Everything You Need to Know About the Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival

The Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival returns to Covington, Kentucky March 3-7, 2026! Here's everything you need to know about this toe-tapping event that has expanded to 3 core experiences over five days offering something for everyone! 

Bonded Spirit History

The Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival was originally launched as the John G. Carlisle Bottled-in-Bond Celebration in 2022. In 2025 a lineup of bluegrass artists were added and it was renamed the Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival. It’s an annual celebration of America’s Native Spirit, bourbon and home grown music. The festival gets its name from the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a bourbon purity law that was passed in part thanks to the advocacy of Covington’s own John G. Carlisle. Over the years this celebration of the Bottled-in-Bond Act has grown into the rocking good time it is today.

The Venue

The Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival is held at Smoke Justis, known for their delicious smoked meats and impressive Bourbon Lounge with 500+ Bourbon varieties. Outside, Court Street will be transformed into the “Roebling Rickhouse” with an outdoor tent and stage set against the backdrop of the iconic Roebling Suspension Bridge. Tickets are General Admission and standing room only.

Lineup

Bourbon Revival

Bourbon Revival is Kentucky’s own bluegrass-rock cover band. These friends bring full-throttle performances built to keep crowds moving. Bourbon Revival delivers a plugged-in bluegrass party wherever they play.

Dan Tyminski

Dan Tyminski grew up attending fiddle contests, square dances, and bluegrass festivals across New England. These early experiences were life changing and connected Dan to live music. His 30+ year career has spanned the genre and has paired him with many of the greats.

The SteelDrivers

The SteelDrivers, from Nashville, are a group of seasoned musicians that braid bluegrass roots with country, soul, blues, and other contemporary influences to create a hybrid that is new music with old feeling. SteelDrivers’ passion adds a distinctive flair to their performances.

Bourbon

This celebration would not be complete without the bourbon! Smoke Justis has an impressive collection of 500+ bourbons on hand, including many Bottled-in-Bond. There will be plenty of bourbon and bourbon cocktails available for purchase along with delicious bites from Smoke Justis’s menu.

Covington Bourbon Heritage Week

This year the Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival is the capstone of the Covington Bourbon Heritage Week, March 3-7. The New Riff Bonded Spirit Cov Crawl is March 3rd–5th. Each night, a different part of Covington comes alive with live bluegrass spilling out of local bars, bourbon specials flowing, and history lessons you'll actually want to hear and see.

  Central Business District, March 3rd

The festival opens at 4pm with the Ceremonial Barrel Tap at Wenzel Whiskey. Then 5-7pm is a Happy Hour & History guided stroll where you can learn about Covington’s Bourbon roots and why Bottled in Bond is so important. Then, from 6-9pm The New Riff Cov Crawl commences with live bluegrass acts and the official Bonded Spirit cocktail at nine of your favorite spots: Braxton Brewing, Knowledge Bar, Libby’s, Revival, Second Story, The Globe, The Hannaford, The Olde Towne Tavern, and The Well.

Roebling Point District, March 4th

Happy Hour & History starts the evening from 5-7pm. Sip on the featured Bonded Spirit cocktail while neighborhood displays bring Covington's bourbon heritage to life.  Then from 6–9pm, join the New Riff Cov Crawl at seven venues along the river with live bluegrass acts: By Golly's, Covington Yard, Molly Malone's, Smoke Justis, The Gruff, The Works Pizza Co., and Governor's House.

MainStrasse Village, March 5th

 MainStrasse knows how to throw a party, and Thursday is no different! Enjoy Happy Hour & History from 5-7pm. Then 6-9pm brings the last night of the New Riff Cov Crawl. Enjoy live bluegrass music and a beverage at Cock & Bull, Village Pub, Crafts & Vines, Up Over, The Standard, Gypsy’s, Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, No Doubt, Juniper, and Wiseguy Lounge.

The B-Line Community Concert,  Friday, March 6th

Come to the Roebling Rickhaus outside of Smoke Justis for a Friday night concert. This ticketed event features four bluegrass bands. The music starts at 4pm and runs straight through the evening:

 4:00pm — Slippery Creek 

 5:30pm — Johnny Estep and Lonesome Blend

 7:00pm — Union Town Bluegrass

8:30pm — Tidalwave Road  

There are two ways to get into The B-Line Community Concert. First, if you bought tickets for Saturday, you are allowed entry. Second, all bars and restaurants along The B-Line will be giving away tickets at their locations! You can stop in for a drink, ask a bartender, and walk out with 2 tickets for Friday's show. This event is first-come, first-served. If the Roebling Rickhaus tent reaches capacity, you can still hang out in the beer garden.

Get a Taste of Bonded Spirit

The Details

Bonded Spirit Music Festival Tickets:

Buy your tickets online here!

General Admission - $75

Must be 21+. This ticket includes:

• Entry to the Roebling Rickhaus starting at 4pm
• 3 amazing bluegrass acts on the main stage
• Entry to the March 6th free B-Line Community Concert
• Food, beer, and cocktails are not included in the ticket, but will be available for purchase
• This ticket is standing room only

Where to Stay

Coming to Bonded Spirit Music Festival and Cincy from out of town? Why not find one of our great hotels and make a weekend of it! Check out our guides to plan your visit.