If you want to hear some great (and mostly free!) local music in the Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, West Jefferson North Carolina area, you are in luck!  The NC High Country has many music venues featuring local artists all days and nights of the week.  Here is a list of music venues for the summer of 2023:

BANNER ELK/ BEECH MOUNTAIN AREA

• Crossnore Jam
  Where: Town Meeting House, Crossnore Drive, Crossnore, 828-733-0360
  What: Free live jam sessions- bring an instrument if you would like to join in!
  When: 1st Friday of the month @ 6pm

• The Orchard at Altapass
  Where: 1025 Orchard Rd, Spruce Pine, 828-765-9531
  What: Free live music in the outdoor pavilion.  Enjoy a cone of ice cream or a slice of apple pie or lunch at the farm-to-table food bar.
  When: Saturday- Sunday from May-September, around 2:30-4:30
  For more information: altapassorchard.org

• Beech Mountain Summer Concerts
  Where: Alpen Inn, Beech Mtn, 828-387-2252
  What: Free in the summer at the outdoor pavilion. Be sure to bring a chair & blanket!
  When: Sundays, Memorial Day- Labor Day @ 5-8 pm

• Banner Elk Summer Concerts in the Park
  Where: Tate-Evans Park, 210 Park Ave, Banner Elk, 828-898-8395
  What: Free eclectic Music on an outdoor stage.  Food and beer/wine vendors on site.  Bring your own chair & blanket!
  When: Thursday Evenings, June- August @ 6:30 pm
  For more information: bannerelk.org

• Grillin' and Chillin'
  Where: Sugar Mountain Golf Club Deck
  What: Free music. Weekly food specials at club restaurant. Open to public.
  When: Wednesdays, 5:30-9pm
  For more information, Click HERE

• Summer Music Series
  Where: Linville Falls Winery, 9557 Linville Falls Hwy. Linville Falls, NC 28647
  What: Free music, food truck and wine sales on site.
  When: Friday-Sunday, 3-6pm
  For more information, Click HERE

 BLOWING ROCK/ BOONE AREA

• Appalachian Theatre of the High Country
  Where: Downtown Boone
  What: Showcases regional, national and international acts in a art deco theatre. *Admission required
  For more information: Click HERE

• Blowing Rock Concerts in the Park
  Where: Memorial Park, Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851
  What: Free concerts featuring a wide array of music in the gazebo in the park. Bring a chair and enjoy!
  When: Sundays after Art in the Park June-September @ 4 pm
  For more information: blowingrock.com

• Blowing Rock Town Concert Series
  Where: Broyhill Park, Blowing Rock (rain location: The Blowing Rock American Legion Hall)
  What: A variety of free music concerts at the gazebo. Bring a chair or blanket
  When: Monday nights July-August @ 7 pm
  For more information: amymarieproductions.com

• Music on the Veranda
  Where: Green Park Inn, Blowing Rock
  What:  Listen to a free variety of performers on the historic front veranda of the 2nd oldest inn in North Carolina!  The location is also covered in case of rain. Some chairs are available at the Inn, but fill up fast.
  When: Sunday afternoons, Mid June-October @ 5-8 pm
  For more information: greenparkinn.com

• Music on the Lawn
  Where: The Inn at Ragged Gardens, Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock
  What: The most popular free concert series in Blowing Rock, arrive early and being a chair.  A cash bar and lawn menu are available.  Please no dogs at this event.
  When: Fridays 5:30- 8:30 May-October 
  For more information: ragged-gardens.com

• Jones House Community Center
  Where: King Street, Downtown Boone
  What: Enjoy a wide array of free musical artists on the front porch of the Jones House. Bring a chair or blanket.
  When: Fridays 5-7 June-August 
  For more information: Click HERE

• Red, White & Bluegrass Jam
  Where: American Legion Hall, Blowing Rock
  What: Local Bluegrass music jam in climate-controlled indoor setting with professional sound system.  $5 donation suggested
  When: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7pm, April-November
  For more information: Click HERE

• Tunes at the Trout
  Where: The Speckled Trout, Main Street, Blowing Rock
  What: Boot stomping, knee slappin' good time as we host some of the high country's talented musicians
  When: Thursdays, 6-8pm 
  For more information: Click HERE

• Mast General Store
  Where: The Original & Annex in Valle Crucis
  What: Live free music inside or out, depending on the weather
  When: *Pending
  For more information: Click HERE

• Mountain Home Music
  Where: Various indoor and outdoor venues in Boone & Blowing Rock
  What: Family-friendly traditional music and dance in various venues in Boone & Blowing Rock. Admission required for most performances.
  When: April- December
  For more information: Click HERE

 WEST JEFFERSON/ SPARTA AREA

• Backstreet Park Summer Concerts
  Where: Downtown West Jefferson on the Backstreet
  What: Features free local and regional artists playing a mix of traditional bluegrass, country and gospel music on an outdoor park stage.  Bring a chair or blanket.  Pick up dinner to go at The Tavern or Boondocks!
  When: Held every Friday of each month, May 26-August 25

• Ashe County Arts Council Summer Concert Series
  Where: Ashe Civic Center, West Jefferson
  What: Indoor concerts throughout the summer
  For more information: Click HERE

• Crouse House Pickers
  Where: 60 Cherry Street, Sparta, 800-372-5473
  What: Free jam sessions are held on the house porch and stage.  Bring an instrument & join in!  Bring a chair or blanket
  When: *Pending- may begin late summer 
  For more information: Click HERE

• Todd Summer Music Series
  Where: Cook Park, Todd
  What: Free concerts and food off the grill, snacks and beverages are for sale as concerts.  Bring a chair or blanket
  When: Every other Saturday, June 24- August 12: 6-8 
  For more information: Click HERE

• Concerts in the Park
  Where: Creeper Trail Park, Lansing
  What: Live music in the park.  Bring a chair or blanket.
  When: May- September: Select Saturdays
  For more information: Click HERE

• Alleghany Jubilee
  Where: Alleghany Jubilee, Main Street, Sparta NC
  What: Listen and dance to bluegrass and old time musicians every Tuesday ($5) and Saturday ($6) at 7pm. Line dancing classes are Monday nights at 6pm.
  For more information, call 336-372-4591

• Music on Main
  Where: Various locations,Main Street, Sparta NC
  What: Listen to love music.  Bring a chair for music at some locations
  When: 1st Saturday, June-October, 6-9pm
  For more information: Click HERE
  
  
  
• Saturdays in the Park
  Where: Crouse Park, Sparta
  What: Free and open to the public.  Bring a chair or blanket.
  When: Last Saturday of the month, June-October, 6-9pm
  For more information: Click HERE

• Midday Mountain Music
  Where: Blue Ridge Music Center, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 213
  What: Mountain music in the covered breezeway
  When: Thursday-Friday, 12-4pm
  For more information: Click HERE

 WILKESBORO

• Concerts in the Commons
  Where: 102 W Main Street, Downtown Wilkesboro
  What: Enjoy free live music, food trucks and children's activities.  Seating is provided or bring a chair
  When: 2nd Saturday May-September, 6-10pm
  For more information: Click HERE
  
  
• Concerts on the Deck
  Where: Yadkin Valley Marketplace, North Wilkesboro
  What:The event features premier performers and a dance floor. FREE Admission
  When: 3rd Saturday May-October, 6-10pm
  For more information: Click HERE

 OTHER RESOURCES

• Check the High Country Host Calendar for other free and paid concert listings by day: Click HERE
• Also check out the Blue Ridge Music Trails, the North Carolina mountains and foothills guide to traditional music: Click HERE
• Visit our FACEBOOK PAGE