Eaux Claires 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

If you’ve been living in the Chippewa Valley for any amount of time, you already know this is a BIG deal.

Eaux Claires is back.

After eight years away, the music and arts festival founded by Eau Claire’s own Justin Vernon of Bon Iver is returning to the Chippewa Valley on July 24-25, 2026. And this time it’s taking over Carson Park, right in the heart of the city.

Whether you’re a longtime local who attended back in the day, someone who has always wanted to go, or a future Chippewa Valley resident who is currently stalking this area from out of state (hi, I see you 💕), this post has everything you need to know.

Let’s get into it.

What Is Eaux Claires, Exactly?

Great question, especially if you’re newer to the area.

Eaux Claires is a two-day music and arts festival that started in 2015, co-founded by Justin Vernon, the Eau Claire native behind the band Bon Iver, and Aaron Dessner of The National. It ran every summer from 2015 to 2018 before going on hiatus.

And not just any hiatus. The festival was originally supposed to come back in 2020, but the pandemic had other plans. So it has genuinely been eight years since this event happened in our backyard.

What makes it different from your typical summer music festival? A lot, actually.

Eaux Claires was always intentionally designed to be the opposite of the loud, overwhelming, sponsor-branded festival experience. Justin Vernon himself described it as the antithesis of “all the things I hate at festivals: really loud music all the time, no breaks, bad food, all that kind of thing.”

Think: boutique. Curated. Collaborative. Artists showing up unannounced. Unexpected pairings between musicians. Interactive art installations. Literary programming alongside the music. It’s an experience, not just a concert.

And it puts Eau Claire on the map in a way that genuinely makes this community proud. Past headliners over the years have included Paul Simon, Chance the Rapper, The National, Wilco, Lizzo, Phoebe Bridgers, and John Prine. The lineup has always been thoughtfully weird in the best possible way.

The 2026 Eaux Claires Lineup

Okay, let’s talk about who’s actually playing this year. And fair warning: the lineup is eclectic. That’s the whole point.

Friday, July 24

Saturday, July 25

A few things worth noting here:

First, “Bon Dylan” is listed and nobody has officially explained what that means. Is it Justin Vernon covering Bob Dylan? Is it a surprise collaboration? Is it something totally unexpected? Nobody knows, and honestly that mystery is very on brand for this festival.

Second, this year’s lineup is notably more diverse than past editions, mixing indie, R&B, hip hop, jazz, zydeco, and experimental music all on the same two-day bill. There really is something for everyone.

Third, the festival is also introducing a “Writers in Residence” program this year, with more than 20 authors and poets doing readings, discussions, and collaborations throughout the weekend. So even if music isn’t your thing, there’s a reason to be there.

Want the daily schedule? Head to eauxclaires.com for the full set times once they’re released.

Where Is It? Getting to Know Carson Park

The 2026 festival has a new home: Carson Park in Eau Claire.

If you’ve spent any time in Eau Claire, you probably already know this park. It sits on a peninsula jutting out into Half Moon Lake, and it’s one of those places that just feels special. There’s a beautiful baseball stadium, picnic areas, trails, and the kind of natural setting that makes you remember why living here is genuinely great.

For context: in previous years from 2015 to 2018, Eaux Claires was held at Foster Farms out in the county. Moving to Carson Park puts the festival right in the heart of the city, which is exciting news for downtown Eau Claire businesses and easy for attendees to pop out and explore the city during the weekend.

Parking at the festival will be available at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus, with free shuttles running to and from the festival all weekend. Specific shuttle times and pickup locations will be announced closer to the event, so keep an eye on eauxclaires.com for updates.

Tickets and Pricing

Here’s what you need to know about tickets:

General Admission gives you access to all the festival stages, food vendors, and programming both days. Children under 10 get in free with a ticketed adult. VIP tickets include all GA access plus grandstand and bleacher seating (first come, first served) and other perks.

Single-day passes are available if you can only make it for one day.

Tickets are available at eauxclaires.com. If you haven’t grabbed yours yet, don’t wait. This is the festival’s first return in eight years and the buzz is real.

Camping Options for the Weekend

Want to make a whole weekend of it? Camping is available through The Pines Music Park, which is the same campground that partnered with Eaux Claires back in 2015 through 2018 (just with a new name). It’s located about four miles from Carson Park, with shuttle service included in your camp access pass.

Tent camping is included with a camp access pass. If you’re bringing an RV, pull-behind, or any vehicle over 20 feet, you’ll need a reserved site as an add-on. There’s also a limited number of air-conditioned tiny camping cabins available for those who like a little more comfort.

A few important notes: camp passes do NOT include festival admission. You’ll purchase those separately. And no dogs allowed at the campground. Plan accordingly, pet parents!

Check out pinesmusicpark.com for camping details and availability.

What to Bring (And What to Leave at Home)

Bring:

Valid ID for alcohol purchases. A refillable water bottle (there are free water stations). Sunscreen. Comfortable shoes because you will be on your feet all day. A light jacket or rain layer just in case, because Wisconsin summer weather does what it wants. Cash or card for vendors and merchandise.

Leave at home:

Coolers and outside food and beverages are not permitted in the festival. Outside alcohol is a no. Cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco products are not allowed either since Eaux Claires is a non-smoking festival. Professional cameras with detachable zoom lenses, tripods, and video recording equipment are also prohibited.

The good news? There will be plenty of food vendors with diverse options including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices, plus a full beverage selection. You won’t go hungry or thirsty.

And re-entry is permitted! So if you need to pop out and grab something from your car or explore downtown Eau Claire between sets, you can come back in with your digital ticket or wristband.

Why This Is Such a Big Deal for the Chippewa Valley

I want to take a second to talk about what Eaux Claires actually means for this community, because I think it’s easy to see it as just a concert and miss the bigger picture.

Visit Eau Claire is estimating over $15 million in economic impact for Eau Claire County during the festival weekend alone. In past years, around 25,000 people attended each event, with 85% of attendees coming from more than 60 miles away. People came from all 49 other states and seven countries.

That’s not a local event. That’s a national event happening in our backyard.

And for people who are considering moving to the Chippewa Valley, Eaux Claires is one more piece of evidence that this area isn’t just a quiet corner of Wisconsin. It’s a genuinely vibrant, creative, thriving community.

If you’re currently researching life in the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls area, I’d love for you to stick around on this blog. I write about what it’s really like to live here, from the best local restaurants and events to navigating the local real estate market. You can also check out my complete guide to moving to Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls for a bigger picture look at why so many families are choosing to call this place home.

Tips for First-Timers

Never been to Eaux Claires before? Here’s a little advice:

Don’t try to see everything. The spirit of this festival is about wandering, discovering, and being present. You might stumble into a surprise performance. You might end up at a poetry reading you didn’t plan on. Let yourself be surprised.

Download the festival app or companion if available. It helps you track set times and navigate the grounds without burning your phone battery on constant web searches.

Get there early, especially if you’re camping. Spots at The Pines are first-come, first-served for general tent camping.

Keep an eye on the weather. Eau Claire summers are beautiful but unpredictable. The festival is rain or shine, so come prepared.

And honestly? Just enjoy the fact that this is happening in our city. Eight years is a long time to wait, and the Chippewa Valley community showing up for this says a lot about the kind of place this is.

More Things to Love About the Chippewa Valley This Summer

If Eaux Claires is putting Eau Claire on your radar, I’ve got plenty more to explore. Check out some of my other posts:

Best Things to Do in Eau Claire & Chippewa Falls This Summer – your complete summer bucket list for the area

Moving to Eau Claire or Chippewa Falls? Read This First – everything you need to know if a move here is on your mind

Thinking About Making the Chippewa Valley Home?

If you’re visiting for Eaux Claires this summer and you find yourself thinking “wait, why don’t I live here?” – I want you to know that’s a very common reaction. 😂

I help families relocate to the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls area all the time, and I genuinely love doing it. As someone who moved here in 2017 without a built-in community, I know exactly what questions you have and what it takes to make this place feel like home.

I put together a free 2026 Summer Guide to the Chippewa Valley that’s a great starting point for anyone exploring this area. It’s packed with local favorites, events, and everything that makes summers here genuinely special. Grab it below! 💕

Get the Free 2026 Summer Guide to the Chippewa Valley

And if you want to talk real estate specifically, I’d love to connect. Whether you’re six months out or just starting to dream, there’s no pressure and no commitment. Just a conversation with someone who knows this area and genuinely loves it.

Cheers to a great summer, and I’ll see you at the festival! 💕