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 5 - 7 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 46th year in 2026.
Artists
Thursday: Noel Freidline and Maria Howell, The Benny Hill Quartet.
Friday and Saturday: Seven sets of six or seven players with different leaders, including: Ehud Asherie, Herman Burney, Adrian Cunningham, Brandi Disterheft, Kevin Dorn, Chloe Feoranzo, Wycliffe Gordon, Bruce Harris, Nate Najar, Ben Polcer, Chuck Redd, Jonathan Russell, Rossano Sportiello, Dion Tucker, more TBA.
Festival site: Hotel Ballast
7:30 p.m. to midnight each evening.
Three-night pass (reserved seats, musical brunch with all-star musicians, name in program): $239.52.
Friday and Saturday (reserved seats, musical brunch with all-star musicians, name in program): $213.18.
Daily: $64.58, Students $14.84, active duty military $24.80.
The Hotel Ballast offers a special nightly rate for the festival.
February 6 - 7 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.
Festival site: Plemmons Student Union, ASU
Square dance 5 to 7 p.m. Friday; competitions begin 9:30 a.m. Saturday; other activites start 11 a.m. Saturday.
Free admission (registration fee for competitors).
February 13 - 15 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 31st year in 2026.
Artists
Friday: Lonesome River Band, Appalachian Road Show, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Seth Mulder and Midnight Run, 501 Central.
Saturday: Authentic Unlimited, The Grascals, The Malpass Brothers, Olivia Jo, Cotton Pickin Kids, King James Boys.
Sunday: King James Boys.
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 reserved seats available.
Two-day pass: $234.48 reserved seats.
Friday and Saturday (each): $65.
February 26 - 28 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 festival is in its 49th year in 2026.
Artists
Thursday: UNC Faculty Jazz with baritone saxophonist Jason Marshall.
Friday: Rahsaan Barber Quintet, featuring Jeff "Tain" Watts, Nat Reeves, Matt Endahl and Ted Ludwig; UNC Jazz Combos with Jason Marshall, jam session.
Saturday: Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival with Jason Marshall; The UNC Jazz Band; clinics by members of the Rahsaan Barber Quintet.
Festival site: UNC-Chapel Hill (map); Thursday at Sharp 9 Gallery in Durham
Thursday: 7 to 9 p.m.
Friday: UNC Jazz Combos 4 p.m., Rahsaan Barber Quintet 7:30 p.m. jam session at Imbibe 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: Essentially Ellington 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; UNC Jazz Band 4:30 p.m.
Most performances are free and open to the public; there may be a fee at club shows.
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