Country Thunder goes ‘Higher’: Creed to headline 2026 festival

American rock band Creed will headline the 2026 edition of Country Thunder Saskatchewan, along with Riley Green and Lainey Wilson.

The festival, which runs from July 9 to 12, is crossing genres, yet again, in its 43rd year.

Last year, legendary rock group Def Leppard closed out the festival.

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Creed soared to success in the late 90s to become one of the decade’s biggest-selling rock bands, selling millions of copies of their albums around the world.

The band’s reign came to an end in 2004 with band members parting ways. They briefly returned in 2009, only to disband again in 2013.

They reunited in 2023, following a spike in attention from sports fans and social media.

Country Thunder Saskatchewan attendees will be treated to electrifying performances of classics like “Higher,” “With Arms Wide Open,” and “One Last Breath” on the closing night of the festival, July 12.

Artists such as The Dead South, Dasha, Noeline Hofmann and others will also be making an appearance at the four-day festival.

Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer said the event is evolving to include fans of all genres of music.

“We’re trying to have something for everybody,” he said.

“It’s not just a country music festival anymore; it’s a music festival.”
The 2026 festival will even include some events that aren’t music-related, he added.

“We just added a professional bull-riding rodeo,” Vollhoffer said. “It’s real money, real prizes, and all the kids from the Calgary Stampede are coming to Craven.”

Tickets and the full lineup are available online.

–with files from 980 CJME’s Jacob Bamhour