MerleFest

MerleFest takes over Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro April 23-26, 2026, for four days of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music that feels like a homecoming even if it’s your first visit. The festival runs from late morning through midnight each day, with 13 stages hosting nearly 100 artists across genres. Past lineups have included Doc Watson tributes, rising folk acts, and veteran bluegrass bands, along with instrument workshops, picking circles, and food vendors serving everything from barbecue to funnel cakes. Families with kids, music lovers in their 30s and up, and multi-generational groups make up the crowd, and the atmosphere skews friendly, laid-back, and welcoming. Tickets vary by day and package, with single-day passes starting around $75 and four-day camping bundles reaching $250. Buy tickets early since Saturday typically sells out by March, and premium seating areas fill even faster. Parking is available on campus with shuttle service to the main stages, but arrive by 10 a.m. if you want a spot close to the action. Late April in the North Carolina foothills brings warm days in the 70s and cool evenings in the 50s, so pack sunscreen, a hat, and a light jacket for after sunset. Rain is common in spring, and the festival goes on regardless, so bring a poncho and waterproof shoes. If storms delay a performance, the schedule shifts but rarely cancels, and covered seating areas offer some protection. Wilkesboro sits about 40 minutes from Boone and the High Country’s lake region, making it easy to base yourself near W. Kerr Scott Lake or the New River and drive down for festival days. W. Kerr Scott offers fishing, kayaking, and shoreline camping that complements MerleFest’s outdoor vibe, and the lake’s calm water is ideal for a morning paddle before heading to Wilkesboro for afternoon sets. For lodging, look for cabins or vacation rentals near the lake or along the New River, where you’ll have quiet mornings and easy access to the festival. Lake.com has properties in both areas, including spots with porches and fire pits that make returning after a long day of music feel like the best part of the trip.