Carolina Music Festivals is a comprehensive calendar and guide to multi-act, daylong or multiple-day music festivals in North Carolina.
May 1 - 4 Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance - Silk Hope
The semiannual Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance (see October schedule) presents an eclectic mix of music - from rock to jazz and Americana, Cajun and klezmer - on four stages. There are also musicians' competitions, art and craft vendors, food vendors, games, a drum circle, children's activities and more. Donna the Buffalo is the host band. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Donna the Buffalo, Watchhouse, Jupiter and Okwess, Sam Grisman Project and 50+ more.
Festival site: Shakori Hills
4 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
Four-day pass: $129, ages 13-5 $64 until January 10; $148, ages 13-15 $72 until February 22; $160, ages 13-15 $77 until April 30; $180, ages 13-15 $80 at gate.
Thursday: $46 in advance, $52 at gate.
Friday: $58 in advance, $67 at gate.
Saturday: $58 in advance, $67 at gate.
Sunday: $39 in advance, $47 at gate.
Daily ages 13-15: Thursday $24, Friday $31, Saturday $31, Sunday $22.
Younger than 13: free.
$5 discount on daily admission for Chatham County residents, age 60+, military veterans, students, groups of 10+.
Camping (per tent/10x10 space): $41 until January 10, $49 until February 21, $61 until April 30, $73 later.
Vehicle camping: $115 until January 10, $120 until February 21, $140 until April 30, $157 later.
RV camping: $160 until January 10, $170 until February 21, $182 until April 30, $194 later.
More camping info.
May 2 - 3 North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival - Huntersville
The "celebration of music, North Carolina, and its craft brewing traditions" did not happen in 2024 but organizers say they have "plans to return bigger and better than ever in 2025." Previous editions of the festival have presented about a dozen bands on two stages, beer tastings and information about beer making, food, children's activities, and vendors representing local merchants and nonprofit groups.
Artists
TBA. 2023 lineup included Steep Canyon Rangers, Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, 49 Winchester and six more.
Festival site: Historic Rural Hill
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 11:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; beer tastings 12:45 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Friday night jam: $25.
Beer ticket: $49
Saturday music only: $35 (can buy beer)
Designated driver (16 and older): $20
VIP (limited seating front of stage access, private bar with exclusive beer, private bathrooms and a shade tent): $125.
Ages 5 to 12 (younger free): $8.
Open to all ages; wristbands will designate those old enough to drink.
Camping: Multiple prices; see website.
May 2 - 4 Lovin' Life Music Fest - Charlotte
The three-day music festival debuted in 2024 with 50 artists spanning multiple genres and generations on three stages. The festival also presented culinary, cultural, art and "experiential activations."
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Stevie Nicks, Post Malone, Noah Kahan, Maggie Rogers and 46 more.
Festival site: Uptown Charlotte (aka Charlotte Center City)
1 to 11 p.m. daily
Three-day general admission: $219-$269. No seating; standing room only.
Three-day general admission-plus (private GA+ area with cash bars, exclusive food vendors, restrooms): $359-$379. No seating; standing room only.
Main Stage VIP (GA+ amenities and private area at main stage, VIP entrance, private cash bars, and restrooms): $599-$649. No seating; standing room only.
Super VIP (Main Stage VIP amenities and complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, water, soda; curated culinary experiences; indoor air conditioned area with seating; exclusive VIP entrance and posh private restrooms): $999-$1,099.
May 8 - 10 Malpass Brothers Country and Bluegrass Festival - Denton
In addition to five acts each day mostly playing two sets, the weekend includes meet and greets with the bands, camping, food and beverage vendors, shopping and "entertainment that the whole family will enjoy." The weekend starts with an open stage and barbecue chicken plate sales Wednesday evening and includes rides and games for children on Saturday and a church service Sunday morning. The festival debuted in 2023 to replace an event hosted for more than 40 years by bluegrass great Doyle Lawson, who retired from touring in 2021.
Artists
Thursday: The Malpass Brothers, Authenic Unlimited, Gospel Plowboys, Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Seth Mulder and Midnight Run.
Friday: T. Graham Brown, The Malpass Brothers, The Cox Family, Mountain Highway, The Baker Family.
Saturday: The Isaacs, The Malpass Brothers, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, Deeper Shade of Blue, Caroline Owens and New Company.
Nightly after-hours jam session with The Malpass Brothers.
Festival site: Denton Farmpark
Shows start at noon and end about 11 p.m., and include a supper break.
Three-day pass: $90 advance (until April 26), $100 gate.
Two-day pass: $75 advance, $80 gate.
Single day: $45 advance, $50 gate.
Age 15 to 17 half off gate price with paying adult.
Younger than 15 free with paying adult.
Camping: Tents, RVs with no hookups $15. 30-amp sites $35 per night with water and electricity, $45 with sewer; 50-amp sites $50 per night with water and electricity, $55 with sewer. Early RV arrivals $20 per night with hookups, $5 without.
May 8 - 11 LEAF Retreat - Black Mountain
The semiannual LEAF - Lake Eden Arts Festival - embraces world music, new ageism and the outdoors (see October schedule). Typical editions of the LEAF also present a contra dance, a poetry slam and a songwriter competition. The weekend includes a lot of activities, especially for kids, and it's held at a mountain camp well-appointed for weekend festivals. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Cimafunk, Big Richard, Black Opry, Gangstagrass and 20+ more.
Festival site: Camp Rockmont
Tickets are discounted early and prices increase periodically. Prices below are maximums.
Four-day pass with tent camping (three nights): $184 adults, $153 ages 10-17.
Three-day pass with tent camping: $159 adults, $134 ages 10-17.
Community Pass (weekend for local residents): $106 adults, $94 ages 10-17.
Single-day passes (no camping):
Friday or Sunday: $47 adults, $40 ages 10-17.
Saturday: $57 adults, $50 ages 10-17.
Age 9 and younger free; younger than 18 must be with a parent.
Packages for spring and fall festivals also available.
Cabins: Sleeps 9 $305; sleeps 12 $395; lodge room for five $350; lodge bunk $115. Prices are for Friday and Saturday; Thursday add $70 for cabin, $45 for bunk.
Car camping: $60; RVs $106.
May 9 - 10 Carolina Indie Fest - Sanford
The free festival presents independent artists performing original music from a variety of genres. There will also be food trucks and local arts and crafts vendors. The festival is in its fifth year in 2025, and a second one is held in September.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Gooseberry Jam, Jive Talk, Newspaper Taxis and seven more.
Festival site: Hugger Mugger Brewing Company
5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Free.
May 10 - 11 Bear Shadow - Highlands
The festival offers a weekend of concerts and other daytime activites, such as guided hikes and yoga classes. There will also be food trucks and beer, wine and other beverage sales. Bear Shadow debuted in 2021.
Artists
TBA. 2024 lineup included Black Pumas, JJ Grey and Mofro, North Mississippi Allstars and five more.
Festival site: Winfield Farm
Gates open 1:30 p.m. Saturday, 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Two-day general admission (complimentary beer, wine and premium non-alcoholic beverages, shuttle from downtown Highlands): $255, $300 when lineup announced.
Daily general admission: $157.50, $175 when lineup announced.
Two-day VIP (general admission amenities plus up-close viewing, VIP bar, small food plates, priority entrance lane, VIP bathrooms): $510, $600 when lineup announced.
Daily VIP: $292.50, $325 when lineup announced.
Two-day platinum (for up to six people, reserved cove with premium stage sight lines, soft seating and blanket; server with complimentary food and beverages; daily complimentary bottle of champagne; "one exclusive elevated food selection each day"; souvenirs; parking pass; more; access to all VIP and GA areas, amenities, shuttle): $6,000.
Younger than 19: Free.
Limited on-site parking $25 per day at Winfield Farm. Free shuttles from Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park and Highlands Community Center, in Highlands start 4 p.m. daily.
The Beaufort Music Festival is on hiatus for 2025 due to construction at its venue and is to return in 2026.
Artists
Festival site: Gallants Point
Gates open 4:30 p.m., music starts 5 p.m. Friday; doors open 11:30 a.m., music starts at noon Saturday.
Admission TBA.
Limited parking onsite is $20. Free shuttle from downtown Beaufort.
May 17 Atlantic Beach Music Festival - Atlantic Beach
The festival is a free day of beach music on the boardwalk at the Circle in Atlantic Beach. Food truck and beer sales benefit the Atlantic Beach Volunteer Fire Department. The town and businesses also offer special events during the week prior to the festival. The festival is in its 11th year in 2025.
Artists
Festival Site: Atlantic Beach Boardwalk
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free admission.
Parking at the Circle: $4 per hour.
May 17 Vet Jam 2025 - Fuquay-Varina
Fainting Goat Brewing Company presented a music festival in 2024 to benefit Military Missions in Action, a local nonprofit that helps veterans. In addition to music, local high school band boosters were to cook and sell food throughout the day and Fainting Goat served drinks and snacks.
Artists
Festival Site: Fainting Goat Brewery
11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
$5 suggested donation.
The Piedmont Blues Preservation Society presented several blues week events in 2024 and said "the next Carolina Blues Festival will be a 40th anniversary blowout scheduled for 2026."
The event sponsored by the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society bills itself as the longest-running blues festival in the Southeastern United States. The format has changed repeatedly in the festival's 35+ years, but craft and food vendors and "full bar service" are typically a part of the festival.
Artists
Festival site: LeBauer Park
Gates open 4 p.m., music 5 p.m.
$30 until March 15, $50.
See photos of LeBauer Park in our profile of Greensboro's North Carolina Folk Festival.
May 17 Durham Blues and Brews Festival - Durham
In addition to bands, the festival features about 20 local craft beers in 12-ounce pours meant to eliminate long lines. Local food trucks are on hand, as well, and the whole thing is a benefit for the Exchange Family Center, which works with families to prevent child abuse and neglect. This is an adults-only event.
Artists
Festival Site: Durham Central Park
5 to 10 p.m.
$55 through February 29, then $65; designated drivers $20.
May 17 - 18 Artsplosure - Raleigh
The Artsplosure street festival draws large crowds for performances by one or two national acts plus several local and regional bands alongside more than 180 juried visual artists and crafters from across the country, food trucks, beer and kids' arts activities. Admission is free.
Artists
Festival Site: Fayetteville Street
11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
May 23 - 24 Gears and Guitars - Winston-Salem
The festival held in conjunction with the Winston-Salem Cycling Classic is three days of shows by country and rock acts. There are typically several food and drink vendors on hand, as well. The festival has previously been held in mid-September and on the first weekend in August.
Artists
Festival site: Bailey Park
Music starts 5:30 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday.
Free.
May 23 - 25 Tony Rice Memorial Day Music Fest - Elon
Organizers at the revived Camp Springs Blue Grass Park, the site of large festivals in the 1970s and sporadically until the late 1990s, first mounted a two-day Memorial Day weekend tribute to Tony Rice in 2023. The campground offers hot showers, concessions, a fishing pond and more. The park has also ressurected its Labor Day Bluegrass Festival, which was first held in 1969.
Artists
Festival Site: Camp Springs Blue Grass Park
3 to 11 p.m. daily.
Three-day pass: $100 early bird, $120.
Primitive camping free with three-day ticket.
May 30 - 31 Good Moon - Durham
Durham electronic pop duo Sylvan Esso presented two days of indie rock and folk acts plus after-parties in a festival that debuted in 2024.
Artists
Festival Site: Durham Bulls Athletic Park (After-parties: PS37)
Gates 5 p.m. daily.
Two-day pass: $139.95.
See our profile of a previous music festival at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
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
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.
May 16 - 17 Beaufort Music Festival - Beaufort
The festival typically presents performances Friday evening and Saturday on side-by-side stages on a large waterside lawn. The festival also usually presents food trucks, "beer activation," kids' activities, other vendors and more. 2024 was the Beaufort Music Festival's 34th year. Click on the photo for more information.
2024 lineup included Futurebirds, Big Something, American Aquarium, Cha Wa and seven more.
Younger than 17 admitted free.
VIP (age 21 and older): TBA.
Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot, The Band of Oz, Jim Quick and Coastline, The I-42 Band, The Mighty Saints of Soul.
No glass containers. No pets.
Free shuttles from free and paid parking at Carteret Community College, DoubleTree by Hilton, Atlantic Beach Town Park 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
TBA. 2024 lineup included 5-Band, Jam Biscuit, 2Digh4 and seven more.
No coolers or outside alcohol.
May 17 Carolina Blues Festival - Greensboro
2023 lineup included Charlie Musselwhite, Sandra Hall featuring The King Bees, Calesta "Callie" Day and four more.
VIP (access to VIP lounge and premium seating): $85.
TBA. 2024 lineup was Johnny Sansone, The Nighthawks, Otis Kings.
"UNLIMITED 12 oz. pours from North Carolina's finest breweries (plus local wine and/or cider)."
TBA. 2024 lineup included Sun Ra Arkestra, Charly Lowery, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, Yasmin Williams and nine more.
Art market opens from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday for patrons with accessibility needs.
TBA. 2024 lineup included Lucero, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, The Fray and five more.
TBA. 2024 lineup included Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Exile, Matt Boswell and the HBB and nine more.
Daily: $40.
TBA. 2024 lineup included Sylvan Esso, Fleet Foxes, Hippo Campus and five more.
Daily: $72.95.
VIP: $349.95 two days, $199.95 daily.
TBA. 2024 lineup included Amanda Platt and the Honeycutters, Toubab Krewe, Darren Nicholson and two more.
Cabins and Dorms: See website.
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