Now in its 29th year, Leesburg Bikefest is set to rev up the city’s historic downtown April 24-26.
A major draw in the biker world, Bikefest attracts riders from across the country and this year features a full slate of concerts, bike shows and pro wrestling events spread throughout downtown Leesburg and nearby venues.
How to access an event map
Visit the event website at leesburgbikefest.com/event-map.
Getting there
Avoid the stress of event traffic and limited parking by utilizing the LakeXpress Bikefest Shuttle.
LakeXpress will provide dedicated shuttle services to and from the festivities.
Fare information:
• One-Way Trip: $1 all-day
• Unlimited Pass: $3; students ride free
• Discounted fares are available for seniors and individuals with disabilities
The central downtown shuttle hub is at the intersection of Main and Kaolin streets, on the east side of the event grounds, for easy entry and exit.
For a complete list of shuttle hours, route maps and frequency, visit the official event site at LeesburgBikefest.com or RideLakeXpress.com.
Celebration of America’s 250th anniversary
Bikefest’s opening ceremony will commemorate the nation’s big semiquincentennial birthday with “high energy” patriotic camaraderie and flair along Main Street on April 24 at noon.
The event serves as the official kickoff to a 30-city-block bike‑stravaganza featuring entertainment, more than 200 vendors and multiple live‑music stages.
Says Leesburg Special Events Manager: “This will be a marching procession up Main Street from Canal Street to Town Square. We will temporarily stop traffic for the ceremony.”
Lyden also mentioned a “patriotic robot,” which she explained is an LED robot character with red, white and blue lights, and a digital banner across the front that flashes Bikefest 2026.
This year’s concerts and bands to see
This year’s Bikefest concerts are a nostalgia trip back to the ’80s and ’90s, but local and regional bands add some currency to the mix.
Several locals have praised the lineup as an improvement from last year, which brought in established acts like Lit and Fuel, and Whey Jennings, but with less name recognition.
Friday night headliner – Lita Ford
Dubbed the “Queen of Metal,” Lita Ford is still a force of nature at 67, delivering driving, punk-influenced hard rock riffs. In the 1970s, she played lead guitar in the then-rare all-female band the Runaways, a major influence on girl bands for decades. (Ford’s metal style clashed with bandmate Joan Jett, who had a more punk-glam vibe.) Ford’s solo career brought the hard-driving “Out for Blood” and ’80s MTV hits like “Kiss Me Deadly” and the classic power ballad “Close My Eyes Forever” with the late-great Ozzy Osbourne. She continued into the ’90s with “Shot of Poison” and “Playin’ With Fire.”
After the 1990s, Ford took a hiatus to raise her kids. She released more solo albums, published her autobiography, toured, and appeared on various TV shows and documentaries.
Saturday night headliner – Everclear
In the mid-90s, Everclear rocked defiantly and cathartically in contrast to the Seattle grunge scene’s brooding sound. Art Alexakis and his band offered something different: sunshine-soaked melodies that acted as a Trojan horse for stories of abandonment, addiction and the gritty reality of the American dream.
Hits like “Father of Mine” and “I Will Buy You a New Life” turned Alexakis’s personal traumas into anthems for millions. Thirty years later, the “Santa Monica” singer isn’t just a survivor of the industry. Read about his battle with multiple sclerosis, fortitude and redemption in the Daily Commercial’s interview with the Everclear founder.
Sunday afternoon headliner – Sister Hazel
Formed in 1993 in Gainesville, Sister Hazel quickly transcended its college-town roots to become a 1990s hitmaker and forerunner of the jangle-pop and alternative-rock era.
The band’s commercial breakthrough arrived with the 1997 platinum-selling album “… Somewhere More Familiar.” Its lead single, “All for You,” topped music charts. Beyond the radio hits, Sister Hazel is celebrated for its loyal fan base, affectionately known as “Hazelnuts.” The band pioneered the fan-cruise industry by co-founding “The Rock Boat” and continues to host annual destination events like the “Hazelnut Hang.” Their philanthropic side comes through Lyrics For Life, a charity founded by lead singer Ken Block that has raised millions for cancer research.
No doubt inspired by their namesake — local legend and Gainesville missionary Sister Hazel Williams — they still deliver high-energy performances and a signature blend of Southern rock, folk and pop.
Kurt Deimer at Gator Harley Stage, 9:30 p.m. on Friday
A one‑of‑a‑kind rocker, actor and musician, Kurt Deimer hails from Cincinnati and performs tunes from his EP “Work Hard, Rock Hard,” which features Phil X (Bon Jovi) and Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche), produced by Chris Lord-Alge. He cites Boston, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Marley and AC/DC as major influences, and often blends his passions for music and horror, with his “The Grog” performances incorporating a distinctive cinematic element.
Zack Denby at Budweiser Main Stage, 10 a.m. on Saturday
A solid reason to arrive early on Saturday. Zack Denby pulls up to the mainstage at 10 a.m. Denby delivers raw guitar tone and live energy that captures the essence of classic southern rock and blues. Great crowd pleaser.
Nicole Equerme at Budweiser Main Stage 11 a.m. on Sunday
A multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter based in Mount Dora, Nicole Equerme is fluent on guitar, mandolin, banjo and more. Her sound makes full use of her ability to layer multiple stringed instruments with her soulful singing voice. She has incorporated Celtic, Americana and folk into her unique amalgam of styles, and has been performing in Central Florida since 2006.
Crowd-pleasers and notable events to catch at Bikefest
Daily entertainment (April 24-26):
Special events
Event hours
VIP access
The VIP option offers exclusive perks like a buffet of brunch favorites, including shrimp and grits, crispy chicken and waffles, and all the fixings, plus private VIP restrooms, complimentary Bloody Mary or mimosa, access to a private cash bar and up-close access to the front of the stage. Details: leesburgbikefest.com.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Everything you need to know for Leesburg Bikefest 2026
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
