IBMA World of Bluegrass® facilitates the growth and development of the bluegrass music community, from professional to fan. This goal is accomplished through four main components: business conference, showcases, awards show, and music festival.
This is the only place in the world where you can interact one-on-one with industry leaders, discover the hottest new music, jam with your heroes, and be a part of bluegrass history!
Connect, discover, and grow with bluegrass music industry leaders!
Q: When will tickets and hotel blocks go on sale?
A: Tickets for 2023 IBMA World of Bluegrass are now on sale for IBMA members and the general public! Become an IBMA member to receive exclusive discounts and insider info! Information on the IBMA hotel blocks is included in your ticket/registration confirmation email. You can purchase tickets online here or by phone at 1-800-514-3849.
Q: Are you accepting volunteers this year?
A: We are currently accepting Volunteer applications for this year’s event. Click here to learn more about volunteering!
Q: What is the refund policy for IBMA World of Bluegrass tickets?
A: No refunds or exchanges are available for the IBMA Bluegrass Live! festival, IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, IBMA Business Conference, or IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. Lineup subject to change.
Under no circumstances is IBMA responsible for any costs incurred by you associated with attending the event, such as hotels, travel, or other expenses, whether or not you attend the event or the event is canceled for any reason.
Q: Are pets allowed at the festival?
Pets are allowed at the free street fest as long as they are on a leash. Animals should be comfortable with large crowds and loud music. Pets are not allowed in the Red Hat Amphitheater.
Q: I have tickets for shows at Red Hat. Can I leave and come back in?
Yes! You will receive a wristband at the gate that will allow you to come and go from Red Hat throughout the day. Free general admission seating is not reserved, and you are not guaranteed a spot upon your return if you leave the amphitheater.
Q: What do I do when I get to the airport in Raleigh?
RDU Airport visitor services desks are located near baggage claim areas in both terminals. Special IBMA welcome desks will be located near the visitor desks, so stop by and say hello and ask us any questions you may have about heading to World of Bluegrass!
Q: How do I get from the airport to the hotels?
Ground transportation is easy to find at RDU. RDU taxi stand other transportation services are readily available at the airport. Raleigh, NC also has UBER and LYFT. Click here for more information!
Q: Parking downtown Raleigh?
There are thousands of parking spaces within a few blocks of all the action at World of Bluegrass. Click here for more information.
Q: Where may I find visitor information?
The Raleigh, NC Visitor Information Center (VIC) – Provides official brochures, event calendars, special promotions, maps, and other visitor information. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 8am-8pm with expanded hours during IBMA World of Bluegrass Week. The VIC is located inside the connector space between the convention center and the Raleigh Marriott City Center. The phone for the VIC is 919.834.5900. Additional visitor information areas include a welcome kiosk at the convention center located near IBMA registration and an information tent on Fayetteville Street during IBMA Bluegrass Live!
Q: What if I need to know something about IBMA World of Bluegrass once I arrive in Raleigh and want to call?
You are welcome to call the special IBMA WOB Information line at our visitor center which is 919-645-2665. The line will be manned daily from 8am to 8pm and messages will be responded to as soon as humanly possible.
Q: What about WIFI in Downtown Raleigh?
The City of Raleigh provides free outdoor WIFI in the downtown area.
Q: Where do I catch taxis once I’m at World of Bluegrass?
For the early part of the week, taxis wait on the Cabarrus Street side of the convention center and on Salisbury Street outside the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel. During the weekend festival, cabs are located outside the convention center at the corner of Lenoir and Salisbury Streets.
Q: What about food?
You’re in one of the “Top 10 Tastiest Towns in the South” according to Southern Living Magazine, and you’ll quickly see why Raleigh’s culinary scene gains national recognition. Farmers’ markets provide fresh meat and produce to restaurants that are focused on farm-to-table cooking.
Be sure to visit the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Wednesday of WOB week… Carolina favorites like sweet tea, barbecue, and home-style vegetables are staples of Raleigh’s culinary history… and award-winning chefs (we can claim two Iron Chef contenders and a James Beard Best Chef in the US) are setting trends in unique and creative takes on comfort food. Choose from more than 1,200 Greater Raleigh restaurants, in a wide range of prices and cuisines while you’re here OR stop by our visitor center for a copy of “Hanging Around Downtown” map – a list of over 70 restaurants within 5-6 blocks of the convention center.
Q: What about camping and RV parking?
IBMA attendees wanting full hookups for camping will still find camping spots available at the NC State Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds are located about 10-15 minutes from the convention center.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please e-mail [email protected], and they will answer your question or direct you to the person who can best answer your question. We look forward to seeing you at IBMA World of Bluegrass®!
There are so many ways for professionals and fans to maximize your IBMA World of Bluegrass experience.
The IBMA has discounted hotel blocks at several area hotels. We also have a listing of additional hotels via the link below.
We also have RV camping available at the NC State Fairgrounds (includes a free shuttle to the events).
Camping reservations are open now!
IBMA World of Bluegrass® takes place in the heart of downtown Raleigh, stretching from the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts all the way to the State Capital grounds, as well as in and around the Raleigh Convention Center, which also has convenient parking and is accessible for people with disabilities.
Our partners at Visit Raleigh have information on all the ways you can get around the capitol city in addition to designated parking areas.
The International Bluegrass Music Association®, the City of Raleigh, event producer PineCone Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, and all of the members of the Local Organizing Committee welcome ALL bluegrass fans and friends to Raleigh.
In this ADA section, learn more about drop-off points, accessible viewing areas around stages, mobility options, quiet spaces, sighted guides, restrooms, public transportation and parking, and more!
The International Bluegrass Music Association® is dedicated to providing a harassment-free event experience for everyone at all IBMA-produced events.
The IBMA is a non-profit music association that connects, educates, and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide.
Your support drives our mission and helps us achieve new goals. When you support IBMA, you support the bluegrass community worldwide.
Bluegrass values of authenticity, family, and community reflect well on your brand when you partner with the IBMA.
IBMA World of Bluegrass has grown to over 223,000 attendees and over $12 million in annual economic impact over six years in Raleigh, NC.
We offer a diverse range of advertising & sponsorship opportunities. Activate your brand on the largest platform for bluegrass music in the world!
