Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, West Jefferson, Wilkesboro, Blue Ridge Parkway

NC High Country FREE Music


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 Red Dog Bar & Bistro or Boondocks!
    When: Held various Fridays and Sundays, 5:30-7:30pm, Mid May- Mid August
    For more information: Click HERE

 

  • 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
    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