Poage Landing Days 2026 Everything Happening in Downtown Ashland

Poage Landing Days 2026

Everything Happening in Downtown Ashland

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Grab the family, bring your appetite, lace up your running shoes and get ready to spend a weekend in downtown Ashland because Poage Landing Days is coming back September 18–20, 2026, with three days packed with live music, food, vendors, children's activities, contests, a one-mile race and plenty of reasons to stick around from morning until night.

For Ashland, Poage Landing Days is more than just another festival on the calendar. It is a celebration of the city's heritage, community and connection to the Ohio River.

The festival takes its name from the Poage family, early settlers who arrived in the area in the late 18th century. The Poage’s established a settlement along the Ohio River, helping lay the groundwork for what would eventually become Ashland. Over the years, Poage Landing Days has grown into a signature community celebration, bringing people downtown to enjoy entertainment, food, shopping and activities while celebrating the area's history and the people who call it home.

And if the 2026 schedule is any indication, this year's celebration is going to be a busy one.

Friday, September 18: Let the Weekend Begin

The fun starts at noon Friday, when the festival officially opens. From the moment the gates are open, visitors can explore food and specialty drink vendors, specialty vendors, artisans and crafters, and children's amusement.

Music gets rolling at 12 p.m. on the Armstrong Stage with 3x, giving festivalgoers an early reason to grab some food, find a comfortable spot and settle in for the weekend.

As afternoon gives way to evening, the action moves to the 16th Street Stage. At 6 p.m., Anderson Road takes the stage, followed by City Heat at 7:30 p.m.

That gives Friday visitors a full day to shop, eat, listen to music and soak up the festival atmosphere before the first day officially comes to an end at 10 p.m. But that's just the warm-up.

Saturday, September 19: The Big Day

If you're looking for the day when you can really dive into everything Poage Landing Days has to offer, Saturday is it.

The festival opens at 10 a.m., with food and specialty drinks, specialty vendors, artisans and crafters, and children's amusement ready to welcome the crowds.

At 10:30 a.m., the Southern Fried Confest gets underway on 17th Street, giving food lovers another reason to make Saturday a destination.

  At 11 a.m., children can head over to the free Children's Activity Tent, which will remain open until 7 p.m. That's a lot of time for young festivalgoers to play, explore and make some memories of their own. And then there's the music.

The Armstrong Stage will keep things moving throughout the afternoon with a full lineup:

12 p.m. — Kyle Tipton

1 p.m. — Against the Grain

2:15 p.m. — Wheelhouse

3:30 p.m. — Austin Vallejo

4:45 p.m. — Tyler Waller

While the music is rolling, kids have their own special attractions to look forward to.

The Children's Area will host a Foam Party at 12:30 p.m., followed by another at 2:30 p.m., and a third at 5 p.m. So, parents, consider this your warning: dry clothes may not survive the afternoon.

There's also an opportunity for runners to join in the fun. At 6 p.m., the 1776 Patriot Sprint 1 Miler will take place in The Neighborhood Carter Avenue, giving runners and walkers a chance to add a little exercise to their festival weekend.

Then comes Saturday night's entertainment.

  At 7 p.m., the festival's Opening Ceremonies will take place on the 16th Street Stage. Also at 7 p.m., JigJam will take the 16th Street Stage for a performance.

And if you're still looking for a reason to stay downtown, the night gets even bigger at 9 p.m. when the Kentucky Headhunters take the 16th Street Stage.

It's the kind of Saturday that makes it very easy to say, "We'll just stay for one more song."

Sunday, September 20: One More Day of Fun

Just because it's Sunday doesn't mean Poage Landing Days is slowing down.

The final day begins with the Southern Fried Confest at 10 a.m. on Ramey Street. At 10:30 a.m., House of Grace will perform on the 16th Street Stage.

The festival officially opens at 11 a.m., bringing back the full collection of food and specialty drink vendors, specialty vendors, artisans and crafters, and children's amusement.

Sunday's musical lineup on the Armstrong Stage offers a great way to spend the afternoon:

1 p.m. — Bended Knee

2:30 p.m. — John Thornsberry

3:30 p.m. — Lynnwood

4:45 p.m. — Mason and Taylor

The kids aren't being left out on the final day, either. The Children's Area will feature a Foam Party at 1 p.m., followed by another Foam Party at 3 p.m.

So, whether you're looking for live music, something tasty to eat, a place to shop, activities for the kids or simply a reason to spend a beautiful September weekend downtown, Sunday has plenty to offer.

At 6 p.m., Poage Landing Days 2026 officially comes to a close.

Three Days, One Big Ashland Celebration

From the opening notes of Friday afternoon to the final performance Sunday evening, Poage Landing Days 2026 is shaping up to be a weekend designed for wandering.

Come hungry and sample the food. Browse the work of artisans and crafters. Let the kids burn off some energy at the children's activities and foam parties. Catch a band you've never heard before—or one you've been waiting to see. Cheer on the runners. Take part in the Southern Fried Confest. Or simply meet up with friends and enjoy the atmosphere of downtown Ashland.

The beauty of a community festival like Poage Landing Days is that you don't have to choose just one thing to enjoy.

You can start your day with breakfast, wander through the vendors, hear some live music, grab something delicious to eat, watch the kids have a blast, and still have plenty of time to catch the evening headliners.

And with three full days of activities scheduled for September 18–20, there's a good chance you'll find yourself saying the same thing many festivalgoers have said before:

"Let's come back tomorrow."