AD
Additional Events on LEEP
LEEP INK FEATURES
May Blooms: Events in May 2025
Along with October, May is one of the most densely packed months of the year. It's before the summer humidity and the last whole month of the school year. The weather is warming in t...
Sweet June 2025
The solstice on the 20th marks the onset of summer (Northern Hemisphere) or winter (Southern Hemisphere). Many people, particularly in Europe, North America and Asia, will be embarking o...
Events in April 2025
Spring has sprung in the north, and the first hints of Autumn are on the horizon in the south. April is the month spring (or fall) gets underway, and it is filled with religious celebrations, including the Mu...
About the Old Fiddlers' Convention in Galax, Virginia
Environment Space & The Outdoors , Culture & Art
Festivals & Fairs , United States
Ends: Aug 09, 2025
DESCRIPTION:
THE OLD FIDDLERS' CONVENTION
APPALACHIAN MUSIC AT ITS BEST
The Old Fiddlers' Convention is the world's oldest and largest gathering of traditional and bluegrass musicians. First held in the spring of 1935 by members of Moose Lodge #733 to raise funds and promote their lodge, the convention's mission from the outset was "keeping alive the memories and sentiments of days gone by and make it possible for people of today to hear and enjoy the tunes of yesterday."
Each year, the event draws more than 30,000 attendees—quadrupling the roughly 7,000 residents of Galax—as musicians and fans converge for concerts, contests, and camaraderie. Contestants—ranging from solo fiddlers and banjo players to full old-time and bluegrass bands—must register fee-free in advance. Competition categories include both individual and group performances, with cash prizes totaling thousands of dollars. Camping onsite is another popular draw for attendees.
The convention distinguishes itself by its organic atmosphere featuring staged performances and late-night jam sessions around campsites, where musicians, dancers, and listeners intermingle freely. This informal vibe forms a potent part of its cultural significance.
Its importance lies in preserving and fostering the intergenerational transmission of traditional Appalachian music. With the addition of youth divisions in 2000, children and teens now perform alongside seasoned players, reaffirming the event's role in cultural continuity. Coverage by NBC in 1967, presidential recognition, and acclaim as one of the Southeast's top events further underscore its cultural weight.
Though rooted in Virginia, the convention attracts participants from across the U.S. and abroad—from Norway to Australia—reinforcing its international influence. The Old Fiddlers' Convention remains a living testament to the enduring power of traditional mountain music—one tune at a time.
VIDEOS
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Currently, this event does not have supporting documents.
ADDITIONAL IMAGES
Currently, this event does not have supporting images.
Where would you like to go now?
AD
/footer-logo.svg){kind=logo}
LEGAL: Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear attribution is given to Jubilee LLC and LEEPCalendar.com, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (Page URL). Additional documents, embedded videos and additional image rights retained by their creators and are provided to increase understanding of the event or topic.
Jubilee LLC reserves the right to accept or reject inclusion of events in this calendar. The appearance of an event in LEEP Calendar does not imply endorsement of the event, nor the organization championing the event by Jubilee LLC, its stakeholders, customers or subsidiaries. All dates, contact information, URLs, addresses, and information relating to any event, promotion or holiday are subject to change without notice and should be treated as estimated. Jubilee LLC, our stakeholders, customers and subsidiaries cannot warrant accuracy. Users of this application are solely responsible for verifying actual event date with organizers and additional sources prior to committing resources, financial, human or otherwise.
Jubilee LLC, 1712 Pioneer Avenue,Suite 2019 Cheyenne, WY 82001 +1 (484) 226 4777
Copyright © Jubilee LLC / LEEPCalendar.com 2025. All rights reserved.
/Icon awesome-facebook-square.svg)
/Icon awesome-instagram.svg)
/Icon awesome-twitter-square.svg)
/Icon awesome-linkedin.svg)
/Icon awesome-behance-square.svg)