Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival
- Dates
- Expected August 2027
- Status
- Expected
- Venue
- Waterfront Park
- Price
- $43 to $84
- Camping
- Available
- Last checked
- Oct 19, 2026
The last Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival was August 7 to 9, 2026, in Medical Lake, WA. Its 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. Froligo tracks ticket prices, camping, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
Last time around (2026)
The 2026 festival, marking the event's 25th year, took place August 7-9 on the shores of Medical Lake with a lineup led by Chris Jones & the Night Drivers.
What's special
A three-day summer bluegrass festival on the shores of Medical Lake in Medical Lake, Washington, running since 2002 and marking its 25th anniversary in 2026. An all-volunteer nonprofit event, it is known for a lineup of world-class and regional bands, a genuinely bargain price, a scenic lakeside setting, and an inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere with children under 12 free.
What people love
Attendees describe a well-run, welcoming lakeside festival built around a strong bluegrass lineup, singling out highlights like the Roots of Bluegrass tribute. The affordable price and pretty setting round out the appeal.
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Listen
Tap an artist to play them right here.
No official playlist linked yet. Find Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Here's who played in 2026:
Getting there
Nearest airport GEG.
How do I get to Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival?
By car
Most people drive to Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival. The nearest major airport is GEG, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
Amtrak's Empire Builder stops once daily in each direction at Spokane's Intermodal Center (221 W 1st Ave, downtown), the train splits/joins its Seattle and Portland sections here. This doesn't serve the GEG leg; it's an arrival option for attendees coming from Montana, the Twin Cities, Chicago, or western Washington/Oregon. Spokane calls are typically in the middle of the night, check the current schedule. From the Intermodal Center it's a short walk to the STA Plaza for Route 62 to Medical Lake, or ~16 mi by rideshare.
Book / infoBy bus & public transit
Intercity coaches (Greyhound and FlixBus) serve the Spokane Intermodal Center downtown at 221 W 1st Ave, the same building as the Amtrak stop, with connections from Seattle, Portland, Boise, and Missoula among others. From there, walk to the STA Plaza for Route 62 to Medical Lake or take a ~16 mi rideshare.
Book / infoSTA serves both ends but there is no one-seat ride: Route 60 (Airport) connects GEG only to the downtown STA Plaza, while Route 62 (Medical Lake), running seven days a week, connects only at the West Plains Transit Center (I-90 exit 272), per current GTFS data and transit.wiki (both current as of Aug 2026). Typical path: Route 60 from the terminal to the Plaza, a Cheney/West Plains-bound connector (Route 66 or the 633 West Plains Express) to the West Plains Transit Center, then Route 62 into Medical Lake (~22 min end-to-end, stops include Medical Lake Hwy/Lefevre at Harvest Foods, ~1.5 mi from the park). OpenStreetMap also shows STA-signed stops directly at the venue ('Hwy 902 @ Waterfront Park' and 'Lefevre @ Waterfront Park'), so the bus can put you essentially at the festival gate, but plan the exact festival-weekend itinerary on STA's trip planner before relying on it, since this is a multi-transfer ride in the counter-intuitive direction (downtown first, despite GEG being only ~15 min from the venue by car).
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
Both Uber and Lyft operate at GEG with a designated rideshare pickup zone outside the terminal (follow the yellow striped pavement); local taxis load at the Ground Transportation Center outside baggage claim. The ~10-12 mi run to Medical Lake is short by airport-transfer standards. For the ride back at festival close, book with margin. Medical Lake is a small town and driver supply can be thin compared with Spokane proper.
Book / infoTaxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🅿 Parking
On site parking available. Cost Waterfront Park's own city lot is free (city park, no parking fee found); the overflow 'main lot' on the West Medical Lake side is WDFW-managed land and requires a Washington State Discover Pass (buy at discoverpass.wa.gov, one-day or annual), with free roadside parking as the alternative there. Parking is the festival's squeeze point. The park has its own lot but it's modest for a 45-acre city park hosting a three-day festival. Official 2026 guidance: Washington State has closed and fenced the former West Medical Lake Resort (previously used for camping/overflow, no camping or RV services there anymore), and parking on the West Medical Lake side is limited to the main lot (Discover Pass required) or roadside. The festival runs golf-cart transport between the outlying parking and the festival site, and golf carts also help campers move gear to their sites. No prepaid-parking platform is used, arrive early on Saturday.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at GEG
On site parking is available; if you are hiring a car it is worth checking the cost and how early it fills.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
Waterfront Park
Camping & Accommodation
Is there camping at Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival?
Yes, on site camping is available.
Facilities
Camping site types 1
Sleeping in a vehicle is allowed in the lower parking area provided no camping activity is set up around it; tents go in the tents-only lower campground. All campers must hold a weekend festival pass, with camping passes sold separately by the City of Medical Lake via DaySmart Recreation (first-come first-served siting; passes cover Thursday through Monday morning). The 2024 press-reported figure was $58 for a weekend camping pass.
Where can I stay near Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival?
Mid-range hotels 2
1000 Survival Loop, WA 99011
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates300 Short Street, WA 99011
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 3
8967 West Airport Drive, Spokane, WA 99224
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates8909 West Airport Drive, Spokane, WA 99224
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2726 South Flint Road, Spokane, WA 99224
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesSearch all hotels near Waterfront Park
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Entry rules
Accessibility & comfort
The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.
Pricing
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Quick answers
When is Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival 2027?
Not announced yet. The last festival was August 7 to 9, 2026. The next one is expected in August.
How much are Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival tickets?
$43 to $84 per person, from the official ticket page. Prices change, so confirm before you buy.
Where is Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival held?
Waterfront Park, Medical Lake, WA.