Note: Photos courtesy of Walla Walla Music Fest
Horsepower and headliners combine May 28-30, 2026, for the high-octane Walla Walla Music Fest.
The fourth annual event will be the biggest yet for the festival centered around music, motorsports and family-friendly merriment at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, 363 Orchard St.
New this year: a second stage for Spanish-language musical performances, the introduction of reserved grandstand seating, a revved-up dyno contest, and donut and hot dog eating contests. Perennial favorites also return with the Friday night Columbia REA Crash Fest and combine derby, the Best of Walla Walla Car Show, a cornhole tournament, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and more.
Most importantly, says festival founder and operator Randy Grudzinski, it continues its emphasis on recognizing and supporting veterans. Free admission is offered to veterans with identification and a companion throughout the weekend. A dedicated Wall of Honor will provide a spot where community members can honor the veterans in their lives.
Complimentary haircuts will be offered to veterans Saturday, and additional support will be provided by Walla Walla nonprofit Volunteers Love Serving Veterans, which is also the recipient of the festival’s donated car show entry fees.
“When I started this, I wanted to honor veterans,” Grudzinski says. “I don’t know if you’d call it a freedom day or a protection day — a zone where they can relax and be honored and respected.”
Also part of his vision was adding a major spring festival to the fairgrounds, a counterbalance to the annual fair in late summer. The goal is to curate an escape from the weariness of the world, a need with which he identifies.
“You don’t know how many people are struggling with daily life things,” he says. “It’s a place for people to go that’s affordable. You could take in what you like. You could spend a day.”
To leave having connected is the purpose, he says. There are plenty of opportunities to succeed at that, depending on your interests. Get tickets for a single day or the whole weekend. Ten different bands will play between the two stages Saturday. Among them are Walla Walla band Coyote Kings, Tom Petty tribute band Petty Fever and California-based country rap artists Moonshine Bandits.
The festival opens with Faith & Family Night, dedicated to faith-based music and connection.
Racing is the focus Friday night with demo derby and combine derby action. Reserved seating will be available for the first time. Afterward, stay for music on the lawn.
On Saturday, find your groove at the daylong music festival spread between stages. Be sure to check out the dancing horses on the Pepsi Stage. The Best of Walla Walla Car Show also returns Saturday, starting with a morning cruise before returning to the fairgrounds for exhibition at noon. The event’s first dyno contest will determine who has the most horsepower.
Lawn games, drift trikes, local vendors and on-site camping are part of the event. With sponsorship support, entry is free to law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel, as well as Class of 2026 high school seniors. Kids 12 and younger get in free.
“We bring a blend — we bring an atmosphere that’s different,” Grudzinski says.
TICKETS: wallawallafest.com
WHEN: May 28-30, 2026
WHERE: Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, 363 Orchard St.
THURSDAY: Faith & Family Night, starting at 5 p.m.
Focused on connection and encouragement, the event opens with faith-based music and community.
Rare of Breed: Blends country and Christian music with hop-hop production, described as “GodTwang.”
Sean Rodriguez: Praise-and-worship music from the pastor-turned-singer/songwriter.
FRIDAY: Columbia REA Crash Fest & Music, starting at 5 p.m.
Roll in for a night of motorsports action with time trials, trophy dash, heat races, side-by-side racing, a combine demolition derby, plus a car demo derby. Afterward, enjoy live country music on the lawn from Elgin-bred Nashville artist Caleb Lathrop and Backroads.
SATURDAY Music Fest, starting at noon
A full day of live music is spread across two stages.
Main Stage:
- David Graham, honky-tonk, hillbilly rock ‘n’ roll artist, noon-2 p.m.
- Coyote Kings, Walla Walla’s blues, funk, R&B/soul and rock band, 2:20-3:20 p.m.
- Petty Fever, award-winning Tom Petty tribute band, 3:40-4:40 p.m.
- Jacquie Roar, “American Idol” fourth-place finisher from Season 24, 5-6 p.m.
- Ryan Weaver, a country rock singer and veteran Black Hawk helicopter pilot, 6:20-7:20 p.m.
- Will Moseley, “American Idol” runner-up from Season 22, 7:40-8:40 p.m.
- California-based country rap artists Moonshine Bandits, 9:10-10:30 p.m.
Pepsi Stage:
- Arranque Sinaloense, known for its high-energy rhythmic performance, noon-1 p.m.
- Dancing Horses, 1:30-3:30 p.m., near the Pepsi Stage
- Tamborazo Banda El Roble brings its big brass sound, 1:30-3 p.m.
- Nueva Serie, an energetic quartet, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Los Hermanos Michel, Norteño music with accordion-driven sound, 8-10 p.m.
For ticket information and a detailed rundown of the schedule: wallawallafest.com.