Indiana State Fair Announces Third and Final Wave of Hoosier Lottery Free Stage Always A Hit Concerts for 2026

Today, the Indiana State Fair unveiled the third and final wave of its 2026 list of scheduled concerts as a part of the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage schedule, August 7-23 (Fair is closed on Mondays). The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage has become a summertime staple for concert goers and music lovers. The lineup each year consists of some of music’s most legendary and diverse acts and this year is no exception. All shows at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are free with paid fair admission and seating is first-come, first-served. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise. Discount tickets can be purchased for the 2026 Indiana State Fair today at indianastatefair.com/.


Concerts for the 2026 Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at the Indiana State Fair include:


  • The Beach Boys - Friday, August 7 - opening day
  • TUSK - The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute - Saturday, August 8
  • Josiah Queen - Sunday, August 9
  • Clayton Anderson - Tuesday, August 11
  • Bret Michaels - Wednesday, August 12
  • Busta Rhymes - Thursday, August 13
  • Grand Funk Railroad - Friday, August 14
  • DJ Golden Hour: A Tribute to Demon Hunters - Saturday, August 15
  • Trace Adkins - Sunday, August 16
  • Los Sementales De Nuevo Leon - Tuesday, August 18
  • Happy Together Tour- Wednesday, August 19
  • Gene Simmons - Thursday, August 20
  • Sammy Kershaw & Craig Morgan - Friday, August 21
  • Don McLean - Saturday, August 22
  • Tasha Cobbs Leonard - Sunday, August 23


High resolution artist images are available by request or by visiting the State Fair media center photo gallery at www.IndianaStateFair.com.


"We are proud to unveil the full 2026 Indiana State Fair concert lineup as we prepare to introduce fairgoers to the newly-renovated Hoosier Lottery Free Stage concert venue," said Anna Whelchel, Chief Marketing Officer of the Indiana State Fair. "This multi-million-dollar renovation represents an investment in the future of live entertainment at the State Fair, elevating the guest experience while helping us attract exceptional artists and events for years to come." 


Announced last fall, the enhancements for the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage will include improvements to the venue, including:

●   New stage and expansion - 60’x40’ main stage with two 30’x40’ wings

●      Added roof height - 30’ from stage deck to bottom of roof structure

●      Total roof load capacity upgrade - 92,000 lbs.

●      Brand new dual 10’x18’ LED video walls (flown stage left and right)

●     Flexible seating capacity setups - 5,000-7,500 (depending on general admission or reserved seated shows or a mix of both general admission and reserved seating)


As Champions of Play and title sponsor of the Free Stage, the Hoosier Lottery is inviting fairgoers 18 or older to take a swing at summer fun with myLOTTERY. Six winners will receive six State Fair tickets, a parking pass, $250 in Fair Bucks, six box seats to a 2026 Indianapolis Indians home game at Victory Field, and a Hoosier Lottery Prize Pack. Enter by signing up to become a free myLOTTERY member or confirming your existing account at HoosierLottery.com/StateFair by July 2, 2026. Promotional odds are dependent upon the number of entries received.


“The Hoosier Lottery is proud to be back in the starting lineup as sponsor of the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at the Indiana State Fair,” said Sarah M. Taylor, Executive Director of the Hoosier Lottery. “This year’s ‘Always a Hit’ theme is a home run, celebrating baseball, Indiana’s summer spirit and our nation’s 250th anniversary. As longtime partners with the Indiana State Fair and the Indianapolis Indians, we know how baseball brings people together, and we’re excited to help fairgoers enjoy great entertainment, great value and great memories at one of Indiana’s favorite summer traditions.”


There is a limited amount of reserved viewing area tickets available now for the concerts. The 2026 Indiana State Fair is scheduled to open on Friday, August 7 and runs through August 23, when you can enjoy The Greatest 15 Days of Summer at this iconic Hoosier tradition. For more information, please visit indianastatefair.com/ or follow the Indiana State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and X. The Indiana State Fair will be highlighted by its 2026 theme "Always A Hit," presented by the Indianapolis Indians.


2026 Artist Bios:


The Beach Boys

Since the band’s co-founder, lead-singer and chief lyricist Mike Love penned the lyrics to The Beach Boys’ first hit,“Surfin’” (1961), dozens of the bands chart toppers have become eternal anthems of American youth: “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Rock and Roll Music” and “Kokomo.”                                                  


The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have received more than 33 RIAA Platinum and Gold record awards.  The Rock And Roll Hall of Famers where also honored at the 2001 Grammy Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  With more than five decades of touring under their belts, The Beach Boys have performed more concerts than any major rock band in history. The Beach Boys are led by Mike Love, who, along with musical director Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago, John Wedemeyer and Chris Cron continue the legacy of the iconic band.


TUSK - The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute

TUSK has been crisscrossing the country since 2008 as The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Five pro musicians turned into masters of their trade through decades of individual music study, live performance, creative risk, and devotion to the art. TUSK features note-perfect renditions of both the solo and full band songs, with each member specializing in one of the core lineup of Fleetwood Mac (Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood). They possess an electric stage presence that can only come from well over a decade touring together. Truly the best at what they do, TUSK is unmatched in their tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time.


Josiah Queen

Josiah Queen has quickly become one of the most impactful voices in Christian music, blending raw authenticity with deeply resonant melodies. With over 1.3 billion combined global streams, his music continues to inspire a wide-reaching and rapidly growing audience. Following the breakout success of “The Prodigal” (200M+ streams), Josiah’s single “Dusty Bibles” became a defining moment in his career becoming his first Billboard Hot 100 hit, and certified Gold in under six months from release. The song also climbed to the top tier of streaming performance, landing in the Top 3 Christian/Gospel Streaming Songs in the U.S., charting on the Spotify Viral 50 in over 15 countries, and reaching the Shazam Top 200 in multiple territories.


Clayton Anderson

"Clayton Anderson is a product of his Midwest upbringing: a hard-working, salt of the earth, country singer-songwriter from the heartland who grew up fishing, boating, and playing his guitar on the lakes of Southern Indiana. Inspired by his home state music heroes – John Mellencamp, John Hiatt, and Michael Jackson – Anderson set off on a music career, building a grassroots following playing the frat circuit at Indiana University.


In 2008, he won Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star battle of the bands. After moving to Nashville, he released a series of albums: Torn Jeans & Tailgates (2011), Right Where I Belong (2014), Only to Borrow (2016), and a lineup of singles. He performed alongside the Zac Brown Band at the Indy 500 and opened for Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Jimmy Buffett, Thomas Rhett, Lee Brice, and Carly Pearce."


Bret Michaels

As one of music’s most iconic singer / songwriters, Bret Michaels consistently brings his iconic energy and star power to every project. He has sold more than 100 million records, digital downloads and streams worldwide, and his numerous hit singles include “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Go That Far” and “Nothing But A Good Time.” Michaels also has a robust television career with record-breaking hits including “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels”, “The Masked Singer” and more. Despite his busy career, Michaels still finds time to give back through his Life Rocks Foundation, which supports a myriad of charities and causes around the globe.


Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes (Trevor George Smith Jr.), born May 20, 1972, is an iconic American rapper, producer, and actor renowned for his rapid-fire delivery, intricate rhyme schemes, and high-energy style. Rising in the early 1990s with Leaders of the New School, he launched a successful solo career in 1996, earning 12 Grammy nominations.


Grand Funk Railroad

Affectionately known as The American Band, Grand Funk Railroad continues to pack venues across the country, connecting generations of fans with their unmistakable mix of hard-driving rock, soulful vocals, and anthemic hits. Founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, and writer/singer of the iconic “We’re an American Band”) and Mel Schacher (bass, the thunder behind the groove) are joined by guitar slinger and veteran of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band Mark Chatfield; and the ever-versatile Tim Cashion (affectionately known as “Dr. Tim”), who - in the past - has hit the road with Robert Palmer and Bob Seger, on keys. Their influence can still be heard in the DNA of rock icons like Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Foreigner, and Journey. Grand Funk's music endures not only on the airwaves—thanks to mega-hits like We’re an American Band, I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home, The Loco-Motion, and Some Kind of Wonderful—but also on big screens and TV campaigns. From Disney’s The Country Bears to General Motors commercials, and blockbuster films like Radio and Sahara, their songs remain a cultural touchstone. With more than 25 million albums sold, 19 charting singles, 8 Top 40 hits, and two No. 1 smashes, Grand Funk has earned 7 gold and 10 platinum certifications—including 2022 platinum awards for both We’re an American Band and Some Kind of Wonderful. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering Grand Funk for the first time, there’s no better time to experience one of rock’s most enduring bands.


DJ Golden Hour - A Tribute to Demon Hunters

Family-friendly live DJ show paying tribute to the wildly popular, Oscar-winning 2025 movie. DJ Golden Hour brings the party with dance groups, sing-alongs, trivia for prizes, and trading cards!


Trace Adkins

Over the course of his three-decade reign in Country music, Trace Adkins has emerged as a full-fledged icon whose reach spans far beyond the genre’s borders. A multi-award-winning singer and actor who’s scored 40 hit singles on Country radio, the Louisiana native is now nearing the 30th anniversary of his trailblazing debut album Dreamin’ Out Loud—a 1996 LP that delivered his No. 1 “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” and “Every Light In The House” (a Top 5 entry on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart). With 12 million albums sold to date, the superstar entertainer recently followed his featured spot on Blake Shelton’s Friends & Heroes Tour with his own What Color’s Your Wild Tour (a hot-ticket headline run named for his hard-driving anthem released in early 2025) and is currently on his 30th Anniversary headline run in 2026.  A true American legend whose powerhouse catalog includes 14 studio albums, Adkins continues to embody the fiery spirit of traditional Country while moving the genre forward with his ever-evolving sound.


Latino Night featuring:

Los Sementales de Nuevo León ("The Stallions of Nuevo León"). They are a renowned Mexican Norteño and Corrido music band formed in Monterrey, Nuevo León.


Happy Together

The Happy Together Tour 2026 consists of eight acts: The Association, The Troggs, Chicago Lead Singer 1985-2016 Jason Scheff, Gary Puckett, The Fortunes, Rone Dante of The Archies and The Turtles, The Vogues and The Cowsills.. These artists had their biggest hits in the 60’s, 70’s and 80's and brought timeless sounds and songs of that time period. These bands combined have multiple No. 1 hits making this tour an iconic homage to an era of music that has influenced many of today’s artists. The tour has consisted of several different bands and artists throughout the nearly 40 years it has been running.


Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons is an international rock icon and co-founder of KISS, the RIAA’s #1 gold record award-winning group of all time. Beyond his legendary stage persona, Simmons is a formidable serial entrepreneur who revolutionized the intersection of music and commerce. Under his leadership, KISS became a global merchandising powerhouse with over 5,000 licensed products, generating more revenue from trademark deals than any other band in music history.


His career is defined by historic accolades and high-level advocacy. He is a 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2026, and a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Kennedy Center Honors. As an integral partner with SoundExchange, Simmons has become a leading voice in Washington, D.C., recently testifying before the Senate to champion the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA). His efforts are central to closing the "radio loophole" and ensuring all recording artists receive fair compensation for terrestrial airplay.


Simmons’ diverse business portfolio includes the international restaurant chain Rock & Brews, the MoneyBag spirits line, and a career as a New York Times bestselling author. A dedicated philanthropist, he has raised millions for veterans and children’s health, recently receiving the 2025 World Smile Award from Operation Smile. Whether leading global business ventures or touring with the Gene Simmons Band, he remains a definitive force in entertainment and industry.


Sammy Kershaw / Craig Morgan

Sammy: Iconic entertainer, Sammy Kershaw, has amassed three platinum and six gold albums that have scanned and streamed in excess of 5 million records and nearly 100 million combined songs sold. Often referred to as the “heir apparent” to legendary ‘voice’ George Jones, the GRAMMY nominated performer helped shape and make the ‘90s a shining decade for country music. His multi-platinum albums were propelled into the record books by hits such as “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” “Queen of My Doublewide Trailer”, “I Can’t Reach Her Anymore,” “National Working Woman’s Holiday,” “Love Of My Life,” “Cadillac Style,” “Don’t Go Near The Water,” “Haunted Heart”, “Vidalia” and many other milestones.


Craig: Though it wasn’t an intentional mission when he signed his first record deal in 2000, being his authentic self and creating music that reflected his values provided Morgan with a focus that has served him well. Over the years, he’s earned nearly 2.5 billion streams and charted over 25 songs, including such memorable hits as “International Harvester,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Little Bit of Life,” “Almost Home” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” which spent four weeks at the top of the chart, placing No. 1 on Billboard’s end of the year country chart."


Don McLean

As tragic as the backstory behind the song “American Pie” is with the much too early death of the new rock’n’roll-hope Buddy Holly, the track is also magnificent and legendary. And “American Pie” still goes to heart as soon as originator Don McLean plays this classic at his concerts. Still, it's worth remembering that the 76-year-old composer has written and sung numerous other melodic and harmonic successes in his decades-long career with "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)," "Castles in the Air," "And I Love You So," and "Cryin’,'' all of which will be heard and reveled in along with newer pieces on the upcoming tour.


The eight-and-a-half-minute ballad “American Pie” has been making history since its release in 1971. Alongside songs by other icons such as Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Woody Guthrie, and Aretha Franklin, McLean’s composition was also voted “Song of the 20th Century."" Handwritten lyrics to the song were auctioned off for more than $1.2 million in 2015, and the composition was added to the Library Of Congress National Recording Registry two years later. Here, you’ll only find a few selected evergreens, such as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow."" So much for the cultural significance of Don McLean and his 1971 stroke of genius!"


Tasha Cobbs Leonard

In less than a decade, GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard has become one of the most iconic artists in gospel music history. Winner of the Billboard Music Award for Top Gospel Artist for the past two years, her latest radio single, “You Know My Name (Live),” recently climbed to #1, while her career-launching hit, “Break Every Chain,” was recently certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).