What Makes Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass & BBQ Festival Worth Attending in 2027?

Silver Dollar City's Bluegrass & BBQ Festival runs May 6–31, 2027, and after more than two decades it's one of the most recognized bluegrass events in the country. The International Bluegrass Music Association has named it Event of the Year. For families and music fans heading to Branson in May, the festival adds weeks of live bluegrass and smoked BBQ to a full park day, and it's included with regular admission. Branson Show Tickets books park admission and attraction tickets, so you can lock in your dates on a single call.

The festival is one of seven Silver Dollar City runs in 2027, so check how the Bluegrass & BBQ dates fit with Silver Dollar City's other festivals and events. If you're building a multi-day trip around live music, the full Branson show schedules show what else is running the same week.

The Bluegrass & BBQ Festival is Silver Dollar City's annual spring event, pairing live bluegrass music with slow-smoked BBQ across the park. In 2027 it runs May 6 through May 31, Memorial Day. Park admission covers the festival, and it runs alongside all regular park attractions, so one visit includes the music, the food and the rides.

The IBMA's Event of the Year designation sets it apart from most regional music festivals. The festival draws top touring bluegrass acts year after year, and many fans plan their Branson trip around a favorite band's dates.

For families without a strong bluegrass background, the festival still earns its place. You can catch a set, grab smoked BBQ, and still have plenty of the day left for rides and shows.

Silver Dollar City has announced the first performers for 2027:

Dates (2027)PerformerMay 6–7 | The Grascals
May 7–8 | Breaking Grass
May 8–10 | Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
May 8–9 | Casey & The Atta Boys
May 9–10 | Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
May 12–13 | Po' Ramblin' Boys
May 15–17 | The Kody Norris Show
May 16–17 | Authentic Unlimited
May 19–20 | Lonesome River Band
May 19–20 | Amanda Cook Band
May 22–23 | Red Camel Collective

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, May 8–10, is the marquee booking of the early festival. Vincent, known as the "Queen of Bluegrass," is a Grand Ole Opry member, so fans who can only pick one weekend may want to build around her dates. Silver Dollar City may add more performers for the final week, so check the park's festival page for the complete schedule and stage times before you go.

Want more live music while you're in town? See our Branson music festival details for other events around the city.

Ready to book? Call 877-688-3179 to reach a local Branson vacation planning specialist who can secure your Silver Dollar City admission, check performer dates, and bundle any other shows or attractions you want to add. Every order includes freebies at no extra cost.

The BBQ program is a full food event in its own right. During the festival, the House of BBQ serves smoked favorites like pulled pork, chicken and beef brisket, plus limited-time menu items, and Rivertown Smokehouse serves slow-smoked BBQ year-round. Special festival dishes and desserts pop up at eateries throughout the park.

The festival's BBQ Tasting Ticket is an add-on that lets you sample several festival items at a bundled price; in 2026 it included five tastings. It's the easiest way to try a little of everything. If you already have a favorite, ordering individually works just as well.

The festival is included with regular Silver Dollar City admission, so there's no separate festival ticket. In 2026, single-day tickets started at $85 when bought at least 24 hours in advance ($95 at the gate), and kids 3 and under get in free. Silver Dollar City hasn't posted 2027 single-day prices yet, so check before you book. Season Passports for 2027 are on presale now, starting at $11.99 per month, and you can save up to $55 per passport when you order by November 2.

Quick summary:

Book Silver Dollar City tickets through Branson Show Tickets to lock in your dates with no service fee added to the admission price.

The full park is open during Bluegrass & BBQ, so everything that normally draws crowds in May runs alongside the music. New for 2027 is Miner's Mountain Express, a family coaster opening in spring 2027 with more than half a mile of track, two lift hills and a 15-story headframe from a working Missouri mine. It replaces Thunderation, which closes for good on January 2, 2027. Read more about Silver Dollar City's ride expansion and new additions. Thrill seekers can also ride Time Traveler, PowderKeg, WildFire and Fire In The Hole.

Marvel Cave tours are included with park admission. The tour descends about 505 feet below the surface to the Waterfall Room, then brings you back up on a cable-pulled railway. It's a steep walk with plenty of stairs, so it's best for guests comfortable with climbing.

Silver Dollar City's craft program runs during the festival too, with about 100 demonstrating craftspeople, including glassblowers, potters, blacksmiths and knife makers. Younger kids can head to Fireman's Landing, the park's family area.

For a multi-day trip, browse the full Branson attractions listings and the current Branson shows calendar. A Silver Dollar City festival day followed by an evening show on the Strip is one of the best ways to see Branson in a single trip.

The festival runs May 6 through May 31, 2027. The park operates on select dates, so check Silver Dollar City's calendar to confirm hours on the day you plan to visit.

Yes. Park admission covers the festival performances along with full access to rides, Marvel Cave and attractions.

Announced performers include The Grascals, Breaking Grass, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Casey & The Atta Boys, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Po' Ramblin' Boys, The Kody Norris Show, Authentic Unlimited, Lonesome River Band, Amanda Cook Band and Red Camel Collective.

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage are scheduled for May 8–10, 2027.

Yes. BBQ items are sold individually at the House of BBQ, Rivertown Smokehouse and other eateries throughout the festival. The Tasting Ticket is an optional add-on.

No. Thunderation closes permanently on January 2, 2027. Its successor, the Miner's Mountain Express family coaster, opens in spring 2027.

Call 877-688-3179 to speak with a local vacation planning specialist who can book park admission and help you build the rest of your Branson itinerary on the same call. There's no service fee on any booking. You can also browse current Branson specials and deals before you call.