The JAMBALOO Festival will return in 2026, running from February 7 to February 15, and will feature an expanded presence across Dallas and Fort Worth. This year’s festival will include 14 venues, nearly 30 free performances, and new late-night events, all aimed at enhancing community engagement and cultural impact.
Early confirmed performers include Tripping Daisy, Low Cut Connie, and Catie Adams, with a complete lineup expected to be announced in January. JAMBALOO is committed to fostering accessible live music while reinforcing its role as a platform for cultural and community development. The growth in 2026 reflects an ongoing dedication to creative infrastructure, mental health support, arts education, and the independent music scene in North Texas.
Joe Morrison, co-founder of JAMBALOO and attorney at Mullen and Mullen Injury Law, emphasized the festival’s dual focus on celebration and community support. “Last year’s debut showed us two things at once: how hungry the community was for a festival like JAMBALOO, and how many areas still need support behind the scenes. Our 2026 festival is a direct response to both. We’re scaling up the celebration while expanding the ways we give back,” Morrison stated.
Expanded Programming and New Initiatives
The festival will also feature The JAMBALOO Symposium, which kicks off on Saturday, February 7, at Tulips in Fort Worth. This event will include discussions on current music trends, challenges faced by independent venues, and strategies to strengthen the Dallas-Fort Worth music ecosystem. The evening will conclude with a unique event hosted by Cole Cuchna, creator of the Dissect podcast, who will analyze select songs from Radiohead, followed by live performances from the Austin-based tribute band Paranoid Androids. The Symposium will be recorded and streamed live for wider audience engagement.
A new feature for this year is JAMBALOO After Hours, which will introduce late-night events dedicated to vinyl culture and DJ performances. The programming includes three vibrant nights at LadyLove Lounge, a special takeover by Mark Farina at Josey Records, and a Valentine’s Night appearance by Kenny Dope at Deep Ellum Art Co.
Another significant aspect of the festival’s evolution is its partnership with Amplified Minds, a nonprofit that has provided essential mental health support to over 4,000 individuals in the creative sector. This collaboration will feature a dedicated panel discussion with musicians and mental health leaders, along with year-round workshops and community programs designed to support artists and gig workers.
Showcase and Attendance Details
JAMBALOO will conclude on Sunday, February 15, with the BOOKER T. LIVE x JAMBALOO event at the Granada Theater. This special collaboration with Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts will showcase performances from current students and alumni, celebrating the legacy of notable artists like Norah Jones and Erykah Badu.
Reservations for the festival will open on January 14, 2026, at noon CST through the official website, JAMBALOO.live. A full schedule, lineup updates, and details on how to secure attendance will be available at that time.
JAMBALOO, which began in 2025, has quickly emerged as a vital initiative supporting the North Texas music ecosystem. The festival introduced the $20,000 Venue Prize to assist independent stages and the $20,000 JAMBALOO Music Prize, now among the largest local album awards in the country. Submissions for the 2026 Music Prize will remain open until January 4.
Produced with support from Mullen and Mullen Injury Law, Amplified Minds, the Dallas Music Office, the Fort Worth Music Office, and other regional cultural partners, JAMBALOO 2026 promises to be a landmark event with a focus on music, community, and mental health.
