City

New bluegrass festival to replace IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh

Following IBMA Bluegrass Live!'s announced departure from Oak City, a new bluegrass festival from PineCone will pluck its way into Raleigh in 2025.

July 30, 2024 • 
Allie Remhof
Attendees watch a concert at Red Hat Amphitheater.

Raleigh was the fourth home of IBMA World of Bluegrass with shows at Red Hat and throughout downtown.

Photo provided by IBMA and PineCone

Piedmont-based music nonprofit PineCone announced a new bluegrass festival called Raleigh Wide Open which will replace IBMA World of Bluegrass + Bluegrass Live! in 2025.

Raleigh Wide Open will take center stage Oct. 3-4, 2025 and is named in honor of the original Oak City bluegrass festival. IBMA Bluegrass Live! will rock Raleigh one last time Sept. 27-28 with acts like Sierra Ferrell + Steep Canyon Rangers. IBMA’s festival amassed 223,000 attendees from 2017 to 2023.

During the festival’s 10th year in the City of Oaks in 2023, IBMA announced that World of Bluegrass + Bluegrass Live! would leave Raleigh — the festival will head to Chattanooga, Tennessee starting in 2025.

“The festival will certainly include bluegrass but will be much more culturally expansive,” said David Brower, PineCone’s executive director, in a 2023 press release. “Gospel, funk, blues, and old time are deeply rooted in this community and a whole lot of fun. We want to make sure this new festival both looks and sounds like Raleigh.”

More from RALtoday
A shot of downtown buildings with beautiful architecture.
City
2026 State of the City: Grow something here
Mayor Janet Cowell delivered the 2026 State of the City address at the City of Raleigh Museum on March 18 — here’s what you need to know from this year’s address.
March 19, 2026
 · 
Allie Remhof
RAL_NCMAArtInBloom2026gif_MARCH2026
Events
Art in Bloom’s 2026 show shines with zodiac inspirations
This one-of-a-kind floral fundraiser is at the NC Museum of Art through Sunday, March 22.
March 17, 2026
 · 
Allie Remhof
RAL_MarchMadness2026preview_MARCH2026
March Madness 2026: Where Duke, NC State, and UNC are heading
March is here, and Triangle basketball is better than ever. See where Duke, UNC, and NC State men’s and women’s basketball teams landed during March Madness and where to see them play next.
March 16, 2026
 · 
Allie Remhof
RAL_BirdiesBrunch_JULY2025
Play
45+ top brunch restaurants to try in Raleigh
Raleigh restaurants, cafes, and diners serving up all the eggs, pancakes, mimosas, and other brunch favorites you want to eat.
March 10, 2026
 · 
Staff
RALtoday JC Raulston Arboretum
11 Raleigh summer camps for every kind of kid
Give your kiddos a summer filled with fun at these local summer camps.
March 5, 2026
 · 
Danyale Daniels
RAL_OscarDiazcollage_MARCH2025
Food
Durham chef Oscar Diaz makes his “Top Chef” debut
Oscar Diaz, from Durham’s Little Bull and Aaktun, is one of 15 “cheftestants” on season 23 of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” and we learned more about his favorite local spots at the Charlotte premiere.
March 4, 2026
 · 
Allie Remhof
A chalkboard sign from Edge of Urge that says "Only you can keep the local economy thriving."
Local love: RALtoday’s growing guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
March 4, 2026
 · 
Allie Remhof
An elaborate and colorful floral arrangement sits in the center of an art gallery.
Events
Plan Ahead: March events in Raleigh
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
March 3, 2026
 · 
Allie Remhof
A hand holds a vibrant cross-stitch depicting a witch and a haunted house against a blue, starry sky, bordered with green polka dots. Vinyl records form a colorful background.
Culture
Needlepoint is back: Here’s how to try it in Raleigh
Needlepoint is one of the biggest “analog hobby” trends. Here’s where to learn and meet other stitchers.
March 2, 2026
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A rendering of two towers with an adjoining courtyard.
Development
5 developments to keep an eye on in Raleigh in 2026
In case you hadn’t noticed, Raleigh’s growing in a big way, and some mixed-use developments are set to transform downtown + Midtown in 2026 and beyond. Here’s what you need to know about three major developments.
February 26, 2026
 · 
Allie Remhof