Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree

View on map
MusicSmithville
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsUnlike festivals that book touring acts, the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree in Smithville

The Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree is an old-time fiddling, banjo, and bluegrass competition and arts and crafts festival held every Fourth of July weekend around the courthouse square in Smithville, Tennessee. Running annually since 1972 and always free to the public, it bills itself as the official festival for the state of Tennessee and features more than three dozen music and dance competition categories alongside handmade crafts, food booths, and clogging performances.

Smithville, the seat of DeKalb County in the hills of Middle Tennessee, built its Fiddlers' Jamboree around a form of music that predates the town's modern tourism economy by generations: old-time fiddling and banjo playing carried into the region by Scots-Irish and English settlers and passed down through family and community gatherings long before formal competitions existed.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike festivals that book touring acts, the Jamboree's core identity is a juried competition in traditional Appalachian old-time and bluegrass music, with categories spanning fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and dulcimer alongside old-time and clogging dance divisions, judged live on courthouse-square stages in downtown Smithville

02

The mystery stays covered

It has run continuously since 1972 and has remained free to attend for its entire history, a rarity for an event of its scale and duration

03

The city starts moving

The festival has been formally recognized as the official state festival of Tennessee, and in recent years it partnered with the National Clogging Organization and the National Clogging and Hoedown Council to sanction traditional clogging categories, expanding its competitive dance program alongside its long-running music contests

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Jamboree's central tradition is competitive old-time fiddling and banjo playing judged live in front of a public audience

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a format the festival has preserved since 1972 as a way of keeping Appalachian string-band music alive as a living

The sacred route

Living ritual

competitive practice rather than a museum piece

The local code

Living ritual

Clogging and buck dancing are performed and judged alongside the instrumental contests

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and the festival's arts and crafts vendors

Tradition 6

Living ritual

arranged around the courthouse square

Tradition 7

Living ritual

continue a tradition of handmade regional craftsmanship displayed alongside the music

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

For Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree, plan transport around the exact Smithville venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, warm-weather clothing suited to a Middle Tennessee Fourth of July weekend works best: shorts or lightweight pants, a breathable shirt, and a hat for sun protection, since much of the...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree, stay near the part of Smithville you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.83 N, 84.89 WOpen in Google Maps

Smithville, TN

Nearest airportCVG — Cincinnati Northern Kentucky
TransportFor Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree, plan transport around the exact Smithville venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree, stay near the part of Smithville you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Smithville via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Smithville, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, warm-weather clothing suited to a Middle Tennessee Fourth of July weekend works best: shorts or lightweight pants, a breathable shirt, and a hat for sun protection, since much of the event takes place outdoors on the courthouse square with limited shade. Comfortable shoes matter for standing or walking on pavement for extended stretches while watching competitions.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree?

Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree is listed for July · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree take place?

The festival is listed in Smithville, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Smithville, TN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLsmithvillejamboree.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Rock in Rio

4–13 September 2026

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo pending

Montreal International Jazz Festival

Past edition: 25 June–4 July 2026

Montreal, Canada
Photo pending

Tomorrowland Brasil

Past edition: 10–12 October 2025

Itu, Brazil
Photo pending

Glastonbury Festival

23–27 June 2027

Pilton, United Kingdom

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →