Fall makes many of us think about cozy sweaters, apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving, and more. This Fall, spend some time enjoying the season at one or more of these music festivals here in North Carolina!
The Festivals
Below I have given the basic information for 12 NC music festivals. For a brief overview of all of these festivals, read the article done by Our State or you can visit the individual sites for in depth information on each of the festivals.
Smoky Mountain Folk Festival
Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center – Lake Junaluska
September 4th & 5th
Open Tent Show 5-6pm: Free
Mainstage Performances 6:30-11pm: $10 in advance or $12 at the door
800.222.4930
smokymountainfolkfestival.com
Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention
3590 NC Highway 268 – Historic Happy Valley
September 4th – 6th
Friday 7pm: Free
Saturday & Sunday 10am: $10
828.758.9448
happyvalleyfiddlers.org
75th National Folk Festival
Downtown Greensboro – Greensboro
September 11th – 13th
Friday 5:45-10:30pm: Free
Saturday Noon-10:30pm: Free
Sunday Noon-6:30pm: Free
336.373.7523
nationalfolkfestival.com
Hopscotch Music Festival
Downtown Raleigh – Raleigh
September 10th-12th
Event times, venues, and wristband prices vary…
hopscotchmusicfest.com
37th International Folk Festival
Fayetteville
September 25th-27th
Friday 7-9pm: Free: 301 Hay Street – The Arts Council Building
Saturday Parade at 10:30am & Festival Noon-6pm: Free
Sunday Noon-6pm: Free
Saturday & Sunday Events at 433 Hay Street – Festival Park
910.323.1776
theartscouncil.com/iff
The Ancient Tones – New Sounds Festival
Vanhoy Campground – 742 Jerico Road – Union Grove
September 25th – 27th
Friday 6pm-2am
Saturday Noon-2am
Sunday times not set
Tickets range from $40-$120
Camping Allowed
ancienttonesfestival.com
AVL Barnaroo
22 Franny’s Farm Road – Leicester
September 26th & 27th
Saturday Music 10:30am-10:30pm
Admission varies $20-$35
Camping Allowed
828.708.5587
frannysfarm.com
Bascom Lamar Lunsford “Minstrel of Appalachia” Festival
Mars Hill University – Mars Hill
October 3rd
Day Festival 10am-4pm: Free
Night Festival 6pm: Adults $10, Children 12 & Under $5
828.689.1571
bascomlunsfordfestival.wordpress.com
Wide Open Bluegrass
Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh
October 2nd & 3rd
Admission starts at $40
wideopenbluegrass.com
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance Fall Festival
1439 Henderson Tanyard Road – Pittsboro
October 8th – 11th
Ticket prices and times vary
Camping allowed
919.542.8142
shakorihillsgrassroots.org
Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)
Black Mountain
October 15th – 18th
Times and ticket prices vary
Camping Allowed
828.686.8742
theleaf.org
American Roots Music & Arts Festival
Walnut Creek Amphitheater – Raleigh
October 17th & 18th
Admission starts at $79
800.745.3000
http://blackbirdmusicgroup.com/american-roots-music-arts-festival/
Planning Ahead, Just A Couple Tips!
Fall weather can be a little unpredictable so whether you are camping or staying indoors for any of these festivals, be sure to check the weather regularly to make sure you are prepared for whatever mother nature may bring. Our family has gone to Shakori Hills for many years and more often than not there has been rain for the weekend of the event. Being prepared truly helps with being able to make the best of these events!
Check the policies on bringing food and drinks into these festivals – there are usually delicious food trucks and vendors at these events but it is also nice to be able to bring some things from home.
Plan on bringing cash with you, sometimes vendors only accept cash or you must pay to park in cash. Some events have ATMs onsite but every once and a while you encounter one that is out of commission and it is no fun not being able to access your money when you need it.
Lisa Skumpija can help with your Pittsboro, Chatham County and greater Raleigh, NC real estate. Whether you are buying or selling a home in Chatham County, NC, Lisa Skumpija is a leading real estate agent and can make it a smooth process!