Raleigh Wide Open music festival celebrates global traditional sounds

The second annual Raleigh Wide Open music festival is taking place in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, featuring a diverse lineup of 40 acts. Produced by the nonprofit PineCone, the three-day event serves as a successor to the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass festival, which relocated to Chattanooga in 2024.

While the festival maintains strong roots in bluegrass and Appalachian music, the programming has expanded to include a global variety of traditional sounds. Featured performers include the gospel a cappella group The Fairfield Four, the Mexican string band Trio Huasteco, and the Icelandic acoustic group Brek. Other musical influences present at the event include Son huasteco, classical Chinese elements, and gospel.

Performances are held at NC State’s Centennial Campus and along Fayetteville Street, integrating music with local food and art. Organizers describe the event as a cultural celebration intended to showcase the multicultural nature of North Carolina music.