2026 Schedules

Note: Changes and cancellations will be most up-to-date in the session app.

Download Thursday–Friday Jam and Workshop Schedule

Download Friday–Sunday Stage, Jam, and Workshop Schedule

Try the JVF26 Session App – Get a demo of the App

Download the 2026 Program Book.

Schedule Overview

Thursday, February 12

• 3 pm Tickets and check-in in the Lobby.
• 1 – 5 pm – Master Classes, Fast Track Classes, and Mid-Course Development Classes
• 7 – 10 pm – Jams, Workshops, Bluegrass Karaoke, and Joe Val All-Star Performance

Friday, February 13

• 8:30 – 9:30 – Yoga with Curly Merzbacher and Marcia Dworkind
• 10 am – 1 pm – Jams and Workshops with the Joe Val All-Stars and many more
• 1 pm – Gabe Hirshfeld’s Celebration of Life (everyone is welcome) – Grand Ballroom
• 1 – 6 pm – Many rooms will be open for jamming on the Lower Level
• Starting at 6 pm – Main Stage, Showcase Stage, Vendor Room, Kids’ Academy, Workshops & Jams

Saturday, February 14

• 8:30-9:30 – Yoga with Curly Merzbacher and Marcia Dworkind
• 10:00 am – Joe Val Festival continues with the Main Stage, Showcase Stage, Workshops & Jams, etc.
• 12:30 – 2 pm – History of Bluegrass in Boston Panel Discussion. Panelists include Jim Rooney, Bill Nowlin, and Alex MacLeod, moderated by Taylor Ackley.
• 2:30 – 4 pm – Music of Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard Panel Discussion. Panelists include Alice Gerrard, Ken Irwin, Dudley Connell, and Laura Orshaw, moderated by Jen Larson.

Sunday, February 15

• 8:30.- 9:30 – Yoga with Curly Merzbacher and Marcia Dworkind
• 10:00 am – Joe Val Festival continues with the Main Stage, Showcase Stage, Workshops & Jams, etc.
• Noon – Please come support the next generation in the Kids’ Academy performance
• 4 – 5:30 pm – Main Stage concludes with 10-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year: The Del McCoury Band
• 6:30 – 7 pm – Texas Two-Step Dance Lesson with Roger Weiss in the Showcase Stage room
• 7 – 9 pm – The Joe Val Wind-up Hoe-Down dance party with The Beantown Buckaroos

Band Schedules