Music Festivals in North Carolina

There are music festivals in North Carolina for everyone that cover all genres from rock to EDM and everything in between. If you’re looking for the latest hits in brilliant living color, make tracks for the Old North State. From the hills to the seashore, North Carolina’s a delight for music fans of every genre.

Take your pick from these topnotch music events.

We hope this list of music festivals in North Carolina helps you find the festival experience you are looking for. We are always adding to this list of festivals so be sure to check back from time to time. If there is a music festival we have missed, be sure to send us an email and we will get it added to the list.

Epicenter

The Epicenter Festival revs up the party vibes at the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Rock City Campgrounds at the beginning of May every year.

It’s impossible not to vibe to the hardcore acts that frequent this epic event every year. The line-up includes all the best names in hard rock, metal, and alternative music including Papa Roach, Disturbed, and Metallica.

You can also look forward to an ever-growing selection of stalls offering food and drink as well as upgraded campgrounds next year.

State Bluegrass Music Festival

Do you prefer your tunes a little more toned down? Head to this celebration of funky country music at the Tom Johnson Camping Center in Marion during August.

This one-day event provides plenty of opportunities to tap your feet to the banjo beats as well as indulge in some yummy local eats and drinks between sets at this epic 3-day celebration.

Shakori Hills

The Shakori Hills are alive with the sound of jam band, world, bluegrass, Americana, and reggae music during the spring and fall every year.

The festival’s held at the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center and offers the opportunity to camp onsite while you soak up the vibe of this popular event.

At this festival, rain is part of the package, so arrive prepared. The heavens have opened for at least one day of these four-day events every year. Consider it a learning curve. After all, what’s a festival without some mud-slinging fun?

MerleFest

Touted as ‘traditional plus’ music, MerleFest celebrates everything great about local Appalachian music, like bluegrass, with a healthy dose of Americana, blues, rock, and country thrown in for good measure.

This premier event takes place at Wilesboro’s Wiles Community College and has held mass appeal since it was first held in 1988. There are 13 stages to choose from during this four-day event held in September every year.

The event’s dedicated to Eddy Merle Watson, and it’s also a fundraiser for the WCC foundation as well as other local educational projects so you can do good while you’re having a good time too.

Hopscotch Music Festival

This is another big one held in downtown Raleigh every September. Featuring over 120 bands, Hopscotch’s claim to fame is its fans-first atmosphere and unique lineup of artists from every imaginable genre.

The festival takes over every possible venue in town during its 3-day stint, so you’re bound to find a venue and a sound that twangs at your heartstrings.

Hopscotch makes the list of don’t miss American events every year, so if you only attend one festival this year, make it this one.

We have compiled this comprehensive list of music festivals in North Carolina, if there are any that we’ve missed that you would like us to add please contact us.