MerleFest confirmed the participants in this year’s Midnight Jam as well as additional special collaborations for this year’s event. Participating in the Jam will be Scythian alongside Keller Williams, Nora Jane Struthers and The Party Line, Peter Rowan, Steep Canyon Rangers, Donna the Buffalo, The Waybacks, Jim Lauderdale and many more. The Midnight Jam will bear the stamp of The Bluegrass Situation and will take place at its usual spot in the Walker Center. A separate ticket is required and available for purchase by four-day ticket holders and Saturday-only ticket holders.

The on-stage collaborations include Steep Canyon Rangers inviting a certain amount of unannounced special guests. Ricky Skaggs and Jim Lauderdale will join Dr. Ralph Stanley on Saturday while Keller Williams will welcome familiar collaborators Larry and Jenny Keel. BanjoRama 2 will also take place on Saturday at the Creekside Stage with many of the performers from the previous evening.