Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival
- Dates
- Expected September 2027
- Status
- Expected
- Venue
- Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival Grounds
- Price
- $50 to $130
- Camping
- Available
- Last checked
- Oct 16, 2026
The last Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival was September 17 to 19, 2026, in Kodak, TN. Its 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. Froligo tracks ticket prices, camping, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
The Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival is a family-run, three-day traditional bluegrass gathering held each September on Joe and Mitzi Soward's farm in Kodak, Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains and only about 22 miles from Knoxville. A dozen bands play a covered, rain-or-shine performance area from midday into the night, with free parking, on-site food and merchandise vendors, restrooms and showers, and reservation-based camping. Constant picking and jamming around the campground is a defining feature.
What people love
Attendees speak warmly of the festival's music and friendly staff, and repeatedly frame it as a welcoming, family-oriented gathering built around the Soward family's hard work. Regulars highlight the sense of community and the ease of the setup, with the long-running event described in the bluegrass community as well worth attending.
Last time around (2025)
The 2025 Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival was held in September in Kodak, Tennessee and covered by the bluegrass press, continuing the event's long run of traditional-bluegrass lineups and campground jamming on the Soward farm ahead of the 26th annual edition in 2026.
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Listen
Tap an artist to play them right here.
No official playlist linked yet. Find Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Here's who played in 2026:
Getting there
Nearest airport TYS.
How do I get to Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival?
By car
Most people drive to Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival. The nearest major airport is TYS, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
Intercity coaches serve Knoxville at the Knoxville Area Transit stop, 100 Kirkwood St, Knoxville TN 37914 (Greyhound's interim street-side stop off Magnolia Ave; open 24h, tickets from ~$26). Knoxville is the end of the line for transit purposes, the stop is still ~20 mi west of the Kodak venue with no onward public transit, so a rideshare or hire car is required for the last leg.
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
TYS (McGhee Tyson, Alcoa TN) is roughly 35 miles / 40-45 min from the Kodak venue via I-40 East to exit 407. Uber and Lyft both operate at TYS; pickup is the designated TNC/Rideshare zone on the terminal's lowest level, to the right of the building after baggage claim.
Book / infoTaxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🅿 Parking
Cost Free. Official site states 'FREE Parking' for festival attendees; farm venue with on-site lots, no prepay platform used. Campers note: the RV park allows only one vehicle per campsite.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at TYS
If you are hiring a car, it is worth checking parking near the venue before you go.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Map shows the center of Kodak. The venue's exact point is not confirmed yet.
Venue
Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival Grounds
Camping & Accommodation
Is there camping at Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival?
Yes, on site camping is available.
Facilities
Camping site types 2
Primitive/dry camping $20 per night (2 adults per unit); additional guests $3 per person per night. Note the RV park bans tent camping year-round EXCEPT during festival week, so primitive/tent-beside-car camping is a festival-week-only option. One vehicle per campsite. Quiet hours extend to 2am during bluegrass festival week (10pm rest of year).
30-amp electric/water festival package: $120 for the 3-night minimum; extra festival-week nights $40 each; 50-amp upgrade $3/night; extra guests $5 per person per night. Camping is reservation-only by phone (865-397-7942) with a wait list when full; balance due by July 15. Year-round the park runs full-hookup (water/sewer/electric) pull-through and back-in sites at roughly $33-50/night per camper reports; on-site dump station (not open to the public). Early arrivals before Sept 12 by reservation, availability-dependent.
Where can I stay near Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival?
Airport hotels 3
2001 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa, TN 37701
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates126 Cusick Road, Alcoa, TN 37701
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates125 Furrow Way, Alcoa, TN 37701
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesSearch all hotels near Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival Grounds
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Accessibility & comfort
Checked the official Wix site on 3 Sep 2026: homepage, /camping, /copy-of-tickets (the tickets page) and /sponsors-1, and confirmed there is no /about, /faq or /accessibility page. The site publishes no accessibility statement, no ADA or wheelchair information, no accessible parking or camping detail, no companion ticket policy and no description of the ground surface or terrain. The camping page mentions restrooms with showers and portable potties but does not say whether any are accessible. Organiser contact for access questions is [email protected], 865-397-7942 or 865-740-1889.
Pricing
Price history and tiers
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Quick answers
When is Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival 2027?
Not announced yet. The last festival was September 17 to 19, 2026. The next one is expected in September.
How much are Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival tickets?
$50 to $130 per person were the 2026 edition's prices. 2027 tickets are not on sale yet; prices will be confirmed when they go on sale.
Where is Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival held?
Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival Grounds, Kodak, TN.