There’s something special about Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival. It’s not just the lineup (though this year’s is stacked). It’s the fact that every fall, people roll down to Franklin, Tennessee, post up at Harlinsdale Farm, and get two days of music that cuts across genres while still feeling like a big family reunion.
Now in its 11th year, Pilgrimage has become one of those festivals you can count on. Not just for the music, but for the hang, the community, and the “I was there” moments.
This year’s headliners? John Mayer (with a full band, no stripped-back business here) and Kings of Leon. Add Turnpike Troubadours, Young the Giant, Sam Fender, Grace Potter, Sam Barber, Maggie Rose, and Better Than Ezra mixed and you’ve got a bill that blends rock, Americana, country grit, and indie cool all in one big vibey pot.
Saturday kicks off with Taylor Hunnicutt firing up the Midnight Sun Stage, rolls through Maggie Rose and Father John Misty, and lands on Kings of Leon to close out night one. Sunday is all about Grace Potter, Young the Giant, and a big-stage Mayer finale under the Tennessee sky.
Meanwhile, over at the Gold Record Road Stage and Americana Music Triangle, you’ll catch sets from American Aquarium, Ben Chapman’s Peach Jam (one of Nashville’s absolutely best re-occurring events) with JD Clayton & Meg McRee, Christina Vane, and Eddie 9V. It’s the kind of undercard that makes you discover a new favorite without even planning to.
Unlike a lot of massive festivals that can feel like a marathon, Pilgrimage has always leaned into its setting. Franklin is laid-back but buzzing, and Harlinsdale Farm gives the whole weekend an elevated backdrop. You’ve got local food, craft vendors, and a crowd that’s equal parts music diehards and folks just looking for a damn good weekend.
People love to call it “family-friendly,” which is true, but don’t get it twisted — when Turnpike is wailing or Kings of Leon is rolling through their set, it gets rowdy in all the right ways.
Pilgrimage is one of those festivals that doesn’t just put on a show, it’s a time to make a memory or six. Whether you’re there for John Mayer melting faces clean off with his guitar, Turnpike bringing the Heat , or discovering your next favorite act on a smaller stage, this one hits every note. (check out verygently, PEACH JAM & Angel White if you haven’t)
Tickets and info at