The Fest returns to Gainesville, Florida from 23\u201325 October 2026 with one of the biggest punk and independent music lineups of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The festival’s 24th edition includes more than 330 bands performing across venues throughout Gainesville.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bouncing Souls, PUP and Lagwagon are among the biggest names on the bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lineup features The Bouncing Souls, PUP, Lagwagon, Algernon Cadwallader, Texas Is The Reason, Sparta, Nerf Herder, A Wilhelm Scream and The Flatliners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other notable artists include Hey Mercedes, Bear vs. Shark, Mustard Plug, Catbite, Samiam, Torche, Small Brown Bike, Against All Authority, Fenix TX, Iron Reagan and Home Front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike mainstream festivals built around a small collection of expensive headline artists, The Fest spreads its programme across hundreds of independent bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That gives the event a particularly strong reputation among punk, emo, ska and alternative music audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the festival’s biggest artists have special plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PUP and The Bouncing Souls are both scheduled to perform two sets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n