The Walnut Valley Festival (referred to simply as “Winfield” by long time festival-goers) is an annual acoustic festival held in Winfield, KS, the third full weekend in September. The festival takes place over a five-day period and is a great, family-friendly event.
The Walnut Valley Festival will host the National Flat-Picking Championships from September 17 – 21, 2025.
This has been an annual event for well over 50 years. While the Walnut Valley Festival is known as a “bluegrass” festival, it has evolved into much more over the years. “It now is a blend of all kinds of acoustic music: bluegrass, folk, Americana, old-time country, a little bit cowboy, Celtic, blues, jazz, swing and more. And the bluegrass is both traditional and progressive,” say the organizers.
For many, the festival isn’t just about the music. It’s so much more. It is a place to collaborate with other musicians, a place to reunite with friends and family, and even a place to get married! (There have been many weddings at the festival over the years.)
Many festival-goers bring their own instruments too and play into the wee hours of the night in the campgrounds. There is even a makeshift stage in the campgrounds that is lovingly called “the 5th stage.”
At the Winfield music festival, there is family-friendly entertainment on four stages simultaneously throughout the day. You can see over 30 performers that will provide 200+ hours of music over four days. This festival brings together nationally and internationally recognized performers. The sounds of banjos, hammer dulcimers, mandolins, fiddles and more fills the air throughout the festival grounds.
What can you expect at the Walnut Valley Festival?
- 4 stages with over 200+ hours of music over 4 days
- Contests at a dedicated stage in Finger Style Guitar, Flat Pick Guitar, Bluegrass Banjo, Old Time Fiddle, Mandolin, Mountain Dulcimer, Hammer Dulcimer, and Autoharp
- Campground, that’s only a 5 minute walk from interior stages, with more opportunities to hear music on campground stages
- Arts and craft fair and items from instrument makers and music shops
- Kid dedicated areas with activities, music camp and more
- On grounds food with carnival style food, a farmers market and the Picker’s Pub where you can buy beer
Music Performances and Contests
Whether or not you are able to get a $125 Full Festival discounted ticket before the price increases to $150 on September 12, it’s still such a great deal! It’s between $32 – $38 a day, where you can see up to 14 or 15 sets performed each day.
Different contests occur at the festival. These contests are a big part of the Walnut Valley Festival, attracting competitors from all 50 states and international performers.
- Finger Style Guitar
- Flat Pick Guitar
- Bluegrass Banjo, Old Time Fiddle
- Mandolin
- Mountain Dulcimer
- Hammer Dulcimer
- Autoharp
Walnut Arts and Crafts, Food, and More
With the wide variety of music, there are also plenty of delicious food vendors to nourish you. They say you can find almost any food or drink you crave including pizza, burgers, BBQ, pitas, ice cream, funnel cakes and more. There are also more than 100 booths of drawings, paintings, jewelry, woodcrafts, glass, metalwork, baskets, pottery, weaving/spinning, leather, herbals and soaps, and children’s items. Artists, crafters, and luthiers (makers of stringed instruments) come to Walnut Valley from more than 20 states to sell their wares.
No alcohol is permitted inside the event, but they do have a beer garden area called Picker’s Pub that allows attendees to enjoy local brews while listening to music on stage 1.
If you find yourself in need of a massage you can get one from one of the many massage therapists that come in from all over the country. The rate for these massage are $18 for 15 minutes and they are offering them from 8am to midnight starting the Monday before the Festival starts.
My family has attended the festival many times over the years. In fact, my parents’ honeymoon was at the festival! As children, my brothers helped make ropes and my sister and I proudly wore garlands of ribbons and flowers on our heads. We also made ribbon wands. My parents have purchased handmade belt buckles, earrings, camp chairs and more over the years.
Walnut Valley Festival Camping
For those who are camping, check out the information on the Land Rush and how to navigate the camping process. Some festival-goers line up weeks in advance to get their favorite camping spot.
- Ice will be available at the north interior gates and near the showers, as well as from circulating trucks in the campgrounds.
- Locally-cut firewood will be available near the showers. Help prevent the spread of invasive insects… please don’t bring firewood from outside Cowley County. They may have a limited number of fire rings for sale at the Ticket Trailer, but they encourage you to bring a fire ring if you plan a campfire.
- Campground coffee, donuts, juice, and milk: available in the morning from the Winfield Masonic Lodge. Just listen for the ‘poppin johnny’ tractors.
- Portable Toilets are stationed throughout the campgrounds.
- Wi-Fi Cafe and Charging Stations available in interior, West Veranda of the T-Shirt Barn
- Free shuttle service available from North campgrounds to north gate, and from South campgrounds to South gate, from beginning of festival dates
- ATMs available on grounds south of Ticket Trailer, west of Information Booth, and in the Concession area
- Over 20 food concessions and Farmers Market on grounds
- Transportation around grounds available to Festival goers from Festi-Cab via golf carts for a minimal fee. Service begins after Land Rush
- ADA-compliant handicap accessible shower that is $6 at certain times of day, as seen on the camping comforts page here.
There is a campsite contest that goes on each year where the winners receive merchandise, hats and more. Stop by the Information Booth if you see a campsite that stands out to you with a photograph or description so the judges know what to look for.
Performance stages aren’t just at the main event! Stage 5 is built on the bed of a 1954 Chevrolet and is at the campsite for even more entertainment.
2025 Feisty Music Camp for Kids
This 2 day event is great for kids to get to find their love for music with hands-on, music related crafts, workshops and concerts. These sessions are geared towards kids in preschool – 6th grade.
Sessions are themed to give the children a chance to choose which activity they want to do, it is free with admission, and they can come and go to different sessions as long as a parent or guardian accompanies them. They are first come, first serve with limited space, so be sure to be there about 10 minutes early to the session you want to attend.
Music Festival Tickets
Pro Tip: If you purchase your ticket in advance, you can save! Also, if you don’t mind putting a little work in, you can get in for free! You can complete this form to work two 5-hour shifts and receive a full festival pass and a crew shirt. *No one under the age of 16 may work; 16 and 17-year-olds must have a parental consent form.*
Prices Vary:
- The cheapest ticket you can get is if you purchase in advance and get a one-day pass for $80.
- You can get the full festival for $125, which is a great deal since it is for all 4 days. (Price increases to $150 at 11pm on Friday, Sept.12)
- Kids tickets for ages 11 – 15 are $50, and Kids 6 – 10 are $10. Kids 5 and under are FREE.
Nearby drives:
Cowley County Fishing Lake and Waterfalls
What to Bring
The Walnut Valley Festival is a relaxing, fun atmosphere. There is so much to see and do. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs, blankets, sunscreen, bug spray, hats and any other creature comforts that you might need for a day of outdoor fun. Only one of the stages is a grandstand with bench seats. The other stages are on grassy areas that require you to bring your own seating. For more information on what is and is not allowed at the festival, visit the WVF Festival Rules web page.
