The IBMA World of Bluegrass® brings five days of music, networking, and celebration to downtown Chattanooga, with performances and events happening across multiple venues, both indoor and outdoor.
Here’s where everything is happening, and what you need to know about getting around the city during the festival.
Main Festival Venues
IBMA Business Conference & Exhibit Hall
September 16th–20th
Chattanooga Convention Center
1 Carter Plaza
Home base for the industry conference, workshops, and the bluegrass exhibit hall. This is also one of the Bluegrass Ramble showcase venues.
IBMA Bluegrass Ramble Venues
September 16th–18th
All Ramble venues are walkable or accessible via Chattanooga’s free downtown electric shuttle.
- Chattanooga Convention Center – 1 Carter Plaza
- Barrelhouse Ballroom – 1501 Long St.
- Gate 11 Distillery – 1400 Market St.
- Hi-Fi Clyde’s – 122 W. Main St.
- Songbirds – 206 W. Main St.
- The Comedy Catch – 29 Station St.
These are all located in the Southside, a busy downtown neighborhood filled with food, drink, and nightlife options between sets.
IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards
September 18th
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
399 McCallie Ave
A historic venue hosting one of the week’s biggest nights — the awards show and Hall of Fame inductions.
IBMA Bluegrass Live!® Festival
September 19th–20th
Three ticketed stages form the heart of the outdoor weekend festival:
- Miller Park (between Market St. and Georgia Ave)
- Miller Plaza (across from the park, where Nightfall is held)
- Patten Square (formerly Patten Parkway, near Georgia Ave and McCallie Ave)
Each site offers general admission access, with premium seated viewing areas available.
Street Closures
To make way for large crowds, vendor booths, and pop-up performances, multiple streets downtown will close to traffic starting midweek:
Road closures in effect from Wednesday, September 17th to Sunday, September 21th:
- Market St. from 11th St. to 8th St.
- 10th St. from Broad to Lindsey
- MLK Blvd. from Broad to Lindsey
- Georgia Ave. from Market to 8th St.
- Patten Square from Georgia to Lindsey
The One Chattanooga Stage and Youth Stage (free to the public) will also be located in these pedestrian zones.
Parking & Getting Around
- Use of the free downtown electric shuttle is highly recommended.
- Nearby parking garages will remain open, but spaces may be limited during peak hours.
- Biking and rideshare services are also encouraged.
Festival organizers will release a full mobility and accessibility map closer to the event.
More in the guide:
- Where to Eat, Drink & Hang Out
- Late Night Jam Details
- Tips for First-Time Attendees