Sleepy Cat Records is thrilled to be joining The Haw River Ballroom again in presenting our 4th Annual Sleepy Fest in the beloved community of Saxapahaw, NC on October 11th, 2025! Sleepy Fest provides an important platform for emerging North Carolina-based artists, creates opportunities for our community to connect, and helps raise the funds we rely on to stay in operation. We take pride in using Sleepy Fest as a platform to promote the social justice work that is already happening in our community as well as the kind of thoughtful work we hope to encourage moving forward - including but not limited to racial and environmental justice, anti-colonial/imperialist organizing and discourse for non-western nations, and queer representation/platforming.

The day will kick off with free-to-the-public performances at the Haywagon Stage and  Artisan Market in the spirit of the long-running Saturdays in Saxapahaw series. Ticket holders will have access to the main festival grounds near the Ballroom, enjoying performances between the Haywagon Stage, Ballroom Main Stage, and the Amphitheater. In addition to the shops in town, we’ll have food and beverage vendors, as well special programming by participating local businesses.

As in Sleepy Fest’s past, you can expect a diverse lineup of Sleepy Cat and other artists and one-time collaborations and improvisations. We’re planning visual installations and other non-music arts elements similar to last year’s quadraphonic performances, projections by dance artist Brooks Emanuel and Dye Vat DJs, as well as our Vendor and Artisan Market, Kids Zone, and more! We believe that this event will once again bring a day of joy and music-immersion to attendees, and will continue to foster a deeper appreciation for the wealth of culture and community in our area.

Lineup

This year’s festival will feature a blend of performances from our Sleepy Cat Artists as well as non-label artists and friends. So far the lineup includes folk, oldtime, americana, cumbia, immersive electronic, a drag show, a puppet show, twangy punk rock, and more:

Alice Gerrard, Hard Drive, Stormie Daie, Delver, Lonnie Walker, Trippers & Askers, Slow Teeth, Kill the Buddha, Ancestor Piratas, Stella Rosalie Rosen and more to be announced!

Arts & Makers Market

This year’s market will be located at Saxapahaw’s Haywagon Stage, home of the long running and family-friendly Saturdays in Saxapahaw. In keeping with that spirit, we will kick off Sleepy Fest with a free/open-to-the-public show and market from 11am-430pm. Our ticketed experience will then run from 2pm-10pm at the main festival grounds between the Ballroom and Amphitheater. Exact schedule subject to change

Signup to be a market vendor -  coming soon.

Food & Bev

There will be food and beverage vendors to enjoy all day, including coffee, alcoholic and NA beverages, and vegan food options.

Full food & bev vendor list coming soon.

*You’re welcome to bring your own food items if you have specific dietary preferences, though we encourage you to purchase food onsite from our great vendors and local businesses.

Schedule

11am-430pm Free Arts Market & Show at Haywagon Stage

2pm-10pm Ticketed access to festival grounds - Ballroom & Amphitheater

Exact schedule subject to change

»TICKET INFO«

TICKET SALES STOP AT 12PM DAY-OF FEST, OCTOBER 11th

AND WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

General Admission

• Adult - $49.50 // EARLY BIRD* - $45

• Kids 6-12 - $22 // EARLY BIRD* - $20

• Kids 0-5 - FREE

General Admission tickets provide access to the festival grounds for all programming from 2pm-10am, where you’ll enjoy feature performances between the Ballroom and Amphitheater, Haywagon and Art Market, DJ sets, vendors and other special programming.

*Early Bird is scheduled to end June 1st

Volunteer

SIGNUP OPENS AUGUST

Our volunteers play a big role in making Sleepy Fest what it is. Volunteer for one shift (approx 3 hours) in exchange for free entry to Sleepy Fest. Volunteers are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis, and early signups receive first choice of preferred shifts. Sign up for the Sleepy Cat NewsLitter to get first access

Extra Donations

Feeling extra giving? Make stand-alone or add-on donations in $5 increments.

Your extra donation will go towards:

• Our sliding scale program, subsidizing affordable tickets, and helping make Sleepy Fest more accessible

• Funding our label projects for 2025, should we have surplus beyond the above mentioned priorities

• Paying event staff and performers bonuses above base pay

Thanks so much!

More information and contact info at: https://www.sleepycatrec.com/sleepyfest

Follow us on IG @sleepyfest to stay in the loop as we roll things out