Arts >> Music >> Music Festivals

Blue Grass Festivals in Wisconsin

Bluegrass music, traditionally played with acoustic stringed instruments such as the banjo, fiddle and acoustic guitar, is rooted in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It takes its name from the Kentucky-based band the Blue Grass Boys, led by "Father of Bluegrass," Bill Monroe, who shaped the style that aficionados enjoy today. Wisconsin boasts a few musical roots of its own, including status as the birthplace of legendary guitarist Les Paul. Finding a festival in Wisconsin that celebrates music steeped in stringed instruments is easy --- there are bluegrass events throughout the state all summer long.
  1. Bluegrass Family Reunion at Bruce

    • Claiming status as Wisconsin's first all-gospel bluegrass festival, the event takes place in August at the Living Waters Campground in the Blue Hills, in northern Wisconsin.

      Bluegrass Family Reunion at Bruce

      N7347 Hwy 40

      Bruce, WI

      715-868-2987

      www.bluegrassatbruce.com

    Buffalo River Valley Bluegrass Gospel Festival

    • Bluegrass gospel groups from across the country come to perform at this festival, held in Mondovi in July. The scenic location, on the Buffalo River Valley trail system, makes stretching your legs for a walk, bike ride or run in between music sets an additional treat.

      Buffalo River Valley Bluegrass Gospel Festival

      W579 U.S. Hwy 10

      Mondovi, WI 54755

      715-926-5854

      www.kingscountrymen.com/festival/

    East Troy Bluegrass Festival

    • Held yearly on the second weekend in September, this free festival features two days of bluegrass performances along with other events. Past festivals have included a guitar, mandolin and banjo competition, a fiddle competition and an open stage for bluegrass music hopefuls.

      East Troy Bluegrass Festival

      East Troy Village Square

      East Troy, WI

      262-642-3770

      www.easttroybluegrass.com

    Brooklyn Bluegrass Festival

    • Camp out in 15-acre Legion Park and listen to the bluegrass notes waft through the air. Held in June, this three-day festival features regional bands and is located in southern Wisconsin.

      Brooklyn Bluegrass Festival

      Legion Park

      Brooklyn, WI

      608-455-4201

      www.bluegrassinbrooklyn.com

    Midsummer in the Northwoods

    • Listen to music while nestled among trees or over food and drink inside a historic 1930s restaurant, the Cozy Cove. This long-running festival touts spontaneous musical moments mingled with planned shows, along with workshops led by well-known bluegrass artists.

      Midsummer in the Northwoods

      Cozy Cove Tavern & Restaurant and the Bluegrass Institute of the Northwoods.

      32 N. U.S. Highway 51

      Manitowish Waters, WI 54545

      715-543-2166

      www.onemorebluegrassshow.com

    Larryfest

    • Held by the Kickapoo Valley Acoustic Music Association, the two-day event takes place on a maple syrup farm in August. Be sure to check out the souvenir-worthy signature maple syrup, presented in a fiddle-shaped bottle.

      Larryfest

      S2096-24 Valley Rd.

      LaFarge, WI 54639

      608-386-1448

      www.kvama.org/larryfest.php

Music Festivals

Related Categories