Darrington Bluegrass Festival FAQs
PERFORMERS/BANDS
Who are this year’s performers/bands?
This year’s performers are posted on our website home page at https://www.darringtonbluegrass.com/
Is there a way for me to recommend future performers?
Sure! Send an email to info@darringtonbluegrass.com with your suggestion. Include a little info about the band and why you think they would be good to include at our festival. Regional/local bands too.
When are next year’s performers announced?
The headliners for 2027 will hopefully be announced in our 2026 festival program.
DATES
When is the festival?
The festival is always the third FULL weekend of July (including Friday) JULY 17, 18, 19, 2026! Our 50th anniversary festival will be July 16, 17, 18, 2027!
When does the campground open?
The campground opens at noon on the Saturday a week before the festival weekend.
When do the music performances happen?
The music begins late Friday afternoon and there are performances all day on Saturday. The last performance ends around 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon.
When is the schedule announced?
The schedule is usually published on our website and on our Facebook page in April or May.
TICKETS
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets can be purchased online or in person during the festival. There is an EARLY BIRD discount if tickets are purchased online before June 1st. Tickets at the festival can be purchased with a credit card, debit card or cash. Find the ticket link on our home page or on the Tickets tab above.
How much do tickets cost?
The best deal is an early bird weekend pass. This gets you into the festival grounds three days in a row for all the music performances. If you want to camp at our beautiful venue, please purchase your camping pass separately.
Are there senior discounts?
There are not senior discounts for our festival, sorry.
Are there youth discounts?
Yes, youth tickets are about half the regular price and are for those age 13-17.
What about babies and younger kids?
Kids 12 and under are FREE! Bring your family with you!
What is your refund policy?
We do not give refunds unless there are extreme circumstances. Each of these is considered individually. Our preference is always to shift the purchase to the following year, if possible.
LOCATION/PARKING
Where is this festival located?
The bluegrass festival is held at Darrington Bluegrass Music Park, 3 miles west of Darrington, Washington. It is approximately 35 minutes east of I-5, a beautiful drive through the Stillaguamish Valley. The drive time from downtown Seattle to the Music Park is an hour and a half, if done during light weekend traffic. Come hear great music and see beautiful scenery!
How much does it cost to park?
Parking is free and the lot is huge. You will have no problem finding a place to park.
Is there ADA parking available?
Yes, we have specified ADA spots along the north fence of our main parking lot. Look for the signs. And we have volunteers driving golf carts to help visitors who need assistance get safely and easily from the parking lot to the seating areas. We can also open our campground gate and allow ADA vehicles down to the amphitheater area to let out ADA passengers closer to the seating area. If you need this service, please talk with a volunteer at the ticket gate.
WORKSHOPS/JAMMING
Are there any workshops?
Yes, we have workshops for most bluegrass instruments. Information is in our printed program and/or announced from the stage.
Are there any organized jams?
Not at this point, though we’d love to hear from you if you’d like to lead a slow/beginners’ jam.
Can anyone jam in the campground?
Absolutely! Carry your instrument around and be courageous; ask to participate in a group that seems to be playing at your level. If you don’t find a group, start one by setting your chair out and playing your instrument near your campsite!
What other events happen during the festival?
There is always a “band scramble” where interested players put their name in a jar for their instrument and then bands are assembled by drawing these names. The bands are given a day to choose and practice a couple of songs to perform at the festival on Sunday morning. We always have a church service on Sunday morning. In 2026 we will have two different open mic times, Saturday and Sunday mornings. See this year’s schedule for details.
CAMPING
When does the campground open and close?
The campground opens at noon on the Saturday BEFORE the music weekend. This is six days before the first performance. Some folks arrive early to camp and make music together during this time. The campground closes at noon on the Monday after the festival.
Can I choose my campsite ahead of time?
The campground is first come, first served. That is another reason to arrive early if possible. There is an overflow camping area, so you are assured a spot to camp at the festival, no matter what day you arrive.
How much does it cost to camp?
A weekend camping pass depends on your vehicle. An RV takes up more space so it costs more, $100 for three nights of camping (Fri, Sat and Sun nights). If you are camping in a van or vehicle or tent, the cost is $75 for three nights. We have a few electrical hookups; they are usually gone by the Friday of our music festival weekend, because early arrivers tend to plug in to those. We hope in the future to install more hookups. Each camping spot includes space for one car. Additional vehicles can be parked in our upper parking lot for no additional charge. If you arrive before Friday, each extra night of camping costs $20 for van/tent or $25 for RV. This is paid upon arrival at the camping entrance gate.
Are there picnic tables and fire rings at the campsites?
Our campground has lots of beautiful big trees and shade, but only a few scattered picnic tables and no fire rings. Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited.
Are generators allowed in the campground?
Yes, though we ask that they be turned off between 10pm and 8am, if not medically necessary.
Are there hookups in the campground?
There are a very few electricity hookups in the campground; there are no sewer hookups. The electrical hookups are usually taken by the first folks to arrive on the weekend BEFORE the music festival.
Are showers available in the campground?
No, we do not currently have showers in our campground. There are some available at campgrounds in Darrington.
Is there an RV size limit in the campground?
Our campground is large and can handle any size RV.
Are there quiet hours in the campground?
Because this is a music festival and bluegrass fans are especially prone to jamming in small groups til the wee hours, it is unlikely to be quiet in the campground. Consider the bluegrass a type of lullaby! Or bring ear plugs.
Where is the nearest dump station?
There are two dump stations, both located about half an hour from the campground, one to the north in Rockport at HM Steelhead Park and one on I-5 at the Smokey Point Rest Area. This rest area is sometimes closed, so check before you head there. There is a third dump station, open sporadically, at Whitehorse Regional Park Campground, 46609 North Mountain Road, just north of Darrington town.
Are there in and out privileges at the campground?
Yes, you can take your rig to a dump station and return, though you’ll want to leave some things in your campsite to save your spot.
VOLUNTEERING
How can I volunteer to help make this festival possible (we are 100% volunteer run)?
Please see our Volunteer Tab!
Can I get a free ticket or free camping if I volunteer enough hours?
Yes! You can earn both a free weekend pass for the music AND a free campsite if you volunteer for three separate 4-hour shifts (12 hours total). One of these three shifts MUST be during performance times on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday of the music festival. You can also earn a free day pass if you work a 4-hour shift during the day you want to attend.
Do I have to work during the music part of the festival in order to get a free ticket?
Yes, you have to work one 4-hour shift during the performance times of the festival weekend to earn a free ticket.
What if I can’t volunteer for 12 hours?
If you want to volunteer for 4 hours on one of our music festival weekend days, you can attend the festival that particular day for free. See signup link above for this option.
Are there opportunities to volunteer throughout the year or only at the festival?
You can volunteer for your other 8 hours, or more, during the year at cleanup events that prepare the grounds for the festival. To get a free ticket, you must also volunteer during the music festival weekend (see above.) Our cleanup days will be posted on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/DarringtonBluegrassFestival
FOOD/COOLERS
Are there vendors of food at the festival?
Yes, we have a full kitchen for our concessions stand and there are additional food vendors providing items such as ice cream, kettle corn and coffee drinks. If you’d like to be a food vendor, please click on the tab above for vendors.
Can food be brought onto the festival grounds?
Yes, you are welcome to bring food from home or from the campground.
Can coolers be brought onto the festival grounds?
Yes, you can bring a small cooler with you to the festival seating area.
Is alcohol allowed at the Bluegrass Music Park?
We aim to be family friendly, so we do not sell alcohol. We do not allow alcohol in any of the venue’s seating areas.
MERCH/VENDORS
Do you have merchandise from the performers at the festival?
Each performing band decides what to sell. There is a table near the stage where performers go after their set of music, if they choose. They often sell CDs, thumb drives, and various items there, as well as spending time with their fans, doing the bluegrass “shake and howdy” thing!
When does the festival merchandise go on sale and does it ever sell out?
Darrington Bluegrass t-shirts, hats and other “merch” go on sale starting on Friday and we usually have inventory throughout the weekend.
What other types of vendors usually come to the festival?
Most years we have a few artist vendors who sell hats, t-shirts, jewelry, soap and other items.
How does an artist get selected to be a vendor at your festival?
Vendors are selected by our Board members. Please complete the form above under the Vendors tab. Vendor applications are accepted until early July.
ALCOHOL/DRUGS
Is alcohol sold at the festival?
No, we have an alcohol-free concert arena area.
Can I bring alcohol in my cooler?
We are focused on providing a family-friendly, music-loving environment for all. So, we request no alcohol in the music festival seating area.
Can alcohol be consumed in the campground?
What you do in your trailer or tent is your business, but please do not disturb your neighbors.
Is smoking allowed at the festival?
Please do not smoke or vape in the concert arena area.
Is cannabis/marijuana allowed at the festival?
We have a drug-free concert arena area.
CHAIRS/UMBRELLAS
Do I have to bring a chair with me if I want to sit down?
If you want to sit up close to the stage you will need to bring a camping or folding chair. It can be regular height. This area has a concrete floor and folks line up chairs in rows for the weekend. There is a large section of concrete amphitheater with many concrete terraces available for seating. You might want to bring a cushion to sit on the concrete, or buy one from our merch building! The view of the stage and echoing sound of the music is terrific from the concrete amphitheater. There is a grassy picnicking area on the lower level to the side of the stage where you can sit on the grass.
Can regular camping chairs be brought to the festival?
Yes, we do not require low-back chairs.
Are umbrellas or sun tents allowed for rain or sun protection?
We set up two large 20x40’ tents to offer shade or rain protection. Some folks bring small sun tents and those are allowed in the back section of the picnic areas. Umbrellas block the views of those behind you. If you need to use an umbrella, please sit in the concrete amphitheater where the height of each level would allow those behind you to see.
PETS
Are pets allowed in the campground?
Pets are allowed, always on leash, in the campground. Please pick up after your pet.
Are dogs allowed in the amphitheater and music seating area?
Dogs are not allowed in the seating area in front of the stage or on the lawn at that level, but a section of the amphitheater will be cordoned off for people with dogs for this year’s festival. Ask at the Merch Building if you aren’t sure where the dog friendly seating is located. We hope that all goes well and we can do it again in the future. Owners are asked to monitor their dog to keep them well behaved and quiet. Dogs must always be on leash and owners should always clean up after them. Thank you!