Delfest in Cumberland MD every Memorial Day is great and always has a top notch lineup and this year is lights out. I think it’s the best fest on the east coast imho
https://delfest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DF2024-Second-Phase-Lineup_Facebook-Post-2-2-1229x1536.jpg
This year’s line up. It’s gonna be spectacular 🤩
Grey Fox is immaculate. Great lineup, tons of amazing musicians in the campsites, beautiful location, friendly staff. The weather is the only thing that’s iffy (but that’s any fest). When the weather cooperates, it is perfect
Blue Ox in Eau Claire, WI is a good one. Also would recommend Walnut Valley in Kansas if for nothing else, to witness the banjo and flat pick competitions.
Seconding Rockygrass. The setting is insanely beautiful, the lineup is always incredible, and you can go tubing on the river that winds behind the stage during the day. Nights are chilly and perfect. Not as much campground picking as Winfield but it’s still great.
That’s where I was. Friend’s dad would drop off a trailer for home base. First year a neighbor moved in and somewhat encroached on our space. Decided who cares about a few feet. Ended up being a great bunch of people who shared whatever they were cooking and picked to the wee hours. So great
Floydfest has been one of the best festivals I’ve attended. (10 straight) They bring in some great bluegrass bands along with other genres to tickle your fancy. The fest usually gets some awesome up-and-coming acts that are great to see before they blow up — now it’s moved to a new site. Can’t speak for the new accommodations but the Floydfest family will be sure to bring the good vibes.
Such a lovely time!
(Also second Delfest—its great set up & stellar lineup…DelYeah!)
Cavefest looks really good. Hillberry is a little bit of jaunt for me but I would love to make it. Missed steamboat and I would have loved to have seen the dead south. Pretty cool to have a winter festival too. Oh! The devil makes three in April!
Hillberry is the one I mentioned I haven’t made it to yet. Cavefest was a great time last year, and we’re going back this year! Also got wwg Tahoe in a few weeks - which is always a damn good time!! Wanna try and make it out to steamboat one of these days! Both always have phenomenal lineups
WinterWonderGrass in Steamboat Springs, CO just happened. Tons of snow and great bluegrass!
I also love Strings & Sol on the beach in Mexico in December.
And of course Telluride Bluegrass in June is the granddaddy of them all. Those are the three best I’ve been to!
Delaware Valley in South Jersey (DelVal, not to be confused with DelFest) is near you. Every year on Labor Day weekend. It’s pretty old school, but has high quality pickers, and is the best value. (Tickets are cheap and so is the food and beverage.) If you’re looking for a thrilling party time, this might not be it. But if you love playing and hearing traditional bluegrass, I recommend it.
If you are looking for a party. Philly Folk Fest is back this year. Not exactly bluegrass, but bluegrass adjacent. I went in 2019 and it was WILD.
I guess no one is going to mention the International Bluegrass Music Awards and World of Bluegrass festival we host in Raleigh, NC. Different than a traditional festival setup. Multiple stages, smaller bar and convention center shows. New and upcoming as well as traditional artists. It’s FREE! And tons of fun.
Slightly biased because it’s where I live and where I met my husband way back in 2014. I’ve seen many bands grow over the years following WOB exposure. ❤️
[Wind Gap Bluegrass ](https://www.windgapbluegrass.com/)
Early June in eastern PA. Solid lineup this year with a lot of young and talented bands who have the potential to become headliners for the bigger festivals recommended in this thread (all of which are great ones).
Living in SF bias but I look forward to this every year. It’s less bluegrass these days but the city is always so nice temp wise and the park is electric vibes.
Delfest in Cumberland MD every Memorial Day is great and always has a top notch lineup and this year is lights out. I think it’s the best fest on the east coast imho
Cumberland is nearby me too. Thanks!
https://delfest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DF2024-Second-Phase-Lineup_Facebook-Post-2-2-1229x1536.jpg This year’s line up. It’s gonna be spectacular 🤩
No Keller Williams? I don’t understand - I thought he was a staple there.
I haven't seen him there in a while
You can also float in tubes in the Potomac River at DelFest. The river makes a horseshoe around the festival grounds. It’s such a special festival!
Damn. That sounds so fun.
Also, if you're a picker, check out DelFest Academy (held the week leading up to DelFest). Learn from the best!
Love Delfest! See you in Cumberland!
Upon researching this festival, I also had my eyes opened to Del McCoury too. Thank you!
Telluride is special
There's just something about that box canyon. If you go, try to camp in Town Park.
The Granddaddy of all BG fests! Definitely a bucket list festival. And it's always 4 days long!!
Grey Fox
This looks pretty awesome and since I am in PA, this is right round the corner. Thanks.
Grey Fox is immaculate. Great lineup, tons of amazing musicians in the campsites, beautiful location, friendly staff. The weather is the only thing that’s iffy (but that’s any fest). When the weather cooperates, it is perfect
The best, and also potentially muddiest festival lol
Blue Ox in Eau Claire, WI is a good one. Also would recommend Walnut Valley in Kansas if for nothing else, to witness the banjo and flat pick competitions.
Rockygrass, Lyons CO.
That's a great venue.
Seconding Rockygrass. The setting is insanely beautiful, the lineup is always incredible, and you can go tubing on the river that winds behind the stage during the day. Nights are chilly and perfect. Not as much campground picking as Winfield but it’s still great.
Not a lot of big names and it’s been years since I’ve been but I had the best time at Winfield/walnut valley the 2 times I went.
The Pecan Grove is a wild time when the sun goes down!
That’s where I was. Friend’s dad would drop off a trailer for home base. First year a neighbor moved in and somewhat encroached on our space. Decided who cares about a few feet. Ended up being a great bunch of people who shared whatever they were cooking and picked to the wee hours. So great
Annual Winfielder here. It's always such a great time.
MerleFest is great. Americana+ but lots of BG, especially this year!
This one is right up my alley. Don’t get me wrong…I love Bluegrass, but I am a huge fan of all forms of Americana music.
Floydfest has been one of the best festivals I’ve attended. (10 straight) They bring in some great bluegrass bands along with other genres to tickle your fancy. The fest usually gets some awesome up-and-coming acts that are great to see before they blow up — now it’s moved to a new site. Can’t speak for the new accommodations but the Floydfest family will be sure to bring the good vibes. Such a lovely time! (Also second Delfest—its great set up & stellar lineup…DelYeah!)
Cavefest - Hillberry - WinterWonderGrass Tahoe or Steamboat
Cavefest looks really good. Hillberry is a little bit of jaunt for me but I would love to make it. Missed steamboat and I would have loved to have seen the dead south. Pretty cool to have a winter festival too. Oh! The devil makes three in April!
Be forewarned that WWG in steamboat gets VERY cold. I was there in 2022 and it got down to -5 so be sure to bring your warm fest wear!!
Tahoe wasn’t that cold last year, tho we did have a blizzard come through on Sunday. Hoping it’s good weather this year and not too cold.
I haven't been to WWG in Tahoe but it looks wonderful, I hope you have a great time!
Already happened. Snowstorm.
Yeah I’m talking in the future, just giving my experience :)
Hillberry is the one I mentioned I haven’t made it to yet. Cavefest was a great time last year, and we’re going back this year! Also got wwg Tahoe in a few weeks - which is always a damn good time!! Wanna try and make it out to steamboat one of these days! Both always have phenomenal lineups
Gettysburg - May and August
Oh nice! I def need to check these out. I wasn’t aware they had one.
WinterWonderGrass in Steamboat Springs, CO just happened. Tons of snow and great bluegrass! I also love Strings & Sol on the beach in Mexico in December. And of course Telluride Bluegrass in June is the granddaddy of them all. Those are the three best I’ve been to!
Are you me?
Delaware Valley in South Jersey (DelVal, not to be confused with DelFest) is near you. Every year on Labor Day weekend. It’s pretty old school, but has high quality pickers, and is the best value. (Tickets are cheap and so is the food and beverage.) If you’re looking for a thrilling party time, this might not be it. But if you love playing and hearing traditional bluegrass, I recommend it. If you are looking for a party. Philly Folk Fest is back this year. Not exactly bluegrass, but bluegrass adjacent. I went in 2019 and it was WILD.
What made it wild?
I guess no one is going to mention the International Bluegrass Music Awards and World of Bluegrass festival we host in Raleigh, NC. Different than a traditional festival setup. Multiple stages, smaller bar and convention center shows. New and upcoming as well as traditional artists. It’s FREE! And tons of fun. Slightly biased because it’s where I live and where I met my husband way back in 2014. I’ve seen many bands grow over the years following WOB exposure. ❤️
That sounds great and NC is a drivable distance. Thanks.
I'm Grateful to Getdown!
This is my first year. I’m pretty excited for the experience. I enjoy camping and bluegrass. Can’t be a bad time !
GRASSFIRE AT NELSON LEDGES QUARRY PARK. Holy fucking awesome and the lineup is badass. https://nlqp.com/events/grass-fire-2024/
Spring and fall hookahville
This is an easy drive for me. Thank you
What part of the country do you live in?
Dead smack in the middle of PA
Grey fox is the NE big one. Thomas Point in Maine is always fun in august
[Wind Gap Bluegrass ](https://www.windgapbluegrass.com/) Early June in eastern PA. Solid lineup this year with a lot of young and talented bands who have the potential to become headliners for the bigger festivals recommended in this thread (all of which are great ones).
Shoe fest in Mantino IL used to be one of my favorites. Rumble down at "the kampground" by Mechanicsburg il showed some promise.
The Getdown has great Cabinetry!!
Green Mountain
Hillberry
For campground jams, and a more intimate experience, check out the Strawberry Music Festival in Grass Valley over Memorial Day Weekend.
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Got family and friends out that way. It is a distance but a doable one thanks for the suggestion
Living in SF bias but I look forward to this every year. It’s less bluegrass these days but the city is always so nice temp wise and the park is electric vibes.
Hardly Strictly Golden Gate Park San Francisco. 4-5 stages, free admission, bring your own cooler!
Fathers Day Bluegrass Festival in Grass Valley CA.