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.
June 4 - 6 Cherokee Bluegrass Festival - Cherokee
A long-running bluegrass festival at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a family-oriented festival held at a campground pavilion. Bands play afternoon and evening sets, though headliners may only play once.
Artists
Thursday: Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Authentic Unlimited, Edgar Loudermilk Band, Larry Efaw and Bluegrass Mountaineers.
Friday: Appalachian Road Show, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Larry Stephenson Band, Retro 78, Nothin' Fancy.
Saturday: Malpass Brothers, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Darren Nicholson Band, Deeper Shade of Blue, Fast Track.
Festival site: Happy Holiday RV Village
Noon to 11 p.m., 10 p.m. Saturday.
Three-day pass: general admission $125 advance, $135 at gate; reserved seats $135 advance, $145 at gate.
Daily pass: general admission $50 advance, $55 at gate.
Younger than 13 free with adult's purchase of ticket.
No alcohol.
June 5 - 6 Bluegrass & Old-Time Fiddlers Convention - Mount Airy
The festival dedicated to old-time and bluegrass music and dance includes competitions, jam sessions and workshops in a family-friendly environment. Winners in 15 solo and band competitions are awarded cash prizes. There's a dance after Saturday's competitions. The festival is in its 54th year in 2026.
Artists
Friday & Saturday: Contestants TBA in old-time and bluegrass bands, and individual bluegrass fiddle, old-time fiddle, bluegrass banjo, old-time banjo (clawhammer), guitar, mandolin, bass fiddle, dobro, dulcimer, autoharp, folk song and dance (adult and youth).
Festival site: Veterans Memorial Park
Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m., youth dance and awards 5:45 p.m., band performances 6 p.m. followed by adult dance.
$10 daily; younger than 7 free with adult.
$20 for contestants ($10 refunded Saturday after performance).
$20 for campers for entire weekend (in addition to camping fee).
Camping: $10 per day, RVs $35 per day with water and electricity.
No alcohol or dogs on site.
June 5 - 7 Ocrafolk Festival - Ocracoke Island
Ocrafolk is presented by Ocracoke Alive, a nonprofit cultural arts organization that presents student and community arts programs on Ocracoke Island. In addition to music on three or four stages and musicians' workshops, the festival presents storytellers, visual arts vendors and other activities. Click on the photo for more information.
Musical Artists
Sweet Megg, the Rev. Robert Jones, Rhonda Robichaux, Jeff Little Trio, Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers, Kathleen Parks Trio, The Foreign Landers, Martin Garrish and the Ocracoke Rockers, Lipbone Redding, Jenny and the Weazels, Molasses Creek, Asher Brinson, Bob and Jeanne Zentz, Aaron Caswell Trio, Brooke and Nick, Uncle Dewey.
Storytellers: Donald Davis, Jasmin Cardenas, Philip Howard.
Also: Jef the Mime, Green Grass Cloggers, Ocracoke Student Ballet Folklorico, Eli Logan (magician), Lanky Lou (stiltwalker), Kevin Devaney (typewritter poet), Poppy (henna tattoos).
Festival site: Berkley Manor
Three-day pass: $120 through April 30, $130 afterward.
Friday: $60 through April 30, $65 afterward.
Saturday: $70 through April 30, $75 afterward.
Friday and Saturday nights (6 to 10 p.m.; each): $25 through April 30, $30 afterward.
Sunday: $50 through April 30, $55 afterward.
Younger than 18 free.
Discounts available for Ocracoke residents, property owners and businesses.
June 6 Carolina Beach Musicfest - Carolina Beach
The show formerly known as the Carolina Beach Music Festival presents a day of classic beach music from well-known groups, plus activities like a shagging contest with cash prizes. The festival, which is in its 40th year in 2026, is known as the longest-running beach music festival in the United States still held on the beach.
Artists
The Tams, Band of Oz, Jim Quick and Coastline.
Festival Site: On beach near Carolina Beach Boardwalk
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$35 advance, $40 at gate.
Younger than 11 free.
Umbrellas and Shibumi shades not permitted. 10x10-foot tent spaces may be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis at phone number at link above.
June 10 - 14 High Country Jazz Festival - Boone
The festival typically presents "anchor events" featuring nationally known artists plus additional shows, lectures, etc., to raise money for local arts and education programs, including jazz studies at Appalachian State University. The festival is in its fifth year in 2026.
Anchor Event Artists
Wednesday: El Arte del Bolero: Miguel Zenon and Luis Perdomo.
Friday: Spyro Gyra.
Saturday: Wycliff Gordon.
Sunday: Emmet Cohen Trio.
Festival site: Appalachian Theatre and additional venues
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday.
Miguel Zenon and Luis Perdomo: $100 (includes pre-concert wine and cheese reception and onstage general admission seats).
Friday, Saturday, Sunday shows: regular reserved seats $85, premium $100.
June 12 - 13 Charlie Poole Music Festival - Wentworth
The Charlie Poole Music Festival honors the legacy of the groundbreaking bandleader Charlie Poole and North Carolina string bands and roots music with more than 20 musicians' competitions in addition to stage shows Friday and Saturday evening. The festival also presents musicians' workshops, local arts and craft vendors, and the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to the headlining artist(s). In 2025, the 100th anniversary of Poole's recordings, the festival presented a daylong symposium on Thursday followed by a special indoor concert focused on North Carolina mill workers. The festival was revived in 2023 for its first edition since 2016, but had been held for more than 20 years prior to the break. See competition categories here, including Grand Champion Banjo Player, which earns a $1,000 cash prize. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Lonesome River Band, Riley Baugus and Cheick Hamala Diabate, John McEuen and the Circle Band, 12 more and contest competitors.
Festival site: Rockingham Community College
Stage shows start 4 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday; competitions begin 4 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Two-day pass: $50.
Daily: $35.
Camping: $20. No water/sewer or electrical hookups. No open campfires, alcohol or tobacco are allowed on campus.
June 12 - 14 Cape Fear Blues Festival - Wilmington
The festival put on by the Cape Fear Blues Society and hosted by The Rusty Nail features local, regional and national acts in a local club and outdoors under a beer tent. There's also a vendors' market and food available. The festival is in its 29th year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Papa Midnight Blues Band, Bobby Messano, BG and The Mojo Hands and three more.
Festival site: The Rusty Nail
8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday: $10.
Saturday: $30.
Sunday: Free.
June 13 Bluegrass in the Grove - Wilmington
The Wilmington family bluegrass band Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers and the Poplar Grove historic house and museum present a one-day bluegrass festival among the former plantation's historic cabins and barns as part of their mission to preserve their shared heritage, including traditional music, dance and community. The website promises food trucks, "libations pavilion" and free water stations on site. The 2026 show is the second Buegrass in the Grove Festival.
Artists
Mason Via, Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers, Carolina Connection, Screamin' Bridge, Travis Watts and Mountain Blessings, Massive Grass, Folkestone Stringband, Pickety Split, Sail Away Ladies.
Festival site: Poplar Grove Plantation
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
$15 until January 1, 2026; $20 afterward, $25 at gate.
Younger than 13 accompanied by an adult admitted free.
June 13 Be More Grateful Festival - Charlotte
Organizers say the Be More Grateful Festival will bring together music by rap and hip-hop acts and DJs with food and culture in a high-energy, feel-good environment that includes food trucks and a vendor marketplace.
Artists
DaBaby, 50 Cent, Boosie Badazz, Webbie, BigXthaPlug, Waka Flocka, Big Boogie, YKNEICE, BunnaB, Trap Dickey, Fetty P. Franklin, Mellow Rackz.
Festival site: Route 29 Pavilion
1 p.m.
General admission: $106.94 (early bird).
General admission-plus (priority entrance, access to area closer to stage): $134.43.
VIP tables for 8: Standard (reserved covered table near stage, expedited entry, dedicated waitress, one "premium bottle") $2,124; Premium (Standard features plus tented covering with wall-mounted fans) $2,653.76.
15-person VIP Party Tent (private covered lounge with wall-mounted fans near stage, expedited entry, dedicated waitress, two "premium bottles," food truck menus and ability to order from lounge): $5,302.49.
June 13 Bluff Mountain Festival - Hot Springs
The free all-acoustic show presents old time music, bluegrass, ballads and more, including cloggers, a silent auction, raffle, and art and food vendors. The festival benefits the Madison County Arts Council and is in its 29th year in 2026.
Artists
TBA. 2025 lineup included Nobody's Darling, White Rock Revival, Sourwood Ridge and 10 more.
Festival site: Hot Springs Resort and Spa
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free.
Campground information here.
June 18 - 20 Willow Oak Park Bluegrass Festival - Roxboro
Bluegrass promoter Mike Wilson and musician Lorraine Jordan partner to carry on the tradition of "family-style" bluegrass festivals. In addition to stage shows, the festival typically presents musicians' workshops, storytelling and a jamming tent. Bands usually play two sets each day they appear. Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road are the festival hosts.
Artists
Thursday: Lonesome River Band, Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Starlett and the Bluegrass Knights, Charlie Oakley and Blazin Grass.
Friday: Authentic Unlimited, Little Roy and Lizzy Show, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Kentucky Just Us, Drive Time.
Saturday: Kody Norris Show, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Dave Atkins Band, Gospel Plowboys.
Festival site: Willow Oak Park
Music starts 1 p.m. Thursday, noon Friday and Saturday after musicians' workshops Friday and Saturday. Bands typically play afternoon and evening sets.
Three-day pass: $100 until June 1, $120 at gate; ages 13 to 16 $45.
Daily: $40.
Age 13-16: $15 per day.
Younger than 13 free with an adult.
Camping: primitive camping $10 per day; parking in camping area $5 per day. Sites with electricity (30 amps) are $25 per day (three-day minimum to reserve). Sites with full hookups ar $50 per day (six-day minumum to reserve).
No alcohol, smoking or pets in the concert area.
June 19 - 21 Boonerang Music and Arts Festival - Boone
The free music and arts festival in downtown Boone presents shows on multiple concert stages, musical and dance performances by international musicians, food, beer, arts, crafts and other vendors, a "vintage market," a kids' zone and additional actvities. The festival also presents free silent disco sessions on Friday and Saturday nights following the days' street festival, and various downtown restaurants and venues will host music and afterparties throughout the weekend. Boonerang is in its fifth year in 2026.
Artists
Fireside Collective, Kaleta and Super Yamba Band, Toubab Krewe, Sam Fribush Organ Trio, The Revelers, Melissa Reeves, Orquesta K'che, Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road, Jacoozy, Supatight, LazyBirds; Hank, Pattie and the Current; Redbud, Magenta Sunshine, Leopard Lounge, Jay Brown, Martha Spencer and the Wonderland Band, Elora Dash, Whitetop Mountain Band, Lua Flora, Marvelous Funkshun, Jeremiah's Revolving Orchestra, Hayley King Trio, RockSteady@8, Denim and Plaid, Junaluska Gospel Choir, Your Friends, Sally Anne Morgan, Woke County Speedway.
Festival site: Downtown Boone
5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Free admission.
June 25 - 28 Dex Fest - Carrboro & Chapel Hill
Dex Fest returns after debuting in 2025 to celebrate the life, music and cultural legacy of influential rockabilly and roots musician Dexter Romweber of Flat Duo Jets and The Dex Romweber Duo with shows at multiple venues by blues, garage, roots and folk rock artists. The weekend starts with a kickoff party on Thursday, includes DJ-hosted after parties following the main show Friday and Saturday nights, and ends with a wrap party on Sunday. Organizers also say to "expect a few surprises and extras."
Artists
Flat Do-Over Jets, David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets), Lenny Kaye and Friends, Pylon Reenactment Society, The Bad Checks, Certain Seas, John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff, The Bos, Michael Rank and Stag, Entrez Vous, NightNight, Ultra Lights, Dallas Tetnus, Hot Brains, The Dynamite Brothers, Ramon and the Holy Smokes, Bill Moore and his Secret Admirers.
Festival site: Cat's Cradle (Map), Local 506, The Cave, Lapin Bleu
Cat's Cradle performances 7 p.m., additional times TBA.
Two nights: $80.89 in advance.
Sustainer (two nights admission, unique Dex Fest poster): $106.64.
Sngle-night tickets will not be available.
June 26 - 27 Lightning Bug Tiny Music & Arts Festival - Spring Creek
Lightning Bug is a small, intentional gathering where music, art and community come together in the Appalachian mountains of rural Madison County, N.C., its organizers say. The days' activities are rooted in listening, connection, and care for the land. Proceeds support inclusive creative work with adult artists who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Artists
Friday: The Powers Ensemble, Thomas Dollbaum.
Saturday: Jake Xerxes Fussell, Bella White, Crescent Choir, Camp Lakey Gap, Zoh Amba, Raimee Sorenson, Frank Hurricane, Tatiana Hargreaves and Sonya Badigian.
Also: Silent disco with DJ Sparky, debut showing of The Paper Flowers proof of concept / movie teaser, Appalachian dance and nature journaling workshops, yoga.
Festival site: Rare Bird Farm
6 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday.
Two-day pass: $60.
Friday: $30.
Saturday: $45.
Ages 6-12 half-price, younger than 6 free with an adult.
Parking: $15 (limited to 100 vehicles; required for all Saturday and two-day attendees, free for vehicles arriving with three or more people).
June 26 - August 2 Brevard Summer Institute & Festival - Brevard
The Brevard Music Center's summer institute for classical music students aged 14 and older presents some 50 concerts throughout its month-long-plus festival, showcasing nationally recognized artists and the center's faculty musicians. Orchestral highlights of the 2026 season include works by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Mahler, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff, Dvořák, Bruckner, Strauss and Ravel alongside contemporary works by living composers in residence. The Independence Day concert at the Whittington-Pfohl open-air auditorium typically features live cannons during the 1812 Overture. The festival also embraces the BMC Presents Series of popular artists, which begins this year with the NC Guitar Celebration with Bryan Sutton and several well-known participating musicians (May 30) and Branford Marsalis with Jazz@Brevard (June 11). Keith Lockhart is the institute's artistic director.
Artists
Yo-Yo Ma (performing Dvořák's Cello Concerto with Lockhart and the Brevard Music Center Orchestra); pianist Garrick Ohlsson (performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2); violinists Gil Shaham, Nancy Zhou, and Amaryn Olmeda; violist Paul
Neubauer; cellist Camille Thomas; baritone Reginald Smith, Jr.; pianist Sophia Liu; pianist Stephen Hough; The Janiec Opera Company (Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, The Falling and the Rising by Zach Redler, Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore, and An Evening of Lerner and Loewe); Imani Winds; Shanghai Quartet; Brevard Sinfonia performing the soundtrack to a showing of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta, resident conductors Ken Lam and Kraig Alan Williams, guest conductors Rune Bergmann, Earl Lee, Anna Rakitina, Shih-Hung Young, and Naomi Woo.
BMC Presents Series: Nathan Chester and the Old Souls Motown Revival, Shannon Whitworth and Woody Platt with Orchestra, The Buena Vista Orchestra, An Evening with Jason Isbell, Bela Fleck's Blue Ridge Banjo Concert, Fiddle Forward with Casey Driessen.
Festival site: Brevard Music Center and nearby venues
Performance times and individual admission fees vary. Season subscriptions and single-show tickets are available.
June 26 - 27 State Annual Singing Convention - Benson
In addition to an amateur gospel singing competition, the festival typically presents one or two national recording acts, winning groups from past conventions, local choirs and additional performances by competition winners. The festival is held the weekend of the fourth Sunday in June each year, and prior to 2026 was a three-day event. The "Benson Sing" is in its 105th year in 2026. Click on the photo for more information.
Artists
Jeff and Shari Easter, Wesley Pritchard and Friends, more TBA, including competitors.
Festival site: Benson Singing Grove
Friday: 7 p.m.
Saturday: singing begins 10 a.m., concert 7 p.m.
Free admission.
Competition categories: Junior, Duet, Trio, Mixed Trio, Quartet, Mixed Quartet, Family, Bluegrass, Choir.
June 27 - August 1 An Appalachian Summer Festival - Boone
An Appalachian Summer Festival is a multi- and inter-disciplinary arts festival presenting and producing programs in music, theater, dance, film and visual arts. The festival also includes the Rosen-Schaffel Competition for Young & Emerging (classical music) Artists, which concludes with a recital. It is in its 42nd year in 2026.
Musical Artists
Punch Brothers, Gladys Knight, The Jayhawks, Rick Springfield, Darren Criss, Straight No Chaser, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Merz Trio, WindSync, Calidore String Quartet, Aaron Diehl.
Festival site: Appalachian State University and nearby venues
Performance times and admission fees vary. Get the schedule here.
June 28 Singing on Grandfather - Linville
Singing on the Mountain began in 1924 as a church picnic, and for nearly a century, the all-day, free festival of gospel singing was held each fourth Sunday of June on Grandfather Mountain. After stops during COVID and following the 2022 festival, it was revived by a local nonprofit foundation as Singing on Grandfather in 2024. There are also food trucks on hand, and the day includes a keynote speaker and a mid-day worship service.
Artists
Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Boone and Church, Patricia Smith, Caldwell Men's Chorus.
Speakers: Edward Graham, the Rev. Michael McKee.
Festival site: MacRae Meadows, Grandfather Mountain
Gates open 10 a.m., benediction at 4 p.m.
Free admission.
No alcohol. No camping on MacRae Meadows. (Grandfather Mountain State Park camping is primitive backpack camping.)
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