The Banjo & Fiddle Contest celebrates its 45th event on September 12, 2026 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM.

The event is free for contestants, as well as all traditional music fans who would like to come and listen. Never been to a banjo and fiddle contest before? Bring your lawn chairs and settle in to watch the friendly competition and get in touch with our country’s musical roots.

CASH PRIZES ARE AWARDED IN 9 CATEGORIES:

Old Time Fiddle
Old Time Banjo
Bluegrass Fiddle
*Includes “contest-style” fiddling
Bluegrass Banjo
Ethnic Fiddle
Banjo (Other Styles)
Twin Fiddle
Banjo and Fiddle Duet
Youth (14 and under)

Cash Prizes (Adult Category): 1st-$100, 2nd-$50, 3rd-$25.

Cash Prizes (YouthCategory): 1st-$50, 2nd-$25, 3rd-$10.

Judging Criteria: Musicality (40%), Technical Competence (40%), Tune Difficulty (10%), Start and Stop strength (10%)

As always, contestants will be scored by two experienced judges who are highly active in the traditional music community. Guitar accompaniment will be provided upon request, and the morning will include workshops ranging from bluegrassbanjoto old time fiddle. In addition to the contest, informal jams will take place throughout the day.

There will be workshops in bluegrass banjo, old time fiddle and ethnic/bluegrass fiddle. 

Registration takes place on-site.

YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO DOWNLOAD, FILL OUT AND BRING THE CONTEST REGISTRATION FORM for Single Contestant or Dual Contestants

A DAY OF MUSIC AND COMMUNITY...

Expect a full day of music and community, beginning with morning workshops and organized jam sessions, followed by on-site registration through midday. The Banjo & Fiddle Contest runs from noon until the final performer wraps up, after which judges tally scores and award prizes, typically around 5:30 PM.

At the Banjo & Fiddle Contest, we invite you to come celebrate musical heritage. The repertoire of tunes played during the Contest is what folklorists refer to as traditional music – music practiced by groups of people who share a common ethnic heritage, geographic region, or way of life.
Tunes are shared within families and communities and are passed on over generations.

For More Info: Contact us at: info@lowellbanjoandfiddlecontest.org

PLEASE VISIT US ON FACEBOOK FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO!

support-the-banjo-and-fiddle-contest

Support the Banjo and Fiddle Contest!

At the Banjo & Fiddle Contest, we invite you to come celebrate musical heritage.

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Play
Lowell Banjo & Fiddle Contest by Chuck Interrante

Play
Arnold Mages Sisters -  Blue Bonnet Lane (2018)

Play
Natalya Kay – Morrison’s Jig