We all know the NC Folk Festival, a staple in Greensboro’s cultural scene. Or do we? Welcoming more than 100,000 people each year, the festival lights up downtown with a stream of performances ranging from bluegrass and blues to Afro‑Caribbean rhythms and Indigenous dance. For those who attended last year, you’re familiar with the new footprint that turns Church Street into a music crawl for one weekend. As the NC Folk Fest builds on that momentum, they’re making even more space for folk musicians from a smattering of backgrounds. Grab your water bottle and lawn chair, because the 2025 NC Folk Festival isn’t your grandma’s folk.
The 2025 festival runs from September 12 to 14 and will be the largest yet: three full days of music across five stages, over 50 performances, all offered completely free to the public. Friday night kicks off with Oh He Dead, setting the stage before headliner Sammy Rae & The Friends brings their high-energy funk-soul blend to keep the crowd dancing.
Saturday brings 1990s hip‑hop icons Arrested Development, with alt‑roots acts Dustbowl Revival warming up the stage. The grand finale on Sunday features North Carolina bluegrass royalty, Steep Canyon Rangers, supported by fellow North Carolinians the Chatham Rabbits. And that’s just the start. Beyond the headliners, the lineup is filled with a curated selection of nationally and internationally acclaimed acts.
Everything flows through the Church Street footprint, now welcoming a new fifth stage at The Flat Iron, an air‑conditioned retreat to escape the September heat while still soaking up the sounds. The Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum also jumps into the fun this year with free admission for the weekend, expanding a more robust Family Area. On Saturday afternoon, families can also enjoy a special jam session with The Rock and Roll Playhouse: Music of the Grateful Dead for Kids at the NC By Train Stage in LeBauer Park, perfectly timed with Paw Patrol Live! at the Tanger Center.
Also new in 2025 are NC Folk Festival After‑Parties featuring surprise sets in local bars and breweries, plus upgraded VIP experiences that offer exclusive perks and prime viewing, all while helping keep the festival free for everyone.
As you plan your weekend, think beyond stages and come ready to find “Common Sound” with the people and cultures that make this festival vibrant. No banjo required, the NC Folk Festival has something for every type of music lover.
Too excited to wait for September? Get a jump start by checking out the North Carolina Folk Festival’s new year-round programming of local artists:
