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 Music Festival TBA - Raleigh
The City of Raleigh said in April 2025 that it had contracted with Live Nation and the organizers of J. Cole's Dreamville Festival to present a springtime music festival similar to Dreamville from 2026 through 2029. The previous festival, which was staged five times, presented acts from Cole's Dreamville label along with other nationally recognized and up-and-coming rap and R&B acts. There were also numerous food and drink vendors (including alcoholic beverages) and visual art meant to celebrate local culture. Proceeds benefitted the Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy and Cole's Dreamville Foundation.
Artists
Festival site: Dorothea Dix Park
TBA. Dreamville's final lineup included J. Cole, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne with Hot Boys and Big Tymers, 21 Savage, Ludacris and 19 more.
Details TBA.
April 2 - 5 Singers and Songbirds Songwriter Festival - Statesville
The festival debuted in 2025 and presented 50 performers in concerts and eight themed “in the round” shows, plus “brunch and bluegrass,” a songwriters’ competition, songwriting workshops, interviews, documentary screenings and more. It is presented by Roots in the Round, a nonprofit committed to growing the local artistic community by bringing artists together on stage and encouraging conversation and storytelling between them to highlight their individual songwriting styles and identities.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included A.P. Rodgers, Andrew Wooten, Barleycove, Bart Lattimore, Ben Balmer and 45 more.
Festival site: Iredell Arts Council, additional venues
First events: 4 p.m. Thursday, 4:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. Sunday.
VIP all access: $90 through February 4, $110.
Friday: $25.
Saturday: $75.
Sunday Morning Documentaries: $5.
Brunch and Bluegrass: $25.
Other shows: $15 each.
April 11 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, the festival's fourth year, organizers plan a smaller footprint and larger stages, an expanded beer garden and an enhanced VIP experience.
Artists
John Foster, Paige King Johnson, Clayton Blackman Band, SouLe and The SuperBand.
Festival site: Behind Stewart Theater
3 to 10 p.m.
General Admission: $22.50.
VIP (access to VIP tent, reserved seating): $81.75.
April 16 - 18 Big Lick Bluegrass Festival - Oakboro
Like several other bluegrass festivals, most bands play afternoon and evening sets. The festival is in its 22nd year in 2026.
Artists
Thursday: Lonesome River Band, Cutter and Cash, The Biscuit Eaters.
Friday: The Grascals, Southern Legacy, Authentic Unlimited, Deeper Shade of Blue, Drive Time.
Saturday: Authentic Unlimited, Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys, The Seldom Scene, Tim Graves and the Farm Hands, Ron's Pickin' Parlor.
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.
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.
Camping on-site with limited hookups.
No alcoholic beverages.
April 17 - 19 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 expands to three days and will present 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 will present vendors and food trucks.
Artists
Friday: Natalie Lucas, Gabby Guitar and TxLips, DJ J Lone.
Saturday: Africa Unplugged, Alter Egos Band, Psycodelics, The NuBeing Collective, Too Phat Brass Brand, Anyah Nancy, Chris Hendrix, SunQueen Kelcey and the Soular Flares.
Sunday: John P. Kee, The Polk Duo.
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.
See photos of LeBauer Park in our profile of the N.C. Folk Festival.
April 18 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
Red Panda featuring special guest Datrian Johnson, Big Daddy Love plays Mo-grass, Florencia and the Feeling, Ranford Almond, Blue Cactus, Groove 8, Big Break, Callista Jade, Courtney Puckett, Crow w/ No Mouth, Daisy and the Dead Pines, The Slings, Random Mother, Outdoor Couch, more TBA.
Festival site: Bell Tower Green
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Free admission.
April 18 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 16th year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Duck, Fancy Gap, Charly Lowry and five more.
Festival site: Fayetteville Street
Noon to 6 p.m.
Free admission. $25 "Fast Pass" allows holders to "breeze through" food and beverage lines.
April 23 - 26 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 38th year in 2026. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, Blackberry Smoke, Molly Tuttle, Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Joy Oladokun, Ketch Secor, Maggie Rose, Sam Bush, The Jerry Douglas Band, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan and The Walls of Time Band, The Castellows, The Creekers, AJ Lee and Blue Summit, The Jack Wharff Band, Sister Sadie, Jake Shimabukuro, Lamont Landers, Hogslop String Band, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Dom Flemons and The Traveling Wildfires, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Fireside Collective, Blue Highway, Jason Scott and The High Heat, Trey Hensley, Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, Liam St. John, Melissa Carper, The Wilder Blue, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, The Band Loula, Broken Compass Bluegrass, Amelia Day, Andy May, B. Townes, Banknotes, Carbon Harry, Carol Rifkin, Carolina Detour, Cathy & Marcy's Old Time Coalition, Charles Welch, Compton and Newberry, Corey Harris, Denim and Plaid, DownRiver Collective, DUG, Eleanor Ellis, Full Steam Bluegrass Band, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Joe Smothers, Ken Crouse, The Knackered Ramblers, Laura Boosinger, Leon Timbo and The Family Band, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Mitch Greenhill and Mitch's Kitchen, Mo-Grass, Myles Gee, Nick Wade, Pete and Joan Wernick, Presley Barker, Reid West, Roy Book Binder, Seth Mulder and Midnight Run, Shelby Means, Smitty and The Jumpstarters, T. Michael Coleman, Tony Williamson, Valley Flower, Wayne Henderson, West Texas Exiles, Wyatt Ellis, Zoe and Cloyd.
Also: The Interactive Theatre of Jef, Flattop, Gravity Check Juggling, more.
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.
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.
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).
On-campus parking: $130, $225, $275 depending on lot.
On-campus and Orange Parking Lot RVs, four days: $775.
April 24 - 26 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 13th year in 2026.
Artists
Friday: The 502s, J and the Causeways.
Saturday: Shane Smith and the Saints, Kruse Brothers, Caitlin Krisko and the Broadcast.
Sunday: Clay Street Unit, Chris Jacobs.
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.
Timing chip for races: $10.
Parking: $6 daily per standard car, $18 per larger vehicle.
April 25 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 13th year in 2026.
Artists
Band of Oz, The Embers feat. Craig Woolard, Jim Quick and Coastline.
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.
Younger than 6 free.
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."
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