Boonerang is a free music and arts festival in downtown Boone. The festival includes multiple concert stages, primarily made up of artists with Boone connections. Other festival highlights include local food and beer, a vendor market, a kids zone, silent discos, and afterparties.

The fourth annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival will take place June 19-22, 2025. On Thursday, the Appalachian Theatre will host the Boone's Got Talent showcase. Friday will feature afternoon performances from our Battle of the Bands winners, vending and an evening concert in the South Depot zone, and a nighttime silent disco. Saturday is a day-long event that includes multiple live music stages, local food and beer, arts vending, kids zone, dance lot, silent disco, and more. On Sunday, the Boonerang International Festival will be front and center at the North Depot zone.

Music and events will be happening throughout downtown Boone. The primary concert areas include street stages on South Depot and North Depot, a lawn stage at the Jones House, and a side stage at Espresso News. There will also be a dance lot at Wild Craft Eatery, the Mountain Hippie Lounge next to Boone's Fly Shop, and performances at the Appalachian Theatre. The Watauga Library will host a kids zone. Food/beverage and arts vendors will be set up along the streets.

Boonerang is a FREE event on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. No tickets are required for admission to concerts and vendor areas. The only money you'll need is what you plan to spend on food, beverage, merchandise, and Boonerang swag. Thursday night's Boone's Got Talent Showcase at the Appalachian Theatre is a ticketed event.

In addition to our concert stages, vendor market, and kids zone, there are other events and happenings surrounding Boonerang, including performances at the Appalachian Theatre, dance lot, international fest, silent discos, afterparties, and other fun activities. Guests can also visit downtown galleries, shops, and restaurants.

We are happy to be partnering with Rhodes Motor Lodge, Blue Ridge Tourist Court, Graystone Lodge, La Quinta, and Sleep Inn as our official lodging sponsors. Learn more and find rates at our Lodging tab.

Hourly metered parking is available along King Street, with long-term meters located on Queen Street. Designated spots along King Street in front of the Jones House and Post Office area will be reserved for handicap access. Additional nearby parking is available in ASU public lots and decks (see info at https://parking.appstate.edu/ ), at the Boone First Baptist Church, and at the Watauga County Social Services lot (off of Poplar Grove Connector). *Please carpool and carefully read and obey all parking signage.

A few things you'll want to be sure to bring with you are:

-ID - you will need this to purchase your wristband if you plan to drink alcohol at the festival

-Lawn chairs - seating will not be provided at the stages and some areas will be designated for standing room only
-Water bottles - water refill stations will be located at the information tents
-Cash/Credit cards - it's a good idea to be prepared for various types of payment (cash, credit, debit, Venmo) depending upon the specific vendor
-Sunblock, hats, sunglasses - we're hoping for a sunny day

-Rain gear - be prepared for any changing Boone weather

-Friends and Family - the more the merrier!

No outside alcohol or coolers may be brought into the festival area. While outside food and snacks are allowed, festival goers are encouraged to take advantage of on-site food and beverage vendors and downtown restaurants. Water refill stations will be available for those who bring their own water bottles. All those who intend to drink alcohol at the festival must have their ID checked and purchase a wristband. No open alcohol containers are permitted outside of designated festival zones.

Dogs are permitted at the festival, but must remain on a leash at all times. Owners must clean up after their pets and should be respectful of other festival guests. There will be a pet relief/water station at the festival, but also be sure to bring backup water for your pets.

The festival will continue rain or shine, though we reserve the right to shift stage lineups and schedules as necessary. Please bring what you need to be prepared for any type of Boone weather. In the event of nearby lightning strikes, festival activities will be temporarily suspended until it is safe to resume.

If you are interested in helping out with Boonerang, please fill out a volunteer application, so we can get you more information. Volunteer perks include an exclusive Boonerang T-shirt, reserved parking, and access to a volunteer lounge - not to mention the feel-good vibes of helping out with a trademark Boone event.

The vending application for Boonerang 2025 is now closed and additional vendors are not being accepted.

While we appreciate hearing from interested artists and bands, we do not accept or respond to solicitations for our Boonerang music lineup.