Nashville, TN, September 17, 2025
News Summary
Billy Strings has revealed his 2026 Winter Tour, featuring nine shows across Athens, Asheville, and Nashville. The tour kicks off at the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, GA, and concludes at the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Fans can expect performances by Strings’ talented band members and a chance to boost local economies through live music. Pre-sale tickets will be available soon, along with general sales for eager fans.
Billy Strings has announced his first tour dates of 2026, featuring nine shows in three cities in the Southeast.
The winter tour will begin with two nights at the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, GA on February 6th and 7th. This marks Billy Strings’ first performance in Athens in three years, with his last appearance there occurring in March 2023 for a benefit concert at the 1,028-capacity George Theatre.
Joining Billy Strings for this tour will be his band members: Billy Failing on banjo, Royal Masat on bass, Jarrod Walker on mandolin, and Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, who recently won the Americana Honors Instrumentalist of the Year award. The Akins Ford Arena, which has a capacity of 7,000 for end-stage concerts, opened in December 2024.
After the Athens shows, Strings will perform a four-night run at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena in Asheville, NC on February 10th, 11th, 13th, and 14th. These Asheville shows have become an annual tradition for the artist. The ExploreAsheville.com Arena holds 7,674 attendees and last year’s performances contributed to a $15 million boost to the local economy following Hurricane Helene.
The tour will conclude with three nights in Nashville, TN. Billy Strings will play two nights at the Bridgestone Arena on February 20th and 21st, which has a capacity of 20,000. The final show will take place at the historic Ryman Auditorium on February 22nd. Fans must purchase a ticket for one of the Bridgestone Arena shows to request a ticket for the Ryman show. Strings has previously taken thematic approaches for his Ryman Sunday shows.
A pre-sale for tickets will start on September 17th at 10 a.m. local time.
General ticket sales will begin on September 19th at 10 a.m. local time via Billy Strings’ website and Ticketmaster. The Ryman Auditorium concert tickets will be available through a lottery system called Fair AXS.
This tour continues Billy Strings’ trend of extensive touring and popularity in the bluegrass genre.
FAQ
What are the dates for Billy Strings’ 2026 Winter Tour?
Billy Strings’ 2026 Winter Tour will begin with two nights at the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, GA on February 6th and 7th, followed by four nights at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena in Asheville, NC on February 10th, 11th, 13th, and 14th, and conclude with three nights in Nashville, TN on February 20th, 21st, and 22nd.
Where is the tour starting and ending?
The tour will start at the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, GA and will end at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.
When will tickets go on sale?
Pre-sale for tickets will begin on September 17th at 10 a.m. local time, and general ticket sales will start on September 19th at 10 a.m. local time.
What do fans need to do for the Ryman Auditorium show?
Fans must purchase a ticket for one of the Bridgestone Arena shows to request a ticket for the Ryman Auditorium show.
Key Features of Billy Strings’ 2026 Winter Tour
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Tour Dates | February 6-22, 2026 |
| Cities | Athens, GA; Asheville, NC; Nashville, TN |
| Venues | Akins Ford Arena, ExploreAsheville.com Arena, Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium |
| Total Shows | 9 |
| Band Members | Billy Failing, Royal Masat, Jarrod Walker, Alex Hargreaves |
| Ticket Sale Dates | Pre-sale September 17, General Sale September 19 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Asheville Live Music Scene Flourishes in August
Wilco Unites Asheville Community Through Concert Post-Hurricane
Asheville Amadeus Festival Celebrates Music and Storytelling
Asheville Hosts Benefit Concert for Hurricane Helene Relief
Asheville City Council Implements Recovery Plans Post-Helene
Billy Strings Returns to Asheville for Sold-Out Concerts
Asheville Recovers: A Community’s Resilience Post-Hurricane Helene
Billy Strings Ignites Asheville with Sold-Out Concerts
Billy Strings to Perform in Asheville with Local Celebrations
February Events to Experience in Asheville
Additional Resources
- Live For Live Music: Billy Strings 2026 Winter Tour
- Pollstar: Billy Strings Sets Winter Tour
- JamBase: Billy Strings Tour Dates Winter 2026
- Kentucky.com: Billy Strings News
- Wikipedia: Billy Strings
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
