If you’re into bluegrass, you know Wintergrass Music Festival since it’s one of the biggest annual events for this style of music in the country. Now in its 30th year, the four-day festival has grown to incorporate other acoustic styles — gypsy jazz, Celtic music, Americana, to name a few — but bluegrass leads the way.
The fest takes place on Seattle’s eastside, in Bellevue, Wash., again, but this year the Hyatt Regency and the Westin will host the performances, jam sessions and bluegrass education offerings from five different stages. (The Westin is a new venue this year.)
The lineup includes more than 25 artists including Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass, Fiddlers Four, Henhouse Prowlers, The Deslondes and Hawktail (pictured). If you can’t make it to see all of Wintergrass’ scheduled artists — this is also new this year — single show tickets are available for those who just want to attend a few of the performances. Each show will be 75 minutes with The Cactus Blossoms, Darrell Scott Bluegrass Band and Dan Tyminski featuring Gaven Largent performing Friday and Sonny Landreth & Cindy Cashdollar, Jerry Douglas Band and Tommy Emmanue performing Saturday.
If you’re lucky enough to stay the whole weekend, Wintergrass has music education for people of all ages. Learn about the basics of songwriting or take a deep dive into the intricacies of the guitar, banjo or nyckelharpa.
The Specs
- Tickets range from $15-$180 and they are non-refundable.
- Children 12 and under are free.
- Hyatt self-parking is free on weekends or if you leave after 8PM on a weekday. If you stay at the hotel you will be charged for parking.
- The festival takes place at two locations: The Hyatt is the main venue with plenty of jamming space and room for four stages. The Westin has one stage for evening performances.
- Vendors will be spread throughout the hotel during the festival.
- If you’re unfamiliar with the area, Bellevue is directly across Lake Washington from Seattle and just 10 miles away.