Carolina Music Festivals is a comprehensive calendar and guide to multi-act, daylong or multiple-day music festivals in North Carolina.

July 2024 - North Carolina Music Festivals

Dates and other details may be estimated based on last year's festival until confirmed by festival organizers.


Through July 27    Eastern Music Festival - Greensboro and points west
(See the June calendar)

Through July 27    An Appalachian Summer Festival - Boone
(See the June calendar)

Through August 10    Brevard Summer Institute & Festival - Brevard
(See the June calendar)

July 4 & 6    Festival for the Eno - Durham

The Festival for the Eno, the region's premier Independence Day celebration, typically presents more than 60 acts on four stages plus about 100 art and craft vendors, food and a variety of other entertainment and hands-on activities. Musical performers typically include a couple of nationally known Americana or rock acts and regional favorites. Proceeds benefit the Eno River Association and its efforts to preserve land along the river, and the festival has an overall theme of conservation and fostering intelligent use of natural resources. Click on the photo for more info.

Artists
TBA. 2023 lineup included Tift Merritt, Toubab Krewe, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra and 57+ more.

Festival site: West Point on the Eno City Park

Kickoff show 7 p.m., festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Two-day pass: $30 in advance, $35 at gate.
Single-day pass: $18 adults, $11 age 13 to 17; $23 and $11 at gate.
Younger than 13 free.

This is a daytime festival - there is no camping onsite.

Free parking and shuttle buses are available at Durham County Stadium, and are highly recommended.

July 5 - 7    Ocean City Jazz Festival - North Topsail Beach

The annual contemporary jazz festival showcases jazz legends and up-and-coming jazz greats. The festival, which is in its 14th year in 2024, began as a summertime family celebration to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Ocean City community, the first coastal area in North Carolina that allowed African Americans to buy land. The festival inclues a kickoff party on Friday and a silent auction. The stage and seating are under a 60x90-foot pavilion tent, and food trucks sell food, beer, wine, cocktails and other beverages.

Artists
Lao Tizer Band featuring Karen Briggs, Julian Vaughn, Jazmin Ghent, Michael Manson, The John Brown Quintet, Kim Waters, Karen Briggs, Cyrus Chestnut, Willie Murillo.

Festival site: North Topsail Beach

6 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. (gates at 4 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday.

Early bird prices through May 29:
Two-day pass: $160.
Two-day pass and kickoff party: $170.
Daily: $85.
Daily (one day) and kickoff party: $95.
Kickoff party only: $20.
Ticket prices will increase $5 per ticket at the gate.
Younger than 11 free with paying adult.

Free parking and shuttles at North Topsail Beach Public Works Department (3315 Gray Street), all beach accesses and Onslow County Beach Access No. 2 at 2950 Island Drive.

No food or drink may be brought into the festival.

July 6    Smokin' Grass Bluegrass & BBQ Festival - Manteo

Organizers of October's Bluegrass Island Festival present a summer festival dominated by progressive bluegrass and acoustic bands as opposed to more traditional bands presented in the fall. In addition to the music, there will be several food trucks featuring barbecue, as well as several other beverage and merchandise vendors. The festival is in its second year in 2024. See our profile of the October festival at Roanoke Island Festival Park.

Artists
The Lil Smokies, Della Mae, Fireside Collective, Songs From The Road Band.

Festival site: Roanoke Island Festival Park

Gates open at 2 p.m.

Early bird admission: $55.
VIP (parking on site, backstage access): $200.

All non-VIP parking is at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, where a $5 shuttle (all-day pass) is available.

July 19 - 20    Doc and Rosa Lee Watson MusicFest - Sugar Grove

The Doc and Rosa Lee Watson MusicFest will present music on two stages, local food, crafts and the grand opening of the Doc & Merle Watson Folk Art Museum. Proceeds benefit the museum, which is located inside the historic Cove Creek School. The festival expands to two days for 2024.

Artists
The Kruger Brothers, Sister Sadie, David Mayfield Parade, East Nash Grass, Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road, Charles Welch, Rebecca Frazier, Loose Roosters, The Marshall Brown Bluegrass Band, more TBA.

Festival site: Cove Creek School

Says the website: "The festival gates typically open around 9:30 a.m. The day usually ends around 10:30 p.m."

General admission: $30.
Rexerved seats (under tent): $40.
VIP (reserved seat under tent, VIP restrooms, swag): $55.
Youger than 13: free general admission with paying adult.

July 26 - 27    DownEast Music Festival - Rocky Mount

The Southern soul music festival presents local, regional and national recording artists. There's also a vendor pavilion, exclusive VIP areas and more. The Friday show is an indoor concert, and Saturday is outdoors. Proceeds benefit Itsdoable, an organization that helps under-served youths. The festival is in its sixth year in 2024.

Artists
Fat Daddy, Ms. Jody, West Love, Christopher Williams, Big Bub, TK Soul, Sumthin' 4 Tha People, DJ Trucker, George Dickens and the Gospel Disciples, more TBA.

Festival site: Rocky Mount Sports Complex

TBA Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday.

Two-day pass: $90 (until June 12).
Friday: TBA.
Saturday: $55 (until June 28).
Golden VIP (Saturday; early VIP-only entrance, food and non-alcoholic drinks, complimentary drinks at cash bar, souvenirs): $150 (until July 25).
Platinum VIP (Friday meet-and-greet concert and Saturday Golden VIP): $225 (until July 25).

RVs: $75 or $150 for weekend.

July 26 - 27    Hillbilly Jam - Maggie Valley

The festival once known as Hillbilly Woodstock features regional bluegrass, country, Americana and Southern rock bands. It also typically has a car and bike show, craft and food vendors, cornhole games, and appearances by country-themed reality TV stars.

Artists
TBA. 2023 lineup included Joe Lasher and Kaitlyn Baker, Dirty Grass Soul, Saddle Tramp and eight more.

Festival site: Maggie Valley Festival Grounds

10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

$10 daily. Younger than 11 free.

July 26 - 27    Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention - Jefferson

The convention features Friday night concerts, a bluegrass jam camp, and competitions for youth and adult musicians, bands and dancers on Saturday with cash prizes in the adult categories. There's also a luthiers' tent, a crafters' row, barbecue and more. The convention is sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council and is in its 53rd year in 2024. Proceeds benefit the Ashe County JAM program.

Artists
TBA. 2023 lineup included Kelley and the Cowboys, Crooked Road Ramblers, Cabin Creek Boys and one more, plus competitors.

Festival site: Ashe County Park

Campground opens Thursday; jam camp starts 1 p.m. Friday.
Gates open 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Two-day pass: $15.
Daily: $10.
Younger than 12 free with paying adult.

Camping: $10/night (no hookups); $15/night with electricity (limited availability). Camping opens 3 p.m. Thursday.

No alcohol.



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