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.
May 30 - June 1 Cold Mountain Music Festival - Canton
The Cold Mountain Music Festival is a benefit for the ministries of Camp Henry, a Christian summer camp and leadership program, and the Lake Logan Episcopal Center in Canton. The festival exapnds two days for 2025. In addition to bands, the festival presents food vendors, kids' activities planned by Camp Henry staff, and an after-event party. The centerpiece of the festival site is a mile-long lake surrounded by the Shining Rock Wilderness Area of the Pisgah National Forest.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Amanda Platt and the Honeycutters, Toubab Krewe, Darren Nicholson and two more.
Festival Site: Lake Logan Episcopal Center
Gates open noon, music at 1 p.m.
$85; $40 ages 11 to 16; younger free.
Camping: $80; 12 RV sites $220-$300.
Cabins and Dorms: See website.
June 7 Carolina Beach Music Festival - Carolina Beach
The show presented on the sands at the home of beach music and shagging is in its 39th year in 2025. In addition to music, festivities include a shagging contest with cash prizes. The festival is held on the first Saturday in June each year.
Artists
The Tams, Band of Oz, Jim Quick and Coastline.
Festival Site: On beach near Carolina Beach Boardwalk
11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; gates open at 10 a.m.
2024 prices: $35 in advance, $40 at the gate.
10x10-foot tent spaces may be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis at phone nmumber at link above.
June 5 - 7 Cherokee Bluegrass Festival - Cherokee
A long-running bluegrass festival at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a family-oriented festival held at a campground pavilion. Bands play afternoon and evening sets, though headliners may only play once.
Artists
Thursday: Authentic Unlimited, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Fast Track, Deeper Shade of Blue.
Friday: The Kody Norris Show, Junior Sisk Band, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Edgar Loudermilk Band, Coyote Ugly.
Saturday: Malpass Brothers, Lonesome River Band, Country Grass, Fast Track, Darren Nicholson Band, Native American Show.
Festival site: Happy Holiday RV Village
Noon to 11 p.m., 10 p.m. Saturday.
Three-day pass: general admission $100 advance, $110 at gate; reserved seats $110 advance, $120 at gate; age 7 to 15 $50; younger free with parent.
Daily pass: general admission $50 advance, $55 at gate; age 7 to 15 $20; younger free with parent.
No alcohol.
June 6 - 7 Bluegrass & Old-Time Fiddlers Convention - Mount Airy
The festival dedicated to old-time and bluegrass music and dance includes competitions, jam sessions and workshops in a family-friendly environment. Winners in 15 solo and band competitions are awarded cash prizes. There's a dance after Saturday's competitions. The festival is in its 53rd year in 2025.
Artists
Friday & Saturday: Contestants TBA in old-time and bluegrass bands, and individual bluegrass fiddle, old-time fiddle, bluegrass banjo, old-time banjo (clawhammer), guitar, mandolin, bass fiddle, dobro, dulcimer, autoharp, folk song and dance (adult and youth).
Festival site: Veterans Memorial Park
Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m., youth dance and awards 5:45 p.m., band performances 6 p.m. followed by adult dance.
$10 daily; younger than 7 free with adult.
$20 for contestants ($10 refunded Saturday after performance).
$20 for campers for entire weekend (in addition to camping fee).
Camping: $10 per day, RVs $35 per day with water and electricity.
No alcohol or dogs on site.
June 6 - 8 Ocrafolk Festival - Ocracoke Island
Ocrafolk is presented by Ocracoke Alive, a nonprofit cultural arts organization that presents student and community arts programs on Ocracoke Island. In addition to music on three or four stages and musicians' workshops, the festival presents storytellers, visual arts vendors and other activities. Click on the photo for more information.
Musical Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Kaira Ba, Clements Brothers, Cold Chocolate and 20 more.
Festival site: Berkley Manor
Three-day pass: $80 through May 31, $90 at gate.
Friday: $40 through May 31, $45 at gate.
Saturday: $45 through May 31, $50 at gate.
Sunday: $30 through May 31, $35 at gate.
Younger than 18 free.
June 6 - 8 Cape Fear Blues Festival - Wilmington
The festival features local, regional and national acts in a local club and outdoors under a beer tent. There's also a vendors' market and food available.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Big Al and the Heavyweights, Don Johnson Project, The Rhythm Bones and four more.
Festival site: The Rusty Nail
8 p.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Friday club show: $10.
Saturday (day and night): $40; night only $15.
Sunday: Free.
June 7 Carl Sandburg Music Festival - Flat Rock
Connemara, the North Carolina home of poet Carl Sandburg, hosts a free gathering of local musicians each year. In addition to music, tours of the house at Connemara, which is a national historic site that includes gardens, an apple orchard, goats raised on-site, trails and more, are available throughout the day for a small fee. The festival was previously a Memorial Day event. 2025 is its 38th year.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Mac Arnold, Laura Boosinger, Steve and Jean Smith and two more.
Festival site: Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
Free admission.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 12 - 14 Willow Oak Park Bluegrass Festival - Roxboro
Bluegrass promoter Mike Wilson and musician Lorraine Jordan partner to carry on the tradition of "family-style" bluegrass festivals. In addition to stage shows by national and local bands, the festival will present musicians' workshops, storytelling and a jamming tent. Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road are the festival hosts.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Lonesome River Band, Authentic Unlimited, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, and nine more.
Festival site: Willow Oak Park
Music starts 1 p.m. Thursday, noon Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday after musicians' workshops Friday and Saturday. Most bands play afternoon and evening sets.
Three-day pass: $110.
Thursday and Friday (each): $35.
Saturday: $40.
Age 13-16: $15 per day.
Younger than 13 free with parent.
Camping: primitive camping $10 per day. Sites with electricity are $25 (30 amps) and $45 (50 amps) per day.
No alcohol, smoking or pets in the concert area.
June 13 - 14 Charlie Poole Music Festival - Wentworth
The Charlie Poole Music Festival honors the legacy of the groundbreaking bandleader Charlie Poole and North Carolina string bands and roots music with more than 20 musicians' competitions in addition to stage shows Friday and Saturday evening. The festival also presents musicians' workshops, local arts and craft vendors, and the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to the headlining artist. The festival was revived in 2023 for its first edition since 2016, but had been held for more than 20 years prior to the break. See competition categories here, including Grand Champion Banjo Player, which earns a $1,000 cash prize. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Hubby Jenkins, Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road, Riley Baugus with Joe Thrift, Mark Olitsky and Alex Scala, and 10 more, plus contest competitors.
Festival site: Rockingham Community College
Stage shows start 4 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday; competitions begin 4 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Two-day pass: $50.
Daily: $35.
Camping: $20. No water/sewer or electrical hookups. No open campfires, alcohol or tobacco are allowed on campus.
June 13 - 15 High Country Jazz Festival - Boone
The festival presents "anchor events" featuring nationally known artists and additional shows, lectures, etc., to raise money for local arts and education programs, including jazz studies at Appalachian State University. The festival is in its fourth year in 2025.
Artists
Catherine Russell, Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Noel Freidline and Maria Howell, Todd Wright, ASU jazz students, more TBA.
Festival site: Appalachian Theatre and additional venues
Appalachian Theatre shows 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday.
Admission prices vary.
June 14 Bluff Mountain Festival - Hot Springs
The free all-acoustic show presents bluegrass and more, including cloggers, a silent auction, raffle, and art and food vendors. The festival benefits the Madison County Arts Council and is in its 28th year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Roger Howell, Rhonda Gouge, White Rock Revival and seven more.
Festival site: Hot Springs Resort and Spa
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free.
Campground information here.
June 20 - 21 Boonerang Music and Arts Festival - Boone
The free music and arts festival in downtown Boone presents shows on multiple concert stages, as well as food, beer and crafts vendors, a kids' zone and afterparties. The festival will present a free evening concert and a silent disco Friday. Saturday is a day-long event. Boonerang is in its fourth year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included The Nude Party, Melissa Reaves, Empire Strikes Brass and 17 more.
Festival site: Downtown Boone
5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Free admission.
June 20 - 22 State Annual Singing Convention - Benson
For 2025, the gospel singing competition is to present local church choirs on Friday night, winning groups from past conventions on Saturday and competitions on Saturday morning. In previous years, the weekend has included concerts by nationally recognized gosepel acts and and additional performances by competition winners Sunday evening. The festival is held the weekend of the fourth Sunday in June each year. The "Benson Sing" is in its 104th year in 2025. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
The Singing Convention Choir, The Johnston County Choir, The Wilmington Celebration Choir, The Inspirations, The Tribute Quartet, competitors and more TBA.
Festival site: Benson Singing Grove
Friday: 7 p.m.
Saturday: singing begins 11:30 a.m., concert 7 p.m., round-robin sing 8:15 p.m.
Sunday: signing begins 10:30 a.m., concert 4 p.m.
Free admission.
Competition categories: Junior, Duet, Trio, Mixed Trio, Quartet, Mixed Quartet, Family, Bluegrass, Choir.
June 28 - July 26 An Appalachian Summer Festival - Boone
An Appalachian Summer Festival is a multi- and inter-disciplinary arts festival presenting and producing programs in music, theater, dance, film and visual arts. The festival also includes the Rosen-Schaffel Competition for Young & Emerging (classical music) Artists. It is in its 41st year in 2025.
Musical Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Buddy Guy, Brad Paisley, St. Paul and The Broken Bones and nine more.
Festival site: Appalachian State University and nearby venues
Performance times and admission fees vary. Get the schedule here.
June 28 - August 2 Eastern Music Festival - Greensboro
The Eastern Music Festival and School trains aspiring musicians between the ages of 14 and 22, and presents classical and chamber music performances by students, faculty and guest artists. Shows will be presented primarily at Guilford College's Dana Auditorium. Gerard Schwarz is the music director. The festival is in its 64th year in 2025.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included William Wolfram, Béla Fleck, Jeffrey Multer and 15 more.
Festival sites: Guilford College
Performance dates, times and ticket prices vary.
June 28 - August 3 Brevard Summer Institute & Festival - Brevard
The Brevard Music Center's summer institute for classical music students aged 14 and older presents some 50 concerts throughout its month-long-plus festival, showcasing nationally recognized artists and the center's faculty musicians. The Independence Day concert at the Whittington-Pfohl open-air auditorium typically features live cannons during the 1812 Overture. Keith Lockhart is musical director.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Wynton Marsalis with The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Bryan Sutton, David Sanborn, and more guest artists and faculty and student groups.
Festival site: Brevard Music Center and nearby venues
Performance times and individual admission fees vary.
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