE Fest began in 1983, it has been one of the leading country music festivals in the nation. Twice nominated for the Country Music Association’s prestigious Best Special Event award, the WE Fest is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding events of its kind in the nation.
2026 We Fest Headliners
Broken Bow Records powerhouse Lainey Wilson has emerged as one of country music’s most compelling voices, redefining modern country with her unmistakable blend of traditional storytelling, bell‑bottom swagger, and razor‑sharp authenticity. Raised in the small town of Baskin, Louisiana, Wilson spent years grinding before breaking through with her multi‑Platinum, GRAMMY‑winning hit “Things a Man Oughta Know,” launching her into the forefront of the genre.
Since then, Wilson has become one of the most decorated artists of her generation. She is a GRAMMY Award winner, reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, CMA Entertainer of the Year, and a multiple‑time ACM and CMA Award winner. Her critically acclaimed albums Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ and Bell Bottom Country produced a string of No. 1 hits including “Heart Like a Truck,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” and “Smell Like Smoke,” earning praise for preserving country music’s roots while expanding its emotional reach.
Often described as “country music’s brightest new torchbearer,” Wilson’s live performances are celebrated for their grit, humor, and raw connection with fans. In addition to her music career, she has expanded her profile through high‑profile collaborations, television appearances, and acting roles—solidifying her place as one of the most influential artists shaping country music’s future.
Few acts in country music history have left a mark as indelible as Brooks & Dunn. The legendary duo of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn hold the distinction of being the best‑selling country duo of all time, with a catalog that helped define the sound of modern country music for more than three decades.
Since their debut in the early 1990s, Brooks & Dunn have amassed 20 No. 1 singles, including genre‑defining anthems such as “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “Neon Moon,” “My Maria,” “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You,” and “Red Dirt Road.” Their influence spans generations, combining honky‑tonk grit, arena‑ready energy, and timeless songwriting that continues to resonate with both longtime fans and new audiences.
The duo has earned more than 80 major music awards, including multiple CMA Vocal Duo of the Year honors, ACM Awards, and GRAMMY Awards. Their landmark Reboot projects introduced their classics to a new generation through collaborations with today’s top country artists, reinforcing their status as architects of the genre’s past, present, and future.
Known for explosive live performances and unmatched crowd connection, Brooks & Dunn remain a cornerstone of country music—uniting nostalgia with enduring relevance every time they take the stage.
Multi‑Platinum superstar Thomas Rhett has become one of country music’s most consistent hitmakers, blending traditional country influences with pop, soul, and R&B‑inflected melodies to create a sound uniquely his own. The son of famed songwriter Rhett Akins, Thomas Rhett quickly carved his own lane with chart‑topping singles that dominate both country radio and streaming platforms.
Over the course of his career, Rhett has earned more than 20 No. 1 songs, including “Die a Happy Man,” “Life Changes,” “Marry Me,” “Cruise,” “Unforgettable,” and “Country Again.” His albums have debuted at or near the top of the Billboard charts, showcasing his ability to balance deeply personal storytelling with radio‑ready anthems that connect across generations.
A multiple‑time ACM and CMA Award winner and GRAMMY nominee, Rhett is widely recognized for his dynamic live shows, which combine high‑energy performances with heartfelt moments drawn from family life, love, and growth. As a headliner, he delivers an arena‑scale experience rooted in authenticity, relatability, and modern country craftsmanship.
With continued chart success and a reputation as one of the genre’s most engaging performers, Thomas Rhett remains a defining voice of contemporary country music.
THURSDAY AUGUST 6
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FRIDAY AUGUST 7
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SATURDAY AUGUST 8
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The Bacardi Country Club Experience Includes: Private Live Music Performances, Private Bar, Exclusive Drink Specials, We Fest Commemorative Mug, Snacks, Shorter Bar Lines, Sweet Place to Hang Between Main Stage Performances. LIMITED NUMBER OF PASSES. GET YOURS NOW!
BACARDI COUNTRY CLUB
THURSDAY AUGUST 6
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FRIDAY AUGUST 7
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SATURDAY AUGUST 8
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The Barn Stage at WE Fest with its rustic barn setting offers a more intimate atmosphere compared to the larger Main Stage. It hosts a variety of artists, showcasing different genres and styles that feature a unique vibe.
A defining feature of the Barn Stage is the Wednesday Night Kickoff Concert, held the evening before the main festival days begin. This opening‑night event sets the tone for the weekend, drawing early arrivals and campers into an exclusive, celebratory atmosphere before the main stages open on Thursday. Many ticket packages explicitly include access to the Barn Stage Kickoff as a featured benefit.
BARN STAGE
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FRIDAY AUGUST 2
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LODGE ON LAKE DETROIT
BOOKING NOTE
Book NOW before they’re gone.
Note: Minimum Stay is 3 Nights during We Fest weekend event.
WE FEST EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY:
Full prepayment is required to guarantee each reservation.
Once prepaid, deposits are non-refundable, and reservations are non-cancellable. No exceptions.
Any “no shows” on the date of arrival, forfeit the full deposit; all remaining reservation dates are released.
Reservations are non-changeable and non-transferrable.
A deposit may not be transferred to another person, nor applied to a future stay.
Additional WE FEST Details
Book hotel lodging separately from event tickets. “Click to Call” The Lodge on Lake Detroit directly at 218-847-8439
for best room rate and availability.
Parking: GA Parking, GA Accessible Parking, and VIP Weekend Parking available; single‑day parking sold onsite subject to availability. (See WE Fest ticket pages for options.)
Use of cameras in the concert area:Small cameras allowed. Professional cameras / video cameras (including detachable‑lens cameras) are not allowed.
Pets at We Fest No pets in venue or camping areas. Service animals permitted with proper paperwork/registration; see WE Fest accessibility page: We Fest accessibility page.
WE Fest Shuttle Service Information:
- Anderson Bus Line offers shuttle service direct from the hotel to WE Fest for hotel guests (round trip).
- * Service Times:Daily service 1:00 pm – approx. 1:30 am; loop about every 30 minutes. Shuttles pick up at hotels approx. every 30 minutes.
- * Cost= $75 – 3 day wristband / $30 one day only. CASH ONLY. Pay shuttle directly when riding.
The Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce has arranged for shuttle bus service to and from We Fest. Save the hassle of all the festival traffic, finding a parking place, and then walking from the parking area.
- Service times: Thursday – Saturday: Noon to 2 a.m. Shuttle run every 20 minutes with stops at the Fairgrounds near the beach & at the We Fest West Gate.
- Cost: $15 (1‑day) / $25 (2‑day) / $30 (3‑day) — cash only.
- Pickup Locations: Becker County Fairground and Downtown Detroit Lakes @ Washington Avenue
- Parking: Free day parking at the Fairgrounds/People’s Park.
- For More Information: Call the Chamber at 218-847-9202
About WE FEST
WE Fest offices are located on the Scenic Soo Pass Ranch, which also contains a natural amphitheater that accommodates up to 50,000 people, including 7,000 reserved seats, and 10 separate campgrounds with a total camping capacity of 35,000 people. WE Fest employs a year-round staff of professional sales, marketing and administrative staff.
Fully developed as a concert venue, the Soo Pass Ranch has a permanent stage and backstage compound, including air-conditioned dressing rooms with running water, catering and production facilities, including permanent sound towers and mix station. The concert bowl also contains 50 permanent concession stands, and locations for dozens of additional portable concessions. The company has invested heavily in developing the concert site, including bringing city sewer and water lines to the ranch, which allows for running water, and permanent rest rooms in the concert bowl.
Best Hotels Near We Fest in Detroit Lakes
The Lodge on Lake Detroit & The Spa Within
WE Fest is a massive country music festival that takes place annually in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The host venue is a large plot known as Soo Pass Ranch that affords visitors from all over the opportunity to enjoy three full days of top-notch country music entertainment and a festive environmen. While many attendees prefer to camp on-site, hotels in Detroit Lakes are booked to capacity each year for folks that want to kick back with all the creature comforts of a modern hotel. If you’re looking for the best hotel near We Fest, start with the Detroit Lakes hotel consistently voted top hotel by TripAdvisor Guests. Best Western Premier The Lodge On Lake Detroit is a Lifestyle Lakefront Minnesota Hotel, offering a great location that is directly across Big Detroit Lake from The Lodge (6.5 mi). The Lodge is a natural to host a crowd of We Fest visitors, as it hosts live musical entertainment throughout the year in its Fireside Lobby.
With our modern amenities and thoughtful design, we stand out among other lodging choices in Detroit Lakes, MN. For couples or family getaways, we offer a variety of rooms and suites with king, queen or two queen beds. Our free hot breakfast (currently using Grab & Go Bags while Covid precautions are in place), indoor heated pool and fitness center make the hotel a great place to recharge between enjoying Detroit Lakes attractions and activities. View hotel detail.
All rooms feature lakefront views, free Wi-Fi and wired internet, flat-screen TVs with extended channels. Rooms are equipped with mini-fridge, microwaves, and coffee makers and are pet and smoke free. View accommodation detail.
Detroit Lakes Day Spa: The Spa Within at The Lodge offers an extensive menu of select spa treatment services, many of which are signature treatments exclusive to this spa. These revitalizing treatments include the use of warm and cold basalt stones for face and body, and a variety of facials and massage therapies that are sure to induce a state of deep relaxation.