Buskers Fest

Downtown Boone, NC

2027 Event Participation & Sponsorship

Participate

Applications for the 2027 festival are not open yet. Check back later to apply!

Waitlist!

Support

Interested in supporting Buskers Fest through a monetary sponsorship (and enjoying some great perks in return)? WAC now offers various sponsorship options to fit all budgets!

Click below to learn more about the available sponsorship options or Pay NOW.
Contact Krista at admin@watauga-arts.org with questions!

SPONSOR PERKS!

Volunteer

Want to help bring Buskers Fest to life? Sign up for our volunteer interest form, and we will be in touch as the 2027 festival nears with volunteer shifts.

LEND A HAND!

Thanks for another great year!

September 12, 2026 was one for the books! Thank you to everyone who came out and supported this festival. Here’s an overview and recap of the 2026 Buskers Fest!

Join Us for Buskers Fest & Boonetoberfest 2026!

Two Festivals. One Incredible Day!

Celebrate the arts and Oktoberfest together in the heart of downtown Boone!

Since its launch in 2021, Buskers Fest has grown into a vibrant, open-air celebration of creativity in all its forms. Going beyond traditional street performance, the festival brings together live music, performance art, local makers, and original artwork—making it one of Boone’s most cherished cultural events.

This year, Boonetoberfest adds even more fun! Boone’s breweries are bringing Oktoberfest to downtown with festivities throughout the day. Bounce from brewery to brewery while enjoying live music, seasonal food and brews, and stein-holding contests for all ages. Additionally, Fizz Ed will be hosting Wienerfest, wiener-dog art, and wiener games!

Come for the Buskers, stay for the brews, and discover the talents of hundreds of local artists, performers, and makers as downtown Boone comes alive with creative energy.

Whether you want to participate as a creative or simply enjoy the festivities, we invite you to join us for two festivals in one unforgettable day!

What is Busking? Busking is the time-honored tradition of performing in public spaces for voluntary donations. From Doc Watson to today’s street performers, busking has long been part of Boone’s cultural heartbeat—bringing creativity into everyday life and making the arts accessible to all.

This event is brought to you through a partnership with the Watauga Arts Council and the Downtown Boone Development Association.

Come find WAC on the Jones House lawn!

Stop by the Watauga Arts Council tent at the Jones House lawn on festival day for event information, Buskers Fest merch, an art raffle, and more. We’ll be there throughout the day and would love to see you!

Parking Map!
Festival Map!
Festival Flyer!

Special Events!

  • Tent Vending @ N. Depot Lot

  • Boonetoberfest @ Lost Province

  • Boonetoberfest @ SouthEnd

  • Wiener Fest @ Fizz Ed

  • Fun Festivities @ Rock Dimensions

90+ Musicians!

  • Andrew Brady - Covers

    Ken Hamilton - Acoustic Jam

    Mason James (Youth Maker) - Acoustic Jam

  • Banjo Buddies - Banjo Jam

    Daniel Sherrill - Banjo

    Eamon Russell and the Carolina String Band - Bluegrass

    Nobody’s String Band - Bluegrass

    Surefire Bluegrass Band - Traditional mountain-style bluegrass

  • BBT Band - Multi-genre

    Big Eyes Parker - Multi-genre

    Bob Bonnen - Multi-genre

    CesarJC Music - Multi-genre

    Crossnore Jammers - Multi-genre

    Gary R. - Harmonica

    Iris - Multi-genre

    Jake & the Disco Cabbage - Multi-genre

    Lowell Cooke - Multi-genre

    Mike & Don - Multi-genre

    Montana Ridge - Multi-genre

    Ridge Hound Blues - Multi-genre

    The Aquarius - Multi-genre

    Trees Love Music / Joy Zipper - Multi-genre

  • Edison Midgett - Rock & Blues

    Jake the Raven - Rock

    Oscar Zimmerman (Youth Maker) - Rock/Punk

    Professor Boogie - Rock & Roll

  • Eric Amato - Singing Bowls & Native Flutes

    Fairy Godmother - Folk songs and Fairytales

    Faith Martin and Family - Americana

    Great Dane/Dane Chelcun - Pedal boards and Acoustic

    Treble Attraction - A Cappella

    Van Walls - British Organ Grinder & Concertina

20+ Exciting Experiences!

  • App State Clay Club - Pottery Wheels

    Barefoot Builders - Woodturning Demonstrations

    Bell’s Wares - Acrylic Paint Pouring Demonstrations

    Blue Ridge Fiber Guild - Fiber/Loom Demonstrations

    Bobby Carter - Caricature

    EDGE Nonprofit - Mehndi (Henna) Art

    Jeanine Hasty - Live Painting & Auction

    Pixie Paint - Face Painting

    Tabitha Tindale - Jewelry Charm Bar

    N. Depot St Parking Lot - Tent Vending from 10am to 5pm!

  • Baba Khalid - African Drum Experience

    Dillon Williams - Magic

    Filaments Aerial Collective - Aerial Silks Performance

    Fletcher Roberts - Magic

    High Country Jugglers - Juggling

    Mark Edwards - Collaborative Percussion

  • Annie Preaux - Big Read Project

    Jason English - Spoken Word Poetry

    Lindsey Shoemaker - Creative Writing Games

    Nich Graham-Maes-Taheri - Typewriter Poetry

  • Taqueria La Monarca

    Miriam’s Mini Sweet Treats

  • Marcie Mahoney - Plant Bus

80+ Artists!

  • Pidge

    Rhodo Clay & Kiln

    NC Pottery Co

    J&R Top of the Mountain Pottery

    Mollysmud Ceramics

    Keysha & Otniel Gomez

    Judas Pistole

    Sleepy Frog Shop

    Re-Fashioned

  • Sylvia Sequina-Hitchcock

    Natalie Little de Gorter

    Bobby Carter

    SketchyJeffy

    Tegan Dover

    The Art of Leigh A. Owen

    Allyson Murphy

    Pond Creek Finds

    Foxcrow Crafts

  • Cozy and Quaint Quilts

    Natalie Little de Gorter

    Oceanic Tie Dye

    Crafty Creations (Youth Maker)

    Stony Fork Dyes

    Magic Mausoleum

    Gold Dust Creative

    Light from the Rubble

    Flow Girl Designs

    Waning Moon Designs Graphique

  • ModernMicroMosaics

    Crafty Creations (Youth Maker)

    Drop Dead Adorable Art

    Grey Cat Jewelry Shop

    Jacob Hoke

    River Way Designs

    EliJaxArt

    Steel Connector

    Re-Fashioned

  • Sketchy Jeffy

    Rachel Trusty

    Denise’s Designs

    Graveyard Goods

    MALO

    Jenna’s Junk

    Andrea Baldwin

    Creative Compulsion

  • M.T. LeBlanc Productions - Animation

    Candy Apple Indian Books - Blind Date w/ a Book

    Grayson Portaro (Youth Maker) - Candles

    The Gleeful Wanderer - Dolls

    Cary Caldwell - Fused Glass, Pet Portraits

    Drop Dead Adorable Art - Nature’s Treasures

    Dezi Beltran - Photography, Nature’s Treasures

    Andi Dandelion - Printmaking

    Lizz Grimsley - Printmaking

    Lenna’s Puzzles (Youth Maker) - Puzzles

    GALA Crafts - Stained Glass

    Woodland Harvest Mountain Farm -Wellness Products

    Gutierrez Woodworking - Woodwork

    Anna Bigler - Sensory Bins

Meet the Artists!

  • The heart of the fun will be right on King Street in Downtown Boone, with plans to spill over into Howard and Depot Streets! The final festival map will be released closer to the event.

  • Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 12, from 1-5pm!

  • Most participants will be placed along the sidewalks of King Street. A detailed festival map, including placement information, will be shared once planning is finalized.

  • The below parking options are always available:

    King Street - Short Term Metered Parking

    Queen Street - Long Term Metered Parking

    Rivers Street - Peacock Parking Lot - App State parking is Free on the weekends

    App State Library Deck - Free on Weekends and after 5pm on Weekdays (see info about App State parking here)

    Please always check local parking signage to avoid being towed! We also encourage carpooling or taking the bus where possible. AppalCART is a FREE service to everyone within the Town of Boone limits.

  • Yes! Buskers Fest is an open-air, non-ticketed event that is completely free to attend.


    You’ll need to bring cash or your card if you'd like to purchase art from local creators or tip the musicians and performers sharing their talents throughout the day.

  • You can browse and purchase artwork from local creators, enjoy live music and performances, dive hands-first into interactive art projects, grab delicious food and drinks from downtown eateries… the list goes on and on!

    Check back later for a list of special features stationed throughout the festival!

  • Absolutely! Buskers Fest is a FREE family-friendly event, and we encourage you to bring the little ones along to enjoy the festivities happening throughout downtown.

  • Buskers Fest is a rain-or-shine event.
    If it thunders, please seek shelter in the businesses and restaurants.

    In the case of severe weather, our team will make appropriate adjustments and communicate any changes promptly through social media and other public channels.

  • Public restrooms are located between Town Hall and Appalachian Theatre. You can also walk across the street to Jones House. Restrooms are located in the back of the building.

    You can also plan to eat at one of the amazing restaurants downtown and make sure you use the restroom before you leave!

  • Please scroll up to the “Sponsor” section to access the sponsorship form!

  • For questions, please contact Krista, Operations & Programs Manager, at admin@watauga-arts.org.

    We anticipate a high volume of inquiries and appreciate your patience as our team responds. Thank you for your understanding!

Thank you to our event sponsors!