Country Thunder

Country Thunder Music Festivals
Country Thunder
Rockin' Thunder
Country Thunder Florence, Arizona
GenreCountry music (Country Thunder)
Rock music (Rockin' Thunder)
LocationVarious North American locations
Websitewww.countrythunder.com
www.rockinthunderfest.com

Country Thunder Music Festivals is a music festival company that hosts several concerts in North America each year branded either as Country Thunder (country music) or Rockin' Thunder (rock music). They have operated festivals in Arizona since 1993,[1] in Wisconsin since 1996, in Saskatchewan since 2005, in Alberta since 2016, in Florida since 2019, and in Manitoba in 2025.[2] Each festival offers entertainment on multiple stages. The main stage hosts national acts, with talent playing throughout the day. The side stage gives local artists opportunities to perform.

Florence, Arizona

Country Thunder Arizona is held on the Canyon Moon Ranch (now AZ Talio Ranch) in Florence, Arizona.[3] The festival runs Thursday through Sunday, typically during the first week of April. Fans can purchase a single day pass or a weekend pass that allows them access to the festival for the entire weekend. The festival also offers reserved seating.[3]

Headliners in previous years have included Morgan Wallen, Eric Church, Chris Young, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, and Cole Swindell.

Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

Country Thunder Wisconsin is held in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin at Shadow Hill Ranch. The event was awarded the "Festival of the Year" Academy of Country Music Award in 2015.[4]

The festival is typically run from Thursday through Sunday during the third weekend of July. In the past, performers like Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Toby Keith, and Dierks Bentley have appeared.

Craven, Saskatchewan

In 2005, Troy Vollhoffer, owner of parent company Premier Global Productions, took over Craven, Saskatchewan's Rock 'N The Valley festival and relaunched it as the Craven Country Jamboree — returning the event to its previous roots as a country music festival.[5] On October 27, 2016, it was announced that the event had been integrated into the Country Thunder brand as Country Thunder Saskatchewan.[6][7]

Calgary, Alberta

In August 2016, Country Thunder launched Country Thunder Alberta in Calgary, Alberta, located in Prairie Winds Park. The 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to COVID-19; the festival returned in 2022, moving to Fort Calgary.[8][9] Previous headliners have included Big & Rich, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, and Morgan Wallen.[10]

The 2026 edition moved from an August scheduling to a June scheduling immediately prior to the Calgary Stampede; the festival was cancelled on June 24, 2026—two days before it was set to begin—with organizers citing "active construction surrounding the festival site and new restrictive sound limitations" as having restricted access to areas of the festival site, and prevented safe transportation. Organizers denied that the cancellation was related to ticket sales. Mayor Jeromy Farkas accused festival organizers of making "broad accusations" against the city, stating that the cited construction "did not appear overnight" and "no safety plan [was] rejected by the city, no required access route [was] denied by the city, and no specific safety requirement [was] left unresolved". He also accused the festival of "bandwagon[ing] and dogpil[ing]" upon misinformation associated with noise permit restrictions imposed on the Cowboys Music Festival, which were not applicable to Country Thunder. The city stated that it had been working with Country Thunder to coordinate construction as to not disrupt the festival. [11][12][13]

Kissimmee, Florida

In March 2019, Country Thunder launched the festival in Kissimmee, Florida, located in Osceola Heritage Park.[14] Previous headliners have included Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, and Luke Combs.[15]

Winnipeg, Manitoba

In July 2025, Country Thunder launched Thunder Stadium Concert Series in Winnipeg, Manitoba, located at Princess Auto Stadium. One day is Country Thunder and the other is Rockin' Thunder. Previous headliners have included Def Leppard, Riley Green, Mötley Crüe, Kane Brown, and Bailey Zimmerman.[16][17][18]

Edmonton, Alberta

In July 2025, Country Thunder launched Rockin' Thunder Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, located at the Exhibition Lands Racetrack. Previous headliners have included Def Leppard, Weezer, Three Days Grace, and Creed.[19][20]

Festival of the Year

Country Thunder Wisconsin 2015 and Country Thunder Arizona 2018 were named Festival of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.[21][22]

References

  1. ↑ Hartshorn, Tori. "Country Thunder Receives Academy Of Country Music 'Festival Of The Year' Industry Award". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  2. ↑ "About Country Thunder". Country Thunder Music Festivals.
  3. 1 2 Frigerio, Josh (2017). "Country Thunder 2017 fan guide: What to know about tickets, schedule, concerts, getting there". ABC15 Arizona.
  4. ↑ "Industry Awards". Academy of Country Music.
  5. ↑ "An oral history of Craven – from humble beginnings, to floods, to massive music parties". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  6. ↑ "Jamboree unveils new name and its latest lineup". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  7. ↑ "Same party different name: Craven Country Jamboree rebrands". Global News. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  8. ↑ "Country Thunder Alberta | Calgary, AB | countrythunder.com". countrythunder. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  9. ↑ McDermott, Todd (2021-04-13). "COVID cancels Country Thunder music festival for 2021". CTV News Calgary. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  10. ↑ Hunt, Stephen (2022-05-13). "Country Thunder Festival moves to Fort Calgary for 2022 event". CTVNews. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  11. ↑ Volmers, Eric; Mansukhani, Hiren (2026-06-24). "Country Thunder Alberta cancelled as organizers blame construction, sound limitations". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  12. ↑ Hunt, Stephen (2026-06-25). "Mayor pushes back after Country Thunder cancels festival 2 days before it was scheduled to begin". CTVNews. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  13. ↑ "Country Thunder cancels Calgary concert, blames noise bylaw and construction". Global News. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  14. ↑ "Country Thunder Florida". Country Thunder Music Festivals.
  15. ↑ "Country Thunder Florida 2019". Experience Kissimmee Florida. 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-09-24.
  16. ↑ "Country Thunder Music Festivals | Winnipeg". countrythunder. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  17. ↑ Team, Editorial (2025-02-04). "TOQUE - Canada's Classic Rock Super Group To Open For DEF LEPPARD At Rockin' Thunder 2025 In Manitoba". BraveWords - Where Music Lives. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  18. ↑ "Thunder Concert Series". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  19. ↑ "Home". Rockin' Thunder. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  20. ↑ "Rockin' Thunder Fest 2025". Music Festival Wizard.
  21. ↑ Burch, Cathalena E. (2015). "Country Thunder snags ACM for Festival of the Year". Arizona Daily Star.
  22. ↑ "Country Thunder receives Academy of Country Music 'Festival of the Year' Industry Award". Broadway World. 2018.
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