Celebrate the Season: Festivals to End Summer in Johnson City
By Brandi Moore on Aug 21 2025
August 21, 2025
As the final weeks of summer unfold, Johnson City is buzzing with festivals that bring music, culture, and community together. From international celebrations to hometown traditions, August and September are filled with events that capture the spirit of the season.
Jam in JC – August 30, 2025
Get ready for a day full of rhythm and local flavor at Jam in JC, held in King Commons. This free, all-ages music festival brings together a vibrant lineup of live performances—from bluegrass to reggae to garage punk—plus food trucks, local artists, and community energy you just can’t beat. Start your day with free yoga, enjoy acoustic jams and bluegrass sets, and stick around for headliners like The Afternooners under the downtown skies.
Appalachian Highland Celts Celtic Festival – August 30-31, 2025
Step into timeless tradition at the Appalachian Highland Celts Celtic Festival at the scenic Tipton‑Haynes State Historic Site. This family-friendly event brings Scottish and Appalachian roots to life with Highland Games, live Celtic music, artisan vendors, food, and more—all set against the backdrop of history.
Umoja Festival – September 13, 2025
Johnson City’s Umoja Festival returns to King Commons, filling downtown with culture, music, and togetherness. Guests can explore artisan vendors, food trucks with international flavors, community booths, and live performances that showcase the region’s diversity. “Umoja” means “unity” in Swahili, and the festival lives up to its name by creating a space where everyone can come together to celebrate heritage, artistry, and community spirit.
Sorghum Festival and Breakfast- September 13, 2025
Step back in time at the Sorghum Festival and Breakfast hosted at the Tipton-Haynes Historic Site. This beloved event showcases the old-fashioned art of making sweet sorghum molasses, a tradition that has flavored Appalachian kitchens for generations. Guests can watch live demonstrations as cane is pressed and boiled down into syrup, then sample the rich results with homemade biscuits. Along with the sorghum, enjoy craft vendors, tours of the historic site, and family-friendly activities that connect past and present.
From music and culture to history and community, Johnson City’s late-summer festivals are the perfect way to savor the season—make your plans now and join the celebration.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – September 19-21, 2025
Just a short ride away, Bristol comes alive with Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – celebrating its 24th year as one of the nation’s most beloved Americana festivals. Recognized as the “Birthplace of Country Music,” this vibrant event honors the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions that forever changed American music. Expect over 100 acts across a dozen stages: everything from soulful blues-rock and high-energy jam bands to platinum chart-toppers and Appalachian bluegrass greats. With early bird day passes already available, it’s your chance to dance, discover new favorites, and soak in that smoky roots vibe.
GO. ALL. OUT.
For more fun trip ideas, check out things to do around Johnson City today.