Listen up: The 22nd rendition of the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance held in the bucolic, rolling hills of Chatham County, North Carolina, just a short drive from Raleigh or Greensboro, is set for May 7-10, 2026.
Headliners for this year’s event, hosted by festival founders Donna the Buffalo, include returning acts Rising Appalachia, Chatham Rabbits and Jim Lauderdale, among many others.
Holiday Ticket Special through January 19 4-Day Admission = $139* 4-Day Youth (13-15) Admission = $72* *PLUS APPLICABLE FEES
The wait is over! The good folks at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival have announced the lineup for the 2026 rendition of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival set for June 18-21 and it doesn’t disappoint!
Still looking for a place to stay?
There may still be a couple of Town Park camping, Warner Field camping and even some vehicle passes at shop.bluegrass.com but don’t delay if you want one or more of these coveted spots because they are sure to go fast!
Plus, be sure to check out the lodging guide for insider tips and exclusive lodging discounts! And don’t forget about Titus Adventure Co., which is offering vehicle pass bundles that include the camper itself! Purchase of a Titus bundle guarantees a vehicle camping pass! It’s the perfect way to experience Telluride – no Sprinter van ownership required!
Official award announcement for Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s 16th annual “Best of the Blue Ridge” Awards
Wondering what the top trails are in the Blue Ridge region? Or which music festival is the best? Well, the readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors have spoken.
Last October, the publication’s readers nominated their favorite outdoor businesses, events, food/drinks, and destinations in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, and then voted to pick the top winners. This year the magazine received over 200,000 total votes in 51 categories.
“We are touched that so many businesses and attractions in Brevard and Transylvania County have been recognized with annual Best of the Blue Ridge awards by the readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine,” ransylvania County Tourism Executive Director Clark Lovelace told the magazine. “From Sliding Rock to Pisgah Climbing School to Davidson River Outfitters to DD Bullwinkel’s Outdoors, and more, it is a testament to the incredible outdoor paradise and friendly faces that we have in our community. We invite and welcome all to experience the magic of our destination.”
The Best of the Blue Ridge awards are the most well-known outdoor awards in the Southeast. The winners each receive a winner seal to place in their windows and on digital and printed materials.
Blue Ridge Outdoors would like to thank everyone who participated in the nomination and voting processes for this year’s contest, and give congratulations to all winners, runners-up, and nominees.
Best Music Festival Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival, Martinsville, Va. Great line-ups and intimate, tight-knit vibes characterize this enduring jam-friendly fest held every t Memorial Day weekend at the scenic Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Va. Organizers already announced this year’s roster of bands, so get ready for sets from Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Mountain Grass Unit, Eggy, and moe. – J.F.
Runners Up FloydFest – Festival Park, Va. DelFest – Cumberland, Md. (tie) Red Wing Roots Music Festival – Mt. Solon, Va. (tie)
Events & Races
Best Family Friendly Festival Front Porch Fest – Stuart, Va. Front Porch Fest started as a low-key gathering for family and friends, and it maintains that atmosphere when it takes place every year at the scenic Spirithaven Farm in the Blue Ridge foothills of Patrick County, Va. But while the event keep its downhome vibe, it attracts top regional artists in jam, roots, and bluegrass music like Larry Keel and Big Daddy Love. Look out for this year’s lineup in the coming months. – J.F.
Runners Up Go Outside Festival – Roanoke, Va. Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance – Pittsboro, N.C.
Best Unique Festival LEAF Global Arts Retreat – Black Mountain, N.C. LEAF Global Arts Retreat is an eclectic spring festival in the mountains of western North Carolina that blends a diverse roster of roots music acts from around the world with a variety of healing arts and cultural workshops, all taking place on the scenic grounds of Lake Eden. Acts at last year’s event ranged from Appalachian tunesmith Tyler Ramsey to New Orleans funk band Dumpstaphunk to the traditional Ugandan artist Chinobay. Look for this year’s dates and line-up to be announced soon. – J.F.
Runners Up Appalachian Trail Days Festival – Damascus, Va. Highland County Maple Festival – Monterey, Va.
About Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
For 30 years, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine has been the definitive guide to all things outdoors in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Distributed from Pennsylvania to Georgia, the publication’s award-winning writers cover the region’s best destinations for adventure, as well as the latest outdoor recreation trends, gear, and culture.
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