Grand Ole Opry Birthday Weekend 2026: Shows, Tailgate Party, and More

Four days of Opry shows, special events, and a Saturday tailgate party are set for October 1-4.

Written by Amanda Tempel

Date Published: August 9, 2026

The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate its birthday with four days of performances and special events October 1-4, 2026, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The weekend will feature appearances by The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs, Rhett Akins, Marcus King, Brandon Lake, and more, along with two Saturday night shows and a special Opry Birthday Tailgate Party.

Here’s what fans need to know before planning a visit.

Who Is Performing During the Grand Ole Opry Birthday Weekend?

Several Opry members and special guests have already been announced for the birthday celebration.

Currently scheduled performers include:

• The Oak Ridge Boys — October 2 and 3

• Ricky Skaggs — October 2 and 4

• Rhett Akins — October 3

• Marcus King — October 3

• Brandon Lake — October 4

Additional performers are also expected throughout the four-day celebration.

Saturday, October 3, will feature two Grand Ole Opry shows, giving visitors another option when planning their weekend itinerary.

Rhett Akins Will Host an Opry Birthday Tailgate Party

One of the biggest additions to this year’s celebration happens before Saturday night’s Opry performances.

The Opry Birthday Tailgate Party with Rhett Akins will take place Saturday, October 3, at 2 p.m. inside Studio A.

Rhett, who has been invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, will host the event and perform a mix of his No. 1 hits and fan-favorite country classics.

Beyond his own recording career, Rhett has become one of Nashville’s most successful songwriters. He was named ACM Songwriter of the Decade and is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the Opry Birthday Tailgate Party are $25, including taxes and fees, and are sold separately from Opry show tickets.

How to Get Tickets for Grand Ole Opry Birthday Weekend

Tickets for the October 1-4 Grand Ole Opry shows are on sale now through Opry.com.

Fans planning to attend Saturday’s Opry Birthday Tailgate Party will need a separate ticket for that event.

Can You Take a Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour?

Yes. Grand Ole Opry backstage tours are also available during the celebration, giving fans another way to make a full Opry experience out of the weekend.

The tours take visitors behind the scenes at the Opry House and can be added to a Nashville itinerary before or after attending a show.

Tour tickets are available through Opry.com.

How to Plan Your Opry Birthday Weekend

With events spread across four days, fans don’t necessarily have to attend everything to make the trip worthwhile.

If the Saturday celebration is your priority, October 3 offers one of the fullest days of the weekend. Fans can attend Rhett Akins’ 2 p.m. tailgate party, explore the Opry House area, and then attend one of the two Opry performances that evening.

Those looking for a slightly less packed itinerary could choose an October 2 or October 4 show and pair it with a backstage tour.

And since the Grand Ole Opry House is located in Nashville, the birthday celebration can easily become part of a longer Music City weekend.

Grand Ole Opry Birthday Weekend 2026 at a Glance

When: October 1-4, 2026
Where: Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, Tennessee
Saturday Tailgate: October 3 at 2 p.m. in Studio A
Tailgate Tickets: $25, including taxes and fees
Announced Artists: The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs, Rhett Akins, Marcus King, Brandon Lake, and more
Tickets: Opry shows, the birthday tailgate, and backstage tours are available through Opry.com

The celebration comes during a milestone year for the Grand Ole Opry, which was founded in Nashville in 1925 and has spent more than a century bringing together country music legends, current stars, rising artists, and fans.

Whether you’re planning an entire Nashville getaway around the celebration or simply want to catch one of the birthday shows, the October weekend offers several ways to experience the Grand Ole Opry beyond a typical Saturday night performance.