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 this year's plans are confirmed by festival organizers.
April TBA Earth Day Festival for the Eno - Durham
The Eno River Association, which discontinued its Independence Day weekend festival in 2026 citing July's "increasingly extreme heat and severe weather" plus construction at the festival's venue, is joining Durham Parks and Recreation and Durham Parks Foundation to present the new Earth Day Festival for the Eno with "live entertainment, environmental educational opportunities, information from local community organizations and much more" over two days in April. For decades, the DPR Earth Day Festival has been presenting fun educational information about planet Earth and our place here in Durham and the Festival for the Eno focused on the importance of conserving and protecting the natural, historical and cultural resources of the Eno River Basin. The Festival for the Eno typically presented more than 60 musical acts on four stages plus about 100 art and craft vendors, food and a variety of other entertainment and hands-on activities.
Musical Artists
Festival site: Rock Quarry Park
Details TBA.
April 8 - 10 Phuzz Phest - Winston-Salem
After a 10-year hiatus, Phuzz Phest returned in 2026 to present more than 40 acts spanning rock, folk, jazz, electronica, soul and more at venues across downtown Winston-Salem. All venues are located within .7 miles of one another, so walking and biking to shows were generally feasible, festival organizers said. There were day parties at two venues on Saturday, and a variety of other events scheduled during the week of the festival.
Artists
Festival site: The Millennium Center, The Ramkat, seven additional sites
Earliest doors open 6 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday, 5:45 p.m. Saturday (day party at 11 a.m.).
Three-day pass: $143.77 advance.
April 10 Lucknow Music Festival - Dunn
The festival presented by the Downtown Dunn Development Corporation is to celebrate the deep and diverse musical roots of Harnett County and surrounding areas through music, dance and fellowship while promoting Downtown Dunn as a destination for fun and entertainment. For 2026, organizers expanded the size of the festival's two stages and beer garden.
Artists
Festival site: Behind Stewart Theater
3 to 10 p.m.
General Admission: $22.50.
April 15 - 17 Big Lick Bluegrass Festival - Oakboro
Like several other bluegrass festivals, most bands play afternoon and evening sets. The festival is in its 23rd year in 2027.
Artists
Festival site: Big Lick Festival Park
3 to 10 p.m. Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Three-day pass: $95 before April 1, $110 afterward.
Camping on-site with limited hookups.
April 16 - 18 Strange Fruit Festival - Greensboro
The festival presents shows celbrating jazz and blues of the 1930s to '50s, soul and funk of the '60s and '70s and hip-hop and R&B of the '80s and '90s. For its fifth year in 2026, the festival expanded to three days and presented a "Soul Stroll," with a mix of free and ticketed shows throughout Downtown Greensboro, plus a free slate of shows at LeBauer Park on Saturday. The festival is put on by the Strange Fruit Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to creating opportunities of value to BIPOC musicians, artists, and entertainment professionals. In addition to live music, the festival typically presents a variety of vendors and food trucks.
Artists
Festival site: LeBauer Park (map), The Pyrle, additional venues
Various times Friday and Sunday; 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Three-day VIP Soul Stroll Pass ("premium shows and events," drink specials, "more"): $150 early bird.
April 17 Earth Day Jam - Salisbury
Earth Day Jam is a benefit for the local nonprofit organization Happy Roots, which provides nature-based therapeutic and educational services, such as school and community garden programs in Rowan County. The festival typically presents about a half dozen national and regional touring acts, plus a variety of local acts and school bands on two stages. Visual artists, food and drink vendors and environmental educators will also be on hand, and there will be children's activities.
Artists
Festival site: Bell Tower Green
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Free admission.
April 17 North Carolina 'Cuegrass Festival - Raleigh
The daylong show put on by The Pit restaurant in downtown Raleigh typically presents bluegrass and roots music on two stages, barbecue and a beer tent, vendors, a silent auction of goods from downtown merchants, and kids' activities. Proceeds benefit local children's causes, such as abuse prevention agency SAFEchild and the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 'Cuegrass is in its 17th year in 2027.
Artists
Festival site: Fayetteville Street and E. Hargett Street
Noon to 6 p.m.
Free admission. $25 "Fast Pass" allows holders to "breeze through" food and beverage lines.
April 23 - 25 Tuck Fest - Charlotte
The festival mainly celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions and demos at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, but also offers live music interspersed with other activities Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday. There is also a vendors' village and the complex has several places to eat and drink. Competitions include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddle boarding, obstacle course and adventure racing. The name “Tuck Fest” comes from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located at the center. The festival is in its 14th year in 2027.
Artists
Festival site: U.S. National Whitewater Center
Music starts 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; activities start 10 a.m.
Free attendance.
Race registration: $45 age 10 and older, $35 age 9 and younger; $5 more day of the event.
Parking: $6 daily per standard car, $18 per larger vehicle.
April 24 Beach Fest - Selma
The Farm, a special events venue just off of I95, puts on a day of top-line beach music each spring. There will also be food trucks on site. The festival is in its 14th year in 2027.
Artists
Festival site: The Farm at 95
Gates open 10 a.m., music starts at noon.
$20 through February 15, $36 until April 19, $50 day of show.
Premier parking $24, free parking farther away.
Tent space for 10'x10' or smaller $24-$58 based on site selected.
"Coolers are allowed, but NO glass is allowed anywhere on the property, including parking lots."
April 24 Salty Grass Beach Music Festival - Surf City
The Wilmington sibling bluegrass band Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers presents a free one-day bluegrass festival meant to bring North Carolina's folk music and dance "back into the community as a living tradition, not just nostalgia" and foster the next generation of folk musicians through workshops, crafts, jamming and additional activities for children. The festival, which is in its third year in 2027, was previously presented as Bluegrass in the Grove in Wilmington in June.
Artists
Festival site: Soundside Park
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free admission.
April 29 - May 2 MerleFest - Wilkesboro
MerleFest, one of the country's top music festivals, features about 100 Americana, bluegrass, country, folk and rock acts on about a dozen stages. The weekend also includes a well-regarded songwriters' competition, and there's a kids' stage and play area, a large, quality vendors area, a silent auction and raffle that include some high-value prizes, and a variety of food and drink vendors. The festival honors the late Merle Watson and the Doc Watson family, and is a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College. MerleFest is in its 39th year in 2027. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
Festival site: Wilkes Community College
Gates open 2:30 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. Friday-Sunday; band competition is 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the Plaza Stage.
12 stages; some in tents, two indoors.
Four-Day Watson Stage reserved seat: row 1-35 $325, $345 at gate; row 36-51 $300, $320 at gate.
Several campgrounds are located nearby and are served by continuous bus shuttles, including Rivers Edge and YMCA camping (primitive camping; YMCA provides access to its facilities).
TBA. 2025 Festival for the Eno lineup included The Old Ceremony, Dr. Bacon, Big Daddy Love, Empire Strikes Brass and about 60 more.
TBA. 2026 lineup included Empress Of, Small Black, Wishy and 43 more.
Two-day pass (Friday and Saturday): $110.71 advance.
Thurday, Friday (each): $55.60 advance.
Saturday: $66.62 advance.
VIP add-on to three-day or two-day pass (balcony rail seating at Ramkat on Friday, bag of Krankies Coffee Phuzz Blend, one beverage ticket at Bailey Park, Phuzz swag, more): $55.60.
TBA. 2026 lineup included John Foster, The Tams, SouLe and The SuperBand and three more.
VIP (access to VIP tent, reserved seating): $81.75.
TBA. 2026 lineup included Authentic Unlimited, The Grascals, Lonesome River Band and nine more.
Thursday: $25, ages 12 to 16 $10, younger free.
Friday: $40, ages 12 to 16 $20, younger free.
Saturday: $45, ages 12 to 16 $20, younger free.
No alcoholic beverages.
TBA. 2026 lineup included Africa Unplugged, Natalie Lucas, John P. Kee and 10 more.
TBA. 2026 lineup included Red Panda featuring special guest Datrian Johnson, Ranford Almond, Big Daddy Love plays Mo-grass and 17 more.
TBA. 2026 lineup included The Tan and Sober Gentlemen, The Cody Sisters, Elora Dash and five more.
TBA. 2026 ineup included Shane Smith and the Saints, Kruse Brothers, Caitlin Krisko and the Broadcast and four more.
Timing chip for races: $10.
TBA. 2026 lineup was Band of Oz, The Embers feat. Craig Woolard, Jim Quick and Coastline.
Younger than 6 free.
TBA. 2026 lineup included Mason Via, Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Carolina Connection and six more in addition to the host band.
TBA. 2026 lineup included Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, Molly Tuttle and 80 more.
Four-day covered patio seating (includes snacks and beverages): $525.
Four-day general admission: $245, $265 at gate.
Friday-Sunday general admission: $220, $240 at gate.
Daily: Thursday $90, $105 at gate; Friday, Saturday $105, $120 at gate; Sunday $90, $105 at gate.
Late-Night Jam with Sam Bush and Friends (Friday): $60.
Patron Packages at the Gold ($3,303), Platinum ($3,623) and Club ($6,038) levels for groups of four include Late-Night Jam tickets, access to VIP area seating with complimentary drinks and snacks, meals, reserved seats, side-stage seating, backstage access, on-campus parking, more.
On-campus parking: $130, $225, $275 depending on lot.
On-campus and Orange Parking Lot RVs, four days: $775.
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