MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and to celebrate 'traditional plus' music.

The Music of MerleFest was best explained by Doc himself: "When Merle and I started out we called our music 'traditional plus', meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play. Since the beginning, the people of the college and I have agreed that the music of MerleFest is 'traditional plus'."

The MOMENTS of MerleFest are those unique experiences that only happen here. It may be two musicians you never expected to see collaborating, a shooting star over the Watson Stage during an evening's closing set, or that one set that seems to have touched everyone in the audience.

The MEMORIES of MerleFest include the memory of Eddy Merle Watson, who we honor each day with "The Tribute to Merle" and the new memories we create each year we come together to celebrate MerleFest. Fond memories we will always cherish are those of Doc and his unending contributions to the festival, the college and the music world. At MerleFest, fans would always flock when Doc graced the stage with his amazing flat-picking style, rich baritone voice and humble presence…a presence that will always be missed.

MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, serves as an annual homecoming for musicians and music fans. Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of american music legend Doc Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of "traditional plus" music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles. The festival hosts numerous artists, performing on 12 stages during the course of the four-day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

Schedule of Events:

Watson Stage

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: MerleFest Veterans Jam with Jack Lawrence, Joe Smothers, Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, and T Michael Coleman
01:15 pm - 02:00 pm: John McEuen and The Circle Band
02:30 pm - 03:15 pm: Paul McDonald and The Mourning Doves
03:45 pm - 04:30 pm: Donna the Buffalo
04:30 pm - 05:15 pm: Dinner Break
05:45 pm - 06:50 pm: The Altons and Thee Sinseers
07:35 pm - 09:05 pm: Sam Bush
09:50 pm - 11:20 pm: The Avett Brothers

Cabin Stage

11:15 am - 12:00 pm: Muireann Bradley
12:45 pm - 01:15 pm: Cristina Vane
02:00 pm - 02:30 pm: TopHouse
03:15 pm - 03:45 pm: Acoustic Kids ambassadors
04:30 pm - 05:15 pm: Dinner Break
05:15 pm - 05:45 pm: Emily Nenni
06:50 pm - 07:35 pm: John R. Miller
09:05 pm - 09:50 pm: The Steel Wheels

Creekside Stage

11:00 am - 11:45 am: Memories of The Watson Family hosted by T. Michael Coleman with Watson Family Friends
12:15 pm - 01:00 pm: Mitch Greenhill’s Journey in Song
01:30 pm - 02:30 pm: Mando Mania hosted by Tony Williamson
03:00 pm - 03:45 pm: Jeff Little Trio
04:15 pm - 05:00 pm: The Secret Sisters
05:30 pm - 06:30 pm: Hazel at 100, a Celebration of Hazel Dickens

Little Pickers Stage

11:15 am - 11:45 am: InterACTive Theater of JEF
11:45 am - 12:15 pm: Gravity Check Juggling
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm: Dear MariBella and The Pigkickers
12:45 pm - 01:00 pm: Meet and Greet with Flattop
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm: Open Mic for Kids 12 and Under with Larry Skipper
02:30 pm - 03:00 pm: Myles Gee
03:00 pm - 03:30 pm: Gravity Check Juggling
03:30 pm - 04:00 pm: Scythian's Cake For Dinner!
04:30 pm - 05:00 pm: Creekwater Collective
05:00 pm - 05:30 pm: Gravity Check Juggling

"B" Townes americana Stage

11:30 am - 12:15 pm: Humbird
12:45 pm - 01:30 pm: Della Mae
02:00 pm - 02:45 pm: Emily Nenni
03:15 pm - 04:00 pm: John R. Miller
04:30 pm - 05:15 pm: TopHouse
05:45 pm - 06:30 pm: Denitia

Traditional Stage

11:00 am - 11:45 am: Banknotes
12:15 pm - 01:00 pm: Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth
01:45 pm - 02:30 pm: The Fretliners
03:15 pm - 04:00 pm: Becky Buller
04:45 pm - 05:30 pm: Tony Williamson
06:15 pm - 07:00 pm: The Secret Sisters

Pickin' Place

11:00 am - 10:00 pm: Jammin' at the Pickin' Place

Dance Stage

11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Acoustic Kids Showcase with Andy May
01:00 pm - 01:45 pm: The Steel Wheels
02:30 pm - 03:15 pm: Cristina Vane
04:00 pm - 04:45 pm: The Hooten Hallers
05:30 pm - 06:15 pm: Paul McDonald and The Mourning Doves
07:15 pm - 08:15 pm: Donna the Buffalo

Austin Stage at Mayes Pit (Cohn Auditorium)

11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Learn to Jam with Dr. Banjo Pete Wernick - BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT!
12:30 pm - 01:15 pm: History of MerleFest with B Townes
01:45 pm - 05:15 pm: The Greatest Acoustic Blue Show on Earth
02:05 pm - 02:35 pm: Charles Welch
02:35 pm - 03:20 pm: Todd Albright
03:20 pm - 04:05 pm: Rev. Robert Jones
04:05 pm - 04:50 pm: Muireann Bradley
04:50 pm - 05:15 pm: Roy Book Binder and Fats Kaplin
05:45 pm - 07:15 pm: Acoustic Kids with Andy May

Plaza Stage

11:30 am - 04:00 pm: MerleFest 2025 Band Competition with Host Mark Bumgarner
11:45 am - 12:00 pm: The Well Drinkers
12:15 pm - 12:30 pm: A Different Thread
12:45 pm - 01:00 pm: Corrie Lynn Green
01:15 pm - 01:30 pm: Ranford Almond
01:30 pm - 02:15 pm: Lunch Break
02:15 pm - 02:30 pm: Mama and The Ruckus
02:45 pm - 03:00 pm: Charlie Maples
03:15 pm - 03:30 pm: Upstream Rebellion
03:45 pm - 04:00 pm: Admiral Radio
04:30 pm - 04:45 pm: Band Contest Winner Announced
04:45 pm - 05:30 pm: Presley Barker

Hillside Stage

11:00 am - 11:45 am: Denitia
12:15 pm - 01:00 pm: Jim Lauderdale and The Game Changers
01:30 pm - 02:15 pm: Alison Brown
03:00 pm - 04:30 pm: Album Hour with The Waybacks
05:15 pm - 06:15 pm: Sunset Sessions with Asleep at the Wheel

Walker Center Stage

11:30 am - 12:15 pm: Alison Brown
12:45 pm - 01:30 pm: Becky Buller
02:00 pm - 02:45 pm: Kruger Brothers
03:15 pm - 04:00 pm: Humbird
04:30 pm - 05:30 pm: John McEuen and The Circle Band

Autograph Tent

12:30 pm - 1:00 pm: Humbird
02:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Della Mae
03:00 pm - 3:30 pm: The Steel Wheels
06:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Emily Nenni
08:30 pm - 9:00 pm: John R. Miller