Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival

A Day of Bluegrass When the Leaves Turn

This festival is the Haywood County Arts Council’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and you can tell. The music is the main draw, but the council also brings its member artists, who work at their tables through the afternoon. There are also vendors with handmade work, raffles, a playground for kids and grown-ups, and local food and drink. The late October date usually puts color on the ridges above the valley. More than 1,000 people came last year.

Who’s Playing in 2026

Four bands are on the bill, and three of them have played this festival before:

• Balsam Range, the Haywood County band that headlines and has played almost every year of the festival
• Appalachian Road Show, whose members include a Grammy-winning fiddler and a Grammy-nominated banjo player
• Unspoken Tradition, a North Carolina band known for original songs about the region
• Red Camel Collective, named IBMA New Artist of the Year in 2025

Neither set times nor the running order have been published. If you’re coming for one band, check with the arts council closer to the date.
Set times haven’t been announced. If you’re coming for one band, check with the arts council closer to the date.

Tickets and Prices

Tickets are sold through the Haywood County Arts Council. The early bird rate ended August 30, so these are the current prices:

• General admission (over 12): $65 plus 7% NC sales tax, $69.55 total
• Kids 12 and under: free
• Folding chair rental: $5 at the gate

All sales are final. Prices come from the arts council’s festival page as of September 2026 and may change, so check before you buy.

What to Bring

Bring your own seating. A camp chair or blanket works, or you can rent a chair at the gate. Coolers aren’t allowed, so plan to buy food and drinks on site. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome.

The festival goes on whatever the weather does, and there are no refunds for rain. Late October mornings in the valley can be chilly, and it cools off quickly once the sun drops behind the mountains. Pack a layer even if the forecast looks good.

Getting There and Parking

The festival grounds are on Soco Road, the main road through Maggie Valley, so they’re easy to find. The venue says there’s plenty of parking on site. The arts council doesn’t say whether parking is free for this event, so ask when you buy your tickets.