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.
February 4 - 6 North Carolina Jazz Festival - Wilmington
The N.C. Jazz Festival provides an intimate setting and the opportunity to meet and chat with local and regional jazz artists who play in various combinations together. Concerts by touring bands Thursday night are followed by multiple sets with six- or seven-musician combos on Friday and Saturday nights, and typically a Saturday brunch with a concert and an open jam. The festival is in its 47th year in 2027.
Artists
Thursday: Dominican Jazz Project, Jim Ferris Quartet, NCJF All-Star Preview.
Friday and Saturday: Seven sets of six or seven players with different leaders, including: music director Adrian Cunningham (reeds), Emily Asher (trombone), Herman Burney (bass), Reginald Cyntje (trombone), Brandi Disterheft (bass), Kevin Dorn (drums), Nate Najar (guitar), Ben Polcer (trumpet), Chuck Redd (drums/vibes), Robert Redd (piano), Kenny Rittenhouse (trumpet), Jonathan Russell (violin), Rossano Sportiello (piano), Anita Thomas (reeds), Lucy Yeghiazaryan (voice).
Festival site: Hotel Ballast
7:30 p.m. to midnight each evening; patrons' jazz brunch 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Three-night pass (reserved seats, musical brunch with all-star musicians, name in program): $240.
Friday and Saturday (reserved seats, musical brunch with all-star musicians, name in program): $215.
Daily: $65, students $15, active duty military $25.
The Hotel Ballast special nightly rates for the festival: $144 historic view, $174 riverfront.
February 5 - 6 Appalachian State Old-Time Fiddlers Convention - Boone
The Appalachian State University event features competitions, a luthiers gathering, workshops and presentations. Competitions are typically for adults and youths in guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, string band, dance. The festival, which has previously included a concert and square dance, is student operated and funded. It is in its 18th year in 2026.
Artists
Competitors, square dance led by John Turner.
Competitions include youth and adult mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, string band, dance.
Festival site: Plemmons Student Union, ASU
Square dance 5 to 7 p.m. Friday; competitions begin 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Free admission (registration fee for competitors).
February 12 - 14 Bluegrass First Class - Asheville
The hotel-based festival typically features a main stage, a showcase stage in the hotel lobby, a free gospel show on Sunday morning, rooms set aside for picking and jamming, and a kids' bluegrass workshop and performance for ages 6 and up. Main stage acts generally play afternoon and evening sets. A "quiet wing" of rooms on one floor of the host hotel is set aside for those who need some time in a no-jamming zone. Bluegrass First Class is in its 32nd year in 2027.
Artists
Friday: Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Lonesome River Band, David Parmley, Nick Chandler and Delivered, 501 Central.
Saturday: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Authentic Unlimited, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, 501 Central, Nick Chandler and Delivered, The Emorys.
Sunday: The Emorys.
Festival site: Crowne Plaza Resort
Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday.
Only 900 seats available.
Two-day reserved seats: $220 (plus taxes and fees).
Two-day general admission: $140 (plus taxes and fees).
Friday and Saturday (each): $70 (plus taxes and fees).
February 25 - 27 Carolina Jazz Festival - Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill festival includes public performances by touring bands, artists in residence, faculty and students in addition to workshops and master classes for students. The festival also hosts the North Carolina Regional Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival in conjunction with Jazz at Lincoln Center (click through above for details for high school musicians, band directors, etc.). The Carolina Jazz Festival is in its 50th year in 2027.
Artists
Thursday: UNC Faculty Jazz with trumpeter and Emeritus Director of Jazz Studies Jim Ketch.
Friday: Juan Álamo and Marimjazzia-Afroborinqueños: À Bomba Jazz Suite, featuring Ivan Renta, Carly Maldonado and Ramón Vázquez; UNC Jazz Combos 1,2,3 with special guest TBA; jam session.
Saturday: Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival with guest clinicians TBA; The UNC Jazz Band with Jim Ketch; additional clinics TBA.
Festival site: UNC-Chapel Hill (map); Sharp 9 Gallery in Durham
Afternoon and evening shows; see website (above); Esentially Ellington festival 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Most performances are free and open to the public; there may be a fee at club shows.
Return to the Carolina Music Festivals full-year calendar - home page.
Go to January Music Festivals // Go to March Music Festivals