From Surprise Guests to Epic Reunions: Our Favorite CMA Fest 2026 Moments
- All Country News
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Another CMA Fest has come and gone, leaving behind four unforgettable days packed with surprise guests, once-in-a-lifetime collaborations, emotional hometown moments, and enough country music magic to keep fans talking all year long. From Riverfront Stage singalongs to Nissan Stadium showstoppers, here are some of our favorite moments from each day of CMA Fest 2026.
Thursday: A Festival Start Worth Waiting For
CMA Fest wasted absolutely no time getting started.
Russell Dickerson kicked off the festivities at the Chevy Riverfront Stage, bringing his signature energy and setting the tone for a weekend packed with unforgettable performances.
Not long after, Stephen Wilson Jr. delivered one of the most memorable moments of the day when he jumped into the crowd during his performance of his new song, "Gary." It was raw, personal, and exactly the kind of artist-fan connection that makes CMA Fest special.
Later that night, Nissan Stadium erupted when hometown hero Jelly Roll made a surprise appearance. The Nashville native received one of the loudest reactions of the weekend, proving once again just how beloved he is in Music City.
The surprises kept coming as Ella Langley and Gretchen Wilson teamed up for a fiery rendition of "Here For The Party," bringing plenty of attitude and excitement to the stadium crowd.
And then came the moment many country fans thought they'd never see again: Florida Georgia Line reunited. After years apart, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley shared the stage once more, sending shockwaves through CMA Fest and giving fans one of the most talked-about moments of the entire weekend.
Friday: Surprise Guests Everywhere
Friday may have been the unofficial day of surprise appearances.
During SiriusXM's Happy Hour, Cody Johnson had fans hanging on every word when he revealed that his massive hit "Dirt Cheap" was originally intended for Luke Combs.
"Luke didn't pick up the phone," Johnson joked, earning plenty of laughs from the crowd.
Across town at Spotify House, Blake Shelton surprised fans with an unexpected appearance at Ole Red, instantly turning an already packed event into one of the hottest tickets in town.
Ashley McBryde's set got even better when rock icon Melissa Etheridge joined her on stage, creating one of the most unique collaborations of the weekend.
Meanwhile, back at Nissan Stadium, The Red Clay Strays continued their meteoric rise, lighting up the stage with a performance that reminded everyone why they've become one of the hottest acts in country music.
Saturday: Duets, Pop-Ups, and Stadium Magic
Saturday delivered a little bit of everything.
Cole Swindell treated a lucky group of fans to an intimate performance for VIP guests at the Ford Theater inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, giving attendees a rare up-close experience with the hitmaker.
Later that day, Luke Bryan reminded everyone why he's one of country music's greatest entertainers when he popped up with a cover band at his Nashville bar, creating an impromptu party atmosphere that fans won't soon forget.
Meanwhile, Spotify House hosted one of the weekend's sweetest moments as Carter Faith and Wyatt Flores debuted their brand-new duet together, giving fans an early look at what could become a fan favorite.
Over at Nissan Stadium, Lainey Wilson and Tim McGraw joined forces for a crowd-pleasing rendition of McGraw's classic hit "I Like It, I Love It." The performance blended generations of country music and had the entire stadium singing along.
Sunday: A Powerful Finish
Even after three jam-packed days, fans were still willing to wake up before sunrise for one final unforgettable day.
Thousands lined up as early as 5 a.m. to attend Brandon Lake's Cowboy Church service, which featured appearances from Lainey Wilson and Dan + Shay. The massive turnout showed just how much the event has grown into a CMA Fest tradition.
Ashland Craft delivered one of the most fun collaborations of the day when she welcomed Mae Estes and Ashley McBryde to the stage for a performance of their fan-favorite anthem, "Yard Sale."
Later, Nissan Stadium got a completely unexpected twist when Fetty Wap joined Russell Dickerson on stage, creating one of the most surprising crossover moments of the festival.
To close things out, Hannah McFarland joined Riley Green for a beautiful performance of "Don't Mind If I Do," giving fans a memorable final duet before another incredible CMA Fest came to an end.
Until Next Year...
From Florida Georgia Line's reunion and Jelly Roll's hometown triumph to surprise guests, debut duets, and unforgettable collaborations, CMA Fest 2026 reminded us once again why it's the biggest and most exciting week in country music.
Now the countdown to CMA Fest 2027 officially begins.
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