Festivals Archives

Alien Festival Returns to AID THE DEVISTATED Small town of Spruce Pine

May 15, 2025. Over a mile long stretch of 200 Artists & Crafters in Downtown Spruce Pine on Oak Avenue Alien Merchandise, Free Music-Music Stage, Area 51 Costume Contest, Children’s Close Encounter Zone-bounce houses/Giant Slides, UFO Laser Tag, Alien Train, S.P.A.C.E Conference (Spruce Pine Alien Speaker Conference: presented by Sky Tribe UFOXPO at the Cross Street Commerce Center, Area 51 small Children’s Area Space activities on Locust St.

May 14, 2025. Blowing Rock, NC — On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Casting Bread will host the 10th Annual Ducky Regatta from 10 AM to 1 PM at 194 Aho Road, Blowing Rock, NC. This family-friendly event celebrates both the spirit of the High Country community and the beauty of the Middle Fork of the New River — flowing just outside Casting Bread’s doors.Festival-goers can look forward to a vibrant morning full of rubber duck races, including exciting kids-only races, bouncy houses, music, fun games, and delicious food served from Casting Bread’s very own Canteen.

May 7, 2025 After serving as a staging ground for Hurricane Helene relief, Banner Elk’s town green gets back to its regular purpose with the return of community events. The first four events to return are the popular Art on the Greene summertime two-day art shows, which take place the following weekends: May 24-25, July 5-6, Aug. 2-3 and Aug. 30-31. Some of the best artwork in the Blue Ridge Mountains can be found as 40 to 60 local and regional artists display their wares on the manicured lawn of the Historic Banner Elk School.

April 30, 2025 FLOYD, VA — A renowned cornerstone of Appalachian culture and music, The Floyd Country Store returns as a marquee partner for FloydFest 25~Aurora, not only as the sponsor of FloydFest’s cherished Porch Stage, but also as a lead for its programming during the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 23 to 27, 2025, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va. Patrons who have still not secured tickets to FloydFest 25~Aurora are encouraged to do so soon, as some non-sold-out ticket types are in short supply.

April 29, 2025 MerleFest, presented by Window World, wrapped up its 37th annual celebration with a romp-roaring tribute to the music and community that folk icon Doc Watson championed throughout his life. Over the course of four vibrant days, nearly one hundred acts ranging from rising stars to seasoned legends graced a dozen stages across the campus of Wilkes Community College, drawing thousands to the rolling hills that canvas the region. Founded in 1988, MerleFest has grown into not only a musical cornerstone of North Carolina but also a vital economic engine for the area, fueling scholarships, capital improvements, and educational programs throughout the community. The 2025 edition continued that legacy, blending genre-defying performances with a deep sense of purpose rooted in place and people.

April 16, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the 2025 Boonerang Music & Arts Festival kicks off with the all-ages, talent show Boone’s Got Talent. The event showcases some of the High Country’s best local performers at the historic Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone. A wide array of acts with a connection to the town will take to the Doc Watson Stage on Thursday, June 19, 2025, starting at 7:30 PM. In collaboration with the Appalachian Theatre and Mountain Home Music, the official Thursday night kick-off event for the 2025 festival features the second annual Boone’s Got Talent showcase after a successful debut in 2024.

April 15, 2025 Wilkesboro, NC – The final countdown is here! In just one week, MerleFest, presented by Window World, will enter its 37th year, inviting music lovers from all backgrounds to enjoy a world-class lineup amidst the beautiful foothills in Wilkesboro, NC. The energy is undeniable as staff and volunteers put the finishing touches on this year’s event. MerleFest veterans and newcomers alike are scouring over stage schedules, downloading the official MerleFest Mobile App, and perfecting their plans for a stellar, jam-packed weekend. Next weekend, April 24-27, begins MerleFest’s 37th festival, and this year’s lineup features a bounty of all-star acts and jams. With headliners like Bonnie Raitt, The Avett Brothers, Watchhouse, and The Steeldrivers.

March 27, 2025 One week before ticket prices increase for FloydFest 25~Aurora, Across-the-Way Productions, Inc. and Blue Cow Arts Foundation, Inc. announce the award-winning festival’s On-the-Rise Competition Class of 2025, a quintessential cornerstone of the FloydFest brand, which fosters emerging talent by giving the next generation of up-and-coming performers a stage, a leg-up and an audience.

March 27, 2025 Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts celebration, An Appalachian Summer presents its 41st season June 28-July 26 with a diverse lineup of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Artists spanning a variety of genres — folk and pop rock, soul and jazz, R&B and Broadway, chamber and classical, dance, film and visual arts — will be featured in multiple venues on the campus of App State. Tickets go on sale to the public Wednesday, April 16 at 10am.Discounts are available for children/students, App State faculty/staff, and local residents for select performances. For more information, visit www.appsummer.org or call the box office at 828-262-4046.

February 26, 2025 At the heart of our purposeful programming, we showcase our love and admiration for the brilliant local music scene by offering patrons a taste of regional talent via the annual ‘Local Love’ lineup. Across-the-Way Productions, Inc. and Blue Cow Arts Foundation, Inc. welcome 14 bands as 2025’s Local Loves — Blue Mule, Christian Quesenberry, Cinémathèque, Empty Bottles, Father Sun, Freak Rangers, GOTE, Jatoba, Kerosene Willy, Leonard Blush & The Camelcals, Mountain Walrus, Ripejive, Solacoustix and The Sugar Hollows — each of which will pepper performances over the five days of FloydFest 25~Aurora, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 23 to 27, 2025, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va.

February 18, 2025 Following being named ‘Best Music Festival’ in Blue Ridge Outdoors’ ‘Best of the Blue Ridge 2025’ just last month, Blue Cow Arts Foundation & Across-the-Way Productions release the initial By-Day Artist Schedule and continue to add to the emerging lineup for FloydFest 25~Aurora, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier, award-winning, summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 23 to 27, 2025, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va.

February 11, 2025. MerleFest, presented by Window World, will return to Wilkes Community College the weekend of April 24-27 for its 2025 event. Known for blending incredible live music with strong community ties, MerleFest continues to hold its title as a can’t miss annual tradition for both area natives and visitors from all over the world. This year’s festival will highlight the 10th Annual Band Competition, where eight talented finalists will compete for the opportunity to perform on MerleFest’s iconic Hillside Stage. The competition performances will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the winner announced at 4:30 p.m.

January 28, 2025. Louisiana-based bands New Orleans Suspects and Tribal Gold are among the acts headlining the 2025 lineup for the Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, taking place June 19-22. The fourth annual street festival and community homecoming features performances on multiple stages throughout downtown Boone. Presented by the Town of Boone and supporting partners, the multi-day event features performances and activities at many downtown locations, arts vending, silent disco, dance stage, vintage clothing market, participatory drum circle, and kids zone — in addition to the array of food, drinks and shopping always available in downtown Boone.

January 14, 2025. Blowing Rock WinterFest, held this year from January 23rd-26th 2025, is bringing even more reasons to step out of hibernation and celebrate! For the first time, this annual celebration of the season will feature an After Dark experience with live music, and stores open late adding a lively new twist to the lineup of activities. Mark your calendars for Friday, January 24th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, and prepare to embark on a memorable evening in the heart of Blowing Rock. This exciting addition invites participants to visit local establishments and enjoy live music from local artists along the way.

January 14, 2025. FLOYD, VA — Writing that “FloydFest has set a standard for thriving independent music festivals by annually bringing a devoted crowd back to a scenic site in southwest Virginia for a carefully curated, eclectic lineup of roots music,” Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine once-again named FloydFest ‘Best Music Festival’ in its ‘Best of the Blue Ridge 2025’ earlier this month. “It’s a big deal to us to win this award again, especially in a region rich in world-class events and creatives,” said Sam Calhoun, FloydFest co-owner and chief operating officer. “Congrats to all of the honorees, and a special shoutout to the myriad Floyd-based businesses who also took home top honors, including Floyd Country Store, Red Rooster, Chateau Morrisette, Hotel Floyd and Buffalo Mountain Ziplines.”

December 4, 2024 MerleFest, presented by Window World, has added I’m With Her, Leftover Salmon, Stephen Wilson Jr., The Steel Wheels, Tami Neilson, Becky Buller, and more to its 2025 lineup. Taking place April 24-27, 2025, on the campus of Wilkes Community College, the annual celebration of founding legend, Doc Watson, will play host to both legendary names and exciting up and comers, including fast-rising honky-tonk starlet Emily Nenni, Colorado-rooted newgrass ensemble The Fretliners, blues-drenched guitar virtuoso Cristina Vane, and dozens of others. View the complete lineup below

November 20, 2024 The Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Appalachian State University at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts from Thursday, March 20, through Saturday, March 22, 2025. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, Nov. 20. Hosted by University Recreation at App State, the festival’s World Tour has been making stops in Boone for 28 years, inspiring audiences with the world’s best films that highlight mountain adventure, culture and the environment.

November 20, 2024 Also announced today, new merchandise for FloydFest 25~Aurora (and prior) is now available on the FloydFest Online Store, including new hoodies, hats, shirts and stickers, with even more on the way soon: https://shop.presspressmerch.com/collections/floydfest. Patrons are encouraged to sign up for FloydFest’s e-blast newsletters and new-and-improved Text Club so they don’t miss a minute of all of the ‘Aurora’ news and announcements that are fit to print:

September 18, 2024 This fall, the streets of Downtown Boone will come alive with music, art, food, and festivities! The Watauga Arts Council, in partnership with the Downtown Boone Development Association, is proud to present the 4th Annual Buskers Fest and the brand-new Boonetoberfest on October 4th and 5th, 2024, for a Boone Fall Fest weekend. Mark your calendars for a weekend packed with vibrant entertainment, local talent, and fun for the whole family. On Friday, October 4th, from 5 PM to 9 PM, the streets of Boone will be filled with artists and performers for Buskers Fest—a unique celebration of the arts where local musicians, magicians, dancers, and visual artists showcase their creativity in unexpected places. From fire dancers to live painting, there’s something to delight everyone!

September 9, 2024 Saturday, October 19 marks the 46th consecutive year that Holy Cross Episcopal Church and the Valle Crucis Conference Center have invited the public to join them in the heart of one of the most ethereal valleys in Western North Carolina for their annual fall festival, the Valle Country Fair. Harvest flavors of Brunswick Stew, Western NC barbecue, homemade apple butter, and hundreds of cakes, pies and breads are served up in this elevation of all things homegrown, handmade and local.

August 30, 2024 Plan your strategy for the 23rd annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival! The event’s free mobile app has dropped, along with the full schedule, and single day passes are on sale now! The three-day event is slated for Sept. 13-15 along State Street, where Tennessee and Virginia meet and the 1927 Bristol Sessions created the “big bang of country music.” Produced by the nonprofit Birthplace of Country Music and presented by Ballad Health, Bristol Rhythm is listed among USA Today’s top 10 music festivals in the country.

August 27, 2024 One of the North Carolina High Country’s most popular, and downright beloved annual events– the Avery County Agricultural and Horticultural (A&H) Fair–will run this year from Wednesday, September 4 through Saturday, September 7 at Heritage Park (Avery County Fairgrounds), located at 661 Vale Road in Newland. The Fair will start at 5:00 p.m. and last until 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4; Thursday, September 5; and Friday, September 6. The Fair will begin at 1:00 p.m. and last until 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 7. Admission at the gate each day/evening/night of the Avery A&H Fair is free. By Tim Gardner

August 16, 2024 Toe River Arts is excited to announce that this year’s Music In the Mountains Folk Festival will be on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Homeplace Beer Company & Hog Hollow Pizza in Burnsville, North Carolina. This year’s festival honoree is local legend, Terry McKinney. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate his many contributions to our local music tradition. Terry McKinney was born in Spruce Pine and grew up in Mitchell and McDowell counties surrounded by traditional mountain music, and he has been singing and playing music most of his life.

August 14, 2024 Lace up your lederhosen and don your dirndl for Sugar Mountain Resort’s 34th annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday & Sunday, October 12 & 13. Take in Sugar’s cool and comfortable mountain temperatures, its beautiful fall foliage, and a weekend full of festival activities from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Be sure to bring the kids because Sugar’s Oktoberfest is yodels-n-yodels of fun for the whole family. Admission, parking, and shuttle service are free of charge.

August 12, 2024 It’s been two weeks since our audiences enjoyed music, dance, theatre, film and visual arts, and we are still reflecting on the incredible talent that graced our stages this year! Classical audiences and bluegrass fans alike came together when Béla Fleck performed with the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra on June 30 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Have you ever heard this performed on the banjo before? Only an artist of Béla Fleck’s caliber could do it with such virtuosity and perfection!

+ More Articles

Alien Festival Returns to AID THE DEVISTATED Small town of Spruce Pine

Casting Bread Presents the 10th Annual Ducky Regatta — A Celebration of Community and Compassion

Bounce Back Continues as Art on the Greene Shows Return to Banner Elk

Latest Updates for FloydFest 25~Aurora Music Festival Taking Place July 23 to 27 in Check, Va

MerleFest Concludes 2025 Festival; NC Governor Josh Stein Makes Special Appearance

4th Annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival Kicks Off with Local Talent Showcase June 19

Next Weekend, April 24-27, Begins MerleFest’s 37th Festival; Tickets Still Available

Ticket Prices Increase April 1; On-the-Rise Competition Class of 2025 Announced for FloydFest 25~Aurora

An Appalachian Summer Announces Lineup for 2025 Season June 28-July 26

‘Local Love’ Lineup, Platinum ABC Partners Announced for FloydFest 25~Aurora – July 23-27

NINE New Acts Join the Lineup for FloydFest 25~Aurora (July 23-27, 2025), More to Come

MerleFest Shares Finalists for the 10th Annual Band Competition, Adds Carolina Detour, Wilder Flower, and More to 2025 Lineup

Music Lineup Announced for Boonerang Music & Arts Festival in June

Exciting Addition to 2025 Blowing Rock WinterFest: WinterFest After Dark!

Seven New Acts Join the Lineup for FloydFest 25~Aurora (July 23-27), With More to Come

MerleFest Has Announced the Full Artist Lineup for its 2025 Festival Taking Place April 24-27

Banff Mountain Film Festival Returns to App State for 28th Year; Tickets Go on Sale Nov. 20

Fourteen New Acts Join the Lineup for FloydFest 25~Aurora (July 23-27, 2025), More to Come

Join Us for the Boone Fall Fest Weekend: Buskers Fest and Boonetoberfest! Oct. 4 and 5

Homegrown Meets Handmade at the Valle Country Fair on Saturday, October 19, 2024

23rd Annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Music Festival Slated for Sept. 13-15

The 2024 Avery County A&H Fair Runs Wednesday, September 4 through Saturday, September 7 at Newland’s Heritage Park

Toe River Arts’s Music In the Mountains Folk Festival in Burnsville is September 1

Don your Dirndl and Lace up Your Lederhosen for Sugar Mountain Resort’s 34th Annual Oktoberfest, October 12 & 13

Take A Look Back at App Summer’s 2024 Broyhill Classic Concert Series Series! Take Our Survey