Multi-Platinum Superstar and Grand Ole Opry Member to Bring Her Hit-Filled Show to Wildwood Beach – Tickets On Sale Now
WILDWOOD, N.J. (November 7, 2025) – Barefoot Country Music Fest (BCMF), the Northeast’s largest outdoor country music celebration, has announced its next superstar headliner for 2026: Kelsea Ballerini. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter, trailblazer, and Grand Ole Opry member will bring her chart-topping hits, fresh new music, and signature charm to Wildwood Beach when BCMF returns June 18–21, 2026.
Since making history with her debut album The First Time, Ballerini has become one of country music’s most influential voices. She was the only female country artist to reach No. 1 with the first three consecutive singles from a debut album — earning a GRAMMY® nomination for best new artist. Her catalog includes five albums that have all reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, including the Platinum-certified The First Time, Gold-certified Unapologetically, and Subject to Change, as well as her 2020 companion albums Kelsea and Ballerini. With seven No. 1 singles, 32 RIAA certifications, and multiple platinum hits such as “Miss Me More,” “Peter Pan,” and “Half of My Hometown” (featuring Kenny Chesney), Ballerini continues to raise the bar for female artists in country music.
A four-time GRAMMY® nominee and two-time ACM and CMA Award winner, Ballerini was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2019 as its youngest member in nearly a century. Her fourth studio album, Subject to Change, produced the gold-certified single “Heartfirst,” earning another GRAMMY® nod for best country solo performance. She followed that with Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, a six-song project that received critical acclaim and a GRAMMY® nomination for best country album, which led to her Saturday Night Live debut — along with a TIME Magazine cover spotlighting her as one of the defining artists of her generation.
Ballerini’s new project, Mount Pleasant, is set to debut Nov. 14 and features six new songs, including the lead single “I Sit in Parks.” The collection marks a new era of storytelling for the multi-platinum artist, blending her signature honesty with a fresh, introspective sound that’s already generating major buzz across the industry..
“Kelsea Ballerini is a GRAMMY-nominated superstar and one of the top female artists in country music,” said Bob Durkin of Southern Entertainment. “Our fans have been asking for this, and we’re excited to see her take the stage at Barefoot next summer.”
Recognized by outlets like USA Today, Billboard, and Rolling Stone as one of the nation’s premier destination festivals, Barefoot Country Music Fest has quickly become a summer tradition, drawing tens of thousands of fans from across the U.S. and beyond. With multiple sellouts in its first five years, BCMF continues to deliver unforgettable experiences with a one-of-a-kind oceanfront backdrop.
Ballerini joins previously announced headliners Post Malone and Eric Church, with more superstar artists to be revealed soon.
Tickets for BCMF 2026 are on sale now at https://bcmf.com. The Black Friday Sale will kick off Monday, Nov. 10, lock in your SVIP package for just $199 down — with no payments until February! For the latest updates and exclusive #BCMFHints, fans are encouraged to follow Barefoot Country Music Fest on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
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