Chattanooga to host multiday bluegrass festival in 2025

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Bluegrass group Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind preform at an event announcing the World of Bluegrass festival will take place in Chattanooga beginning in 2025. The announcement took place in the Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza on Monday. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Bluegrass group Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind preform at an event announcing the World of Bluegrass festival will take place in Chattanooga beginning in 2025. The announcement took place in the Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza on Monday.

By David Floyd July 29, 2024 4 min read

For at least three years, Chattanooga will host a five-day bluegrass festival that will shine an international spotlight on the Scenic City.

The International Bluegrass Music Association will hold its World of Bluegrass Festival in Chattanooga starting Sept. 16-20, 2025. It will also occur in Chattanooga in 2026 and 2027.

“If we do things right, we might keep them a little bit longer,” Barry White, CEO of the Chattanooga Tourism Co., said during a jubilant announcement Monday afternoon alongside elected leaders and musicians.

The event will include a convention and trade show, a “ramble” featuring artists in multiple downtown locations and an international awards show and banquet that will recognize the best musicians around the world. It will culminate with two days of bluegrass concert performances.