When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works.
Table of Contents
MerleFest Concludes 2025 Festival
MerleFest, presented by Window World, wrapped up its 37 annual celebration with a romp-roaring tribute to the music and community that folk icon Doc Watson championed throughout his life. Over four vibrant days, nearly one hundred acts, ranging from rising stars to seasoned legends, graced a dozen stages across the campus of Wilkes Community College, drawing thousands to the rolling hills that canvas the region.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein attended the festival on Saturday, introducing North Carolina’s own, The Avett Brothers, ahead of their headlining set on the Watson Stage, highlighting the festival’s important role in supporting education and cultural life in the region.
As MerleFest comes to a close, excitement is already building for next year’s return to Wilkes Community College, set for April 23-26, 2026. Stay tuned for details, tickets, and lineup information.
MerleFest is an annual four-day traditional and contemporary roots music festival featuring bluegrass, folk, and Appalachian roots music from across the country. Scheduled for April 24-27 2025, MerleFest takes place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and is a favorite of thousands in the area.
History
Originally hosted by folk music legend and Grammy Award-winner Doc Watson until his passing in 2012, MerleFest was named after Doc’s late son, Eddie Merle Watson, who died in a tragic tractor accident.
2025 Lineup And Return Of The Late Night Jam!
Photos and logo courtesy of MerleFest.
Leading the 2025 lineup are two North Carolina-based heavyweights: folk-rock trailblazers The Avett Brothers and Appalachian-rooted duo Watchhouse, as well as legendary singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt and Canadian folk and bluegrass ensemble The Dead South. Also set to appear are Kruger Brothers, Jim Lauderdale, Wyatt Flores, The War And Treaty, The SteelDrivers, Asleep At The Wheel, Brent Cobb, Alison Brown, and Della Mae. See the initial lineup below.
MerleFest 2025 will feature a surprise return of the Late Night Jam with Sam Bush. Claim your spot to witness a classic, no-holds-bar MerleFest jam hosted by Sam Bush and an all-star lineup of MerleFest artists. The Late Night Jam is a separately-ticketed event. Visit here for details.
Bonnie Raitt to perform on Friday, March 25 and The Avett Brothers to perform on Saturday, March 26.
To see all artists’ performance dates, visit the MerleFest Lineup.
The 2025 lineup includes The Avett Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, The Dead South, Watchhouse, Wyatt Flores, I’m With Her, Leftover Salmon, The War And Treaty, The SteelDrivers, Sam Bush, Asleep At the Wheel, The Lil Smokies, Brent Cobb, Stephen Wilson Jr, Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam, Alison Brown, Della Mae, Thee Sinseers, The Altons, Peter Rowan, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, The Steel Wheels, William Prince, The Cleverleys, Tophouse, Big Richard, John R Miller, Emily Nenni, Woody Platt and the Bluegrass Gentlemen, John McEuen & the Circle Band, The Secret Sisters, Tami Nelson, The Waybacks, Andy May, “B” Townes, Banknotes, The Barefoot Movement, Becky Buller, Carol Mallett Rifkin, Carolina Detour, Cathy Fink and March Marxer with Chao Tian from China to Appalachia, Charles Welch, Christina Vane, Dale Anne Bradley, Damn Tall Buildings, Denitia, East Nash Grass, Fancy Haygood, Flattop, Florencia & The Feeling, Fogholler, The Fretliners, Full Cord, Gravity Check Juggling, The Hooten Hallers, Humbird, The InterACTive Theater of Jef, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Joe Smothers, Josh Goforth, Ken Crouse, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgamer, Mattie Schell, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, Muireanne Bradley, Paul McDonald, Pete and Joan Wernick, Presley Barker, The Resonant Rogues, Rev. Robert Jones, Roy Booker Binder, Six String Soldiers, T Michael Coleman, Theo Lawrence, Todd Albright, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, and The Wild Flower.
Additional Activities
In addition to world-class music on 12 stages, the Festival offers a large children’s activities area, called “Little Pickers Family Area,” Acoustic Kids Showcases, “Pickin’ Place” for any musician to join in and jam, the Songwriters Coffeehouse, a Nature Walk, crafters, and over 70 vendors to shop from. Camping and RV areas are available at nearby River’s Edge Campground. Festival Maps are included in the official MelreFest Program and MerleFest App. They are also available at the Shoppes of MerleFest and the Visitor’s Center.
New For 2025 – MerleFest Mobile App
The MerleFest Mobile App is available now. Download on Apple or Android devices to get started planning your weekend. Receive the latest updates, set reminders for performance times, and discover new artists by listening to the official MerleFest 2025 Spotify playlist. Why wait? Download today!
Silent Auction
The WCC Foundation has announced that they have added a new twist to their Silent Auction! This year’s Silent Auction offers mobile bidding, so festival guests and supporters can view items and place bids even before the festival begins. During the festival, you will be able to place bids from the comfort of your seats. New for this year is a 50/50 Raffle, which will take place during the festival. Stay tuned for more details at the MerleFest Silent Auction.
Tickets
Prices range from $90-$105 for online Single Day Passes ($105-$120 at the gate) and $220-$325 for Multi-Day Passes ($240-$345 at the gate).
Children 12 and under are FREE with a ticketed adult in the general admission seating areas. However, tickets are required for everyone in the reserved seating area.
Parking is free, and free shuttle service is provided to and from the lots directly to the front gate of the festival. Visit MerleFest.org to purchase tickets
Extras
You can pay ahead for camping at the Rivers Edge or On-Campus with an RV. A backstage tour and various parking options are also available as add-ons for an extra cost. Proceeds from MerleFest benefit Wilkes Community College.
Location
1328 S Collegiate Dr.
Wilkesboro, NC
Phone: 1-800-343-7857
email: merlefest@wilkescc.edu
MerleFest Video
Here’s a video highlighting MerleFest from 2022.
Camping
Camping is available at the Rivers Edge Campground and at the YMCA for MerleFest ticket holders and volunteers.
YMCA
YMCA Campers have their choice of a pop-up camper site (15 total), a campfire site (with a fire ring – 25 total), or a regular campsite.
All Y campers have access to the full YMCA facility during our operating hours and access to showers outside of operating hours on Saturday morning from 7 am-8 am and Sunday from 7 am-1 pm before we open.
Dates
YMCA Camping begins on Thursday, April 25 and runs through Monday, April 29, 10am. If you want to add on Wednesday night it is an additional $50.
Costs
YMCA camping fees for MerleFest are as follows:
- Tent Camping: $120
- Fire ring sites: $140
- Campers $160
River’s Edge
Rivers Edge Campground is located along the beautiful Yadkin River at the Rivers Edge sports complex. There are over 300 primitive sites available for anything from a tent, to a pop-up camper, to a teardrop camper, to a 40-foot RV.
There is limited water access and no power, with the exception of power available to campers without a generator, in need of access for medical reasons.
There are water hydrants throughout the complex for sharing of water, port-a-johns, and a bathhouse from Thursday at noon until Sunday at Noon. Rivers Edge campers can purchase a YMCA shower band to get access to YMCA showers throughout the festival for $75.
Dates
Rivers Edge camping dates begin Wednesday, April 24 at 12pm and go until Monday, April 29 at 10 am.
Costs
Rivers Edge Camping fees for MerleFest are as follows:
- Tents: $100
- Pop up: $135
- RV: $165
- YMCA Shower Band: $75
More information on MerleFest camping
Volunteer For MerleFest
How would you like to be a volunteer at MerleFest? Volunteers receive free entry to the festival the entire day of their shift, free parking and shuttle, and 10% off camping at River’s Edge Campground. Find more information here. The deadline for volunteering is April 15, 2025.
Music Festivals In Winston-Salem & Surrounding Areas
Concert or music festival fan? Don’t stop at MerleFest. Winston-Salem and surrounding areas hold many music festivals all year round. Visit our music coverage to find your next event.
Who is your favorite act you’ve seen at MerleFest? Let us know in the comments!
