From professional to fan, it’s where the bluegrass music community comes to connect, discover, and grow in bluegrass music.
The events facilitate the growth and development of the bluegrass music community, from professional to fan. We accomplish this goal through four main World of Bluegrass events.
IBMA’s innovative showcase series in club venues in downtown Raleigh!
Learn MorePNC presents Wide Open Bluegrass is a one-of-a-kind urban bluegrass festival!
Learn MoreSave money, and have first crack at reserved festival seating and hotel blocks at the Marriott, Sheraton, and Residence Inn!
The IBMA has discounted hotel blocks at 7 area hotels, including Marriott City Center, Sheraton, Residence Inn, DoubleTree, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Raleigh Downtown, Red Roof Plus. We also have RV camping available at the NC State Fairgrounds (includes a free shuttle to the events).
Reservations at the Marriott, Sheraton, and Residence Inn require purchase of one ticket or registration (Bluegrass Ramble not included).
The Marriott and Residence Inn will charge a non-refundable deposit of the first night plus tax. Additionally, the Marriott will require a 3-night minimum stay. The IBMA instituted these policies due to a high number of last-minute cancellations that put the organization at financial risk and prevented many attendees from reserving rooms in these hotels. For questions about our policy, email [email protected].
The importance of reserving a hotel room at one of the official host hotels cannot be stressed enough. First, it saves you up to $100 per night (depending on the hotel)! And there is another important reason. In order to obtain such steeply discounted hotel rates, the IBMA must contract a room commitment to our host hotels, and should the organization fail to meet that commitment due to booking outside the block and last-minute cancellations, it is potentially liable for making up the difference which can be as high as $50,000. When anyone reserves a room with an official IBMA host hotel, and fulfills any minimum must-stay, he or she is helping to support not only the IBMA in 2019, but also future events and the organization itself.
As an International Artist, do I need a visa to showcase at the World of Bluegrass?
The IBMA worked closely with Tamizdat to develop a guide regarding visa options for showcasing at the World of Bluegrass. This information is meant to help facilitate your entry into the United States. This is not legal advice, nor should it replace any advice you received from a lawyer.
There are several parking lots and garages around The Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater. Dependent on where you park, attendees should expect to pay a daily parking fee of $5.00 to $15.00 per day. Details on locations of lots and prices will be posted as they are known.
In addition to purchasing tickets to the events, there are numerous ways to get involved and maximize your World of Bluegrass experience.
The International Bluegrass Music Association and our partners PineCone, Greater Raleigh CVB, the City of Raleigh, and all of the members of the Local Organizing Committee welcome ALL bluegrass professionals and fans to the World of Bluegrass in Raleigh.
Bluegrass values of AUTHENTICITY, FAMILY, and COMMUNITY reflect well on your brand when you partner with the 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.
For more than two decades, our volunteers have proven this beyond any doubt. Whether you are a seasoned returning volunteer or a new talent, join a stellar team of folks working to make World of Bluegrass a world-class music industry event!
