You can keep the music going through 2020 with this list of Charlotte music festivals, plus music festivals within 100 miles of the Queen City. You can find festivals that feature folk, jazz, bluegrass, rock, metal and everything in between. Many of these festivals are family friendly. Read on to learn the dates, locations, ticket prices, and lineups for each one, as they become available. All details are subject to change.

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Digital Gardens Music and Arts Festival

April 24-25, 2020
The Shed Amphitheater at the Station House, 4100 Raleigh Street, Charlotte. (Sugar Creek stop on light rail)

Bass music acts, electronic dance music, silent disco, visual artists, vendors.

Tuck Fest

April 24-26, 2020
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte
Free ($6 for parking)

This free three-day festival features more than ten bands. There are also trail races, free yoga classes, bike races, kayak races and more. Lineup includes Lake Street Dive, Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real, ZZ Ward, Jade Bird, Boy Named Banjo, The Suffers, Birdtalker, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seakers, Ona, Oliver Hazard and Neal Francis.

 

 

Boom Charlotte

April 17-19, 2020
Plaza Midwood venues, Charlotte

BOOM is Charlotte’s annual showcase of contemporary and experimental art created on the fringes of popular culture. Tickets to venue shows are $10, but many of the events are free.

 

 

Merlefest

April 23-26, 2020
Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro (86 miles from Charlotte)

This “Traditional Plus” festival features bluegrass, Americana, folk, old-time music, and modern takes on all of the above. Just a few of the artists performing in 2020: Willie Nelson & Family, John Prine, Alison Krauss, Greensky Bluegrass, Melissa Etheridge, Mavis Staples, The Markus King Band and Colin Hay.

River Rocks Music Festival

April 18, 2020
The banks of the Congaree River, next to Founders Park, Columbia, SC (94 miles from Charlotte)

This festival benefits Congaree Riverkeeper’s work to protect and improve water quality, wildlife habitat and recreation on the Congaree. Besides the live music, there will be activities and demonstrations related to the festival’s mission.

Jimmy-June Music and Arts Festival

May 2, 2020
Bicentennial Park, Asheboro (84 miles from Charlotte)

Jimmy-June Music and Arts Festival is a celebration of the music, arts and culture of North Carolina. The lineup includes Town Mountain, Corey Hunt Band, Whiskey Foxtrot, Beau James, and more.

 

10th Annual North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival

May 8-9, 2020
Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville

This annual festival features live music, plus local breweries and cideries. It is a non-profit festival that supports Historic Rural Hill. Bands: Fireside Collective, Acoustic Syndicate, Sol Driven Train, Sierra Ferrell, Big Daddy Love, Jill Andrews, Hayes Carll, and Steep Canyon Rangers.

Epicenter Festival

May 1-3, 2020
Rock City Campgroun ds, Charlotte Motor Speedway

Moving to Charlotte after its first year in Rockingham, this hard-rock/heavy-metal festival features Metallica, Godsmack, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Staind, Disturbed, Deftones, Anthrax and much more.

Carolina Blues Festival

May 16-17, 2020
Lebauer Park, 208 N. Davie Street, Greensboro (92 miles from Charlotte)

The longest-running blues festival in the Southeastern U.S., the Carolina Blues Festival is the signature annual event of the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society. This year the focus is Women of the Blues, and artists include Vanessa Collier, The King Bees, Sandra Hall, Amanda Fish, Ashley Heath and The Ladies Auxiliary,

97th Ole Time Fiddler’s & Bluegrass Festival

May 22-24, 2020
Fiddler’s Grove Campground, 1819 West Memorial Highway, Union Grove, NC (59 miles from Charlotte)

This long-running family-friendly festival takes place on Memorial Day Weekend every year. It focuses on preserving the heritage of traditional music.

Gears and Guitars 

May 22 – 24, 2020
Bailey Park, Winston Salem (75 miles from Charlotte)

This festival features country and rock artists, and is held in conjunction with Winston-Salem Cycling Classic.

Memorial Day Celebration at U.S. Whitewater Center

May 24, 2020
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte
Free ($6 for parking)

This annual features trail races, yoga, and live music, capped off with a fireworks show.

 

FABFEST–Charlotte’s Beatles Festival

June 19-21, 2020
Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon Street (evening concerts)
Spirit Square, 345 N. College Street (daytime activities)

FabFest is a  festival presented by Tosco Music. It includes two evenings of Beatles music being performed by diverse musical artists at Knight Theater as well as a 3-day Beatles festival with daytime activities. The daytime activities include activities like kids’ music and crafts, rare Beatles film footage, vendors, Beatles costume contest and games, art and more.

Groverfest Music Festival

June 12-14, 2020
Fiddler’s Grove, 1819 W. Memorial Hwy, Union Grove

Music, workshops, kid-friendly activities, arts & crafts. 

Charlotte New Music Festival

June 15-27, 2020
Various venues around Charlotte

Charlotte New Music Festival features contemporary classical music and dance performances. You’ll hear many new classical pieces performed for the first time.

 

U.S. National Whitewater Center 4th of July

July 3 – 4, 2020
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte
Free ($6 for parking)

This two-day festival includes live music and fireworks both days, plus yoga and the Battle Royale SUP Sprint.

 

 

Reevestock

July 31 – August 1, 2020
Friday, July 31: Reeves Theater, 129 W Main St, Elkin
Saturday, August 1: Elkin’s Hidden Amphitheater, 357 Ivy Circle, Elkin (free off-site parking and shuttle) (76 miles from Charlotte)

Reevestock was founded by the Charlotte-based folk/rock band Time Sawyer, to benefit band members’ home town of Elkin. The main event, on Saturday, is a relaxed, family-friendly festival in an idyllic park-like setting. There’s lots of shade, plenty of space and a kids’ zone. 

Carolina Bohemian Jam

October 10 – 11, 2020
Rowan County Fairgrounds, 1560 Julian Rd, Salisbury (40 miles from Charlotte)

You can expect performances by tribute bands from the hippie era, such as The Who, Credence Clearwater Revival, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and more.

The John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival

September 5-6, 2020
Oak Hollow Festival Park, 1841 Eastchester Drive, High Point (87 miles from Charlotte)

The John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festivals brings the top names in jazz to High Point every Labor Day Weekend. 2020 marks the 10th year for this festival.

 

North Carolina Folk Festival

September 11-13, 2020
Downtown Greensboro (92 miles from Charlotte)

This annual festival features a wide range of regional, national and international artists from countless musical traditions. This is a free festival.

 

 

Carolina in the Fall

September 25-26, 2020
Downtown Wilkesboro (86 miles from Charlotte)

Hosted by the Kruger Brothers, this festival features folk music and bluegrass, as well as events like the North Carolina Banjo Championship, the Bobby Martin Songwriting Competition and more.

 

Carolina Jubilee

 

September 25-26, 2020
VanHoy Farms, 742 Jericho Rd, Harmony, North Carolina (57 miles from Charlotte)

Carolina Jubilee is a music and food festival dedicated to raising funds to support the Carolina Farm Trust’s mission: protecting farm land and fostering an ecosystem of sustainable farming in North and South Carolina. The sounds vary from blues and funk to Americana and folk.

 

 

Festival in the Park

September 25-27, 2020
Freedom Park, 1900 East Blvd, Charlotte
Free

Festival in the Park is Charlotte’s oldest festival, debuting in 1964.  It’s a celebration of both art and music, with art vendors circling the pond and performers on five stages.

York County Blues & Jazz Festival

October 1-2, 2020

Celebrate the roots of modern music with infectious rhythms, soulful sounds, and high energy performances at the Arts Council of York County’s 15th Annual Blues & Jazz Festival.

 

Festivals we hope to hear about soon

These annual festivals haven’t announced any information yet. We’ll update when we get the information, but in the meantime, we’ve listed when we think they’ll take place, based on 2019.

Earth Day Jam: April (Salisbury)

Charlotte Jazz Festival: April or May (Uptown Charlotte)

We’ve Got the Jazz Fest: June (Bechtler Museum)

Don’t Sweat It Fest: June (Rock Hill)

Chickweed: July (Salisbury)

Jam Room Music Festival: October (Columbia, SC)

Charlotte SHOUT: September (Uptown Charlotte)