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.
September 3 - 6 Earl Scruggs Music Festival - Mill Spring
The celebration of the defining bluegrass banjo player features about 30 bluegrass, folk and Americana acts on the main Flint Hill Stage, the Foggy Mountain Stage, and new for 2026, the Louise Scruggs Stage, plus a workshop stage. There will also be food trucks, vendors and children's activities, and the venue is an equestrian stadium and resort well-appointed with restaurants, shops and on-site lodging. In 2025, the festival presented the Battle of the Banjos competition for rising bluegrass, Americana and roots bands and solo acts, which gave the winner two stage show slots during the festival as well as a $500 prize. The festival has previously presented free shows by a few acts on Thursday evening as well as a variety of other free and ticketed activites during the weekend, including free horse jumping demonstrations and trail rides (for a fee). The festival is in its fifth year in 2026 and is a collaboration between the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby and WNCW FM at Isothermal Community College in Rutherfordton. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
Friday: Bela Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart, The Earls Of Leicester with Jerry Douglas, Alison Brown Quintet, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Della Mae, Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, Magoo, The Foreign Landers, Charly Lowry, Vickie Vaughn Band, Daniel Kimbro, Avas, The Blue Healers, Junior Appalachian Musicians.
Saturday: Greensky Bluegrass, The Del McCoury Band, Alison Brown Quintet, East Nash Grass, Special Consensus, Jacoozy, The Scruggs Sessions ft. Travis Book and Friends, Pickers Anonymous, The Foxhounds, Murphy Campbell, Carolina Detour, Nick and Brew, Junior Appalachian Musicians.
Sunday: The Avett Brothers, Mountain Grass Unit, Lindsay Lou, Rissi Palmer, John Cowan Trio, Luke Bulla, Lonesome River Band, Telegrass, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Andy Falco and Travis Book Play Jerry Garcia, The Biscuit Eaters, The Carolina Bluegrass Band, Junior Appalachian Musicians, The Battle Of The Banjos Competition Winner.
Festival site: Tryon International Equestrian Center
Gates open 8 a.m. daily.
Check in for onsite lodging 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday, with activities onsite 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
General Admission (floor of arena): weekend $150.82; 2026 daily ticket prices TBA.
Grandstand (covered seating, access to indoor concessions and restrooms, and second floor WNC makers market): three-day $268.16, 2026 daily ticket prices TBA.
Scruggs Club (three days, covered seating, VIP viewing areas near main stage, food service with tables and staff on the third floor of International Arena, four craft beer and wine drink tickets per day, acces to WNC makers market): $434.86.
See Additional Admission Packages.
Younger than 12 free general admission with paying adult. Younger than 3 free with adult paying other admission, i.e., Grandstand, etc.
Onsite lodging, including cabins, an upscale hotel, an inn, RV and trailer sites with full hookups, and dry (primitive) RV and tent camping.
September 3 - 6 Camp Springs Labor Day Bluegrass Festival - Elon
Organizers at the revived Camp Springs Blue Grass Park, the site of large festivals in the 1970s and sporadically until the late 1990s, have ressurected its Labor Day Bluegrass Festival, which was first held in 1969. Several acts play afternoon and evening sets, and the campground offers hot showers, concessions, a fishing pond and more. The festival concludes with a Sunday morning church service. The park also presents a Memorial Day weekend tribute to Tony Rice. The Labor Day festival is in its eighth year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Dailey and Vincent, Lonesome River Band, Carson Peters and Iron Mountain and 10 more.
Festival Site: Camp Springs Blue Grass Park
Music starts 1 p.m. daily.
Three-day pass: $100 advance, $120
Thursday: $30.
Friday: $45.
Saturday: $50.
Primitive camping free with three-day ticket.
September 3 - 6 Wild Goose Festival - Harmony
The Wild Goose Festival describes itself as "a transformational community grounded in faith-inspired social justice." In addition to music from multiple musical genres on multiple stages, the festival presents talks by authors and activists focused on social justice and progressive Christian spirituality.
Artists
TBA. 2025 musical lineup included Emily Musolino, Eli Yacinthe, Paula Rainey Benson, Gone Native and several more.
Festival Site: Van Hoy Farms Campground
Gates open 8 a.m. daily.
Weekend pass: $239 until January 5, $269 until first day of spring, $299 until first day of summer; $349 afterward.
Senior (65+) weekend pass: $199.
Student weekend pass: $149.
Youth (12 to 17 years old) weekend pass: $89.
Younger than 12 free.
Weekend parking: $30.
Camping fees TBA.
September 5 - 6 ProgDay - Chapel Hill
The intimate festival of progressive rock music typically features artists from around the world and often affiliates with local prog rock club shows and/or films in addition to the weekend's daytime shows. The festival is in its 31st year in 2026. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Corima, Inner Ear Brigade, Edensong, and five more.
Festival site: Storybook Farm
Music starts 10:15 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Two-day pass: $125 in advance, $140 day of show; $65 ages 16 to 18 and students.
Daily: $80, $40 ages 16 to 18 and students.
Younger than 16: Free.
Patron Pass (parking adjacent to pavilion/stage area): $160.
Friday pre-show: $8 in advance, $10 at door.
No overnight camping.
September 5 - 6 John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival - High Point
The Labor Day weekend festival is sponsored by The Friends of John Coltrane, which works to preserve and celebrate the life and music of John Coltrane and to enrich the lives of others through the introduction of jazz and other musical genres. The festival is in its 15th year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Stanley Clarke, The Baylor Project, Snarky Puppy and nine more.
Festival site: Oak Hollow Festival Park
3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, 3 to 11:15 p.m. Sunday.
Two-day pass: $149; military $119, students $45.
Daily: $89, miltary $74, students $30.
VIP (reserved up-front seats, parking, special entrance, a drink and a meal each day): two-day $299, daily $189.
Super VIP (reserved Row 1-7 seats, parking, special entrance, a drink and a meal each day, commemorative lanyard): two-day $369, daily $229.
Parking: $20.
No coolers or any outside food and drinks (other than water) allowed.
September 6 New River Blues Festival - Grassy Creek
This Sunday afternoon in the mountains features acclaimed artists performing in a picturesque setting on the banks of the New River. The King Bees are the festival hosts. The festival is in its 24th year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included King Bees, Mojo Ike and Lady Val, Johnnie Marshall and two more.
Festival site: River House Inn
1 to 6 p.m.; gates open at 12:30 p.m.
$45 advance, $50.
Food, beer and wine will be on sale; no coolers allowed "on lawn."
No camping onsite; camping nearby at New River State Park.
September 10 - 12 Hopscotch - Raleigh
Hopscotch presents about 100 national and international bands from rock, hip-hop, alt-country, heavy metal, dance, punk, noise, drone, folk and more at City Plaza and Moore Square downtown and at several clubs. The festival also presents shows by nationally recognized comedians, several bands at free-admission "day parties" at multiple venues around town, plus Skate Raleigh's pop-up skatepark. Hopscotch is in its 16th year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included My Morning Jacket, Sparks, Earl Sweatshirt and dozens more.
Festival sites: City Plaza, Moore Square, Lincoln Theatre, Kings, The Pour House, Neptunes, Slim's, more
Moore Square gates open 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday. City Plaza gates opens 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Other venue times vary. See the schedule.
Ticket prices rise periodically as unspecified quantities sell out. Hopscotch does not sell single-day passes.
Three-day pass: $125, $160.39, $199.45.
Three-day VIP and Club Fast Pass (priority access all shows, VIP parties, Hopscotch merch, Oak Lounge at City Plaza and Moore Square): $290, $340.24, $397.89.
Day party shows are free.
September 11 - 12 Mountain Song Festival - Brevard
The Steep Canyon Rangers host a weekend at the Brevard Music Center's open-air amphitheater. There are 1,800 permanent seats under the covered section and ample lawn seating on both sides of the venue. The festival is in its 20th year in 2026. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, Peter Rowan, Darrell Scott and four more.
Festival site: Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, Brevard Music Center
Gates open 3 p.m., music starts 5:30 p.m. Friday; gates noon and music 2 p.m. Saturday.
Two-day pass: $112 amphitheater, $92 lawn.
Friday: advance $56 amphitheater, $46 lawn; day of $62 and $52.
Saturday: $67 amphitheater, $57 lawn; day of $72 and $62.
All tickets general admission seating; children younger than 10 free on lawn or on lap of paying adult in amphitheater.
Camping nearby at Davidson River Campground and elsewhere in the Pisgah National Forest.
September 11 - 12 Blue Bear Music Fest - Todd
The campground-based show features side-by-side stages on a 155-acre mountaintop site. Admission includes two days of live music, two nights of camping, "nightly free beer truck," weekend parking and local vendors. Previously, attendance has been limited to 500 people.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included David Childers and The Serpents and five more.
Festival site: Blue Bear Mountain Campground
Ticket prices TBA (includes camping and parking). Website says phone (828) 406-4226 for tickets; no online orders.
September 12 Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival - Mocksville
Proceeds from the day benefit the CBC Scholarship Fund and the CBC Development Fund. The Carolina Bible Camp and Retreat Center hosts summer camps for youths from across the Southeast. The bluegrass festival, which is in its 14th year in 2026, also features sales of pulled pork, barbecue chicken and a variety of side dishes.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Sammy Shelor and the Lonesome River Band, Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road, Tim White and Troublesome Hollow and two more.
Festival site: Carolina Bible Camp
10:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
$20 in advance, $25 at gate.
Younger than 12 free.
RV camping with full hookups, $50 per night (Friday and Saturday).
No alcohol, no coolers, no pets.
September 12 Mira Music Fest - Pinehurst
The festival presents acts on indoor and outdoor stages, taco trucks, tequila tastings, vendors and a kids' play zone. The festival is a benefit for the Mira Foundation USA, which provides guide dogs at no charge to visually impaired American children ages 11-16.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Tumbao!, Task Force Rock, One Shot Left and 10 more.
Festival site: The Fair Barn
Gates open 11:15 a.m., shows from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
$15 until August 31, $20 advance, $25 at gate.
Younger than 13 free with a paying adult.
Preferred parking (limited availability): $50.
September 17 - 19 Hoppin' John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention - Pittsboro
Shakori Hills presents concerts, musician showcases, square dances, and competitions that award cash prizes in Old Time String Band, Bluegrass Band, Non-Traditional Band, Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Bass, Folk Song, Song Duets, Instrument Duo, Youth Diddle, Youth Other Instrument, Dance Youth and Dance categories. There are also musicians' and dance workshops, a hoppin' john cookoff, hay rides, cake walks, musical crafts and arts and crafts, musical instrument and food vendors. The festival primarily takes place on the Grove Stage and in the Dance Tent (see our Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance page). The festival is in its 19th year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Richie and Rosie, Cedric Watson, Earl White and 15 more, plus competitors and clogging teams.
Festival site: Shakori Hills
7 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday.
Three-day pass: $30 advance; at gate TBA; competitors receive $10 refund.
Thursday: free.
Daily: $21.40 advance; at gate TBA.
Camping: car and tent $25, RVs $30. 110V electrical outlet access $25.
September 18 - 20 North Carolina Folk Festival - Greensboro
The free North Carolina Folk Festival presents about 40 bands on five stages at various sites in downtown Greensboro. In 2025, the festival presented "headlining performances" each day, a North Carolina artists' stage, a family area, an expanded makers' marketplace, food trucks and a pre- and post-party. Its Not Your Average Folk contest seeks "next-gen artistry and boundary-pushing performance" and awards the winner an appearance at the Folk Festival and a recording session. The N.C. Folk Festival replaced the National Folk Festival in 2018 after it had been held in Greensboro from 2015-'17. Click on the photo for more information.
Musical Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Arrested Development, Dustbowl Revival, Oh He Dead and 30+ more.
Festival site: Downtown Greensboro
5 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday.
Free admission.
VIP admission (air conditioned VIP lounge; shaded or tented seating at all stages; free limited beer selection starting at 4:30 p.m. each day; cocktails on Friday and Saturday evenings after 5 p.m.; complimentary water, non-alcoholic drinks and grab-and-go snacks; convenient parking; flush-toilet bathrooms; more):
Three-day VIP pass: $275 until first 30 are sold; $325 until July 21; $375 after July 21.
Friday VIP: $100.
Saturday VIP: $200.
Sunday VIP: $150.
September 19 Wilson Jazz Festival - Wilson
The Wilson Jazz Festival offers a day and evening of free performances at several downtown locations alongside a ticketed main stage show at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park. There's also a Second Line March, which anyone with an instrument may join after the main stage shows, and for 2025, the festival introduced an all-day Jazz Jam Tent, where festival-goers could play alongside featured performers. The Wilson Jazz Festival is in its fourth year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Sidecar Social Club, Peter Lamb and the Wolves, Fatmouth and six more.
Festival site: Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and nearby venues
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Whirligig Park Stage shows: $30 in advance, $35 at gate. Other shows are free.
"Friend of the Festival" packages (with tickets, name on website, souvenirs): $125, $250 and $500.
September 19 Uwharrie Music Fest - Albemarle
The festival presents a day of country and country rock by local artists, plus food trucks, local wines, craft beers, vendors and axe throwing and other outdoor games. The festival is in its third year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Tony Logue and 184, Pressley Laton Band, Cheslie Blackwelder Band and two more.
Festival site: Uwharrie Vineyards & Winery
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
General admission: $36.38.
VIP (access to indoor wine room and lounge, specialty bar drinks, "tableside VIP service," outdoor patio, indoor restrooms): $73.83.
Free admission for younger than 16.
Must be 18 or older to buy tickets. Younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.
September 19 Creedmoor Music Festival - Creedmoor
The street festival presents music from local and regional artists, sometimes including school choirs and marching bands, on two stages. There's also a car show, more than 100 food and craft vendors, craft beer and wine, and free children's activities. It is in its 33rd year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included The Phoebes, Take 10 Band, The Fandinos and four more.
Festival site: Main Street
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; car show starts at 8 a.m.
Free.
September 19 Groove Jam Music Festival - Greensboro
This annual event is a fundraiser and food drive for Greensboro Urban Ministry, a local food bank and homeless shelter. In addition to hosts Rich Lerner and the Groove plus several other Greensboro area bands, there will be a variety of vendors, food trucks and games. The festival is in its 15th year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Rich Lerner and the Groove, The Mighty Fairlanes, Greensbrothers and nine more.
Festival site: DooDad Farm
2 to 11 p.m.
Suggested donation of at least $15 plus nonperishable food items for local food bank.
Younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
September 23 - 26 Antlers & Acorns: The Boone Songwriters Festival - Boone
The festival presents singer/songwriters in bars, restaurants, cafes and theaters throughout the mountain college town. In addition to afternoon and evening theater concerts, "Songwriters in the Wild" appear at multiple bars and restaurants over the course of the weekend. Organizers also promise good food, great drinks and lots of interaction with the songwriters and musicians. The festival is in its fifth year in 2026.
Artists
Wednesday: TBA.
Thursday: Hayes Carl, more TBA.
Friday: Kim Richey, John Moreland, more TBA.
Saturday: James McMurtry and Band, Betty Soo, Beth Nielsen Chapman, more TBA.
Festival sites: Appalachian Theatre and other venues.
Show times and prices vary.
VIP tickets (preferred seating at all Appalachian Theatre shows, first dibbs on VIP-only shows by Kim Richey and Beth Nielsen Chapman): $375.
September 25 - 26 Breakaway Carolina - Concord
Breakaway Festivals, a multi-city festival of hip-hop, electronica and dance music, brings it show to Charlotte Motor Speedway. There are also vendors serving food all day, as well as "plenty of bars" serving nonalcoholic beverages in addition to beer and liquor.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included John Summit, Kaytranada, Eli Brown, Louis the Child and 20 more.
Festival site: zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway
3 to 11 p.m.
Ticket prices rise as tiers with limited numbers available sell out. 2026 prices below.
Two-day pass: $158.99 early bird.
VIP (express entry lane, private bar and restrooms, lounge, commemorative laminate, exclusive merch tent): $279 early bird.
Two-day Space Deck Terrace (21 and older, SRO, dedicated entrance, private bar and restrooms, access to VIP and general admission areas): $329 early bird.
Ultra VIP (everything listed with VIP plus complementary drinks and merchandise, unlimited water, special stage viewing areas, guest lounge, private entance): $899 early bird.
See website for daily admission and additional ticket options.
Parking (two days): $68.32, VIP $92.57.
September 25 - 26 Carolina Indie Fest - Sanford
The free festival presents independent artists performing original music from a variety of genres. There will also be food trucks and local arts and crafts vendors. The festival is in its sixth year in 2026, and is also held in May. The September 2025 festival was cancelled due to bad weather.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup was to be Pablo Atlas Band, Pageant, Corey Stevenson and seven more.
Festival site: Hugger Mugger Brewing Company
Music starts 5 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday.
Free admission.
September 25 - 27 Black Mountain Blues Festival - Black Mountain
The three-day festival presents an eclectic lineup of blues artists at multiple indoor and outdoor venues in the tourism district of Black Mountain. It also offers workshops, blues-related films and talks and family-friendly activities focused on "the unique blues culture and hospitality of Black Mountain." The festival is in its third year in 2026. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Robert Randolph, Nik West, Eric Gales and 33 more.
Festival site: Downtown Black Mountain
Show times vary.
Three-day pass: $108 early bird, $120.
Friday: $74.77.
Saturday: $93.66.
Sunday: $46.37.
VIP (early access to shows and VIP lounge; exclusives at participating restaurants, hotels and other businesses; free parking; swag): $250 early bird, $330.
Youger than 10 admitted for free.
September 26 - 27 Carrboro Music Festival - Carrboro
The festival presents about 100 acts from around the Triangle in all sorts of genres at about 20 indoor and outdoor venues all day and into the night on Sunday. There's also an open mic at Town Commons Saturday afternoon and a Saturday night kickoff show at the Cat's Cradle Back Room. And it's all free. The festival is in its 29th year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Boom Unit Brass Band, Coyote vs. Acme, Onyx Club Boys, Too Much Fun, Tre. Charles and dozens more.
Festival site: Downtown Carrboro
Saturday open mic at Town Commons 2 to 4 p.m., kickoff show at Cat's Cradle TBA (previously at 8 p.m.). Sunday shows TBA (previously started at 1 p.m.).
Free.
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