For more than a decade, Raleigh has capped off summer with a music festival showcasing bluegrass music, and that tradition will continue this year with the Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival, presented by PNC Bank, coming to downtown streets Oct. 3-4. The festival is produced by PineCone, the local nonprofit organization that produced the previous late-summer bluegrass festival for its entire 12-year run in Raleigh.
Today, PineCone is proud to announce the list of performers for the 2025 Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival, a roster that includes plenty of bluegrass but also Americana, gospel, folk, ballad singing and much more. Below, in alphabetical order, are the artists scheduled to perform on the festival’s free stages along downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street. Artists playing ticketed shows at Red Hat Amphitheater on festival evenings will be announced this summer.
A Nest of Singing Birds
Balsam Range
Big Fat Gap
Blue Cactus
Cabin Creature
Carolina Bluegrass
Charly Lowry
Chris Johnson & Freedom
Dom Flemons
Earl White String Band
Eliza Meyer & The New Carolina Tar Heels
Gospel Jubilators
The Gravy Boys
Hank, Pattie and the Current
Holler Choir
Jalessa Cade
Jason Carter Band
Jim Lauderdale
Joseph Decosimo
Kingdom United Voices
Legacy Chorale
The Loblollies
Nixon, Williams & Gage
Omar Ruiz-Lopez
Palmyra
Shinyribs
Slippery Hill Bluegrass
Sonny Miles
Stillhouse Junkies
Sunny War
Susto Stringband
Town Mountain
Tray Wellington Band
Unspoken Tradition
Williamson Brothers
“This is a lineup that both expands our sound and honors tradition. There are, of course, plenty of bluegrass favorites, but also authentic gospel music from North Carolina’s Black Church tradition, unaccompanied ballad singers from the mountains, and even a roadhouse-style dance band,” said David Brower, executive director of PineCone. “This is a time for the community to come together and celebrate with songs and authentic voices rooted in community. We can’t wait.”
The Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival, presented by PNC Bank, is a family-friendly celebration of music, art, food and community, continuing a decade-plus tradition of showcasing world-class talent while spotlighting the best of Raleigh’s creative economy. Festivalgoers can look forward to multiple free outdoor stages, bustling craft and maker markets, beer gardens, food trucks and art vendors – all set against the backdrop of Raleigh’s thriving downtown.
This year’s festival is rooted in the same committed leadership that has helped establish bluegrass as a cornerstone of Raleigh’s cultural calendar. The revived “Raleigh Wide Open” name is a nod to the city’s past while embracing its future, signaling an era of growth, creativity and connection.
With an economic impact that strengthens downtown businesses and amplifies Raleigh as a cultural tourism destination, the festival is expected to continue attracting families, fans, and first-time visitors alike.
To learn more and get involved as a sponsor, vendor or volunteer, visit raleighwideopen.com.