Mark Chesnutt to Headline 2026 Choctaw Labor Day Festival

TVSHKAHOMMA, Okla. — The Choctaw Nation has announced its 2026 concert lineup, featuring platinum-selling country artist Mark Chesnutt as the Saturday night headliner. Chesnutt will take the amphitheater stage on Saturday, Sept. 5, with festival favorite Neal McCoy performing as the opening act.

The Choctaw Labor Day Festival is the largest event held in southeast Oklahoma. The 2026 festival runs Friday, Sept. 4 through Sunday, Sept. 6 on the historic Choctaw Nation Capitol Grounds at Tvshkahomma. The full weekend, including the free concerts, are among the biggest attractions.

Sunday evening’s Christian music concert will feature Dove Award-nominee Ben Fuller and gold record artist Hope Darst. Additional performers will be announced at a later date.

Throughout the weekend, guests can enjoy the Choctaw Princess Pageant, sporting events, arts and crafts, carnival with midway rides, food and drinks, health and other service information booths, and family camping.

Stay up to date on festival activities at laborday.choctawnation.com or text “LABORDAY” to 888777.

About the Entertainers

• Mark Chesnutt is originally from Beaumont, Texas, and his music career took a leap forward in the 1990s when he recorded eight albums that charted 20 Top 10 hits on Billboard, with eight reaching No. 1, including: “Brother Jukebox,” “I’ll Think of Something,” “It’s a Little Too Late,” and a cover of Aerosmith‘s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” Chesnutt has also won two awards from the Country Music Association: the Horizon Award (now known as Best New Artist), and Vocal Event of the Year.
• Neal McCoy has released 15 studio albums and 34 singles to country radio. In 1993, he broke through with the back-to-back No. 1 singles “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” from his platinum-certified album “No Doubt About It.” His commercial success continued with two more platinum albums and a gold album. McCoy has been on 15 USO Tours around the world and is the recipient of multiple humanitarian awards from the Academy of Country Music and Country Radio Broadcasters.
• Ben Fuller grew up on his family’s southern Vermont dairy farm. After personal struggles, a move to Nashville, and becoming a Christian, he hit No. 1 on multiple Christian radio charts, and was nominated for the 2023 K-LOVE Fan Award for Breakout Single of The Year, “Who I Am.” He also received a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year. More award nominations followed including for “If It Was Up To Me,” which features country icon Carrie Underwood.
• Hope Darst originally from Kentucky currently lives in Nashville, with her husband and two daughters. Darst is worship leader for her local church, while she writes songs, such as her certified gold single “Peace Be Still,” and “Promise Keeper,” “If The Lord Builds The House,“ and “Never Walk Alone. “Her newest album “In The Mighty Name” is a 15-song, live performance recording.