You're standing on a lawn, probably holding a reusable cup, and the sun is just starting to dip. It's that specific golden hour where everything feels a little slower. Then, Jack Johnson walks out with an acoustic guitar, and the entire energy of the venue shifts from "concert crowd" to "backyard barbecue with 10,000 friends." Honestly, it’s a vibe that's hard to replicate, and if you've been waiting for it, the wait is officially over.
The Jack Johnson concert tour is back for 2026, and it’s not just another run of shows. This is the SURFILMUSIC North American Tour. It's his first major trek since 2022, and it's basically a massive celebration of his roots in surf culture, filmmaking, and that mellow folk-rock sound that has defined his career for two decades.
Why the 2026 Tour Feels Different
Most artists announce a tour to sell a record. Jack does things a bit differently. This time, the music is tied into a whole documentary project called SURFILMUSIC. It’s a look back at how he went from a pro surfer to a filmmaker to the guy singing "Better Together" on every wedding playlist.
The tour is massive—43 dates across North America. It starts on June 19, 2026, in Gilford, New Hampshire, at the BankNH Pavilion. From there, it’s a coast-to-coast journey through the summer and into the fall. You've got the classic stops like Jones Beach in New York and the Hollywood Bowl in LA, but there are also some unique spots like the new Minnesota Quarry Amphitheater.
He’s bringing some incredible friends along for the ride. Depending on where you see him, you’ll catch Hermanos Gutiérrez, Lake Street Dive, or his long-time collaborator G. Love.
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The Greening of the Grassroots
If you've ever been to a Jack Johnson concert tour before, you know it’s not just about the music. It’s a full-on environmental mission. Jack has basically set the "gold standard" for how tours should run if we actually want to keep the planet around.
Every ticket purchase actually does something. Specifically, $2 from every ticket goes to charity. $1 goes to REVERB’s Climate Project Portfolio, and the other $1 goes to the All At Once Non-Profit Partners in the local community where the show is happening. It’s pretty cool to know that just by showing up, you’re helping a local environmental group in your own backyard.
The "Village Green" is usually the heart of the venue before the music starts. You’ll find local non-profits there, water refill stations (seriously, bring your own bottle), and a lot of talk about plastic-free living. They even use sustainable biodiesel for the tour trucks. It’s not just lip service; they’ve actually offset millions of pounds of CO2 over the years.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Setlist
People think a Jack Johnson show is just 90 minutes of "upside down" acoustic strumming.
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That’s a misconception.
While the hits are definitely there—you’re going to hear "Bubble Toes" and "Banana Pancakes"—the 2026 tour is incorporating a lot of the SURFILMUSIC documentary elements. This means the show has a narrative flow. You’ll likely hear new tracks like "Hold On To The Light," his collaboration with Hermanos Gutiérrez, which has this haunting, desert-blues vibe that’s a bit of a departure from his usual beachy sound.
The band is tight. Adam Topol on drums, Merlo Podlewski on bass, and Zach Gill on keys bring a level of musicianship that often gets overlooked because the songs feel so "simple." They aren't. There’s a lot of intricate syncopation and jazz influence happening under those easy-going melodies.
Ticket Realities and Planning
Let's talk about the logistics because getting tickets can be a headache. The general on-sale happened back in November 2025, so if you're looking now, you're likely navigating the resale market or looking for late-released blocks.
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Prices vary wildly. In places like Gilford, NH, you might see tickets starting around $170 on secondary sites, while stops like the Pavilion at Star Lake in Pennsylvania have seen entries as low as $35 to $50 for lawn seats.
If you're planning to go, here is the basic roadmap:
- The "BYOBottle" Rule: Don't be the person buying a $7 plastic bottle of water. Most venues on this tour have free filtered water stations. Bring a reusable (non-glass) bottle.
- Bike Valet: In many cities, there are actual bike valets at the venue. It’s faster than parking and usually free.
- The Opener Matters: Don't skip the opening act. Hermanos Gutiérrez, in particular, is an experience. Their instrumental guitar work is the perfect "appetizer" for Jack’s set.
- The Village Green: Get there an hour early. It’s the only concert where the "activism" part actually feels like a fun festival rather than a lecture.
Where to Catch the SURFILMUSIC Tour 2026
The schedule is pretty dense. Here are some of the key stretches:
- The Northeast Kickoff: Late June sees him hitting Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
- Midwest Summer: Early July is dedicated to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois.
- Southern Leg: After a brief break, he picks back up in mid-August in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.
- The West Coast Finale: This is where things get really scenic. He’s playing The Gorge in Washington on September 26, then heading down through Oregon to his "home turf" in California, closing out with two nights at the Hollywood Bowl in October.
Jack Johnson remains one of the few artists who can sell out an amphitheater without a massive light show or pyrotechnics. It's just a guy, a guitar, and a genuine connection to the audience and the environment.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of this Jack Johnson concert tour, start by checking the official tour archive or Ticketmaster for verified resale tickets in your nearest city. If you already have tickets, download the All At Once app to see which local non-profits will be at your specific show. Finally, check your venue's specific policy on reusable containers so you can avoid the single-use plastic waste while staying hydrated during the show.