Harpers Ferry World Fiddle Day / May 15-16 2026

Welcome to Harpers Ferry World Fiddle Day! Enjoy jam sessions, concerts, and workshops.

TICKET SALES ARE AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE UNTIL MIDNIGHT BEFORE THE SCHEDULED EVENT. Then sales will be available at the door.

Events range in cost from $0-$35, 16 and Under Free.

Our event is organized in partnership with the Harpers Ferry-Bolivar Historic Town Foundation. Proceeds from the Saturday night concert and some fundraising activities associated with the event will benefit the Foundation's rehabilitation of First Zion Baptist Church's development into a community and performing arts center.

Harpers Ferry World Fiddle Day is inspired by "World Fiddle Day" that began in Ireland.

On Friday May 15 -Saturday May 16, you'll have the opportunity to hear exemplary musicians from the region who are specialists in traditional fiddle playing, the music of Appalachia, and beyond. Experience jam sessions, informative workshops, and concerts in the charming location of historic Harpers Ferry, WV. All events will be within walking distance of each other. There is lodging in town, and at nearby hotels. To foster the participation of youth in music, 16 and under have free admission to all the ticketed events. You can purchase tickets in advance at this site, or at the door. There is a discount for advance purchases.

WE THANK OUR SPONSORS...Jefferson County, River Riders, Snallygaster's Cafe and Wine Bar, The Barn of Harpers Ferry, River and Trail Outfitters, and B&M Painting.

SCHEDULE & DETAILS - Seating at events is "General Seating"

FRIDAY MAY 15, 8pm-10pm/Kick-Off Party. $5-Advance, $10 at Door. Live music at The Barn of Harpers Ferry, 1062 W. WASHINGTON ST. Neo-traditional band Kate MacLeod's Mind the Gap (Kate with Paul Hammerton, John Bryant, and Matt Metz.) will be hosting the night, with special guest musicians.

SATURDAY MAY 16 - Events All Day.

10am-12:00pm: FREE. Morning music from Craggy Island at Snallygaster's Cafe, 1102 W. Washington St. (Tips for musicians encouraged.)

12 noon-5pm: FREE. Music Jam Sessions, for musicians. There will be two session locations for an Celtic jam session, and an Old-Time American jam session. These will be held at the Light Horse Inn, 1084 W. Washington St, and directly behind that building at the Barn of Harpers Ferry. The jams sessions are FREE to attend and we welcome listeners who are curious.

11am-5pm: WORKSHOPS. Adults $10 p/Workshop. $35 Day Pass. 16 and under-free. See our website for workshop descriptions: https://www.hf-worldfiddleday.com/workshops

Musicians leading this workshop are Darol Anger (fiddle), Joe Herrmann (fiddle), Joe DeZarn (fiddle), Kate MacLeod (fiddle), Patrick Egan (guitar), and Paul Hammerton (guitar).

11:3am-12:30pm Irish Guitar with Patrick Egan

11am-12:30pm Scottish Fiddle with Kate MacLeod

1pm-2:30pm Old-Time Rhythm Guitar with Paul Hammerton

1pm-2:30pm Irish Fiddle with Joe DeZarn

3pm-4pm Featured Regional Music - The Tunes of Joe Herrmann

3:30pm Featured Guest Artist Darol Anger on Fiddle

7:00pm: EVENING CONCERT. DOORS OPEN AT 6:30pm, held at the Camp Hill-Wesley United Methodist Church, 601 Washington St. This concert is a fundraiser to benefit the rehabilitation of historic First Zion Baptist Church into a community and performing arts center. If you would like to be a sponsor of this event, please contact us through [email protected]

Advance ticket purchases for the concert are recommended in case the event sells out. $25 for Historic Town Foundation members/Advance Purchase, $30-per General Admission/Advance Purchase. $35-General Admission/At Door. 16 and under free, please notify organizers of the number of children you will bring ([email protected]) so that we can reserve seats. Musicians performing in this concert are featured artist Darol Anger, along with Morgan Morrison and Fiddlin' Dave, WFD workshop faculty and other WFD performing musicians.

There will be a silent auction and bake sale to benefit the Harpers Ferry-Bolivar Historic Town Foundation. Items for the silent auction will be available all day at the church venue.

The Barn of Harpers Ferry is open until 11pm for after-hours revelry.

As a fundraiser, additional donations are welcome and can be made through: https://historicharpersferry.org/

Refunds on ticket purchases can be made up to 7 days in advance of the event (by midnight ET May 9) , the customer will be required to cover the cost of refund fees.

Parking - Parking on Washington Street within the Bolivar town limits is free (west of the fire station). In Harpers Ferry, parking is permitted only on Washington Street and requires ParkMobile payment from 8 am to 6 pm. After 6pm Washington St. parking is free. There is no parking allowed on residential side streets. There is free parking at the National Park's lot on Fillmore St behind the old Shipley Schoolhouse (between Storer College Pl. and Zachary Taylor St.) During the day until 6pm there is free parking at the Barn of Harpers Ferry.

ADA NOTES -

1. There IS wheelchair access to the Barn of Harpers Ferry, where Friday night's Kick-Off Party, and the Old-Time jam will be held.
2. There is NO wheelchair access to Snallygaster's Cafe, but there are only about 2 steps to get in the front door.
3. There IS wheelchair access to the Light Horse Inn's first floor where the Irish jam session will be, unless the weather is nice and musicians decide to jam outdoors.
4. There IS wheelchair access to the Camp Hill Wesley United Methodist Church.
5. The parking directly to the side of the Camp Hill Methodist Church will be reserved for ADA and those in need of close proximity parking.

For questions concerning this event, contact Kate at: [email protected]

Visit our wesbite at: https://www.hf-worldfiddleday.com/

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