Carolina Music Festivals is a comprehensive calendar and guide to multi-act, daylong or multiple-day music shows in North Carolina.
Through August 2 Eastern Music Festival - Greensboro and points west
(See the June calendar)
Through August 3 Brevard Summer Institute & Festival - Brevard
(See the June calendar)
August 1 - 3 Mountain Dance and Folk Festival - Swannanoa
Since 1928, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival has presented a wide repertoire from old-timers as well as the newest generation of mountain musicians, dancers and cloggers whose performances echo centuries of Scottish, English, Irish, Cherokee and African heritage. The festival also designates "Legacy Performers" who have made significant contributions to the region's musical heritage over several decades. Stony Creek is the house band. In 2024, the festival moved from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College to Warren Wilson College.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Whitewater Bluegrass Company, Smooth Bearwallow Bluegrass Band, White Rock Revival and 32 more, plus clogging teams.
Festival site: Kittredge Theatre, Warren Wilson College
7 p.m.
Three-day pass: $55.
Nightly: $20.
Students: $5.
Ages 6 to 12: $5.
Groups of 10 or more: $15 per person.
August 1 - 3 AVL Fest - Asheville
Asheville-based Wicked Weed Brewing and Worthwhile Sounds present a huge multi-genre lineup of local, regional, and national talent for 300+ shows at area concert halls, clubs and outdoor venues. AVL Fest debuted in 2023.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Papadosio, Beachwood Sparks, Town Mountain, Blitzen Trapper, SG Goodman and about 300 more.
Festival site: 20+ Asheville venues
Various show times.
Weekend pass: $135.
VIP pass (special viewing areas at select venues, catering, afterparties, half off souvenirs): $250.
August 14 - 16 N.C. State Bluegrass Festival - Marion
This campground-based festival is under a pavilion and tents (bring your own chair). Bands typically play afternoon and evening sets. The festival in its 50th year in 2025.
Artists
The Malpass Brothers, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Grascals, Tennessee Bluegrass Band, Deeper Shade of Blue, David Parmley, Lorraine Jordan's Country Grass Brand, Gospel Plowboys, Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Edgar Loudermilk Band, Nick Chandler and Delivered.
Festival site: Tom Johnson Camping World
Noon to 9:30 p.m.
Three-day pass: reserved seats $120, $130 at gate; general admission $110, $120 at gate; ages 7 to 15, $50 with parent.
Daily: general admission $50, $55 at gate; ages 7 to 15 $20.
Younger than 8 free with an adult.
Campground stay during the festival requires a three-day ticket and an additional fee.
August 16 NC Beach Blast Festival - Kings Mountain
The free beach music festival put on by the City of Kings Mountain has previously been a two-day event that also presented food, drink and merchandise vendors along with family games and contests. The festival in its 26th year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup was The Tonez, Blackwater Band, Voltage Brothers and two more.
Festival site: Patriots Park
Noon to 9 p.m.
Free admission.
August 21 - 23 The Big What? - Pittsboro
The Big Something hosts a weekend campout featuring music by local, regional and national touring acts on two stages and an artistic experience that includes "theme nights," for which decorations, costumes and self-expression are highly encouraged. The festivlal will also offer an art gallery, live painters, a flow performance and workshops, and food, drink (including beer, wine and cocktails) and arts and craft vendors. The Big What? is in its 11th year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Big Something, Andy Frasco Superjam, Doom Flamingo, Brownie and Something, and 16+ more.
Festival site: Shakori Hills
Noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Three-day pass: $195.
VIP (reserved prime location tent camping, reserved viewing area at main stage, private bathrooms, hot meal each night, refreshments during the day, download of each Big Something set): $423.
Supreme VIP (VIP perks above, exclusive Saturday afternoon acoustic Big Something performance, signed screenprint Big What? poster, signed Big Something setlist from all three nights): $652.
Younger than 13: $30 at gate.
Tickets include tent camping and parking. Car camping $65, RV camping $150.
See our profile of the Shakori Hills festival held at this site.
August 28 - 31 Earl Scruggs Music Festival - Mill Spring
The celebration of the defining bluegrass banjo player features about 30 bluegrass, folk and Americana acts on the main Flint Hill Stage, secondary Foggy Mountain Stage and a workshop stage. New for 2024 are daily shows at the Silo Bar at 5 p.m. There will also be food trucks, vendors and children's activities, and the venue is an equestrian stadium and resort well-appointed with restaurants, shops and on-site lodging. The festival presents a free show on Thursday evening as well as a variety of other free and ticketed activites, including free horse jumping demonstrations and trail rides (for a fee), during the weekend. The festival is in its fourth year in 2025 and is a collaboration between the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby and WNCW FM at Isothermal Community College in Rutherfordton. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Yonder Mountain String Band, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, The Steel Drivers, The Earls of Leicester and 36 more.
Festival site: Tryon International Equestrian Center
Gates open 8 a.m. daily.
Check in for onsite lodging 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday, with activities onsite 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
General Admission (floor of arena): weekend $125, Friday $75, Saturday $75, Sunday $55.
Grandstand (covered seating): weekend $225, Friday $95, Saturday $95, Sunday $75.
Patron VIP (designated area, two meals daily, private bar and bathrooms, artists meet and greets, exclusive souvenirs): $375.
Blue Ridge VIP (balcony seating overlooking arena, gourmet food service with tables and waiters, private bar and bathrooms, artists meet and greets, exclusive souvenirs): $600.
Cabana (private tent for 8 people, waiters, private bar and food service, access to VIP level bathrooms): $5,000.
See Additional Admission Packages.
Younger than 12 free general admission with paying adult. Younger than 3 free with adult paying other admission, i.e., Grandstand, etc.
Onsite lodging, including cabins, an inn and RV and trailer sites with full hookups.
August 29 - 31 Camp Springs Labor Day Bluegrass Festival - Elon
Organizers at the revived Camp Springs Blue Grass Park, the site of large festivals in the 1970s and sporadically until the late 1990s, have ressurected its Labor Day Bluegrass Festival, which was first held in 1969. Several acts play afternoon and evening sets, and the campground offers hot showers, concessions, a fishing pond and more. The park also presents a Memorial Day weekend tribute to Tony Rice. The Labor Day festival is in its seventh year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Authentic Unlimited, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Appalachian Road Show and 12 more.
Festival Site: Camp Springs Blue Grass Park
Music starts 1 p.m. daily.
Three-day pass: $100 before August 1, $120 afterward.
Daily: $40.
Younger than 16: free admission.
Primitive camping free with three-day ticket.
August 30 Sonark Harvest Festival - Chapel Hill
Robust Records and the Sonark recording studio are presenting a family-friendly festival of local music along with craft vendors, craft beer and food trucks. The festival is in its second year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup was The Old Ceremony, Hourglass Kids, Jesse Fox and five more.
Festival site: Blackwood Farm Park
2 to 8 p.m.
$10 for first 200 tickets bought by July 18; $25.
VIP (private performances, opportunity to meet performers, meals and drinks prepared by Chef Kevin from Acme): $150.
August 30 - 31 ProgDay - Chapel Hill
The intimate festival of progressive rock music features artists from all over the world and typically presents club shows and/or films in addition to the weekend's daytime festival. The festival is in its 30th year in 2025. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Jane Getter Premonition, Yang, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic and five more.
Festival site: Storybook Farm (below, Saturday and Sunday), Local 506 (Friday)
8 p.m. Friday, doors open 7 p.m.; music starts 10:15 a.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Two-day pass: $125 in advance, $140 day of show; $65 ages 16 to 18 and students.
Daily: $80, $40 ages 16 to 18 and students.
Younger than 16: Free.
Patron Pass (parking adjacent to pavilion/stage area): $160.
Friday pre-show: $8 in advance, $10 at door.
No overnight camping.
August 30 - 31 John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival - High Point
The Labor Day weekend festival is sponsored by The Friends of John Coltrane, which works to preserve and celebrate the life and music of John Coltrane and to enrich the lives of others through the introduction of jazz and other musical genres. The festival has also included a Friday golf tournament. The festival is in its 14th year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Gregory Porter, Brian Culbertson, Samantha Fish and nine more.
Festival site: Oak Hollow Festival Park
Gates open at 3 p.m.
Two-day pass: $130.
Daily: $75.
Premium two-day pass (seating near stage): $165.
Premium daily pass: $105.
VIP (reserved up-front seats, parking, special entrance, two drinks, access to tent with a meal): two-day $255; daily $155.
Super VIP (reserved Row 1-5 padded seats, parking, special entrance, two drinks, access to tent with a meal, commemorative lanyard): two-day $320; daily $190.
Discounts for military and students.
No coolers or any outside food and drinks (other than water) allowed.
August 31 New River Blues Festival - Grassy Creek
This Sunday afternoon in the mountains features acclaimed artists performing in a picturesque setting on the banks of the New River. The King Bees are the festival hosts. The festival is in its 23rd year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Memphis Gold, King Bees, Deuce 'N a Quarter and three more.
Festival site: River House Inn
1 to 6 p.m.; gates open at 12:30 p.m.
$45 advance, $50.
Food, beer and wine will be on sale; no coolers allowed "on lawn."
No camping onsite; camping nearby at New River State Park.
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