Country music star Brad Paisley to headline Stadium of Fire

PROVO — Country music star Brad Paisley will be the headline performer at the 2026 Stadium of Fire, America's Freedom Festival announced Thursday.

Paisley is back after performing at Stadium of Fire with David Archuleta 15 years ago in 2011. This year, he will be joined by stunt performing group Nitro Circus, which graced LaVell Edwards Stadium for the holiday extravaganza in 2021.

"We are thrilled to announce superstar Brad Paisley this year is going to be our main act. He's an amazing guitarist, amazing singer, songwriter, family man," said America's Freedom Festival executive director Jim Evans. "Boy, he just continues to put out the hits."

Stadium of Fire is credited as the largest stadium fireworks show in the country for Independence Day. With fireworks, drones, a military flyover, parachute performers, dancers and an appearance from musical trio Gentri in addition to the main performers, this year's show is sure to wow, Evans said.

"What greater place to celebrate America's 250 than on the Fourth of July at the Stadium of Fire," he added.

Anyone interested in getting a "Whiskey Lullaby" from the singer himself should ask Siri to "Remind Me" to purchase tickets once they go on sale on April 10 on the Freedom Festival website. But be prepared for potential "Mud on the Tires" if a "Perfect Storm" occurs during the concert.

"He's going to put on a great show for us," Evans said. "If you haven't seen him, you want to come to Stadium of Fire this year."

Stadium of Fire has been a staple for many Utah families' Independence Day celebrations. The annual patriotic concert and extravagant fireworks show features hundreds of performers, including a major music artist, and has been happening at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo since 1980.

The concert is presented by America's Freedom Festival, which organizes dozens of patriotic activities for the holiday that more than 500,000 people attend, including a massive parade and the well-loved hot air balloon festival.

Notable past Stadium of Fire performers include the Osmonds, who created Stadium of Fire, the Beach Boys, Kenny Loggins, Kurt Bestor, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Miley Cyrus, Brian Regan, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, One Republic, Keith Urban and most recently, Rascal Flatts.

Paisley joins a growing number of artists who have enjoyed performing at Stadium of Fire so much that they have returned to do it again, such as 2023's headliner Journey and 2024's band the Jonas Brothers.

In 2024, a firework mishap during the military flyover led to more than two dozen people getting injured. Before last year's performance, the festival organizers assured attendees that changes had been made to improve firework safety.

Paisley recently made history in October when he performed the national anthem during a landmark World Series game that lasted for 18 innings. He joked that he is "Mr. More Baseball" because at all four World Series baseball games when he has played the national anthem, the game has gone into extra innings — two of which are tied for the record of longest World Series game.

With Paisley at the helm, the 2026 Altabank Stadium of Fire is sure to make for a classic "American Saturday Night" that will leave you saying, "I am feeling like the luckiest man alive today."

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