Carolina Music Festivals is a comprehensive calendar and guide to multi-act, daylong or multiple-day music shows in North Carolina.
August 1 Island in the Mountains Fest - Marshall
The birthday bash for Jerry Garcia (August 1, 1942 – August 9, 1995) begun in 2011 includes music, craft and local food vendors, and activities for the kids.
Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included The Tony Rice Unit, Bobby Hicks, New Riders of the Purple Sage featuring Donna Jean Godchaux, Phuncle Sam and four more.
Festival site: Blannahassett Island
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Noon to midnight; gates open 10 a.m.
$40 before July 1, $50 afterward; $99 VIP ticket includes one ticket, campsite and a T-shirt. Limited onsite camping $60 (up to four people). |
August 2 - 4 PreddyFest Bluegrass Festival - Franklinton
What was originally a weekend get-together of friends and pickers has evolved into a three-day family event on the Tar River. The festival moved from June to August in 2011.
Artists
James King, Al Batten & Bluegrass Reunion, Samantha Casey with Roby Huffman, Malpass Brothers, Sourwood Mountain, The Hager's Mountain Boys, Rye Mountain Boys, more TBA.
Festival site: Green Hill Road
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5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, 2 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. Bands play two sets each day.
Three-day pass: $50 before May 29, $60 at gate; Thursday $20; Friday $25; Saturday $25. Camping is included with a ticket. Hot showers are available, but no hookups. |
August 2 - 4 Mountain Dance and Folk Festival - Asheville
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.
Artists
TBA in July. 2011 lineup included Ed Herron, Grey Eagle, Runners of the Green Laurel, Laura Boosinger, Flora McDonald Gammon, Mike Usher and about 20 more, plus several dance teams.
Festival site: Diana Wortham Theatre
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7 to 10 p.m.
Three-day pass: $54, younger than 13 $24. |
August 10 - 12 Ola Belle Reed Music Festival - Lansing
The three-day celebration named for the acclaimed singer-songwriter presents bands from the Americana, bluegrass, old-time, country and folk traditions. There are also instrumental, songwriting and voice workshops, an outdoor jam tent, a craft market, food court and more.
Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included Ceol Leinn, None of the Above, Whitetop Mountain Band, Mosier Brothers, Wayne Henderson & The Elkville String Band and 10 more.
Festival site: Lansing Creeper Trail Park
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5 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday.
The festival is free; a $5 donation is suggested. Primitive tent camping "near on-site" $10; RVs $25. |
August 11 TRKfest 2011 - Pittsboro
Trekky Records presents some of its favorite artists and a bunch of other activities, like coffee sack races, kids' yoga, cake walks, make-your-own tie-dye shirts, play in sprinklers and "water things," and tours of Piedmont Biofuels, a biodiesel plant and organic farm.
Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included Bowerbirds, Mount Moriah, Midtown Dickens, Hammer No More the Fingers, Embarrassing Fruits and five more.
Festival site: Piedmont Biofuels
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2 to 11:30 p.m.
The festival is free; a $10 donation is suggested. |
August 16 - 18 N.C. State Bluegrass Festival - Marion
Adams and Anderson, LLC of Dahlonega, Georgia, presents several family-oriented bluegrass festivals around the Southeast. The 2010 festival moved from Cherokee and from its original June date. This year's will be the 37th annual edition of the event.
Artists
Thursday: The Grascals, The Boxcars, Larry Stephenson Band, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, The James King Band, The Roys.
Friday: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Charlie Sizemore Band, Goldwing Express, Appalachian Express, Snyder Family Band, A Deeper Shade of Blue.
Saturday: Gene Watson with special guest Rhonda Vincent, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Primitive Quartet, The Little Roy & Lizzie Show, The Crowe Brothers, The Troubaours.
Festival site: Tom Johnson Camping Center Rally Park
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Three-day pass: adults $75, ages 6 to 13 $40 until August 6; adults $85, ages 6 to 13 $45 after.
Daily pass: adults $30 until August 6, $35 after; ages 6 to 13 $15. Ages 5 and younger free with an adult. Campground stay during the festival requires a three-day ticket. |
August 24 - 25 Music on the Mountaintop - Banner Elk
The festival presents an eclectic variety of music, and local food, art and craft vendors while raising money for the cause and research of renewable and alternative energy.
Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included 7 Walkers, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sam Bush, Railroad Earth, Acoustic Syndicate and 18 more.
Festival site: Grandfather Mountain Campground
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11 a.m. to midnight; gates open 3 p.m. Friday.
Three stages.
Two-day pass: $60 and $65. Add $10 to ticket price for camping. Shuttle runs from ASU campus to festival noon to 8 p.m. and midnight to 2 a.m. No alcohol sales; a $5 wristband allows you to consume alcohol you bring. |
August 24 - 25 Fines Creek Bluegrass Jam - Clyde
The Bluegrass Jam is the Fines Creek Community Association's primary fundraiser, helping it to support college scholarships. The family-oriented festival showcases local musical groups and clogging teams on an outdoor stage.
Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included Hazel Creek, The Troubadors, Hominy Valley Boys, Balsam Range, Raymond Fairchild and four more, plus clogging teams.
Festival site: Old Fines Creek School
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5 p.m. to midnight Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Two-day pass: $25 Food concessions will be available. |
Go to September Music Festivals for Labor Day Weekend festivals from August 30 to September 3.
Return to Carolina Music Festivals' home page
Go to September Music Festivals or to July Music Festivals