The wait is almost over.

In just a few days, thousands of music fans will descend on St. Charles, Iowa as Hinterland Music Festival returns for another unforgettable weekend of live music, late-night campfire sets and one of the most thoughtfully curated lineups of the summer. Set against the rolling hills just outside Des Moines, Hinterland has earned a reputation as more than just another stop on the festival calendar. It's a place where fans come to discover their next favorite artist, sing along with some of today's biggest names and fully immerse themselves in four days of music.

Four Days of Can't-Miss Performances

One of Hinterland's defining qualities is its ability to make every day feel different. Rather than building four variations of the same lineup, each day carries its own identity.

Thursday | KATSEYE Opens the Weekend

The festival gets underway Thursday with one of its youngest and most forward-looking lineups.

Fresh off a meteoric rise, KATSEYE steps into the headlining slot with plenty of momentum, making their performance one of the weekend's biggest curiosities. Earlier in the day, beabadoobee brings her unmistakable blend of indie and pop, while ASHNIKKO is expected to inject an entirely different energy with a performance built around theatrical production and genre-defying pop. Fans should also keep an eye on Jane Remover, Audrey Nuna, Oklou, Frost Children and Porch Light, giving Thursday the feel of a showcase for artists pushing music in new directions.

Friday | Lorde Headlines a Stacked Second Day

Friday shifts toward introspective songwriting and indie pop with Lorde closing out the evening.

Her return to major festival stages has been one of the year's biggest stories, making Friday one of the weekend's most anticipated days. Before the headliner takes over, MUNA continues to prove why they're one of indie pop's most celebrated live bands, while Snow Strippers bring an explosive electronic edge that contrasts perfectly with the lyrical storytelling of Paris Paloma. Rising artist SOFIA ISELLA rounds out a lineup that rewards fans who arrive early.

Saturday | Big Choruses, Big Energy

Saturday feels tailor-made for festival season.

With Mumford & Sons headlining, expect thousands of voices singing back every word as the sun sets over the Iowa countryside. Throughout the day, Jessie Murph continues one of the fastest rises in country and pop, Santigold returns with the genre-bending catalog that helped define an era of alternative music, while The Format brings a rare appearance that longtime fans won't want to miss. Add performances from CMAT, Waylon Wyatt, Amble and Julia Wolf, and Saturday shapes up as one of the festival's deepest days from top to bottom.

Sunday | A Fitting Finale

Every festival hopes to finish strong, and Hinterland closes the weekend with one of its most diverse days.

Kali Uchis brings her signature blend of R&B, soul and Latin influences to the closing headline set, while Young Miko continues her rapid ascent as one of Latin music's breakout stars. Elsewhere, Wet Leg delivers one of indie rock's most entertaining live shows, Geese brings a raw post-punk energy and Suki Waterhouse, Samia, Audrey Hobert and Haute & Freddy round out the final chapter of the weekend.

View all the lineup details here!

Miniland Returns for the Festival's Youngest Music Fans

Hinterland isn't just built for longtime festivalgoers. Families making the trip to St. Charles can also take advantage of Miniland, a dedicated space designed with younger attendees in mind. Throughout the weekend, kids can take part in hands-on crafts, interactive games, creative activities and other family-friendly programming, giving them their own festival experience while parents take a break between sets. It's one of the details that continues to set Hinterland apart, creating an environment where music fans of all ages can enjoy the weekend together.

Everything you need to know about Miniland here!

Beyond the Main Stage

While the lineup is what draws people to St. Charles, the festival experience extends well beyond the performance schedule.

Throughout the grounds, attendees will find local food vendors, artisan markets and spaces designed to encourage people to slow down between sets rather than sprint from one performance to the next. Hinterland's wooded setting is part of its identity, with walking trails, public art, covered bridges and open green spaces creating an atmosphere that feels noticeably different from an urban festival.

For those looking to keep the night going, the Campfire Stage continues the music after the main stage closes. This year's late-night lineup features Nourished by Time, Pixel Grip, Between Friends, Ninajirachi, The Brook & The Bluff, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Die Spitz and Gouge Away, giving festivalgoers another opportunity to catch live performances in a more intimate setting.

The festival's Basecamp area also returns as a gathering place throughout the weekend, featuring food and drinks, a vinyl DJ setup, a record shop, local vendors and interactive activities that keep the grounds active long after the afternoon sets begin.

Find all there is to do beyond the music here!

Planning Your Weekend

With more than four dozen artists spread across four days, planning ahead will go a long way.

Take time to review the daily schedule before arriving, leave room to discover artists you may not know, and don't overlook the earlier sets. Hinterland has built its reputation on introducing fans to emerging talent long before those artists begin topping festival posters.

Whether you're coming for a favorite headliner or simply looking to discover someone new, every day offers its own reason to arrive early and stay late.

Your full guide to making it the best weekend of the summer!

Don't miss out on Hinterlands best moments!

As the final preparations are underway and the first notes of Hinterland 2026 get closer, the excitement surrounding this year's festival is only building. Four days of music, discovery and community are set to take over the Iowa countryside, bringing together some of the biggest names in music alongside artists that could soon become the next breakout acts. From the main stage moments to the late-night sets, unexpected discoveries and memories made throughout the grounds, Hinterland is ready to deliver another unforgettable weekend.

Following Backstage will be on-site throughout the festival, capturing the performances, the atmosphere and the moments that make Hinterland more than just a lineup on a poster. Stay tuned for full coverage from St. Charles as the weekend unfolds.

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