Chattanooga, TN, September 15, 2025
News Summary
The IBMA World of Bluegrass festival is set to occur in downtown Chattanooga from September 16 to September 20, impacting local traffic with road closures. Major streets will be closed to ensure festival-goers have access to events celebrating bluegrass music while pedestrians can still access local businesses. Roads will reopen after the festival, but festival attendees should plan for extra travel time due to limited parking and detours.
Chattanooga Prepares for the IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass festival is set to take place in downtown Chattanooga from Tuesday, September 16, to Saturday, September 20. With the festival on the horizon, road closures and traffic changes will begin early on Tuesday morning, affecting the area’s accessibility.
Starting at 8 a.m. on September 16, Georgia Avenue will be closed to all traffic and street parking from East M. L. King Boulevard to East 10th Street. As the week progresses, additional road closures will expand to include several key streets surrounding the festival venues, including stages at Miller Park, Miller Plaza, Patten Square, and Market Street. Although some areas will be fenced off for ticketed events, sidewalks will remain open to ensure patrons can access local businesses situated within the festival area.
The festival aims to celebrate bluegrass music with a mix of public and ticketed events, providing a rich experience for both enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Detours will be clearly marked as part of the traffic management plan, and the Chattanooga Police Department will be on hand to assist with traffic direction and control throughout the event.
Road Closure Timeline
Road closures will occur in a planned four-phase approach:
- Tuesday (September 16): Georgia Avenue between East M.L. King Boulevard and East 10th Street.
- Wednesday (September 17): Georgia Avenue from Market Street to Patten Parkway, Patten Parkway, East 10th Street from Columbia Street to Market Street, Cherry Street from East M.L. King to the parking garage access, and East M.L. King from Market Street to the federal courthouse employee parking lot.
- Thursday (September 18) at 6 a.m.: All previous closures plus Market Street from Eighth Street to 11th Street, and East M.L. King will close to Broad Street.
Most roads will remain closed until Sunday at 6 p.m., while Georgia Avenue will remain closed until Monday, September 22, at 2 p.m. By Monday afternoon, September 22, all roads will be reopened with the exception of Georgia Avenue between East M.L. King and East 10th Street.
Expect Traffic Changes
Festival-goers are advised to plan for additional travel time when navigating downtown during the festival days, especially with parking expected to be limited. With the influx of visitors, residents and local commuters should anticipate rerouted traffic and look out for posted detours.
Festival Information
For more information about the IBMA World of Bluegrass festival, including event schedules, pricing, maps, and transportation, interested parties can visit the official IBMA website at worldofbluegrass.org. This year’s festival will promise a lively environment celebrating bluegrass music, including various performances, activities, and engagement opportunities for attendees.
FAQ Section
- What are the dates for the IBMA World of Bluegrass festival?
- The festival takes place from September 16 to September 20.
- When do road closures begin?
- Road closures will begin on Tuesday, September 16, at 8 a.m.
- Which roads will be closed during the festival?
- The primary closure will start with Georgia Avenue and will expand to several surrounding streets throughout the week.
- Will sidewalks remain open for pedestrians?
- Yes, sidewalks will remain open to allow access to businesses, though some areas will be fenced off for ticketed events.
- How long will the road closures be in effect?
- Most roads will remain closed until Sunday at 6 p.m.; however, Georgia Avenue will remain closed until September 22 at 2 p.m.
Key Features Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | September 16 – September 20 |
| Main Road Closure Start Time | September 16, 8 a.m. |
| Initial Road Closure | Georgia Avenue from East M.L. King to East 10th St. |
| Closure Phases | Four phases throughout the week |
| Parking Availability | Limited |
| Website for More Information | worldofbluegrass.org |
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Additional Resources
- Local 3 News: Downtown Road Closures Announced for Bluegrass Festival
- Times Free Press: Parts of Georgia Ave, ML King Blvd, and Market St Road Closures
- American Songwriter: Sierra Ferrell Bows Out of Kentucky Bluegrass Festival
- Music Festival Wizard: 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival 2025
- Chattanoogan: Festival Lineup Released for 2025 IBMA
- Wikipedia: Bluegrass Music
- Google Search: IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bluegrass
- Google News: Chattanooga Bluegrass Festival
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
