Gathering in the Gap

06/10/2026

The countdown begins!

Save the date for the 2027 Gathering in the Gap Music Festival!

📅 May 29, 2027

Join us for a day filled with outstanding music, mountain heritage, and unforgettable memories at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park.

🎟️ Tickets go on sale January 1, 2027, so keep an eye on our page for updates and announcements.

We can't wait to see you there!

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the sponsors and special partners who helped make Gathering in the Gap such a success! Your support helped bring together music, culture, history, and community for a truly special event here in Southwest Virginia.

Events like this would not be possible without the generosity and partnership of organizations and individuals who believe in preserving and celebrating our region’s rich heritage. We are incredibly grateful for your support and commitment to our community.

Thank you again for helping make Gathering in the Gap a memorable experience for everyone who attended!

Special shout-out:

The Slemp Foundation
Ballad Health - Lonesome Pine Hospital
Stone Mountain Health Services
The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail
404 Cafe & Creamery
Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union
Applebee's Grill & Bar
Axe Handle Distilling
Big Stone Economy Drug
Big Stone Gap Rescue Squad
C Group Insurance
Clearpoint CPA
The Coalfield Progress
Double D Tire
Edward Jones
Farmers & Miners Bank
Fitcon Graphix
Food City of Big Stone Gap
Gilliam Funeral Home & Crematory
Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground
The Law Office of Kern & Wilkins, P.C.
The Lane Group
Lonesome Pine Realty
Mid-Mountain Heating & Cooling
Miners Exchange Bank
Mining & Property Specialists, Inc.
Moon Dog Brick Oven Pizza/Seven Dogs BrewPub
Mountain Tradition Woodcarvers
Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Empire Older Citizens
Old Virginia Hand Hewn Log Homes
Powell River Mercantile
Powell Valley Bank
Quesenberrys
Southwest Insurance Agency, Inc.
The Patio Drive-In
Town of Big Stone Gap
The Wise County Historical Society
Woodway Stone Company

05/25/2026

And just like that, another Gathering in the Gap Music Festival is in the books!

We had a little rain along the way, but thankfully it didn’t dampen the mood (or the music!). The skies cleared just in time for an incredible evening on the main stage with unforgettable performances from Dave Eggar & his band, Lonesome River Band, and Sister Sadie.

We were thrilled with the turnout for our interpretive programs, competition stage, and Camp & Carve, and the performances at the Acoustic Arbor and Gathering Place were top notch. And, as always, our vendors and demonstrators did an amazing job helping create such a welcoming and vibrant festival atmosphere.

A HUGE thank you goes out to all of our sponsors, volunteers, performers, competitors, vendors, demonstrators, and staff who worked so hard to make this event possible. It truly takes a community.

We’d also like to give a special shoutout to our wonderful partners:
The Town of Big Stone Gap, Moon Dog Brick Oven Pizza/ Seven Dogs Brewpub, Jessie Lea RV Park & Campground, Mountain Tradition Woodcarvers, Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Mountain Empire Community College, Wise County Historical Society, Food City, Wise Pro-Art, and The Crooked Road.

Thank you all for helping make Gathering in the Gap such a special event. We’re already looking forward to next year!

05/23/2026

Even the ducks showed up early for the Gathering in the Gap!

Gates aren’t open yet, but apparently soundcheck starts at quack-thirty. 🦆🎶

05/23/2026

🎶 TODAY’S THE DAY! 🎶

The Gathering in the Gap Music Festival is happening today at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, and we’re ready for a full day of music, demonstrations, food, vendors, and family fun!

📍 IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
🚗 Designated festival parking is available at Bullitt Park.

🚌 Thanks to Mountain Empire Older Citizens, a FREE shuttle will be running throughout the day between:
• Bullitt Park
• Gate 2 at the main festival site
• The Camp & Carve at Jessie Lea RV Park & Campground

🎟 Tickets are available at the gate for $20 each.

🛍 Vendors will be open from 11 AM – 7 PM

🍷 The Gathering Place Beer & Wine Garden will be serving from 12 PM – 8 PM

🪵 Camp & Carve at Jessie Lea RV Park will feature demonstrations and workshops all day long.

🏛 The Southwest Virginia Museum will be open from 10 AM – 5 PM with FREE admission today.

🎨 Children’s activities will be available from 12 PM – 4 PM

⛺ Tents and folding chairs are set up at most performance areas, but guests are welcome to bring their own chairs as well.

📅 Be sure to check the attached schedules for performance times and all festival activities.

We can’t wait to see everyone at the Gathering in the Gap Music Festival!

05/22/2026

Tomorrow’s the day!
The Gathering in the Gap Music Festival is almost here, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park for a full day of music, demonstrations, vendors, food, fun, and more!

Check out the attached schedules for stage performances and festival activities so you can plan your day.

TODAY is the LAST DAY to purchase advance tickets at the discounted rate of $18 per person. Ticket prices increase to $20 tomorrow.

Advance tickets can be purchased:
• At the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park until 4 PM today
• Online at www.gatheringinthegap.org until 2 PM today

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Only tickets purchased through the official Eventbrite page/Gathering in the Gap website or directly from the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will be accepted. Tickets purchased from third-party vendors or resellers will NOT be valid for entry.

We’ll see you at the Gathering!

05/20/2026

Your full day of music, workshops, demonstrations, and mountain tradition awaits at the Gathering in the Gap Music Festival!

Check out the complete schedule graphic below featuring:
🎤 Main Stage performances
🍻 Gathering Place Stage
🌲 Acoustic Arbor Stage
🏆 Competition Stage
🎻 Pickin’ in the Gap jam sessions
📚 Interpretive Programs & demonstrations

And that’s not all!

The Camp & Carve will be happening all day at the Jessie Lea RV Park & Campground, with the free festival shuttle making continuous stops there throughout the festival.

🛍️ Vendors will be set up from 11 AM – 7 PM
🍺 The Beer & Wine Garden will be serving refreshments from 12 PM – 8 PM
🏛️ The museum will be open free of charge on festival day from 10 AM – 5 PM

With activities taking place all across the festival grounds, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy. Make your plans, mark your favorites, and get ready for an unforgettable day in Big Stone Gap this Saturday!

05/19/2026

The Gathering Place Stage is where great music, cold drinks, and good company come together during the Gathering in the Gap Music Festival!

Check out the lineup graphic below for performance times and make plans to spend part of your day at the Gathering Place Beer & Wine Garden!

A huge thank you to our sponsors:
🍕 Moon Dog Pizza / Seven Dogs Brewpub
🏛️ The Town of Big Stone Gap

Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and enjoy incredible live music!