Carolina Music Festivals is a comprehensive calendar and guide to multi-act, daylong or multiple-day music festivals in North Carolina.
Dates and other details may be estimated based on last year's festival until confirmed by festival organizers.
Through July 28 An Appalachian Summer Festival - Boone
(See the June calendar)
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)
July 4 - 5 Festival for the Eno - Durham
The Festival for the Eno, the region's premier Independence Day celebration, typically presents more than 60 acts on four stages plus about 100 art and craft vendors, food and a variety of other entertainment and hands-on activities. Musical performers typically include a couple of nationally known Americana or rock acts and regional favorites. Proceeds benefit the Eno River Association and its efforts to preserve land along the river, and the festival has an overall theme of conservation and fostering intelligent use of natural resources. Click on the photo for more info.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Big Daddy Love, Dangermuffin and 55+ more.
Festival site: West Point on the Eno City Park
Kickoff show 7 p.m., festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Two-day pass: $30 in advance, $35 at gate.
Single-day pass: $18 adults, $11 age 13 to 17; $23 and $11 at gate.
Younger than 13 free.
This is a daytime festival - there is no camping onsite.
Free parking and shuttle buses are available at Durham County Stadium, and are highly recommended.
July 4 - 6 Ocean City Jazz Festival - North Topsail Beach
The annual contemporary jazz festival showcases jazz legends and up-and-coming jazz greats. The festival, which is in its 15th year in 2025, began as a summertime family celebration to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Ocean City community, the first coastal area in North Carolina that allowed African Americans to buy land. The festival inclues a kickoff party on Friday and a silent auction. The stage and seating are under a 60x90-foot pavilion tent, and food trucks sell food, beer, wine, cocktails and other beverages.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Nnenna Freelon, Fred Wesley, Phylicia Rae and five more.
Festival site: North Topsail Beach
6 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. (gates at 4 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday.
Early bird prices through May 29:
Two-day pass: $160.
Two-day pass and kickoff party: $170.
Daily: $85.
Daily (one day) and kickoff party: $95.
Kickoff party only: $20.
Ticket prices will increase $5 per ticket at the gate.
Younger than 11 free with paying adult.
Free parking and shuttles at North Topsail Beach Public Works Department (3315 Gray Street), all beach accesses and Onslow County Beach Access No. 2 at 2950 Island Drive.
No food or drink may be brought into the festival.
July 11 - 13 Black Mountain Blues - Black Mountain
The three-day festival presents an eclectic lineup of artists delivering an authentic blues experience at multiple indoor and outdoor venues in the tourist district of Black Mountain. The 2025 festival is the second one. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Sugaray Rayford, Corey Harris, Melody Angel and 41 more.
Festival site: Downtown Black Mountain
Show times vary.
Three-day pass: $80.
VIP pass (VIP lounge, early entry, free parking, special souvenirs): $180.
July 18 - 19 Doc and Rosa Lee Watson MusicFest - Sugar Grove
The Doc and Rosa Lee Watson MusicFest will present music on two stages, local food, crafts and the grand opening of the Doc & Merle Watson Folk Art Museum. Proceeds benefit the museum, which is located inside the historic Cove Creek School. The festival expanded to two days in 2024.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Blue Highway, The Kruger Brothers and 15 more.
Festival site: Cove Creek School
Gates open 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday. Music ends "around 11 p.m."
Two-day general admission: until July 1 $55, after $65.
Two-day reserved under tent: until July 1 $65, after $75.
Friday general admission: until July 1 $25, after $35.
Saturday general admission: until July 1 $40, after $50.
Younger than 13: free general admission with paying adult.
No alcohol, smoking, vaping, coolers, pets ...
July 18 - 19 Party on the Mountain - Beech Mountain
The Party on the Mountain weekend is a two-day event with more than a dozen acts playing an outdoors stage and at several Beech Mountain venues during the resort's summer concert series, which includes two more two-act concerts in June and August. Beech Mountain will also offer mountain biking, fishing, scenic lift rides, yoga, disc golf, and additional activities during the weekend. A variety of food trucks, craft vendors, and Beech Mountain Brewing Co. will also be onsite. The festival is in its third year in 2025.
Artists
Friday: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge, Boy Named Banjo, Susto Stringband, Ashes and Arrows, Holler Choir, Adrian and Meredith, The Amy Sisters.
Saturday: Lake Street Dive, The 502s, The Wilder Blue, Jon Stickley Trio, The Wildmans, If Birds Could Fly, Goldpine, Taylor Winchester, David LaMotte, Adam Bolt.
Festival site: Beech Mountain Ski Resort
Gates open 5:30 p.m.; shows start 7 p.m.
Two-day general admission: $90.
Daily: $55.
Two-day VIP (Early entry, access to premium stage-view areas; VIP tent, bar and restrooms; drink ticket): Sold Out.
Daily VIP (Early entry, access to premium stage-view areas; VIP tent, bar and restrooms; drink ticket): $200.
Lift Ticket (one round trip to 5,506 SkyBar): $15.
Younger than 6 get in free.
July 25 - 26 DownEast Music Festival - Rocky Mount
The Southern soul music festival presents about 15 local, regional and national recording artists. There's also a vendor pavilion, exclusive VIP areas and more. The Friday show is an indoor concert, and Saturday is outdoors. Proceeds benefit Itsdoable, an organization that helps under-served youths. The festival is in its seventh year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Fat Daddy, Ms. Jody, West Love and 12 more.
Festival site: Rocky Mount Sports Complex
TBA Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday.
Two-day pass: $90 (until June 12).
Friday: TBA.
Saturday: $55 (until June 28).
Golden VIP (Saturday; early VIP-only entrance, food and non-alcoholic drinks, complimentary drinks at cash bar, souvenirs): $150 (until July 25).
Platinum VIP (Friday meet-and-greet concert and Saturday Golden VIP): $225 (until July 25).
RVs: $75 or $150 for weekend.
July 25 - 26 Hillbilly Jam - Maggie Valley
The festival once known as Hillbilly Woodstock features regional bluegrass, country, Americana and Southern rock bands. It also typically has a car and bike show, craft and food vendors, cornhole games, and appearances by country-themed reality TV stars.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Ricky Gunter, Ryan Perry, Matt Cordell "Elvis," and nine-plus more.
Festival site: Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
$10 daily. Younger than 11 free.
July 25 - 26 Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention - Jefferson
The convention features Friday night concerts, a bluegrass jam camp, and competitions for youth and adult musicians, bands and dancers on Saturday with cash prizes in the adult categories. There's also a luthiers' tent, a crafters' row, barbecue and more. The convention is sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council and is in its 54th year in 2025. Proceeds benefit the Ashe County JAM program.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup was The Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlee, The Whitetop Mountain Band, Ashe County Junior Appalachian Musicians, plus competitors.
Festival site: Ashe County Park
Campground opens Thursday; jam camp starts 1 p.m. Friday.
Gates open 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Two-day pass: $15.
Daily: $10.
Younger than 12 free with paying adult.
Free entry for veterans, first responders and law enforcement personnel.
Camping: $10/night (no hookups); $15/night with electricity (limited availability). Camping opens 3 p.m. Thursday.
No alcohol.
July 31 - Aug. 2 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.
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