Permanent outdoor stage at Hinterland nears completion ahead of 2026 festival

Hinterland Music Festival is nearing completion of a new permanent outdoor stage at its festival grounds in St. Charles, Iowa, marking a major infrastructure investment ahead of the 11th annual festival, set for July 30–August 2, 2026, featuring KATSEYE, Lorde, Mumford & Sons, Kali Uchis, & more.

For the past ten years, Hinterland has become known for bringing top-tier headliners and rising artists alike to the heart of the Midwest while attracting crowds from across the country and becoming a premier music destination in the region.

Expanded by 130 acres in 2026, the Hinterland site now spans nearly 400 acres across camping and parking, with 27 acres dedicated to the main festival concourse. The new permanent stage and expanded footprint represent a significant step forward in the festival’s evolution. Located in the Iowa countryside off Interstate 35 and 30 minutes south of Des Moines, the site now stands among the Midwest’s largest outdoor music sites.

“This is an important step in Hinterland’s future,” says Sam Summers, founder of Hinterland Music Festival and owner of the festival grounds. “From the beginning, our goal has been to build something lasting here — not just for one weekend, but for the long term. This permanent outdoor stage allows us to keep growing Hinterland in a thoughtful way, improve the experience for fans and artists, and continue establishing this part of Iowa as a special place for live music in the heart of the Midwest.”

Designed by Goché inclusions with the ownership and operation team, the permanent outdoor stage and surrounding festival grounds were thoughtfully planned to complement the rolling hills and tree lines of the Warren County landscape. Conceived as a highly functional open-air venue, the project draws from the durability, practicality, and environmental awareness of the surrounding rural setting.

The stage spans approximately 8,000 square feet with a performance area elevated seven feet above grade and an overall height of 65 feet. Built on a concrete foundation with a steel frame and insulated metal panel wall and roof system, the structure is designed to support Hinterland’s continued growth for years to come.

This investment marks a new chapter for Hinterland, building on a decade of momentum and further reinforcing its reputation as one of the country’s most distinctive festival destinations.

ABOUT HINTERLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL:

hinterland [hin-ter-land]: The land behind a river. The rural area near a city. A backwater.

Hinterland Music Festival is a four-day music event curated for people who love both music and the outdoors. True to its name, Hinterland is held in Saint Charles, a beautiful rural escape just outside Des Moines, Iowa. The annual festival features a blend of music, camping, art, craft vendors, family engagement, and more.

The inaugural Hinterland, held in 2015, established a fresh and unique music festival getaway that thousands look forward to every summer, delivering an elevated personal experience without the overwhelming crowds of larger festivals. Past lineups have included Chappell Roan, Lana Del Rey, Zach Bryan, Tyler, The Creator, Leon Bridges, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Bon Iver, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, alt-J, Lake Street Dive, Hozier, Noah Kahan, Band of Horses, Grace Potter, Ray LaMontagne, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Orville Peck, Tyler Childers, Charlie Crockett, Vampire Weekend, Red Clay Strays, Maggie Rogers, Phoebe Bridgers, Billy Strings, Khruangbin, Old Crow Medicine Show, Mt. Joy, Gary Clark Jr., Shakey Graves and more.

HINTERLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL

ST. CHARLES, IOWA

JULY 30- AUGUST 2, 2026

LINEUP:

THURSDAY, JULY 30

• KATSEYE
• beabadoobee
• ASHNIKKO
• AUDREY NUNA
• Oklou
• Jane Remover
• Frost Children
• Porch Light
• Nourished by Time
• Pixel Grip

FRIDAY, JULY 31

• Lorde
• MUNA
• Snow Strippers
• Paris Paloma
• SOFIA ISELLA
• Wisp
• Saint Avangeline
• Between Friends
• Ninajirachi

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

• Mumford & Sons
• Jessie Murph
• The Format
• Santigold
• CMAT
• Julia Wolf
• Waylon Wyatt
• Amble
• The Brook & The Bluff
• Buffalo Traffic Jam

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2

• Kali Uchis
• Young Miko
• Geese
• Wet Leg
• Suki Waterhouse
• Audrey Hobert
• Samia
• Haute & Freddy
• Die Spitz
• Gouge Away