Last updated: July 5, 2026 — season details subject to change.
Every summer, the Stoughton Opera House saves its biggest news for the Catfish River Music Festival — three days of free music at Rotary Park that doubles as an Opera House fundraiser and the unofficial kickoff of the venue’s next season. This year’s reveal, made over the July 3-5 festival weekend, is one of the strongest lineups the Opera House has put together in recent memory. It comes on the heels of the venue being named Best Concert Hall at this year’s Madison Area Music Association Awards.
Let’s take a look at the lineup.
The Headliners
The entire Stoughton Opera House calendar is rock-solid, with a decidedly strong bluegrass lineup this season. But there are a few names to flag in particular right off the bat.
Judy Collins closes out the season with a two-night stand on April 23 and 24, part of her farewell tour. Collins has been recording and performing since the early 1960s, with a catalog that includes her Grammy-winning take on “Both Sides, Now” (yes, she was the first to record this Joni Mitchell-penned classic) and her top-20 hit version of “Amazing Grace.”
A farewell run from an artist of her stature is sure to feel special in a venue as intimate as the Opera House.
Béla Fleck makes his Stoughton Opera House debut, as he brings his “My Bluegrass Heart” project to the iconic venue on November 3. Fleck is a 15-time Grammy winner and the defining banjo player of his generation, and this tour marks his return to a straight bluegrass lineup after two decades spent stretching the instrument into jazz, classical, and world music territory. His first visit to the Opera House is a night worth celebrating.
A few more worth circling on the calendar:
Steep Canyon Rangers (March 12) are back by popular demand after playing the Opera House in 2025. The Grammy-winning North Carolina band — longtime collaborators of Steve Martin — has built a reputation as one of the most respected acts in modern Americana.
Alison Brown (November 13) is a name serious bluegrass fans will recognize immediately: a Grammy winner and, in 1991, the first woman ever to win an instrumental award from the International Bluegrass Music Association. She’s also a frequent collaborator of Steve Martin’s, which makes for an interesting thread running through this season’s banjo bookings alongside Béla Fleck.
Marty Stuart (April 17), a perennial favorite at the Opera House and 5-time Grammy winner, brings his legendary country-bluegrass showmanship to the penultimate show of the season with his drum-tight backing band the Fabulous Superlatives.
Bettye LaVette (September 12) is a Blues Hall of Fame vocalist with a six-decade career, still touring at full strength.
And the Harp Twins Rockin’ Holiday Concert (December 18) marks a return visit for Camille and Kennerly Kitt, identical twin harpists who’ve built an unlikely following covering rock and metal songs on electric harp. They’re also of Scandinavian descent — fitting for Stoughton. The Kitts will be joined by the Volfgang Twins, an identical twin Viking-Celt drum duo who have recorded with the pair.
The Full Stoughton Opera House 2026-27 Season, Month by Month
Dates below reflect the season as announced in July 2026. Ticket links, on-sale dates, and occasional schedule changes are best confirmed directly at stoughtonoperahouse.com. Not included: a free, comprehensive music appreciation series which takes place on Mondays, along with other community programming — all worth a listen for anyone lucky enough to be in town.
September 2026 Valerie June (9/10) · Bettye LaVette (9/12) · Altan, marking their 40th anniversary tour (9/18) · L. Shankar (9/23) · AJ Lee & Blue Summit (9/25) · S. Carey (9/26)
October 2026 Tab Benoit with Ghalia Volt (10/3) · Josh Ritter with Kathleen Edwards (10/9) · Special Consensus (10/10) · Jeffrey Foucault (10/16) · Davina and the Vagabonds (10/17) · Michael Perry & The Long Beds (10/22) · Karla Bonoff (10/23) · The Arcadian Wild (10/24)
November 2026 Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart (11/3) · Lizzy & The Triggermen (11/6) · Alison Brown (11/13) · The Wood Brothers (11/19) · The Travelin’ McCourys (11/20)
December 2026 SistaStrings (12/5) · Festival Choir & City Band holiday concert (12/6) · Susan Werner (12/11) · Harp Twins Rockin’ Holiday Concert (12/18)
2027 Carter & Cleveland (1/30) · Kathy Mattea (2/18) · Steely Dane (3/6) · Steep Canyon Rangers (3/12) · Charlie Parr (3/13) · Ana Popović (4/3) · Che Apalache (4/9) · Michael Perry & The Long Beds, return engagement (4/15) · Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives (4/17) · Judy Collins farewell tour (4/23 & 4/24)
Getting Tickets for the Stoughton Opera House Shows
While select tickets go on sale early, most become available to purchase for members August 3 at 9am, and to the general public on August 17.
Membership comes with additional perks, including free Opera House tickets at some levels. Learn more at the official Stoughton Opera House website here.
Stay in Downtown Stoughton and Walk to the Opera House
We’re delighted to welcome new and returning Opera House concertgoers to the Goose Crown Inn, at the Naeset-Roe house. With our downtown location within a 5-minute walk of the venue, and themed rooms such as the music-inspired Conservatory, we aim to make your stay just as special as the show. Check availability for your top Stoughton Opera House concert dates here>>
