On May 2 and 3, 2026 (1-5 pm) President Lincoln’s Cottage is celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s Kentucky roots in the year of the nation’s 250th birthday with an extra special version of its annual fundraiser: Bourbon & Bluegrass.
In past years, the festival has captured the hearts of DMV music lovers, beating out much larger festivals to win “Best Music Festival” in the 2025 and 2024 Washington City Paper’s ‘Best of the City’ Readers-Choice Awards. This year’s festival will be no exception. As Cottage programming is currently dedicated to cultivating community and connection surrounding the nation’s 250th, Bourbon & Bluegrass will feature a particularly dynamic line up.
The headliner on both days will be GRAMMY-winner Alison Brown, whose latest collaboration with funnyman banjoist Steve Martin Safe, Sensible and Sane was released last October. USA Today wrote of Alison, “As a true ground-breaker, [she’s] opening up whole new vistas for an instrument once solely associated with pickin’ ‘n’ grinnin’.”
On Saturday, the festival will kick off with a performance by DC-native Jake Blount, who charmed Cottage listeners in 2024 with his afro-futurist music. Split String Soup of Northern Virginia will follow with their unique brand of Americana.
The first opener on Sunday will be Goldbug Revival, a DC-based Indie Folk band bringing their 100% original award-winning songs back to the Cottage. Next, another returning favorite, Hubby Jenkins, will take the stage to soothe festivalgoers with his GRAMMY-nominated old timey music and remind them of the Black roots of Bluegrass.
“We couldn’t have imagined a more perfect line up in a year where we are focused on bringing people together at a pivotal moment in history,” said CEO & Executive Director Callie Hawkins. “We can’t wait to hear this harmony of perspectives as we re-examine the American story.”
The Cottage team invites the public to arrive at the festival at noon (before the official start time) to join our third annual Log Cabin Jam Session for musicians of all ages and skill-levels. On Saturday, the jam will be run by Cherry Blossom Special guitarist Justin Heath, Education Director at the DC Bluegrass Union. On Sunday, Will Sears of Goldbug Revival will reprise his role as jam leader. “Bring your kids, your instruments, your friends, your ears, or just yourselves to this fun pre-festival event,” said Callie adding, “Singers and non-singers welcome!”
In addition to the music, there will be local food trucks, historic preservation tours between sets, lawn games, and more. Beer and delicious bourbon cocktails will flow, and there will be soda and zero-proof cocktails for the Abraham Lincoln’s of the world who teetotal.
As always, proceeds will support the preservation of Lincoln’s beloved summer residence.
Tickets HERE. Press passes are available but limited.
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