Brandi Carlile is bringing some serious star power – and breaking new ground – to her next Girls Just Wanna Weekend festival. The acclaimed singer-songwriter announced that legendary country trio The Chicks and pop superstar Sam Smith will join her as co-headliners for the festival’s seventh installment, scheduled for January 15–19, 2026 at Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The destination event is known for its all-female and non-binary lineup, and Smith’s spot marks the first time a non-binary artist has topped the bill. They’ll lead a packed roster of talent handpicked by Carlile, which this year ranges from indie folk favorites Lucius and Joy Oladokun to rising artists like Allison Ponthier and CMAT – all part of Carlile’s mission to spotlight women and LGBTQ+ voices on stage.
Carlile, who founded Girls Just Wanna Weekend in 2019, said she’s proud of how diverse and welcoming the festival has become. In an Instagram post unveiling the lineup, the Grammy winner praised the mix of performers and fans coming together under the Mexican sun. “The diversity in genre, humanity and in spirit is exactly who we all are as a community,” Carlile wrote. “This celebration is a force for good.” The four-night concert vacation not only offers music on the beach but also group excursions, activities and a safe space for a predominantly female and LGBTQ+ crowd. With trailblazers like The Chicks and Sam Smith headlining alongside Carlile, the 2026 edition is poised to be the most inclusive “Girls Just Wanna” gathering yet – one that lives up to its founder’s vision of unity and empowerment through music.
