Major Venues

The Blue Ridge Institute & Farm Museum, the official State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore, highlights the folk traditions of western Virginia, old and new. The BRIM galleries explore folklife’s many facets – music, crafts, foodways, decorative arts and more – through rotating exhibitions. The Institute’s Blue Ridge Farm Museum re-creates life on a Virginia-German farmstead in the year 1800 Read more...

A Place of Vibrant Culture, Tradition, Craft, Music, Food.  #SWVA: Birthplace of country music, homeplace of world-class craft, and your scenic place for real outdoor adventures.  The SWVA Cultural Center is your gateway to Southwest Virginia, just off I-81 near the Tennessee / Virginia state line. You’ll experience “A different side of Virginia” through our craft, music, food, outdoors and Read more...

The Historic Rex Theater at 111 E. Grayson St. in downtown Galax hosts a live radio show every Friday evening featuring stage performances of Bluegrass and Old Time bands. Blue Ridge Backroads Live is broadcast on WBRF 98.1FM and streamed live on the internet to a world-wide audience. Read more...

The Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center features the life and music of the legendary music performer. Dr. Stanley donated an extensive collection of memorabilia – ranging from vintage instruments to countless musical awards – to the museum. Located in a historic four-story Victorian house, the collection includes exhibits on Ralph and Carter Stanley, the region’s musical roots, Read more...

The week-long Old Fiddlers Convention takes place in Felts Park the 2nd week of August each year, presented by Galax Moose Lodge #733. Musicians and fans from around the world come to perform and hear music on stage and in the campgrounds. It is the world’s oldest and largest fiddlers convention, started in 1935. Read more...

Since the 1980’s, the Floyd Country Store has been known as a community gathering place built on the celebration of traditional Southern Appalachian music and dance. The Floyd Country Store is renowned as a place to experience authentic Appalachian music and is home to a group of musicians and dancers who carry on the local traditions. Whether picking on the Read more...

County Sales carries the world’s largest selection of bluegrass, old time, and early country music recordings. Established in 1965, County Sales has long been the first choice for musicians and fans alike, whether shopping for classic recordings or the latest new releases. Located in beautiful downtown Floyd, VA, the store moved in 2019 from its original location on Talley’s Alley to Read more...

The original Country Cabin was built in 1937-38 with the encouragement of local ballad singer and songwriter Kate O’Neil Peters Sturgill. Country Cabin II was built in 2002 to accommodate larger audiences. In addition to clogging and line-dancing classes, the site continues to host local musicians and bands performing bluegrass, country and old-time music throughout the year every Saturday night, Read more...

The Carter Fold is a rustic, 800 plus seat music shed offering traditional music every Saturday night. Museum opens an hour prior to the show. The Carter Family (A.P. Carter, his wife Sara and his sister-in-law Maybelle) were discovered in 1927 by Victor Recording Studio in Bristol and recorded 300 songs between 1927 and 1942. Playing traditional Appalachian music, the Read more...

The Birthplace of Country Music showcases Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee’s role in the birth and development of country music through the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, WBCM Radio Bristol, and a multitude of community and educational outreach programs. The Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and tells the story Read more...

The Blue Ridge Music Center celebrates the music and musicians of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each spring, summer, and fall, we welcome thousands of visitors to enjoy some of the region’s finest traditional music, including bluegrass, old-time, folk, Americana, country blues, and gospel. Guests are invited to delight in performances, exhibits, jams, and take a walk on our hiking trails. Read more...