Spring on the Cooper River: High Water Festival Announces 2026 Lineup

Returning for its eighth year in the South Carolina Lowcountry, High Water Festival will take place April 18-19, 2026 at Riverfront Park along the Cooper River in North Charleston. Originally founded in 2017, the festival has grown into a defining spring tradition for the region’s music scene, consistently drawing national touring acts while preserving the laid-back, waterfront charm that defines the Lowcountry. Set against the backdrop of the Cooper River, the festival has become known for pairing nationally recognized acts with an intimate coastal atmosphere.

This year’s lineup features 20 acts across two stages — the Edisto Stage and the Stono Stage — with a thoughtfully designed revolving schedule that ensures no performances overlap. Music begins at 1:30 p.m. EST each day, with alternating sets between stages eliminating the difficult scheduling choices common at multi-stage festivals and allowing attendees to experience the full breadth of the lineup. The format reflects the festival’s commitment to accessibility and audience experience, a feature that continues to set it apart within the regional festival circuit.

Saturday, April 18 will see Grammy Award-winning rock band Alabama Shakes headline the Stono Stage, bringing their blues-infused Southern rock sound back to the festival circuit. They are joined by My Morning Jacket, Lake Street Dive, Watchhouse, and Trousdale. Over on the Edisto Stage, Maren Morris (known for her crossover success between country and pop audiences) leads a lineup that also includes Jensen McRae, Arcy Drive, The Runarounds, and Winyah. In addition, Sunday, April 19 will spotlight indie folk-rock favorites such as Caamp, who will headline the Stono Stage, alongside nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow, Jesse Welles, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, and Penny & Sparrow. The Edisto Stage will feature Peach Pit, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, John Vincent III (replacing Chance Peña due to scheduling conflicts) as well as Hey, Nothing and Alice Phoebe Lou. Together, the weekend lineup blends established legacy acts with rising indie and folk voices, reinforcing High Water’s reputation as a carefully curated, roots-leaning festival.

Beyond the music, festival attendees can retreat to The Refuge, an area that provides some shaded areas to unwind and enjoy all the local libations the festival has to offer. True to its coastal roots, the festival leans into the culinary identity of the South Carolina Lowcountry, offering curated local fare alongside craft cocktails and regional brews. You can find games such as corn-hole and other branded activities from the festival’s sponsors to pass time. The space offers a slower pace between sets, reinforcing the festival’s balance between high-energy performances and coastal ease. It also serves as the official location for exclusive festival and artist merchandise.

High Water Festival remains an all-ages event, with children aged eight and under admitted free with a ticketed adult. For large groups planning to attend together, utilizing rideshare apps and/or carpooling is suggested as parking in this area is known to fill up quickly. Attendees are encouraged to be prepared for warm days and cooler evenings, keeping in mind that there is always a possibility of coastal rain showers this time of year in Charleston.

As spring approaches, High Water continues to solidify its place as a cornerstone of the Lowcountry’s live music calendar. Two-day tickets are currently in their final pricing tiers, with general admission starting at $260 and Platinum packages reaching $1,750. With one-day passes now available by waitlist only, demand suggests High Water’s eighth edition may be its most anticipated yet. The full schedule, including set times, is available on the festival’s official website.