Raleigh Wide Open is the latest iteration of the festival that locals simply call “Bluegrass.” It’s part of a downtown festival tradition that began nearly 20 years ago. The first festival under this new model was a huge success attracting more than 155,000 people over the two day event. Plans for the 2026 festival to be produced by PineCone are already underway.
“The goal is to create a cultural experience that reflects the city of Raleigh,” said PineCone’s David Brower. “We consider it a success when we see a family, with the kids, parents and grandparents all enjoying the festival.”
AXIOS 07/30/24
WHAT’S UP WITH THE NAME?
Raleigh Wide Open is a name that was born here in heart of the Piedmont and dates back to 2006, when our downtown experienced a cultural renaissance. Fayetteville Street re-opened to traffic, and within a few years the new Raleigh Convention Center was built and the Red Hat Amphitheater opened.
Since that time, Fayetteville Street has been “Wide Open” for festivals bringing music, Carolina Hurricanes fans, art and neighbors together. This festival will carry on in that tradition as we usher in a vibrant new era for downtown Raleigh.
You can read more about the origins of the Raleigh Wide Open name in this essay by our sponsorship coordinator Greg Behr.
press release 5/22/25
“The return of Raleigh Wide Open is a welcome reminder of what makes this city shine,” says Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell. “It’s more than a music festival. It’s a statement about Raleigh’s growth, creativity, and the strong partnerships that fuel our cultural identity.”
IS THERE BLUEGRASS AT RALEIGH WIDE OPEN?
Oh yeah! The 2025 lineup that was announced in May included festival favorites Balsam Range, Jim Lauderdale, The Tray Wellington Band, Unspoken Tradition, Hank Pattie and the Current, Stillhouse Junkies and other bluegrass greats. It also features rising stars in the Americana world like Sunny War, Shinyribs, Palmyra, Town Mountain and the Susto String Band, plus gospel bands from the Black Church traditions of Eastern North Carolina.
CAN WE DANCE AT RALEIGH WIDE OPEN?
You bet! Raleigh Wide Open features nightly square dances.
Community dances have been a part of PineCone’s mission since its founding. These dances are fun, welcoming and inclusive by nature. No experience is necessary as the dances are all taught on site. Folks who’ve never tried square dancing before are invited to come and dosey-doe, promenade and swing, swing, swing! All the dances feature expert callers and old-time string bands. Plan to come and have fun!
“The weekend festival has always been an activation of the Local Organizing Committee,” said Loren Gold of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’re excited to put all we have learned over this past decade together to create a new homegrown festival. We’re going to work with our local partners to reimagine a new festival. It’s going to keep growing and getting even better.”
Press release 09/27/23
WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT RALEIGH WIDE OPEN?
“Right now, those moments where we come together for joy and jubilation and fun are more important than ever,” Visit Raleigh Insider 9/18/25
“I think Raleigh Wide Open is a very special festival and I’m excited to see it,” said INDY Week’s Sarah Edwards on WUNC-FM’s Due South on 8/20/25.
“It’s a great line up,” said Brian Burns of WUNC-FM.
“The free two-day festival builds on the city’s success as a destination for bluegrass, Americana, gospel and folk music to downtown,” reported ABC-11 when the festival line-up was announced.
“Pinecone, the local nonprofit that produced the previous bluegrass festival for its entire 12-year run, is teaming up with PNC to bring together dozens of artists from across multiple genres,” reported the News & Observer.
“One of the city’s most anticipated cultural events is making a major return,” said WPTF.
“One year after Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, Raleigh Wide Open’s lineup will have a special emphasis on acts from the 26 counties most affected by the storm,” said The Visit Raleigh Insider.
“Raleigh Wide Open… includes a ton of local favorites,” said Brian Burns of WUNC-FM.
“The name is drawn from a 2006 event celebrating Fayetteville Street’s revitalization,” reported INDY Week.
“Hats off to Raleigh and Pinecone for keeping the Wide Open Music Festival going,” said Bluegrass Today.
“Such exciting news,” said Chris Edge from That Station in this interview with PineCone’s David Brower:
HOW CAN I BE A VENDOR AT THE FESTIVAL?
We are once again partnering with our friends at Artsplosure to curate a wide variety of food trucks, artists, and local businesses offering their creations at Raleigh Wide Open. Find more info and vendor applications here.
HOW CAN I BE A VOLUNTEER AT THE FESTIVAL?
Volunteers are at the heart of the festival, helping things run smoothly and helping everyone have a great time. Our volunteers work four-hour shifts and handle tasks such as selling merchandise, supporting craft vendors, surveying festival attendees, sharing information and directions with visitors, and much more. Click here to sign up for shifts!
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH IBMA?
On July 29, 2024, IBMA announced plans to move its annual World of Bluegrass Business Conference from Raleigh to Chattanooga, Tennessee. You can find details here.
“There’s something magical that happens when old friends get together to play music together. It’s an incredible thing to witness and is at the center of our plans for this sacrosanct weekend of music in Raleigh,” PineCone executive director David Brower said of the new event. “We’re excited for this new chapter of our region’s largest festival and look forward to dancing the late summer nights away with all our 100,000+ closest friends.”
WRAL NEWS 07/30/24
“Wake County believes in the power of place,” said Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson. “Events like this one enhance our community’s culture and elevate our quality of life, which are key factors in the explosive population growth we’re seeing across Wake County.”
press release 5/22/25