The popular Songwriters Showcase returns to the Lake Stage for the second year with Nashville songwriters
Country Thunder — the largest country music festival brand in North America — excitedly unveils the lineups, events, and can’t-miss moments scheduled at the upcoming four-day Country Thunder Wisconsin on July 17-20 at Shadow Hill Ranch in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.
Headliners include Cole Swindell, Hardy, Jelly Roll, and Dierks Bentley with performances by Gavin Adcock, Ashley McBryde, Tyler Hubbard, Zach Top, Sara Evans, Larry Fleet, Ashley Cooke, Dylan Marlowe, Drew Baldridge, Shenandoah, and many others.
The secondary stages once again do not disappoint. The fan favorite, The Lake Stage, and Electric Thunder elevate the atmosphere of the Midwest’s preeminent country music experience with carefully curated programming. Every year, audiences discover hidden gems and their future favorite artists in these areas of the festival.
As expected, 2025 lives up to this longstanding reputation of championing buzzing talent. The Lake Stage will highlight a myriad of rising acts. Just a stone’s throw from the food court, it offers both shade from the sun and the intimacy of your favorite theater or club. Running well past dark each day, the artist lineup includes Faster Horses, Cody Parks & The Dirty South, Jacquie Roar, Roseland, SJ McDonald, Drew Cooper, Nate Venturelli, J Edwards, Austin Hopkins, and more.
Additionally, the Songwriters Showcase makes its much-anticipated return to The Lake Stage. This time around, it plays host to a cohort of Nashville’s top hitmakers, namely Ryan Beaver [Warren Zeiders, Dustin Lynch], Benjy Davis [Ashley McBryde, Cody Johnson], Neil Medley [Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert], Brinley Addington [Parmalee, Darius Rucker], Johnny Clawson [Blake Shelton, Ella Langley], and Lauren McLamb [Dierks Bentley, Josh Ross], to name a few. It provides a rare look beyond the curtain and spotlights the men and women who set the tone for Country music from behind the scenes.
Bringing the audience to its feet, Dancing with the Thunder will keep the party going in Electric Thunder. Fans may participate in line dance lessons or receive partner dance instruction. Plus, the Annual Line Dance Competition and Partner Dance Competition each invite attendees to compete for coveted prizes, ranging from camping passes for the 2026 installment of Country Thunder Wisconsin to the chance to dance on the main stage and access to the backstage hospitality tent on Sunday, July 20, among others.
Finally, one of Nashville’s top tastemakers and hottest party DJs, Griffin Greene, will power up the official After Party in Electric Thunder. As soon as the headliner leaves the stage, the festivities will move over to Electric Thunder for an energetic late-night set from Green. It marks his second year headlining the After Party, and he’ll be pulling out all the stops.
Not to mention, Country Thunder will also welcome its One Millionth Fan with open arms. Nearly three decades ago, the fest initially launched in Wisconsin. Over the ensuing years, it has thrived as the epicenter of live Country music in the Midwest, hosting a slew of icons and entertaining almost one million attendees since 1996. This year, the festival will reach the One Millionth Fan milestone. That extremely lucky individual will receive a once-in-a-lifetime prize package valued at over $35,000, including First Row Reserved Seats and Camping for life, unprecedented access to Festival Catering and Artist Hospitality, a “Golden Laminate,” exclusive Country Thunder Wisconsin merchandise, and a fully loaded gift bundle stacked with surprises from various sponsors, including Crown Royal, Miller/Coors, Tito’s, Dixxon Flannels, Legendary Whitetails, and Thorogood Workwear. Of course, every ticket offers an opportunity to win.
