Spring festivals in full bloom

April’s shower of festivals and music events keeps flowing — blooming like flowers for Triad music lover’s bouquet. 

Starting from day one: it’s a flurry of a festival fair. Monstercade’s own Bocanegra will head to Local 506 in Chapel Hill (along with Find Out, Ancestor Piratas, and DJ Sylverfish) for the Migrant Fest: Music Without Borders showcase on May 1. 

Over in Pittsboro, Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance makes its 21st annual spring return, May 1-4. Donna the Buffalo once again herds the headliners that include Los Lobos and the California Honeydrops. Triad folks can catch hometown favorites like Sam Fribush, Jeff Little, Joe Troop’s Truth Machine, Demeanor, and Tyler Dodson in the tents and on the stages. 

Down in Charlotte, Lovin’ Life brings major stages and players to the Queen City,  May 2-4. Artists like Third Eye Blind, Weezer, and Dave Matthews Band dot the stages; along with a block for Petey Pablo, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Ludacris. But there’s also the Carolina Ascent Local Stage, dedicated to North Carolina bands worth raising up (like Modern Moxie featuring High Point native, Harry Kollm).

Slightly further south in Shelby, it’s a whole different vibe at the 4th annual Fish Pickin’ on Old North Farm that serves to highlight culinary arts and award-winning chefs through “an afternoon of live-fire cooking, fellowship with foodie friends,” and for 2025: blissed out beats from DJ Uymami.

In the Triad, the first weekend of May is folly in Kernersville as the Spring Folly takes over downtown K-Vegas, May 2 and 3, with food, fresh murals, and a brand new East Mountain Street Stage (featuring UBU on Friday and Cole Brown & Co., Tatum Scott, plus an ensemble of local church bands on Saturday). Camel City Yacht Club and Legacy Motown Revue offer up the Friday Main Stage attractions; followed by a Saturday schedule featuring the Kernersville Dance Company, The Megan Doss Band, and The OG’s.

In Winston-Salem, Out of the Shadows returns to Incendiary Brewing Company’s coal pit on May 3. Salem Smoke, Walker and Snow from Camel City Blues, Folkknot, Barefoot Modern, and KillerAntz are on the bill for the festival’s fourth annual installment aimed at shining a light on local musicians and showcasing the talent in the Triad.  

Meanwhile, the first weekend in May is a whole weekend affair in Greensboro, with the grand opening celebration for the Guitar Shop Off Elm (108 Bain St.) slated for First Friday. On Saturday, the second installment of the First Saturday” block party series in Hamburger Square gets underway. Hosted by a cohort of folks from Design Archives, Little Brother Brewing, Natty Greene’s Brewing, Chandler’s, Acme Comics, and Grey’s Tavern who hope to illustrate just how hot the block can get — heroically so for the special “Free Comic Book Day” edition on May 3. Wristband will be rocking the stage a little further south along South Elm Street at SouthEnd’s annual Mayfest event; and the annual Food Truck Festival rolls into downtown on May 4 for any hungry heroes hanging around. 

Heading into Mother’s Day Weekend, Casual Campout returns to Lakeside Retreats in Raleigh, May 9-11, for a blend of music community and adventure — it’s a vibe, with an eclectic mix from electronic artists like Brennan Fowler to the alternative and jam of bands like Big Something, the Motet, The Nth Power, Keith Allen, Casey & the Comrades, Red Panda and Jacoozy (joined by Ranford Almond). Toubab Krewe is set for a special late-night set; along with other night owl activities from the Rainbow Rave crew and special art peninsula activities from Julian Sizemore and Alo Ver.  

Around the Triad, WFDD will host its annual Spring Fling on May 10 at Camp Weaver in Southeast Greensboro, with a special live taping of the Martha Bassett show (featuring The Biscuit Eaters, Finn Phoenix and The Firebirds, and Detective Blind), along with an array of family activities including crafts, hayrides, face painting, and exciting door prizes.

In High Point, the inaugural N.C. Wine & Jazz Festival is set for May 10 in Oak Hollow Park, offering an afternoon of exceptional wines paired with the sophisticated jazz of Paul Taylor, Marcus Johnson, Garry Percell, Rhonda Thomas, and Cindy Bradley. And in Winston-Salem, Old Crow Medicine Show headlines the 2025 edition of SummerLark (the annual benefit concert supporting the Cancer Patient Support Program at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital), May 10, in Bailey Park.

The fundraising spirit carries over into the next weekend, across all reaches of the Piedmont. In the south, Femme Fest CLT takes over the Milestone in Charlotte, May 16-17, for its second-annual festival showcasing women and femme-presenting artists, with 100 percent of proceeds going to area charities. Girl Brutal, With Haste!, Fantøme, The Maxines, and Leaving for Arizona are on the Friday night bill. Saturday performers include: Modern Moxie, No Anger Control, Y’All’Re, Emmalea Deal & The Hot Mess, and Annie Dukes.

To the east, the Alamance County Farm Bureau will present Gipsy Danger’s Farm Fest, May 17, at the Cadillac Ranch in Green Level. The annual benefit concert will feature Gipsy Danger, Back Porch Orchestra, Mason Lovette Band, Punch The Bear, and The Possum Zombies; with proceeds helping support farmland preservation in Alamance County and Farm Bureau’s AG in the classroom. 

To the west, it’s all paws on deck for Woofstock, May 17, at Koren Farms in Mocksville. Dogs are welcome at the celebration benefiting the Davie County Humane Society, with music from Ledneck, Spindle 45, and Couldn’t Be Happiers.

Moving to the middle: the Randolph County Public Libraries’ Comic Con and Renaissance Fair also goes to the dogs, on May 17, at the Archdale Public Library; with Ruff Love Rescue and Randolph County Animal Services among the featured guests of knights, magicians, and a courier of comic books and activities.

And in Greensboro, the 8th annual ALSapalooza event goes down, May 17, at the Continental Club. Music from Johnny-O and the Jump Out Boys, The Mighty Fairlanes, Big Bump and the Stun Gunz, and Eric Hunsucker sweeten the pot, along with a silent auction, all benefiting ALS United North Carolina. Over in Pleasant Garden, the 26th Annual Pickin’ in the Park will take place at Hagen Stone Park, May 17; with High Lonesome Strings bringing together fine purveyors of the bluegrass tradition.

Switching gears, Artsplosure, the Raleigh Arts Festival returns to downtown Raleigh, May 17-18, with installations, markets, kid-friendly activities, and a bang-up schedule featuring the likes of Chatham Rabbits, Monsoon, Zack Mexico, Wilson Springs Hotel, and Tambem.

With Memorial Day skewing early, musicians and cyclists around Winston-Salem are gearing up for the return of Gears & Guitars to Innovation Quarter, May 23-24; with music from Switchfoot, the Old 97’s, Mipso, Hold Tone, Spindle 45, GoRyanGo, Mipso, and the Smyle Band.

Memorial Day Weekend goes to the squirrels in Brevard For the White Squirrel Weekend, May 23-25; with Red Clay Revival, Shovels & Rope, Holler Choir, Woody Platt & the Bluegrass Experience among the tops of the rootsy bill.

Platt is also due to perform at the Carrboro Bluegrass Festival, on May 24, at the Cat’s Cradle; along with featured performers: Jim Lauderdale, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Graham Sharp, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Max Wareham, and the National Bluegrass Team.

In Sanford, it’s Carolina Indie Fest Weekend, May 24-25, with The Great Indoors, Droze and the Drift, Cliff Wheeler Band, Derrick Drove and the Peacekeepers, Ur Mom, Lipbone Redding, Nor’Easter, Tippers and Pipes, La Unica, Peter Rabbit, and Heavy Denim bringing the hits to Hugger Mugger Brewing.