Enjoy the Rhythm and Colors of Fall Music Festivals in North Carolina

Whether your taste in music is rock, R&B, bluegrass, hip-hop, metal or somewhere in between, there’s a music festival in North Carolina that will have you dancing in the streets this fall. Any of these events will make for the highlight of a great weekend getaway.

September

1 Fork Fest

photo credit: Nelson Stegall Photography

1 Fork Fest

Aug. 31 - Sept. 1, 2024; McAdenville and CramertonSee on map

A floating concert – need we say more? Though Fork Fest is two days full of live music, food trucks, kids' activities and vendors, the highlight is the concert that begins in McAdenville on Saturday evening and floats down the South Fork River to Cramerton over a 1.5-hour span. You're free to bring your own canoe or kayak to float with the band, or you can rent one onsite.

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2 Hopscotch Music Fest

2 Hopscotch Music Fest

Sept. 5-7, 2024; RaleighSee on map

This annual festival has been called “America’s (Secretly) Best Festival” and “the premier experimental and underground festival in America.” More than 100 bands perform over three days, making it one of North Carolina’s largest annual music festivals.

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3 Mountain Song Festival

3 Mountain Song Festival

Sept. 6-7, 2024; BrevardSee on map

Held at Brevard Music Center’s Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, artists for this family-friendly music event include Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Zach Top, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, and Steep Canyon Rangers. In addition to the mountain music, there's plenty of food, local artists, children’s activities and nature interests. Proceeds benefit the local Boys and Girls Club.

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4 North Carolina Folk Festival

4 North Carolina Folk Festival

Sept. 6-8, 2024; GreensboroSee on map

The National Folk Festival’s successful three-year run in Greensboro led to the creation of the North Carolina Folk Festival. You can expect traditional performers and craftspeople, several stages of continuous music and dance, regional foods and family fun. Admission is free.

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5 IBMA World of Bluegrass

Instagram: @raleighconvention

5 IBMA World of Bluegrass

Sept. 24-28, 2024; RaleighSee on map

The International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass annual convention, awards show and fan festival will end its decade-plus run in Raleigh in 2024. The free two-day World of Bluegrass festival features traditional and acoustic music on eight stages, showcasing acts such as Twisted Pine, Balsam Range, Della Mae, The Infamous Stringdusters and many others. Ancillary activities include a business conference, a music expo, workshops, a film festival and a North Carolina whole hog barbecue competition.

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October

6 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival

6 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival

Oct. 4-5, 2024; OrientalSee on map

Celebrating the kind of music played on the porches of this coastal town decades ago – and some of the artists really will play on porches – this free festival features folk, Americana, bluegrass, country, gospel and jazz. You’ll also find arts and crafts, food and additional vendors in the walkable town of Oriental, the Sailing Capital of North Carolina.

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7 Duck Jazz Festival

7 Duck Jazz Festival

Oct. 12-13, 2024; DuckSee on map

This free festival offers two days of live jazz music on the Outer Banks. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from local restaurants, and you’re welcome to bring your own food and coolers as well as chairs, blankets and pets.

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8 Bluegrass Island Music Festival

8 Bluegrass Island Music Festival

Oct. 16-19, 2024; ManteoSee on map

Four days of “good ol' Southern pickin’” in the tradition of music legends, the Bluegrass Island Music Festival at Roanoke Island Festival Park features today’s bluegrass stars including Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, the Steeldrivers and many others. Festival food includes fresh local Outer Banks seafood, barbecue, burgers, sausages and more.

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