You’ve seen the Blue Ridge Outdoors Festy Guide…now here’s 50 more to put on your list.
River Days Spring Fest
May 2-4 Berkley Springs, W.Va.
Roots music, local arts and riverside camping converge at this fest, which takes place at the Sleepy Creek on the Potomac campground. The high-quality music line-up features the Hackensaw Boys, Larry Keel, and many more. sleepycreek.wix.com/campground
Cheat River Festival
May 3 Albright, W.Va.
Celebrate Cheat Fest’s 20th anniversary, a day filled with music, dancing, art, food and fun, all in support of the Cheat River watershed. cheat.org
Aiken Bluegrass Festival
May 9-10 Aiken, S.C.
This two-day celebration of bluegrass, biking, and beer returns to Aiken, featuring pickin’ from Keller Williams and the Travelin’ McCourys, Greensky Bluegrass, and Jeff Austin and the Here and Now. On Saturday, start the day with a family bike ride downtown and during the fest enjoy micro suds from fest sponsor New Belgium Brewing Company. aikenbluegrassfestival.org
Shaky Knees Music Festival
May 9-11 Atlanta, Ga.
After a huge inaugural year, Shaky Knees is back for round two, boasting a top line-up of artists including Spoon, The National, and The Gaslight Anthem. shakykneesfestival.com
North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival
May 10 Huntersville, N.C.
This Saturday in May features some of the region’s best craft brews alongside some foot stompin’ bluegrass and Americana. Sip on a Lonerider or Birdsong while listening to the likes of Greensky Bluegrass and Big Daddy Love. ncbrewsmusic.com
Susquehanna Breakdown
May 10 Scranton, Pa.
Pennsylvania bluegrass crew Cabinet hosts this one-day fest at the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain. Additional acts on the bill include Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Marco Benevento, Melvin Seals and many more. susquehannabreakdown.com
Sweet Life Festival
May 11 Columbia, Md.
This single-day fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion features sets from Lana Del Rey, Foster the People, and Fitz and the Tantrums, as well as great local food. sweetlifefestival.com
Drumstrong Rhythm & Arts Festival
May 16-18 Waxhaw, N.C.
This new fest located just south of Charlotte will deliver an impressive line-up that includes Railroad Earth, The Felice Brothers, Kopecky Family Band, Chatham County Line, Dom Flemon, and Joe Pug. Catch these bands and many more at Misty Meadows Farm. It all supports Drumstrong, a music-based nonprofit raising funds and awareness for cancer-fighting organizations. drumstrong.com
Hangout Music Festival
May 16-18 Gulf Shores, Ala.
A sunny four-day blowout down on the Gulf Shores, Hangout brings together top national artists Jack Johnson, The Killers, the Black Keys, and recently reunited Outkast for another year of fun on the beach. hangoutfest.com
Dr. Ralph Stanley’s Annual Memorial Weekend Bluegrass Festival
May 22-24 Coeburn, Va.
A beautiful setting combined with legendary bluegrass has made Ralph Stanley’s music festival a staple in the area. Still held at his old home place, Stanley will play every day along with some of his favorite artists, including Judy Marshall and Russell Moore. drralphstanleyfestival.com
DelFest
May 22-25 Cumberland, Md.
For the past six years bluegrass legend Del McCoury has crafted a weekend full of foot-stomping bluegrass energy alongside the scenic Potomac River Valley. Nestled in the beautiful Appalachians of Western Maryland, this year’s lineup may be the strongest yet. Along with daily sets from Del and his band, fans will be treated to a highly anticipated performance from Colorado jam favorite The String Cheese Incident, along with Yonder Mountain String Band and Railroad Earth. delfest.com
Papa Joe’s BanjoBQue Music Festival
May 23-24 Evans, Ga.
Dig into a plate of the South’s finest BBQ and dig the sounds of the Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Leftover Salmon, The Whiskey Gentry, and Blue Dogs. banjobque.com
Artspring Festival
May 23-25 Tucker County, W.Va.
This weekend-long celebration of the arts throughout Tucker County will feature live music, theater, fine arts and crafts exhibits, and artisan food and drink. The festivities will be spread throughout the county at various venues in Davis, Thomas, Canaan Valley, and Parsons. artspringwv.com
Long Creek Music Festival
May 23-25 Long Creek, S.C.
Now expanded to three days, this up and coming mountain rager features a stellar line-up of roots music to support the mighty Chattooga River. Taking place at the Chattooga River Resort & Campground, the event will include the sounds of Col. Bruce Hampton, Truth & Salvage Co., and many more. Proceeds benefit American Whitewater and the Chattooga Conservancy. longcreekfest.com
Mountain Sports Festival
May 23-25 Asheville, N.C.
This annual weekend of Olympic-style competition in Asheville features an ultimate Frisbee tournament, dodgeball, and disc golf, among others. Kids even have the opportunity to participate in a duathlon and a bike race. Look for great vendors and live music at Carrier Park. mountainsportsfestival.com
Virginia Mountain Bike Festival
May 23-26 Stokesville, Va.
Celebrating Virginia’s rich mountain biking culture over the course of three epic days in Stokesville, this fest allows you get some great rides in during the day and kick back with a few beers at night. Brave the legendary Southern Traverse or Reddish Knob. mtntouring.com
Spoleto Festival USA
May 23 – June 8 Charleston, S.C.
For 17 days and nights this spring, the Spoleto Festival, recognized as America’s premier performing arts fest, fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with a variety of music, dance, theater, and visual arts. spoletousa.org
Nelsonville Music Festival
May 29 – June 1 Nelsonville, Oh
This festival celebrates its unique, intimate vibe, yet continually brings some of the biggest touring names in indie and Americana. Headliners include The Avett Brothers, Dinosaur Jr., and the Head and the Heart. nelsonvillefest.org
Graves Mountain Festival of Music
May 30 – June 1 Syria, Va.
The foothills of Shenandoah National Park come alive with another great weekend of banjo pickin’ and great accommodations. Hear traditional bluegrass artists like the Steep Canyon Rangers alongside progressive artists like The Duhks. Spend your afternoon horseback riding, hiking, or swimming before the music begins. gravesmountain.com
Briar Patch Music Festival
May 29-31 Damascus, Ga.
Bringing what festival curators call “The Real to the Field,” the Briar Patch Music Festival promises to bring exciting underground Southern jams to this rural farming community. Look for Rollin’ in the Hay and Thomas Wynn and the Believers to round out the weekend. briarpatchpro.com
Blackstock Music Festival
May 30-31 Blackstock, S.C.
Another big bash on the rise, this fest features musical heavyweights like Galactic, Leftover Salmon, Papadosio, Bill Payne, BoomBox, Mason Jennings, Will Hoge, The Revivalists, and Toubab Krewe. blackstockmusicfestival.com
Tour De Fat
May 31 Washington D.C.
This traveling celebration of “beer, bikes and bemusement” features a large bike parade, followed by a series of wild shenanigans that include a bike circus and rodeo. Don’t forget all the great New Belgium beer you’ll be enjoying. The first stop is in D.C. on May 31. newbelgium.com
Beer City Festival
May 31 Asheville, N.C.
Sample beers from more than thirty craft breweries while soaking up some great tunes in downtown Asheville. Music Lineup TBA. beercityfestival.com
Appalachian Uprising
June 5-7 Scottown, OH
Another year of progressive bluegrass and classic favorites occurs at the scenic Eden Valley Farm in Scottown. The Marshall Tucker Band joins The Travelin McCourys, Della Mae, and Larry Keel for a foot-stompin’ Appalachian escapade. appalachianuprising.net
Seedtime on the Cumberland
June 6-7 Whitesburg, Ky.
This annual two-day celebration of Appalachian music, arts, and culture occurs in the tiny, beautiful town of Whitesburg.
Mountain Music Festival
June 6-8 Oak Hill, W.Va.
Access some world-class whitewater and a top-notch trail network in West Virginia’s New River Gorge at this event hosted by ACE Adventure Resort. Beyond the outdoor playtime, this new event will also feature an amazing line-up of roots music that includes Keller Williams, The Wood Brothers, and Larry Keel. mountainmusicfestwv.com
Blue Plum Festival
June 6-8 Johnson City, Tenn.
This three-day fest in downtown Johnson City attracts nearly 80,000 people every year for a weekend of Americana music, art, and great food. blueplum.org
Shenandoah Riverside Festival
June 14-15 Berryville, Va.
Along with donating all festival proceeds to protect the Shenandoah River, this Berryville bash boasts hot pickin’ from Larry Keel and Yarn, along with scenic camping at the Brunswick Family Campground. shenandoahriversidefestival.com
Mad Tea Party Jam
June 19-22 Hedgesville, W.Va.
Now in its third year, the Mad Tea Party Jam brings back familiar jamtronica acts to the “Bavarian Villa” in Hedgesville. Look for sets from Papadosio, The Werks, and Dopapod. appalachianjamwich.com
Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest
June 21-22 Leesburg, Va.
A deep roster of breweries coupled with local music, food, and arts makes this annual Leesburg fest a summer staple in the area. novabrewfest.com
ROMP: Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival
June 26-28 Owensboro, Ky.
This three-day fest aligns seasoned bluegrass veterans Ricky Skaggs and Del McCoury with progressive favorites like Railroad Earth and the Wood Brothers. Benefiting the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, the eclectic lineup is sure to kick up some flatfooting in Yellow Creek Park. rompfest.com
Festival for the Eno
July 4-5 Durham, N.C.
Last year’s event featured over 65 acts on three stages, complete with great food, art, and celebration of the great Eno River & Watershed. Look for another fun weekend this summer in the Triangle. enoriver.org
The Big What Festival
July 4-6 Possum Holler, N.C.
Three huge nights of camping and jams in central North Carolina. Big Something, Toubab Krewe, and Zach Deputy round out an impressive lineup. thebigwhat.com
Artscape
July 18-20 Baltimore, Md.
Over 350,000 people attended Artscape last year, America’s largest free arts festival. Taking place in downtown Baltimore, the fest spans 12 city blocks and features a bevy of exhibits, music, dance, theater and film. artscape.org
Wills Mountain Festival
August 8-10 Bedford, Pa.
This three-day roots fest sits along the scenic Appalachians in Bedford County. Lineup TBA. wmfest.com
Blue Grass Valley Music Festival
August 8-10 Blue Grass, Va.
This up-and-coming fest, set among the remote beauty of Highland County, will feature a great line-up of regional acts including The Hillbilly Gypsies, Sun-dried Opossum, The Halftime String Band, Yankee Dixie, and Hound Dog Hill. [email protected]
Microfestivus
August 9 Roanoke, Va.
Situated at Elmwood Park in the heart of downtown Roanoke, Microfestivus brings nearly 130 beers for your sampling pleasure, along with great music and local food. microfestivus.squaresociety.org
The Peach Music Festival
August 14-17 Scranton, PA
The Allman Brother’s annual fest bears extra importance this year, as Gregg and the boys have announced they will stop touring after 2014. Look for a performance of “Eat a Peach” in its entirety, along with sets from Bob Weir & Ratdog and the Trey Anastasio Band. thepeachmusicfestival.com
Staunton Music Festival
August 15-24 Staunton, Va.
This annual event will feature an extended program of world-class chamber music in a quaint historic town in the Virginia Blue Ridge. stauntonmusicfestival.org
Camp Barefoot
August 21-23 Bartow, W.Va.
Camp Barefoot returns for another year of hot jams and beats at the secluded Camp Hidden Meadows in the Monongahela National Forest. This year’s lineup features Beats Antique, Papadosio, Kyle Hollingsworth of the String Cheese Incident, and Lettuce. campbarefoot.org
Front Porch Fest
August 29-31 Stuart, Va.
Produced by some great friends and family in Patrick County, this relaxed weekend campout sits on the 130 picturesque acres of Spirit Haven Farm. Corey Harris, Jon Stickley Trio and the Former Champions will ring in the sixth year of this fest. frontporchfest.com
Hopscotch Festival
September 4-6 Raleigh, N.C.
With more than 450 bands performing and 60,000 fans attending since 2010, Hopscotch is becoming one of the most renowned celebrations of music on the East Coast. From genre staples to relative newcomers, Hopscotch offers something for everyone. Music featured in 15 venues in downtown Raleigh. hopscotchmusicfest.com
Lockn’
September 4-7 Arrington, VA
Last year’s inaugural fest was a jam fan’s paradise, complete with two massive stages and no overlapping sets. Set on Arrington’s beautiful Oak Ridge Farm, fans can look forward to another round of Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, and sets from Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. locknfestival.com
Mountain Song Festival
September 13-14 Brevard, N.C.
The Steep Canyon Rangers curate another weekend of spectacular bluegrass at the Brevard Music Center’s open-air auditorium. Lineup this year still to be announced. mountainsongfestival.com
Gauley Fest
September 19-20 Summersville, W.Va.
Live music, boat raffles, and an infamous silent auction are just a few highlights at the largest paddle festival in the world. The Gauley Fest has been stirring excitement since 1983 and shows no signs of slowing down. Get ready for some sunshine and maybe a little moonshine. americanwhitewater.org
Watermelon Park Festival
September 25-27 Berryville, Va.
This small Americana gathering in Berryville kicks up some serious dust alongside the scenic Shenandoah River. Sam Bush is already on this year’s lineup. watermelonparkfest.com
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
October 9-12 Silk Hope, N.C.
A bluegrass-Americana paradise set in the Triangle; twice a year Shakori Hills brings a stellar line-up of roots acts together for a long weekend of family-friendly revelry. The fall roster is still TBD, but the spring fest featured Indigo Girls, The Del McCoury Band, and Donna the Buffalo. shakorihillsgrassroots.org
Richmond Folk Festival
October 10-12 Richmond, Va.
Celebrate the rich roots of American culture through music, dance, storytelling and food at this yearly Richmond staple. Lineup and events TBA. richmondfolkfestival.org
Go Outside Festival
October 17-19 Roanoke, Va.
A weekend filled with biking, climbing, slacklining, paddling, and fishing, Roanoke’s Go Outside Fest has become the premier weekend for area outdoor enthusiasts. Festival grounds are located along the Roanoke River at the River’s Edge Sports Complex, and feature local food and craft beer. This year the Lazy Man Dub Band and the Hackensaw Boys will provide the tunes, along with a newly announced Red Bull Film Fest for evening screenings. roanokegofest.com
River Rocks
October TBD Chattanooga, Tenn.
Celebrating the best of Chattanooga, this 10-day fest features mountain biking, trail running, paddling races, hikes, and novice outdoor activities. At night, enjoy great food and music by the river. riverrockschattanooga.com
