About
The 4848 Music Festival is a fantastic three day experience that takes place at the Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia. When we attended in 2022, the concert ran from July 7 to the 9th and featured a number of bands performing on open air stages. It's set in a beautiful, wooded area in the hills of the resort.
The event started on a Thursday evening. As everyone arrived, several artists took to the stages to perform. That first night, performances range through 1 am, and the entire time everyone was dancing and enjoying the experience. The festival starts back up the next day at around 11 am and continues through until 1:30, with performances happening just about every hour or so. Most performances were about an hour long, with a 20 minute or so break in between.
The final day, Saturday, was the same thing – the music started around 11 am and continued until 1:30 am. It's the perfect experience for those who love music and all it can offer.
While I would not say the entire experience is best for all kids, there were plenty of families present. There's actually an entire kids' zone dedicated to help keep them busy. Kids can decorate ski goggles, enjoy some watercolor painting, have some fun with tie dye, and even make sun prints. There are playdoh areas and a space dedicated to making instruments (like hand-held shakers so they can participate in the music, too!). On Saturday, there was a kids parade in the middle of the day.
Another way the event keeps people entertained is by having theme nights. On Friday night, they did a "retro ski gear" night where everyone was encouraged to put on old style, think 1990s ski gear with bright colors and lots of fun patterns. That was fun to see so many people participate in the experience. On Saturday night, they hosted a Lite-Brite night. It was also a fun experience.
The music was loud and fun. The styles were all over the place though much of the music was more modern, ranging from alternative to rock with a bit of everything else in there. With two smaller stages, it was great to see so many people dancing and having fun with a wide range of performances. I would say most people didn't know all of the artists, but most people still danced and partied to it all.
There are lots of food options, craft beers, and lots of refreshments throughout. The area stayed pretty clean and orderly while still allowing people to move around freely. It's fantastic to be able to see bands performing up close under the lights. They even had some crowd performers who were keeping people engaged.
There's no doubt you will eat well here, and be sure to bring some extra cash for all of the fun vendors, including a lot of artists who bring their own gear with them. You'll be able to check it all out and really engage with the bands who perform here, too. Get some signatures while you are at it.
Popular Artists at the Festival
The festival is awesome, showcasing a number of different events taking place at the same time. Each of the artists performing does a fantastic job of bringing music to the mountains. Here's a list of the some of the past performers:
- Joe Russo's Almost Dead
- Greensky Bluegrass
- Leftover Salmon
- The Woods Brothers
- Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
- Sammy Rae & The Friends
- Dumpstaphunk
- Theo Katzman
- Andy Frasco & The Sun
- The Bridge
- Kendall Street Company
- Neighbor
- Jon Stickley Trio
- Empire Strikes Brass
- Cris Jacobs
- Fletcher's Grove
- The Dirt Grass Players
Of course, these change every year, but the 4848 Festival is genuinely packed with great music and performances from some of the area and the region's best.
Tickets & Important Information
Tickets sell out fast (they usually go on sale in January), and costs will range widely. When it comes to where you'll stay, there are some base camping options available. Another option is to book lodging with Casago. That gives you better access to a more home-like structure. You'll want to shower and sleep off the night, and having an actual location to do that is often best.
There's lots to do in the area with kids. Keep in mind that many people don't just watch the artists perform but also check out the beach, the playground, the kayaking, and even the beach itself. It's a fun-filled environment well worth exploring.
There are a lot of rules to follow. For example, you cannot bring glass into the area, there are no fireworks, sky lanterns, or lasers allowed. You cannot bring in amplifiers, grills, drones, or generators. You also cannot have ATVs, golf carts, or other vehicles present. No pets are allowed either.
Local Tips
- This is an annual festival that takes place during the summer!
