MACON, Ga. — Mercer University just dropped the lineup for Bearstock 2026 and it is straight fire. Rapper B.o.B and pop-rock favorites Hot Chelle Rae will headline the free outdoor festival on Saturday, March 14, turning Cruz Plaza into a full-on beach party in the middle of Georgia.
The student-run QuadWorks board pulled off a major coup bringing these chart-topping acts back to Macon. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is completely open to the public, no ticket needed.
Beach Vibes Hit Cruz Plaza
This year’s theme is pure summer escape. Think palm trees, sunset colors, and a giant bear surfing the vibe (yes, the official poster is already iconic).
Food trucks roll in at 1 p.m., music kicks off at 1:30 p.m., and the whole plaza gets transformed into a mini beach getaway right in the heart of campus. QuadWorks promises tailgates, free swag, merch vendors, and that laid-back festival energy students crave during spring semester.
Adrienne Latham, assistant director of Campus Life and a proud Double Bear, says it best: “Bearstock has always been a staple of my Mercer memories, and it’s exciting to help create that same sense of connection and tradition for today’s students.”
B.o.B Brings the Hits (and the Energy)
B.o.B hasn’t forgotten Georgia. The Atlanta native who gave us “Airplanes,” “Nothin’ on You,” and “Strange Clouds” still commands stages like few others. His last major tour run showed he’s lost none of the charisma that made him a star in the early 2010s.
Fans on campus are already losing their minds. One sophomore told The Cluster, “I grew up on B.o.B in middle school. Seeing him for free on my own campus feels unreal.”
Hot Chelle Rae’s “Tonight Tonight” Still Slaps 15 Years Later
Remember summer 2011? Hot Chelle Rae owned it. “Tonight Tonight” was everywhere, and the band’s infectious pop-rock energy still gets entire crowds jumping.
The group has stayed active on the festival circuit and nostalgia tours, and their live show is legendary for turning casual listeners into screaming superfans in about thirty seconds. Expect singalongs so loud they’ll rattle the Lofts windows.
Mercer’s Own Talent Takes the Stage First
Before the headliners, three Mercer-affiliated acts warm up the crowd:
- MothaFunka – campus funk favorites who pack every on-campus party
- Kosher Pickle – the Jewish student organization’s band that somehow makes klezmer-hip-hop work
- Trinity Scales ‘27 – a freshman singer-songwriter already generating serious buzz
These opening sets have become a Bearstock tradition, giving student artists the chance to play in front of thousands on their home turf.
Why Bearstock Actually Matters
It’s easy to call it “just a concert.” But talk to any Mercer alum and they’ll tell you Bearstock is a core memory. It’s the one day every spring when the entire campus and Macon community drop everything to hang out together.
For seven hours, grades don’t matter. Stress melts away. You’re just dancing with your friends, eating overpriced tacos from a truck, and screaming lyrics with 5,000 strangers who suddenly feel like family.
That’s the magic QuadWorks keeps delivering year after year.
Last year’s Bearstock drew one of its biggest crowds ever. With this lineup and the beach theme, 2026 is already shaping up to break records again.
Mark your calendars, tell your friends, and start planning your outfit, because March 14 is about to be the best day of the semester.
Who else is counting down the days? Drop your favorite B.o.B or Hot Chelle Rae song in the comments and let us know if you’re bringing the whole crew.
