IBMA World of Bluegrass in Chattanooga: Oct. 20-24 lineup

Last checked Oct. 20, 2026. Dates, times, lineups and prices come from the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass site, its Aug. 20 schedule release and its ticket page. This page is updated each year at the same address.

IBMA World of Bluegrass is in downtown Chattanooga this week, Tuesday, Oct. 20, to Saturday, Oct. 24. The awards show is Thursday at Memorial Auditorium. The ticketed IBMA Bluegrass Live! festival is Friday and Saturday, with Leftover Salmon and Sierra Ferrell closing each night at The Signal. The free Pickin’ in the Park fills Miller Park all day Saturday.

At a glance

• When: Tuesday, Oct. 20, to Saturday, Oct. 24
• Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, The Signal, Barrelhouse Ballroom, Memorial Auditorium and Miller Park
• Free: Pickin’ in the Park, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; exhibit hall, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Tickets: weekend pass $219.67, day pass $126.52, fees included; IBMA tickets
• Organizer: International Bluegrass Music Association, 615-256-3222

Is it on this year?

Yes. This is the second World of Bluegrass in Chattanooga. The first ran Sept. 16-20, 2025. Chattanooga Tourism Co. calls the deal a three-year partnership running through 2027, so the event is expected back next year. This year it moved to late October.

The week, day by day

The Ramble showcases run at Barrelhouse Ballroom, Hi-Fi Clyde’s, Songbirds, Feed Table & Tavern and the Stratus Rooftop at Caption, according to the Ramble venues page. A two-day Ramble pass is $59.24, or $33.37 for one night.

The awards are at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, with Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductions. Tickets are on the Tivoli Theatre Foundation’s event page. IBMA lists Sam Bush and Sierra Hull as co-hosts.

Friday, Oct. 23: IBMA Bluegrass Live!

At the Chattanooga Convention Center:

• 2:30 to 3:45 p.m.: eTown live taping with Lindsay Lou Presents Bluegrass Women
• 3:45 to 5 p.m.: eTown live taping with Leftover Salmon

At The Signal:

• 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Michael Cleveland & Friends
• 9 to 10:30 p.m.: Leftover Salmon

Late Night at Barrelhouse Ballroom (separate ticket, doors 10:30 p.m.): Jason Carter Band, 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24: IBMA Bluegrass Live!

At the Chattanooga Convention Center:

• 2 to 2:30 p.m.: Craig Havighurst interviews Greg Cahill
• 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Special Consensus
• 3:30 to 4 p.m.: Craig Havighurst interviews Larry Sparks
• 4 to 5 p.m.: Larry Sparks

At The Signal:

• 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Della Mae
• 9 to 10:30 p.m.: Sierra Ferrell

Late Night at Barrelhouse Ballroom (separate ticket, doors 10:30 p.m.): Lonesome River Band, 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

VIP pass holders also get happy hours from 5:30 to 7 p.m. both days, with Randy Steele & High Cold Wind and Barefoot Nellie & Co. The full grid is on the festival schedule page.

Free: Pickin’ in the Park and the exhibit hall

Pickin’ in the Park runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Miller Park and Miller Plaza on Market Street. It is free, with no ticket. IBMA says the day has college bands, Kids on Bluegrass players, Chattanooga musicians, a Chattanooga Ballet performance, arts and crafts vendors and food. It replaces the old Streetfest and is presented with the City of Chattanooga and River City Company. Pickin’ in the Park.

The World of Bluegrass exhibit hall at the Chattanooga Convention Center is free from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, IBMA’s schedule release says.

Tickets

From IBMA’s ticket page, fees included:

Award show tickets are sold separately through Memorial Auditorium.

Getting there and parking

IBMA has not published parking or road closure details for the festival. Every venue is downtown, so plan on a garage or a meter. Downtown meters charge 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and CARTA’s free electric Downtown Shuttle runs until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Both are covered on our getting around page. The city posts event closures on its road closures map, and we track road work on our road construction and closures page.

What this means for you

• The free way in is Saturday: Pickin’ in the Park all day and the exhibit hall until 6 p.m.
• The Signal shows are the headliners; buy a day pass for Friday (Leftover Salmon) or Saturday (Sierra Ferrell).
• Downtown will be busy all week, and the Tivoli Theatre reopens with Billy Strings on Oct. 20 and 21.

More this weekend: things to do this weekend and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is IBMA World of Bluegrass 2026 in Chattanooga?

Tuesday, Oct. 20, to Saturday, Oct. 24, downtown. The business conference and the Bluegrass Ramble showcases come first, the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards are Thursday, Oct. 22, at Memorial Auditorium, and the IBMA Bluegrass Live! festival is Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24.

Who is playing IBMA Bluegrass Live! 2026?

Leftover Salmon headlines The Signal at 9 p.m. Friday and Sierra Ferrell at 9 p.m. Saturday. Michael Cleveland & Friends, Della Mae, Larry Sparks, Special Consensus and Lindsay Lou Presents Bluegrass Women also play, with Jason Carter Band and Lonesome River Band at the late-night shows at Barrelhouse Ballroom.

Is any of World of Bluegrass free?

Yes. Pickin’ in the Park is free, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Miller Park and Miller Plaza, with no ticket needed. The exhibit hall at the Chattanooga Convention Center is also free, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

How much are IBMA Bluegrass Live! tickets?

IBMA’s ticket page lists a weekend pass at $219.67 and Friday or Saturday passes at $126.52 each, fees included. The VIP weekend pass is sold out. Late Night at Barrelhouse is a separate ticket, $33.37 a night or $59.24 for both.

Will World of Bluegrass be in Chattanooga next year?

Chattanooga Tourism Co. describes a three-year partnership with IBMA that began in 2025 and runs through 2027, so the event is expected back in 2027. IBMA has not yet published 2027 dates.