IBMA Bluegrass Live! will look different when World of Bluegrass returns to Chattanooga this October.

The International Bluegrass Music Association has redesigned the ticketed portion of its annual festival around three indoor venues while keeping free outdoor music in downtown Chattanooga.

World of Bluegrass runs Oct. 20-24, with Bluegrass Live! taking over Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24.

IBMA Bluegrass Live! Moves the Ticketed Festival Indoors

The biggest change is the move indoors.

Ticketed performances will be spread across the Chattanooga Convention Center, The Signal and Barrelhouse Ballroom.

According to IBMA, the new format is intended to create a more intimate festival experience while also removing weather from the equation.

The afternoon portion will take place at the Chattanooga Convention Center, followed by evening headliners at The Signal.

Late-night performances at Barrelhouse Ballroom will require separate tickets.

On Friday, the convention center schedule will also include a taping of eTown with host Nick Forster.

Free Bluegrass Remains Part of the Weekend

The move indoors does not mean the festival is becoming entirely ticketed.

IBMA will continue offering free outdoor music through Pickin’ in the Park at Miller Park and Miller Plaza.

Those stages will feature youth musicians, college bands, Chattanooga-area artists and other performers throughout the weekend.

The Chattanooga Convention Center exhibit hall will also be free and open to the public Friday and Saturday.

That gives World of Bluegrass two distinct festival experiences: a smaller ticketed program built around established performers and free programming spread through downtown.

World of Bluegrass Begins Oct. 20

The festival closes a larger week of bluegrass events in Chattanooga.

The IBMA Business Conference runs Oct. 20-22 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

Meanwhile, the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble will feature 30 Official Showcase Artists performing across downtown venues Oct. 20-21.

Several artists already covered by King Kulture will also be part of the week. The Sullivan Sisters are scheduled to perform during World of Bluegrass, while artists including Andy Leftwich enter the week with 2026 IBMA award nominations.

The IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Return Oct. 22

The 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards will take place Oct. 22 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium.

The show will recognize the year’s top artists, recordings and instrumentalists while also inducting new members into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

IBMA plans to announce the awards show hosts and performers separately.

Then the focus shifts from awards to live music for two days of Bluegrass Live! across Chattanooga.

Tickets and additional festival information are available through World of Bluegrass.