Buskers Fest 2025
September 20th, 2025 | 2-7pm | Downtown Boone
Join Us for Buskers Fest 2025!
Experience the Arts at Buskers Fest! Since its launch in 2021, this vibrant, open-air arts festival celebrates creativity in all its forms. Buskers Fest goes beyond traditional street performance to celebrate a vibrant mix of artistic expression, making it one of Boone’s most cherished cultural events.
Come see and experience a showcase the talents of hundreds of local artists, performers, and makers. From live music and performance art to original artwork for sale, the streets of Downtown Boone come alive with creative energy, inviting attendees to experience the arts firsthand.
Whether you want to participate as a creative, or enjoy the festivities, we invite you to join us and be part of the magic!
100+ Artists Registered & Counting!
What is "Busking"?
Busking: is the act of performing in public places for voluntary donations. It’s a time-honored way for artists to share their work, gain exposure, and earn money directly from an audience.
Busking brings music, art, and creativity into everyday life. In Boone, NC, it’s part of the town’s cultural heartbeat. From legends like Doc Watson to today’s street performers and artists, busking has shaped Boone’s artistic identity. With strong community support and a lively downtown, Boone offers the perfect stage for creatives to share their talents and make art accessible to all.
Festival Maps!
Click to enlarge
Register Today!
Event Participation & Sponsorship
Participate
While registration is closed, buskers are still welcome to join, but only in specific zones where we are not placing artists. These zones are only limited to: The Blues Brews lot to Mo’s Cloud Cafe sidewalk and
Hotel 1850 Sidewalk to Comeback Shack sidewalk. If you try setting up in an area where registered Buskers are placed, you will be asked to move.
Support
Interested in supporting Buskers Fest through a monetary sponsorship (and enjoying some great perks in return)? Or do you have goods or services you'd like to donate to help bring the event to life?
Join Us, register HERE!
Volunteer
Interested in helping plan the event or lending a hand on the big day?
Register as a volunteer below by signing up for specific shifts/tasks! Psst… all volunteers get a fun little goody bag full of coupons and swag as our way of saying THANK YOU!
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is our Silent Auction on the Jones House lawn!
Festival-goers will have the chance to bid on one-of-a-kind chairs from our Seat at the Table project –each one thoughtfully thrifted, upcycled, and transformed into a work of art by selected local artists.
This arts advocacy initiative was created to spotlight the importance of integrating art into everyday spaces, proving that even something as ordinary as a chair can spark conversation and creativity.
Click below to learn more about the project!
Spotlight: Silent Auction
Wheel Throwing and Pottery Demonstration by App State Clay Club
Plein Air Painting by Jeanine Hasty
Live Portrait Drawing by Ashlynd Scavotto
Live Painting by Allyson Murphy
Dollar-a-Minute Doodles by Mitch Capps
Caricatures by Bat Hilliard
Book Trivia and Writing Challenges with Lindsey Jai
Live Art Demonstrations
Interactive wish tree, sensory fabrics bin, and a coloring station by Drop Dead Adorable Art
Close up and Platform Magic by Dana Fleming
Family Friendly Magic Show by Dillon Williams
Interactive Magic by John Greene
Performance Art and Juggling by Bagel
Close Up Magic by Fletcher Roberts
Magic and More!
Lost Province Brewing Co.
12:00 PM – Live music by Abby Bryant (festival kickoff)
2:30 PM – Stein Holding Competition
SouthEnd Brewing Co.
2:00–5:00 PM – Live music by Midlife Trip
5:30 PM – Stein Holding Competition
7:00–10:00 PM – Live music by South on Something
828 Real Estate
2pm-6pm -Oktoberfest Photo booth and festivities
Lear Group Real Estate
All Day - Interactive Music Station
Business Events
Public Engagement
Salsa Dancing by Latin Dance Boone
African Djembe Drumming by Davey West
Dancing/Bass Playing by Watauga Humane Society’s “Hutch”
Interactive Music Making with the Bright Green Sonic Melkerson, created by Mark Edwards
The Rocking, Rolling 50’s Tribute Show with Professor Boogie
Free Face Painting
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The heart of the fun will be right on King Street in Downtown Boone, with plans to spill over into Howard and Depot Streets! Try to explore them all!
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 20, from 2-7pm!
Boonetoberfest starts at noon! -
Downtown streets will stay open to traffic. Artists and vendors will be set up along sidewalks and in select lots, so you can stroll, shop, and enjoy without any roadblocks.
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More information will be released soon on parking. For now, the below are always available:
King Street - Short Term Metered Parking
Queen Street - Long Term Metered Parking
App State Library Deck - Free on Weekends and after 5pm on Weekdays (see info about App State parking here)
Boone First Baptist Church -Free for specific events, please ask or see an attendant to confirm
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.
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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. -
Yes! We encourage you to either check out the local downtown restaurants or stop by any of the food trucks on the day of!
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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 local eateries and food trucks… the list goes on and on!
Special Features:
- Turchin Center activities, art vending, and a band, and incredible exhibits.
- Boone Bagelry: will have a DJ dance lot, live mural painting, and henna!
- Jones House: a center of activity. Art Raffle, Seat at the Table Silent Auction, Pottery wheel throwing, Boy Scouts snacks, and Watauga Arts Council info tent.
- South Depot Street: Band at Speckled Trout, Tent vending at Foot Sloggers, African Drums at Espresso News.
- North Depot: Don’t miss Boonetoberfest at Lost Province with more tent vending.
- Post Office: Visit the Fiber Arts Guild, enjoy the band, shop the Youth Market and more. Don’t miss the Green Drum Machine, and Boiled peanuts too!
- Ellison down to 828 Real Estate: Free Facepainting, fiber dying, permanent jewelry, Oktoberfest Photo Booth, and more!
- Shoppes at Farmers all the way to South End Brewing - more art, community quilt making, bands, magic, and Boonetoberfest and more!
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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.
Free Face Painting is available down near Ellison and Future Relic. -
Yes, pets are welcome! Since Buskers Fest is an outdoor event, well-behaved pets on leashes are absolutely allowed. Just keep in mind that some downtown shops and restaurants may have their own pet policies, so be sure to check signage or ask before bringing your pet inside.
Please make sure to pick up after your pet to help keep the festival area clean.
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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/Donate” section to access the sponsorship form!
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Contact us! director@watauga-arts.org
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For questions, please contact Krista, Administrative Coordinator, 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!
Musicians
Art Vendors
Performers
