MerleFest, presented by Window World, has announced the initial lineup for the annual event, taking place April 24-27, 2025, on the campus of Wilkes Community College. This year’s leading acts include 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. MerleFest 2025 will also feature the surprise return of the Late Night Jam, hosted by Sam Bush, with additional festival performances by the Kruger Brothers, Jim Lauderdale, and more. Industry forerunners such as Wyatt Flores, The War And Treaty, The SteelDrivers, Asleep at the Wheel, Brent Cobb, Alison Brown, and Della Mae are also set to appear. View the initial lineup below.
Honoring the lasting legacy of its founding legend, Doc Watson, MerleFest is poised to deliver another unforgettable weekend in 2025, with even more surprises in store. Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Late Night Jam with Sam Bush and Friends. Claim your spot to witness a classic, no-holds-barred MerleFest jam hosted by Sam Bush and an all-star lineup of MerleFest artists. The Late Night Jam is a separately ticketed event. Visit www.merlefest.org/purchase for details. Stay tuned for additional lineup announcements coming soon.
New for 2025, the MerleFest Mobile App is now available. Download it on all Apple and Android devices to begin 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. Don’t wait—download today!
MerleFest 2025 will welcome The Avett Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, The Dead South, Watchhouse, Wyatt Flores, The War And Treaty, The SteelDrivers, Sam Bush, Asleep at the Wheel, The Lil Smokies, Brent Cobb, Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam, Alison Brown, Della Mae, Peter Rowan, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, TopHouse, Big Richard, John R. Miller, Woody Platt and the Bluegrass Gentlemen, John McEuen & The Circle Band, The Waybacks, Andy May, Banknotes, The Barefoot Movement, Carol Mallett Rifkin, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian From China to Appalachia, Charles Welch, Damn Tall Buildings, East Nash Grass, The InterACTive Theater of Jef, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Joe Smothers, Josh Goforth, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Mattie Schell, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, Muireann Bradley, Paul McDonald, Pete & Joan Wernick, Presley Barker, Rev. Robert Jones, Roy Booker Binder, T. Michael Coleman, Todd Albright, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, and additional artists to be announced in the coming weeks. For artist performance dates, visit www.merlefest.org/lineup.
MerleFest 2025 tickets are available now. For general admission passes, as well as covered patio seating, reserved seating, camping, parking, and more, please visit www.merlefest.org/purchase.
MerleFest volunteer applications are now open. Volunteers receive free entry to the festival for the entire day of their shift, free parking and shuttle service, and a 10% discount on camping at River’s Edge Campground. Most importantly, volunteers support a major fundraiser for Wilkes Community College. Please visit www.merlefest.org/volunteer to sign up before the April 15 deadline.
Apply to be a MerleFest vendor! Vendors are carefully selected to provide quality and unique goods for every MerleFest fan. Included in the vendor fee are your tent, setup, fire extinguisher, gutters, table, chairs, a lightbulb for nighttime illumination, on-campus security, general admission passes for the entire festival, and one on-campus parking pass. Simply put, it’s a great deal! Please visit www.merlefest.org/vendors to apply before the application window closes on January 15.
Apply to be a MerleFest food vendor! MerleFest is looking for a few select non-profit organizations to fill availability in the main food tent. If your civic organization or local non-profit has food service experience and would like to participate, please visit www.merlefest.org/vendors to apply. The application window closes on January 15.
Apply to be a food truck vendor! MerleFest will now be accepting applications for food trucks. Starting in 2025, a select number of food trucks will be placed in the Shoppes at MerleFest. These vendors will be hand-picked to bring the best offerings and service to our fans. Please visit www.merlefest.org/vendors to apply before the application window closes on January 15.
The WCC Foundation is pleased to announce a new twist to our Silent Auction! This year’s Silent Auction will feature mobile bidding, allowing festival guests and supporters to 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 seat. New for this year is a 50/50 Raffle that will take place during the festival. Stay tuned for more details at www.merlefest.org/silent-auction.
