Downtown Boone

An Evening of Comedy and Magic with Lyndy Phillips
2026-06-12 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-06-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-06-26 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-07-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-07-10 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Mysterium Escape Adventure, 737 W. King Street, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
The Carolina Comedy Magic Parlor delivers an intimate and unforgettable evening of magic and laughter, with limited seating. Step into a cozy parlor-style theater where every seat is the best seat in the house. Featuring magician Lyndy Phillips, you’ll be amazed by his masterful sleight of hand and delighted by his witty, clean humor—creating an immersive experience that blends comedy and wonder.

Wycliffe Gordon
2026-06-13 19:30 - 21:30
High Country Jazz Festival presents
Wycliffe Gordon

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR WYCLIFFE GORDON

Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. / Doors open at 7 p.m.
Premium Reserved: $38
Regular Reserved: $32 Ticket price listed includes ticket fees. Taxes are calculated upon checkout.
Musical ambassador and interpreter of “America’s” music, Wycliffe Gordon is one of the world’s most renowned and award-winning jazz trombonists touring today. His signature sound and mastery of the plunger mute have helped solidify his impressive musical career. Wycliffe tours as a soloist and regularly with his quintet headlining at legendary jazz venues and performing arts centers worldwide. In addition, Wycliffe has recorded or been featured on over 300 recordings, has composed and arranged hundreds of compositions, including the theme song for NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and is a very passionate, most sought-after educator.
Jazz Journalists Association named him “Trombonist of the Year” for an unprecedented 15th time in 2022, and Downbeat Critics Poll named Wycliffe “Best Trombone” for six years, (2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013 & 2012). In recent years, Wycliffe was the recipient of the “Louie Award”, the International Trombone Award (which recognizes the highest level of creative and artistic achievement), the Satchmo Award, and the Louis Armstrong Memorial Prize presented by the Swing Jazz Culture Foundation. He is also a past recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Vanguard Award, among others.
In recent months he has performed with Butler University, UNC Greely, Davidson College, Stanford Jazz, at Aaron Davis Concert Hall, Birdland, the Rochester Jazz Festival, Vail Jazz and the Journey of Jazz cruise, to name a few. He has a new Holiday CD coming out next month titled “Holiday Fun” on Arbors Records, and he closes out the year with upcoming performances that include True Blue Jazz, Suncoast Jazz Festival, VA Music Educator’s Assn, Boca Raton Gala, and the Staten Island Jazz Festival.
Gordon is a former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at the Kennedy Center” Series. Gordon serves as Director of Jazz Studies at Augusta University in Augusta, GA.
Wycliffe Gordon is a Yamaha Performing Artist and has his own line of Wycliffe Gordon Pro Signature Mouthpieces by Pickett Brass, the “Wybrid” Crossover Mouthpiece also by Pickett Brass, and a new plunger mute—the “Cone Tone” by Hirschman Mutes.
Visit www.wycliffegordon.com.
Visit High Country Jazz Festival to learn more about the 2026 Festival.

Mountaineer 10 miler
2026-06-14 06:00 - 10:30
The Mountaineer 10 Miler is a new race taking place throughout Boone. Starting & ending at Appalachian State University’s Kidd Brewer Stadium, participants can choose from a 4-mile route, a 10-mile race, or the double-down challenge at 14 miles.
https://mountaineer10miler.com/

Emmet Cohen Trio
2026-06-14 15:00 - 16:30 | Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King Street, Boone, 28067, United States
High Country Jazz Festival presents
Emmet Cohen Trio

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR EMMET COHEN TRIO

Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 3p.m. / Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
Premium Reserved: $30
Regular Reserved: $25 Ticket price listed includes ticket fees. Taxes are calculated upon checkout.
Emmet Cohen is a leading jazz pianist and composer, celebrated for his artistry and commitment to the traditions and future of jazz. A recognized prodigy who began piano at age three, Cohen blends technical mastery with deep musical expression. He leads the acclaimed Emmet Cohen Trio, performs worldwide, and created the popular livestream series Live From Emmet’s Place, which has reached millions online. Cohen champions intergenerational learning through his Masters Legacy Series, collaborating with jazz legends like Ron Carter and Benny Golson. His work spans performance, education, and innovation, making him one of the most influential voices in contemporary jazz.
VisitHigh Country Jazz Festival to learn more about the 2026 Festival.

Old-Time Jam at the Jones House
2026-06-18 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-06-25 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-07-02 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-07-09 19:00 - 22:00
Every Thursday evening from 7-10 PM, join local and visiting musicians at the Jones House for an old-time jam session. Bring your banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin – or whatever old-time acoustic instrument you have – and spend a few hours playing along with fellow musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds. On warm evenings, circle up on the Jones House lawn and porch; on cooler evenings, move the things indoors to the parlor and galleries. Guests and visitors are welcome to observe and enjoy the music but are asked to be respectful of the musicians. After catching up and choosing a key the music will begin, with the last call for tunes coming around 9:45.
Jams are not held on holidays and may be canceled on days of inclement weather. Call the Jones House with any questions.

Boonerang Music & Arts Festival
2026-06-19 - 2026-06-21
Boonerang Music & Arts Festival celebrates Boone, North Carolina with a free downtown street festival; this community homecoming brings Boone-connected artists and fans together every third weekend in June to Boonerang back to the place we love. Artists of all kinds with connections to the town will be performing within walking distance of shops, restaurants, breweries, and more. In addition to finding music on multiple stages, enjoy locally brewed beer, kids’ activities, silent discos, and afterparties.
Don’t miss these great Boonerang events:
Thursday: Boone’s Got Talent show at the Appalachian Theatre
Friday: Free shows in the evening, followed by a Silent Disco
Saturday: The street festival lasts all day throughout downtown Boone. Find the map here.
Sunday: The International Festival kicks off with a Parade of Nations.
Find the full stage schedule here

Boone Pride Parade and Festival
2026-06-27 11:00 - 17:00 | ​Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove RD, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
Bring your PRIDE — wagons, bikes, trikes, families, unicycles, pets, strollers, wheelchairs — and join LGBTQ+ community members and Allies from throughout the High Country and beyond as we parade down King St. in the heart of Downtown Boone and end up at the biggest Boone Pride Festival yet with dozens of performers and vendors!
Gather and park at 132 Poplar Grove Connector (Watauga Social Services Building) beginning at 11am. The parade will commence on King Street starting at 12pm. You can also find additional parking at the Watauga County Parking Deck (140 N. Water St.). More parking information will be provided via our social media accounts as we get closer to the event.
Festival begins immediately following the parade at 1pm in the parking lot of the Watauga Agricultural Center lower lot off Poplar Grove Rd beside Rivers Walk apartments.

Punch Brothers
2026-06-27 19:30 - 22:00
Punch Brothers, formed by mandolinist Chris Thile in 2006, is known for pushing the boundaries of acoustic music. In addition to Thile, the band currently comprises guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Brittany Haas. Punch Brothers has garnered critical acclaim, including a Grammy for Best Folk Album for All Ashore (2018). The Washington Post applauded them for taking “bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage, drawing equal inspiration from the brain and the heart.”
Most Recently, Punch Brothers have been focused on their new musical variety show, The Energy Curfew Music Hour. Season One is available on all podcast platforms, with season two exclusively out on Audible.
The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers, the seventh album from the Grammy-winning band — and its first comprising all instrumental tunes as well as its first with fiddle player Brittany Haas, who joined the quintet in 2023 — is due July 24, 2026, on Nonesuch Records. The album features eight new original compositions by Punch Brothers as well as three traditional songs they arranged.

ARTtalk: “Curating Global Cinema,” Dale Pollock
2026-06-30 16:00 - 17:00 | The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, 423 W. King Street, Boone, N, 28608, United States
Step behind the curtain for a series of intimate conversations with this season’s artists about the passions and processes that shape their work.
Get an insider’s look at how this year’s International Film Series lineup was selected — and why global cinema matters.

Global Film Series: Calle Malaga
2026-06-30 19:30 - 22:00 | Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Morocco / Not Rated / Directed by Maryam Touzani / 2025 / Drama, Romance / 116 minutes
An aging Spanish woman in Tangier resists her daughter’s decision to sell her home. Determined to stay, she does everything she can to keep her home and reclaim the belongings of a lifetime. Along the way, she rediscovers love and desire.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
2026-07-01 19:30 - 22:00 | Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
Reflecting on the meaning of home, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra presents a stirring program on the longing for beloved countrysides and pride of cherished folk music under the baton of Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees. Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony blends elements of the Czech composer’s heritage as he yearns for home with American musical influences in his excitement for a new land. Known for the moving “Simple Gifts” melody, Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring offers a contrasting portrayal of a couple trying to establish their homestead in rural America in a work full of spirit and wonder.

15th Annual Rosen-Schaffel Competition
2026-07-02 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-02 19:30 - 20:30 | Rosen Concert Hall at Broyhill Music Center, 813 Rivers St, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
The winner of the 15th Annual Rosen-Schaffel Competition for Young and Emerging Artists will perform a full recital of the works they performed during the morning competition.

Summer Exhibition Celebration
2026-07-02 17:00 - 20:00 | The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, 423 W. King Street, Boone, N, 28608, United States
Join us at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts for First Friday as downtown Boone comes alive with creativity, community, and celebration! Explore our captivating galleries featuring contemporary art exhibitions, meet local artists, and enjoy free admission. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply looking for an inspiring night out, the Turchin Center is the perfect place to start your First Friday Art Crawl adventure.
Discover art, engage with culture, and connect with the Boone community. 5–8 PM | FREE Admission

Summer Exhibition Celebration
2026-07-02 17:00 - 20:00 | The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, 423 W. King Street, Boone, N, 28608, United States
Engage with visiting artists and fellow arts advocates, enjoy live music and refreshments, and discover the exciting exhibitions showcased across six galleries by local, regional, national and international artists.

First Thursday Art Crawl
2026-07-02 17:00 - 20:00
Downtown Boone will come alive on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, as First Friday Art Crawl expands into two days of art, music, shopping, and community. Coordinated by the Watauga Arts Council (WAC) in partnership with the Downtown Boone Development Association, the July Art Crawl offers even more opportunities to experience Boone’s vibrant arts scene.
Residents and visitors can explore local art, connect with artists, enjoy live music, and attend special events at businesses and venues throughout downtown. Highlights for July include:
Thursday, July 2nd:

Artists & Youth Makers on King Street (4-8 p.m.) – Local artists and WAC’s very own Youth Makers will be stationed along King Street and the Turchin Center sidewalks from 4-8pm on both Thursday and Friday, selling handmade goods.

Summer Exhibition Celebration at Turchin Center (5-8 p.m.) – Explore contemporary exhibitions, enjoy light refreshments and a cash bar, meet local artists, and enjoy free admission.

Art Market at FizzEd (5-8 p.m.) – Shop handmade work from various local artists.

Stars, Stripes, & Brush Strokes at FARM Cafe (4-7 p.m.) – Stop by FARM Cafe on Thursday for patriotic face painting, a photo booth, free giveaways, and more! Organized by the Downtown Boone Development Association.

Live Music @ Boone Saloon (9:30 p.m.) – Experience and enjoy live music with Professor Twang and MidLife Trip.

Friday, July 3rd:

DJ Disco Night at Wild Craft Eatery(9 p.m. – Midnight) – DJ Dumpsta J will be performing a club-inspired set for those who are 21+ with a $5 cover fee.

Live Music at SouthEnd Brewing(6-9 p.m.) – Listen to South on Something perform at SouthEnd on Friday evening.

Rhodo Clay & Kiln Pop-Up at Ellison (4-7 p.m.) – Browse and shop a pop-up at Ellison with Katie from Rhodo Clay & Kiln.

Summer Concert at Jones House (5:30 p.m.) – Bluebird Family Fiddle Camp will take the Jones House stage for the 2026 Summer Concert Series.

Live Music at Boone Saloon (9:30 p.m.) – Enjoy live music at Boone Saloon with Hustle Souls and The Hourglass Kids.

Live Music & Open Mic Night at Fizz Ed (5-10 p.m.) – From 5-7pm, enjoy live music from Andy Page, with an Open Mic Night directly following from 7-10pm at Fizz Ed.

Newsies, Jr. at Appalachian Theatre (7-8:30 p.m.) – Purchase tickets to see App Theatre’s ‘Newsies, Jr.’ production.

Craft Party at Future Relic (4-7 p.m.) – Experience a pop-up with Letters from Stella and Charmed by Vic at Future Relic.

Plus, while you’re downtown for the July 4th Parade, be sure to stop by FARM Cafe on Saturday, July 4th from 10am-3pm for a special pop-up art market featuring local artists and makers. Browse original pottery, jewelry, prints, paintings, fiber arts, and more while supporting the High Country’s creative community.

The Art of Walking
2026-07-03 15:00 - 18:00 | The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, 423 W. King Street, Boone, N, 28608, United States
The Art of Walking
Boone Greenway and Kennedy Trail
First Fridays, 3:00-4:30pm

A 3-mile loop with an art theme to complement the First Friday Art Crawl in Boone on the first Friday of each month. No experience with art or writing is needed although a love for walking in nature sure comes in handy. During the walks, we’ll find a place to sit for a few minutes to draw or write about what we’re experiencing so bring your favorite tools to capture the moments. Journaling is totally optional and there is no need to share with others. This is an incredibly beautiful greenway. The Kennedy Trail has a natural surface complete with roots, rocks and hills. After the hike, the group can reconvene at the Turchin Center for the Arts at 5:00pm to enjoy the First Fridays Art Crawl in downtown Boone. The walking event is free but registration is suggested so we know you’re coming. Contact Jae at BlueRidgeFriend@gmail.com

Boone July 4th Parade and Celebration
2026-07-04 11:00 - 13:00
A wonderful summer event for the whole family to enjoy, the Boone 4th of July Parade is an Independence Day celebration staple in the High Country. Find a nice spot on King Street in Downtown Boone and enjoy all of the festive floats decked out in red, white, and blue, as well as special live performances. Afterwards, make your way to the Jones House for a piece of cake and a slice of watermelon – a perfect summer treat. Later, join the Town of Boone at Clawson-Burnley Park on the Boone Greenway for a patriotic party featuring bounce houses, lawn games, music, treats, and of course a spectacular fireworks display to close out the festivities.

Merz Trio
2026-07-07 19:30 - 22:30 | Rosen Concert Hall at Broyhill Music Center, 813 Rivers St, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
Hailed as “entrancing” (BBC Music Magazine) and “artists in the deepest sense of the word” (CutCommon), Merz Trio, winners of the Naumburg, Concert Artists Guild, Fischoff and Chesapeake Competitions, and recipients of a Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant, have been lauded for their “stunning virtuosity… fresh and surprising interpretations” (Reading Eagle), and “perfection of intonation and ensemble” (Hudson Review). Merz Trio are passionately committed to reshaping the narrative of classical music through vibrantly dynamic programming and wide-ranging interdisciplinary collaboration. Their narrative programming style juxtaposes classical standards, new music, and their own arrangements of familiar and forgotten works, fluidly interwoven and guided with speaking from the Trio’s members.

Gladys Knight
2026-07-08 19:00 - 22:00 | Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers over the last 60 years have matched her unassailable artistry. This seven-time GRAMMY Award winner has enjoyed #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B, and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television, and live performance.
All told, Knight has recorded more than 38 albums over the years, including four solo albums: Good Woman (1991); Just for You (1994); the inspirational Many Different Roads (1999); and At Last (2001).

ARTtalk: “40 Years of Public Art,” Hank Foreman
2026-07-09 16:00 - 17:00 | The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, 423 W. King Street, Boone, N, 28608, United States
Step behind the curtain for a series of intimate conversations with this season’s artists about the passions and processes that shape their work.
A retrospective on the Rosen family’s vision for sculpture at App State and the lasting impact of four decades of the Rosen Sculpture Competition.

Straight No Chaser Beach Bash
2026-07-10 19:30 - 22:00 | Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses… think again. Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. They have emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase and a long list of accomplishments including 2 RIAA Gold Certified albums, over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over 1 billion streams on Pandora, and over 2 million albums sold worldwide. Straight No Chaser is the real deal, the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense… and with a sense of humor.

40th Annual Outdoor Rosen Sculpture Walk
2026-07-11 10:00 - 17:00 | Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
Now in its 40th year at Appalachian State University, the Martin and Doris Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition celebrates An Appalachian Summer Festival tradition! The Rosen Sculpture Walk will kick off at 10am at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. After a brief welcome, juror Sam Spiczka will lead guests on a guided tour of the 10 sculptures installed along Rivers Street. The group will then return to the Schaefer Center for the announcement of this year’s award winners, a complimentary lunch, and time to chat with friends about your favorite pieces.
Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, as the walking and standing portion lasts approximately 45–60 minutes. Water stations will be available along the route.
If weather prevents an outdoor tour, the sculpture walk will be presented indoors at the Schaefer Center with a slide presentation.
