Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival 2026

Raleigh Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, formerly known as IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC, is a free outdoor event along Fayetteville St produced by PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music. This year's downtown event will take place Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3.

Live musical performances will be on 7 stages across Fayetteville St. This year vendors selling food will be located on either side of the Art Market, near the main stages at City Plaza and the Capital Building. Weekend festivities include musical performances, an Art Market of 100+ artists, Small Business Main Street Market with 60+ vendors, family-friendly activities & fun, and much more! Bluegrass will always have a home in Raleigh - and the best audience in the world, too! Last year we recorded an attendance of 155,000 people!

Raleigh Wide Open's Street Festival will consist of (3) three vendor sections: Art Market, Small Buisness Market, and Food Court. Our goal is to enrich the experience of festival goers and help showcase artists and small businesses.


Art Market
The Raleigh Wide Open Art Market is a street festival showcase. Creating an intimate setting within the festival experience Raleigh Wide Open is designed to recognize our talented and enthusiastic art community. Local artists and craftsmen, and those who sell works that will appeal to a music-loving audience are encouraged.

Artist Categories
- Clay and Glass (functional or decorative)
- Metal and Wood (functional or decorative)
- Fiber and Leather (wearable/accessories/decorative)
- Jewelry (all types)
- Painting, Digital/Tech
- Photography
- Traditional Folk Art
- Mixed Media (2D or 3D)
- Other Music Themed Art

*If you do not fall into one of these categories please submit as small business for our Main Street Market.*

Artwork and Artists Eligible:
- All artisans and craft vendors are welcome to apply. Those who present works catering to music lovers are encouraged.
- Independent local businesses selling music-themed artwork are also welcome.
- We will prioritize applicants offering original hand-made art and small independent businesses. Spaces are limited.
- A strong preference will be given to applicants who present original art that will appeal to traditional music enthusiasts, OR
- Artists who represent Raleigh and/or North Carolina traditions in their imagery or craft, OR
- Collectible artwork (not made by the applicant) that is specifically related to Bluegrass or other traditional music styles

Booth Fee:
- $300 for a single space (10' x 10')
- $600 for a double space (20' x 10')


Main Street Market and Small Buinessness Showcase
The Raleigh Wide Open Main Street Market is a street festival showcase of small businesses designed to enrich the experience of festival goers and help showcase small businesses. Businesses must be locally owned and operated to participate. No franchises, national chains, independent distributors/multi-level marketing/direct sales companies will be permitted. National brands may reach out to our sponsorship team if you would like to be a part of Raleigh Wide Open.

Small Business Categories
- Vintage goods
- Collectables
- Handmade candles and soaps
- Pre-made packaged foods
- T-shirts
- All other small businesses whose presence may enrich the festival experience

Entry Instructions:
- All small business and craft vendors are welcome to apply. Those who present works catering to music lovers are encouraged. Artists must apply via our art market application.  
- Independent local businesses selling music-themed artwork are also welcome.
- A strong preference will be given to applicants who appeal to traditional music enthusiasts, OR who represent Raleigh and/or North Carolina traditions in their imagery or craft, OR products that are specifically related to Bluegrass or other traditional music styles
- All work displayed must be for sale.
- PineCone reserves the right to remove displays that have been misrepresented either by applicants submitted images or on the application.
- Small business vendors include retailers and service providers. If you have pre-made, packaged food (bagged chips, popcorn, nuts, candies, cookies, cupcakes, etc.) then you may vend at our Main Street Market. Food Trucks, tents, and carts must apply via our food vendor application. 

Booth Fee:
- $300 for a single space (10' x 10')
- $600 for a double space (20' x 10')


Food Trucks, Tents, and Pushcarts
The Raleigh Wide Open Food Court will consist of vendors of (3) three category sizes: 
- Category A: large, full-menu operations 30’ x 14’ or smaller. Space Fee $1350.
- Category B: limited menus and are 18’ x 12’ or smaller. Space Fee $1000.
- Category C: sell few items and use tents or pushcarts that are 10’ x 10’ or smaller. Space Fee $700.

All food vendors are required to pay a $200 refundable deposit. The deposit helps ensure compliance with all rules and regulations related to cleanliness and the proper maintenance of downtown streets, as determined by the City of Raleigh Special Events office. Deposits will be refunded within 7 days following the event.

Selections will be made based on:
- Appearance – Provide a photograph of your setup with your application. Applications without an accompanying photograph will NOT be considered.
- Menu – Our goal is to offer the public the widest variety of food choices by avoiding duplication as much as possible among accepted vendors. We seek a balance of festival staples and unique food options.
- Past Compliance – The compliance to previous rules and standards by former vendors at PineCone events, specifically the World of Bluegrass Festival, is heavily considered when selecting vendors for this festival. However, past participation does not guarantee acceptance. All vendors are given consideration, and new vendors should not hesitate to apply.

In addition to the cost of the booth space, we also require a $200 refundable deposit for food vendors as well as a COI for each vendor. This deposit ensures that vendors follow all rules and regulations regarding cleanliness and overall maintenance of downtown streets. Applications submitted without food images, an operation image, and COI will not be allowed to participate. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please be aware of the following, as some guidelines have changed:
- Vendors are required to supply their own ice and have at least 50lb weights on each leg of their tent (if applicable).
- COIs must list PineCone-Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601 as the Additional Insured.
- For accepted vendors: Your full booth fee and signed contract is due by 5 P.M., August 31, 2026. Failure to return the contract and space fee by the August 31 deadline, without notifying PineCone, will result in forfeiture of the deposit paid.
- Vendors MUST provide their own silent/whisper generators. Vendors may NOT use other power sources unapproved by PineCone.
- Vendors making excessive noise may be moved or asked to leave the festival. If you have questions regarding this rule, please contact vendors@artsplosure.org office.
- The Wake County Health Department requires all Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) Vendor applications to be submitted via the Wake County TFE online Portal. The application fee of $75 will be due to the Wake County Environmental Office by September 5, 2026.

The Application Process
Each applicant must submit a total of five (5) digital images. Four (4) images must represent what will be displayed and sold at Raleigh Wide Open. The fifth image must show your booth (or truck/tent for food vendors). If you have questions about the booth display requirement, please contact us at vendors@artsplosure.org for additional information.
- Only applications with five (5) digital images will be accepted.
- Choose only ONE category on the entry form.
- Separate applications must be submitted if applying with distinctly different booths (e.g.: separate applications for painting and photography from the same artist OR if you are applying as both an artist and small business or food vendor). 
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Waitlist Policy
If accepted as an alternate, each artist will be given a booth assignment as spaces become available. The booth fee will be due at the time of acceptance. Alternate artists may request, in writing, to be taken off the waitlist at any time. 

Sales Tax
Raleigh Wide Open receives no commission on sales. Each vendor is responsible for the collection of North Carolina sales tax during the festival. At the time of this application, the sales tax rate in Wake County is 7.25%. It is the responsibility of the artist to collect the appropriate tax at the festival. To apply for a Sales and Use Tax Account Number, visit: www.dor.state.nc.us and choose Form NC-BR. It will be necessary to submit your account number to Raleigh Wide Open as well as post your account number at your booth at the festival. For additional information about North Carolina sales tax, please contact the NC Department of Revenue at 1-877-252-3052. 

Booth Rules (non-food vendors)
- If accepted, one 10' x 10' space will be assigned for each applicant. This event WILL permit more than one medium to be presented in a single booth space, provided all works are from the same applicant.
- Sharing a booth is not allowed between applicants. One single space per accepted applicant.
- A limited number of double booth spaces (20' x 10') are available for $600. Please indicate on your application if you are applying for a double space.
- All work displayed must be for sale.
- Raleigh Wide Open reserves the right to remove displays that have been misrepresented either by the artist's submitted images or on the application.
- Booths must be attended by the applicant on both days of the festival (Friday & Saturday).

By submitting your application, you agree to exhibit and participate in the festival according to the itemized guidelines. Refunds will only be granted upon receipt of written cancellation. No refunds will be provided for any reason after September 16, 2026. 

• Deadline for 100% Booth Refund - September 4, 2026  
• Deadline for 50% Booth Fee Refund - September 16, 2026