VOLUNTEER

2026 VOLUNTEER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Ambassadors are a small group of dedicated volunteers who are essential to making the Big Ears Festival possible. There are several ways to help, and anyone over the age of 18, regardless of physical limitations, background or festival experience is encouraged to apply. Due to the program’s popularity and limited number of available volunteer positions, priority will be given to individuals who have previously volunteered as a Big Ears Ambassador. The ambassador application is now open!

Venue Captain Overview

Venue Captains are those who would like to volunteer throughout the festival weekend, take on a leadership role, and assist festival patrons, venue staff and other volunteers.

Venue Captain Role & Requirements
• Able to volunteer for three 8-hour shifts on three different days of the festival at one venue
• Able to check in other volunteers, assign tasks, answer questions, and communicate any issues to Big Ears staff as needed
• Willing to assist patrons, venue staff, and other volunteers as needed
• Able to meet in person with your assigned venue representative prior to festival (appx. 1 hour)
• Participate in volunteer orientation prior to festival (appx. 1 hour)
• Able to download designated Ambassador scheduling app to a smart phone or other qualifying device
• Prior Big Ears Festival Ambassador or Senior Ambassador experience
• Passion for music and/or community service
• 21 years or older on or before Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Venue Captain Perks
• Complimentary 4-Day Weekend Pass
• Flexibility to attend preferred shows during scheduled shifts
• 2 meal vouchers per festival day worked
• Festival merchandise discount
• Official Volunteer Ambassador t-shirt
• Invite to official staff after party

Senior Ambassador Overview

Senior Ambassadors are those who would like to volunteer throughout the festival weekend and are willing to assist festival patrons, venue staff, and other volunteers.

Senior Ambassador Role & Requirements
• Able to volunteer a minimum of 20 total hours over the course of the festival weekend (Five 4-hour shifts)
• Willing to assist patrons, venue staff, and other volunteers as needed
• Able to participate in volunteer orientation prior to the festival (appx. 1 hour)
• Able to download designated Ambassador scheduling app to a smart phone or other qualifying device
• 18 years or older on or before Wednesday, March 25, 2026
• Passion for music and/or community service
• Prior Big Ears Festival Ambassador or Senior Ambassador experience (recommended, not required)

Senior Ambassador Perks
• Complimentary 4-Day weekend pass
• 1 meal voucher per festival day worked
• Official Volunteer Ambassador t-shirt

Festival Ambassador Overview

Festival Ambassadors are those who would like to volunteer for part of the Big Ears weekend and are willing to assist festival patrons and venue staff.

Festival Ambassador Role & Requirements
• Able to volunteer for a minimum of 8 total hours over the course of the festival weekend (two 4-hour shifts)
• Willing to assist festival patrons and venue staff
• Participate in volunteer orientation prior to the festival
• 18 years or older on or before Wednesday, March 25, 2026
• Able to download designated Ambassador scheduling app to a smart phone or other qualifying device
• Passion for music and/or community service
• Prior Big Ears Festival Ambassador experience (recommended, not required)

Festival Ambassador Perks
• Complimentary Single-Day Pass
• Official Big Ears Ambassador t-shirt

Shuttle Ambassador Overview

Shuttle Ambassadors are a specific type of Festival Ambassador. These Ambassadors proactively engage patrons as they ride the festival shuttle, assisting in identifying stops for patrons’ next destination, acting as a source of information about Knoxville and the festival, and providing suggestions regarding points of interest to patrons who are not familiar with Knoxville or the festival.

Shuttle Ambassador Role & Requirements
• Able to volunteer for a minimum of 8 total hours over the course of the festival weekend (two 4-hour shifts)
• Willing to assist patrons riding the dedicated festival trolleys
• Participate in volunteer orientation prior to the festival
• Excellent people skills and intimate knowledge of Downtown Knoxville
• Able to download designated Ambassador scheduling app to a smart phone or other qualifying device
• 18 years or older on or before Wednesday, March 25, 2026
• Passion for music and/or community service
• Prior Big Ears Festival Ambassador experience (recommended, not required)

Festival Ambassador Perks
• Complimentary Single-Day Pass
• 1 meal voucher per festival day worked
• Official Big Ears Ambassador t-shirt

For more information about volunteer opportunities at Big Ears 2026, please email volunteers@bigearsfestival.org.