9 Sensational East Coast Americana Music Festivals (July & August 2024)

Before you know it, the summer of 2024 will be a passing memory. Why not make it more memorable by attending one of the remaining Americana music festivals set to occur on the East Coast of the United States in July and August? While these months may not be the most popular ones for live music events given the hot summer heat, hardcore music fans will appreciate any opportunity they can find to immerse themselves in the best Americana music nationwide.

Read on to discover the top 9 Americana music festivals hitting the East Coast from July through August in 2024.

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

Our first pick of late summer Americana music festivals is coming on faster than a heat stroke! Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is in an ideal location–Oak Hill, New York–given that it’s smack dab in the middle of July. Slated for the weekend of July 17-21, 2024, this long-running event has been delivering top-notch bluegrass since 1984. The lineup includes a downhome blend of bluegrass heavy hitters, along with some fresh faces, including Del McCoury Band, Tony Trischka, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Steeldrivers, Sister Sadie, Hawktail, and Le Vent Du Nord. 

While Grey Fox is a stellar spectator experience, it offers extras like the Bluegrass Academy for Kids where young pickers can learn jamming techniques, while the Emerging Artists program brings in fresh sounds from around the globe, like the South Korean outfit Country GongBang. There’s also a variety of interactive workshops allowing instrumentalists of all levels to jam with industry pros and sharpen their music skills. There’s also a dance tent offering morning yoga and afternoon dance lessons. If you’re craving bluegrass, this July festival is the one to try!

Newport Folk Festival

Joni Mitchell made a historic comeback to the Newport Folk Festival in 2022. © Newport Folk Festival

The legendary Newport Folk Festival has been a cornerstone event hosting the best of the best in the folk, blues, gospel, roots, and Americana genres since its inception in 1959. Set against the backdrop of Fort Adams State Park, this three-day sonic journey running from July 26-28 blends the music of both seasoned pros and emerging new talent alike. 

Founded by George Wein, Albert Grossman, Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, and Oscar Brand, the Newport Folk Festival has made history time and again, first and foremost for offering its stages to music pioneers like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, CSNY, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, the Indigo Girls, and Willie Nelson. The Newport Folk Festival made recent news in 2022 when Joni Mitchell made a jaw-dropping comeback, surrounded by a star-studded posse including Brandi Carlile, Wynonna Judd, and Marcus Mumford. It’s also renowned for its close ties to protest movements, serving as a platform for artists involved in civil rights and anti-war activism.

Newport’s 2024 lineup features Hozier, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Allison Russell, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Elle King, Billy Bragg, and the incomparable Rhiannon Giddens. This repeat blend of crowd-pleasing music artists keeps Newport’s sound vibrant and relevant, ensuring that the spirit of folk and Americana music continues to evolve while honoring its roots.

FloydFest

If you’re looking to groove to some sweet Americana tunes in late July, FloydFest should be on your radar. This laid-back gathering has produced a score of good vibrations in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia since 2002. Set for July 24-28, 2024, FloydFest promises to bring festival attendees the best in Americana, bluegrass, folk, and more, given its history of showcasing music greats like Doc Watson, Rhonda Vincent, Sam Bush, Ani DiFranco, Nickel Creek, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, The Lumineers, and the Steep Canyon Rangers.

The 2024 lineup features Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, a show putting its unique spin on the Grateful Dead’s catalog. Other standout acts will be the Black Pumas, The Heavy Heavy, Victor Wooton, Sierra Ferrell, The Hillbenders, and Sierra Hull. Beyond the tunes, FloydFest offers a whole lot more – from arts and crafts to yoga sessions – making it a well-rounded experience for music lovers looking for a diverse summer musical experience.

AVLFest

As summer drifts from July to August, you can prepare for the awesome AVLFest, a multi-venue music extravaganza set in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina. This four-day Americana music festival running from August 1-4 offers a wristband that allows listeners access to over 200 shows in 20+ different venues from intimate clubs to outdoor concerts. It’s a relatively new kid on the block, having started in 2022, but AVLFest is already making waves in the summer music scene.

AVLFest’s 2024 lineup offers an eclectic mix of local up-and-comers and established acts, covering everything from Americana to bluegrass to folk and even rock. Featured performers include Papadosio, Washed Out, Beachwood Sparks, Jessica Pratt, River Whyless, The Sadies, The Local Honeys, Red Clay Revival, and many more. Whether you’re into mellow acoustic sets or high-energy jam sessions, AVLFest has got you covered.

Hot August Music Festival

A festival by any other name than Hot August Music Festival just wouldn’t be the same! Established in 1993, this enduring one-day event, set in Cockeysville, Maryland, features a diverse mix of musical genres including rock, blues, funk, Americana, and bluegrass. Besides showcasing both established and emerging artists, its sprawling green fields are a perfect setting to bring the whole family–lawn chairs, blankets, and canopy tents in tow.

For 2024, the Hot August Music Festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 10th with a head-turning line-up. Among the artists eager to entertain the expected masses are Grace Potter, Snarky Puppy, Neal Francis, Eggy, Chris Jacobs, Sam Grisman Project, PRS Eightlock, Hot August Collective, and Pressing Strings. If you’re in the Baltimore area, this burb nestled to the north will be the perfect day getaway to enjoy toe-tapping Americana music.

Philadelphia Folk Festival

Another historic East Coast summer music festival that features plenty of music in the Americana genre is the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Slated for August 16-18, 2024, this long-running event is held at the picturesque Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford, Pennsylvania. It draws over 35,000 music lovers and nearly 7,000 campers annually for a weekend of foot-stompin’ good times. A wide range of genres under the folk umbrella are covered like World/Fusion, Celtic, Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock, Country, Klezmer, Blues, Bluegrass, Hip/Hop, Spoken Word, Storytelling, and Dance.

The famous Philadelphia Folk Festival premiered in 1962 and has hosted some landmark music greats: Pete Seeger, Reverend Gary Davis, Bonnie Dobson, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson, Judy Collins, and Theodore Bikel among them. This year’s roster includes seasoned troubadour Ellis Paul, the soulful Crys Matthews, harmony-rich Windbourne, and the genre-bending Gangstagrass. You’ll also catch Celtic powerhouse Runa, roots maestro Dom Flemmons, the hauntingly beautiful harmonies of The Secret Sisters, and much more.

Grab your camping gear, tune up that guitar, and get ready to join the jam, as this year’s Philadelphia Folk Festival promises a memorable August weekend.

Earl Scruggs Music Festival

Three major Americana festivals will take place along the East Coast on Labor Day Weekend. The first we’re covering is the Earl Scruggs Music Festival in Tryon, North Carolina, a must-hit event. Though the festival is fairly new–just established in 2022–it has quickly become a standout bluegrass festival, paying tribute to the late, great banjo picker extraordinaire Earl Scruggs. From August 30 to September 1, 2024, festival-goers will be treated to the best bluegrass music south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Past lineups have featured heavy hitters like The Infamous Stringdusters, Emmylou Harris, and the Del McCoury Band, setting a high bar for roots music gatherings.

This year’s lineup offers a mix of traditional and contemporary acts including Yonder Mountain String Band, The Steeldrivers, The Earls of Leicester, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Peter Rowan & Sam Grisman Project, Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, and the legendary country music star Tanya Tucker. The Earl Scruggs festival goes beyond just the tunes, though. Held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, festival-goers can camp on-site, squeeze in a horseback trail ride, or take part in a pickleball tournament between sets. It’s a laid-back, immersive experience that captures the spirit of Americana in more ways than one.

Rhythm & Roots Festival

The Rhythm & Roots Festival, set in Charlestown, Rhode Island, is hosting another Labor Day Weekend music bash with music ranging from bluegrass to blues to Americana…even a sprinkling of Cajun and Zydeco! What started as a modest gathering in 1998 has strengthened to crowds of 4,000 annually who fill up Ninigret Park to be entertained on the festival’s four stages. For those who can barely sit still when the music starts, one of the stages is dedicated to dance. Can I get a do-si-do? 

This year’s lineup is headlined by the silver-haired Americana songstress Emmylou Harris, the down-to-earth Old Crow Medicine Show, and the grit-ridden Drive-By Truckers. Other acts bringing their unique blends of roots music include Larkin Poe, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Rebirth Brass Band, GA-20, Julia Pratt, and Yarn. Bring a lawn chair (or a tent) and chill for the weekend!

Appaloosa Music Festival

The Appaloosa Roots Music Festival, our last summer music event on the list, is a true hidden gem in the Americana festival scene. Hosted at Skyline Ranch Resort in Front Royal, Virginia, Appaloosa offers a diverse mix of genres across its four stages, leaving crowds that number up to 9,000 soulfully satisfied. The 2024 lineup will showcase Celtic folk rock courtesy of Scythian, cutting-edge bluegrass via Shadowgrass, and more innovative music from acts such as Tophouse, Jigjam, Kat Higgins, Gothard Sisters, Low Water Bridge Band, Ben-David Warner, Smoke and The Poet, Catfish In The Sky, and Pickin’ Thistles.

This family-friendly gathering includes a kids’ area, craft vendors, food trucks, and even a Sunday mass, all framed against the towering Blue Ridge mountains. The Appaloosa Roots Music Festival holds our final spot of three amazing Americana music festivals taking place on Labor Day Weekend from August 31 to September 1, 2024. If you’re living in the D.C. area, this festival will be an amazing weekend romp that won’t drain your gas tank. Mark your calendar!