Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival will make a return in March 2026, marking the event’s first edition since 2023.
The multi-genre camping festival announced its comeback with a lineup featuring The Lumineers, FISHER, GRiZ, T-Pain, and Alison Wonderland as headliners. The four-day event takes place on an 800-acre private property in Okeechobee County, approximately two hours from major South Florida population centers, including Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
Soundslinger, the original promoter that founded the festival in 2016, has resumed ownership after Insomniac Events managed operations from 2020 to 2023. The ownership change follows feedback from attendees who noted differences in festival atmosphere and logistics during the Insomniac years.
Festival History and Ownership Changes
Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival launched in March 2016 as a multi-genre camping event designed to differentiate itself from Florida’s EDM-focused festival market. The event ran annually through 2020, paused in 2021 due to the pandemic, returned briefly in 2022-2023 under Insomniac management, then went on hiatus.
Social media comments from festival attendees during the 2020-2023 period referenced concerns about parking logistics, perceived commercialization, and changes to the event’s community-focused atmosphere. One Reddit user who attended multiple editions wrote that pre-2020 festivals “felt like you had gone into this crazy portal” while later years “felt way more corporate and somehow more sterile.”
Soundslinger has not publicly detailed specific operational changes for 2026, but the company’s announcement materials emphasize a return to the festival’s founding principles of community, creativity, and environmental stewardship.
Venue Details
Sunshine Grove is located in Okeechobee County, roughly 2-2.5 hours from Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Orlando. The private property encompasses pine forests, palmetto groves, grasslands, and multiple lakes.
The venue layout is divided into two main sections. The Grove features the BE and NOW stages under an oak tree canopy. Moonlight Oasis contains the HERE Stage, Aquachobee beach area, Jungle51, and Chobeewobee Village, which houses food vendors and art installations.
Campgrounds surround the festival stages, with options ranging from standard car camping to lakeside sites, RV hookups, and pre-set glamping accommodations.
According to festival materials, Sunshine Grove is home to native Florida species and several rare or endangered animals. Organizers state they have implemented conservation measures, including designated wildlife corridors, waste reduction programs, and habitat preservation efforts.
2026 Okeechobee Music Festival Lineup Breakdown
The announced lineup includes more than 60 artists across electronic, rock, indie, jam band, and hip-hop genres.
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Headliners: The Lumineers, FISHER, GRiZ, T-Pain, Alison Wonderland
Electronic artists: Big Gigantic, Big Wild, LSDREAM, LP Giobbi, Whethan, TVBOO, Ganja White Night, Moodymann, Derrick May, Octave One, Riva Starr, Nightmares on Wax
Rock and indie acts: Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Young The Giant, Flipturn, Goth Babe, Tycho, The Stews, Trousdale
Jam bands: The Disco Biscuits, Dogs In A Pile, Eggy, Tractorbeam
Hip-hop and crossover: BigXthaPlug, Ian, Probcause
Additional artists: Gramatik, SMOAKLAND, Ravenscoon, Truth, Special Request, The Movement, Tropidelic, and approximately 30 more performers
The lineup represents Okeechobee’s multi-genre programming approach, which distinguishes it from single-genre events like Ultra Music Festival (EDM-focused) or jazz and blues festivals.
Okee PoWoW! Collaboration
One of the festival’s signature programming elements is the Okee PoWoW!, an annual collaborative performance featuring artists from different genres performing together.
Previous PoWoW! lineups have included:
- 2016: Miguel, Skrillex, members of Mumford & Sons, Arcade Fire, Hall & Oates, Preservation Hall Jazz Band
- 2017: Michael McDonald, GRiZ, Gallant, Solange, Vulfpeck, Eric Krasno, members of Snarky Puppy
- 2018: Snoop Dogg, The Roots, Chaka Khan, Joey Bada$$, Trombone Shorty, Cory Henry, Dominic Lalli
- 2022: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Monoenon, Mo Pleasure
- 2023: Anderson .Paak, Free Nationals, Big Boi, members of Goose, Earth Wind & Fire Horns, members of Break Science and Lettuce
The 2026 PoWoW! lineup has not been announced. Based on historical patterns, organizers typically reveal these details closer to the event date.
Source: Okeechobee Music Festival
Ticket Pricing and Packages
Tickets went on sale with tiered pricing across multiple categories. Be sure to check the prices yourself, as they are subject to change and are not always reflected as we list them below. You can find ticket prices here.
General Admission: 4-Day GA Festival Ticket starts at $439.24 (Tier 1).
GA+ options: 4-Day GA+ Festival Ticket starts at $642.99
VIP options: 4-Day VIP Festival Ticket starts at $929.81
Premium packages (VIP access included) starting prices:
- VIP Glamping Package (for two): $4,802.80
- VIP Rockstar RV Package (up to five people): $13,559.81
- VIP Grand Kachobee RV Package (up to five people): $25,425.23
Camping passes are required for vehicle access and sold separately starting at $144. Options include standard car camping, lakeside camping, and RV passes. According to past attendees on festival forums, lakeside camping spots typically sell out quickly.
Additional ticket add-ons include tent packages that provide camping equipment for attendees without gear, and premium dining experiences ranging.
The festival offers payment plan options through its ticketing platform.
Activities Beyond Music
Festival programming includes daytime activities separate from musical performances.
Yogachobee hosts daily yoga sessions, meditation, and sound baths. The festival also organizes an OMF 5K run, fitness classes, and speaker sessions focused on wellness topics.
Aquachobee Beach provides lake access for swimming, along with volleyball courts and beach games.
Bamboo Garden offers art workshops, including painting and crafts.
Experience PowWoW hosts themed events throughout the weekend. Past editions have included Wreckno’s Big Gay Soiree, an LGBTQ+-focused celebration.
Visual art programming includes large-scale installations and live painting. For 2026, the festival commissioned artwork from Nigel Waymouth, a poster artist known for work with Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and The Who in the 1960s. This marks Waymouth’s first festival poster work in 50 years.
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Food and Beverage Operations
The festival partners with Florida-based food vendors to provide dining options. A Farmers Market area opens each morning, featuring local products.
Standard festival food vendors operate throughout the grounds, offering varied cuisines. Pricing for vendor meals typically ranges $12-18 based on past attendee reports.
Three premium dining experiences are available as separate ticket purchases:
- The Grove Table: Chef-curated dinner with seasonal ingredients from local farms
- Argentine BBQ Supper Club: Fire-roasted meats and vegetables with mezcal service
- Champagne Problems Speakeasy: Immersive theater dining experience
Beverage options include craft beer, cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic selections. Free water refill stations are available throughout the venue.
Okeechobee Music Festival Logistical Info
Transportation: No public transportation serves Sunshine Grove. Most attendees drive personal vehicles. Some coordinate rideshares or charter buses from larger cities.
Arrival timing: Thursday arrival is recommended to avoid peak traffic and secure preferred camping locations. Traffic congestion typically increases throughout Thursday as vehicles enter the single-access property.
Security protocols: Entry security checks prohibit glass containers, outside alcohol, weapons, and illegal substances. The festival website maintains a detailed prohibited items list.
Cell service: Mobile phone service at Sunshine Grove is limited, according to past attendee reports on festival forums. Festival organizers recommend downloading offline maps and coordinating meeting locations in advance.
Weather considerations: March weather in Okeechobee is typically beautiful, with warm days in the 70s-80s°F, and cooler evenings. Wind conditions can be hit or miss. Past attendees note that dust can be an issue depending on weather patterns.
Accessibility: The festival website states that accessibility accommodations are available and should be arranged in advance through the ticketing platform.
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Comparing to Other Florida Festivals
Florida hosts several major music festivals with different profiles:
Ultra Music Festival (Miami, March) focuses exclusively on electronic music and operates as a non-camping, day-entry event in a downtown park setting. Attendance typically exceeds 50,000 daily.
Hulaween (Live Oak, October) takes place at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and features multi-genre programming with emphasis on jam bands. Like Okeechobee, it’s a camping festival but occurs in the fall rather than the spring.
Okeechobee’s multi-genre lineup and camping format position it between these events—broader than Ultra’s single-genre focus but with more electronic programming than Hulaween’s jam band emphasis.
Community Response and Questions
Social media discussion among past attendees reflects both enthusiasm about Soundslinger’s return and questions about whether the festival can recapture its pre-2020 atmosphere.
Reddit user “whitacrez” commented on the ownership change: “OMF is back in possession of soundslinger (OG owner/promoter) so if they do come back for 2026 like they’ve been strongly hinting, I would expect a return to their roots with a similar vibe to the early years.”
Another user, “Xboxben,” who attended both pre-2020 and post-2020 editions, noted differences: “Pre 2020? Great very chill vibes and amazing bands. It felt like you had gone into this crazy portal into some magical grasslands. 2020 onward? It felt like a cash grab honestly.”
First-time attendees on festival forums have raised questions about camping logistics, cell phone service, weather preparation, and whether the festival experience justifies the cost compared to non-camping alternatives.
Environmental and Conservation Statements
Festival materials emphasize environmental responsibility, given Sunshine Grove’s status as a habitat for native and endangered species. Stated conservation measures include:
- Waste reduction initiatives
- Energy-efficient infrastructure
- Habitat restoration projects
- Designated wildlife corridors
- Noise control policies during certain hours
- Native habitat preservation zones
The festival has not published third-party audits or certifications of these environmental claims. No independent environmental impact assessments were found in public records.
Staying Tunes
Several details about the 2026 festival have not been announced:
- Specific set times and stage schedules
- Okee PoWoW! collaboration lineup
- Day-by-day artist schedules
- Detailed campground maps and site assignment processes
- Specific vendor and food lineup
- Updated infrastructure details following the three-year hiatus
- Capacity limits or attendance projections
The festival website indicates these details will be released closer to the March event date.
FAQ: Okeechobee Music Fest
When does Okeechobee Music Festival 2026 take place?
March 19-22, 2026, at Sunshine Grove in Okeechobee, Florida.
How much do tickets cost?
General admission starts at $439. GA+ tickets, VIP tickets, and Premium packages with accommodations are also available. Prices include fees and taxes.
Is camping required?
Yes. Okeechobee operates as a camping festival. All ticket tiers include campground access. Separate camping passes are required for vehicle access. Day passes are not offered.
How far is the venue from major cities?
Approximately 2-2.5 hours from Miami, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.
What types of music are featured?
The lineup includes electronic, rock, indie, jam bands, hip-hop, and other genres. Headliners for 2026 include The Lumineers, FISHER, GRiZ, T-Pain, and Alison Wonderland.
Who owns and operates the festival?
Soundslinger, the original promoter that founded Okeechobee in 2016, resumed ownership for 2026 after Insomniac Events managed the festival from 2020-2023.
Are there activities besides music?
Yes. You can enjoy yoga and meditation sessions, a 5K run, fitness classes, lake swimming at Aquachobee beach, art workshops, and themed events.
What is the Okee PoWoW!?
An annual collaborative performance where artists from different genres perform together. Past editions have featured collaborations between artists like Snoop Dogg and The Roots, Anderson .Paak and Big Boi, and Skrillex with Mumford & Sons members. The 2026 lineup has not been announced.
Can I bring an RV?
Yes. RV camping passes are available for purchase separately. Pre-set RV packages are also offered that include the vehicle and setup.
What should I bring?
Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad), sun protection, refillable water bottle, appropriate clothing for warm days and cooler nights, camping chair, and lighting for nighttime navigation. The festival website provides a detailed packing list.
Is there an age limit?
The festival is all ages, though anyone under 18 requires adult supervision. The demographic typically skews toward adults 21-35.
How does lakeside camping work?
Lakeside camping passes are sold separately and provide camping spots near the lake. According to past attendees, these spots sell out quickly when passes go on sale.
Important Disclaimer: TreasureCoast.com is not affiliated with Okeechobee Music Festival, and this is not a paid advertisement. Always verify information on the event website.
