Head to downtown Danbury, North Carolina, for the 52nd Annual Stokes Stomp Festival! Pack your bags for high-energy clogging, historic courthouse open mics, and Main Street parades. Loosen your belt for local food truck treats after hiking nearby Hanging Rock State Park or paddling the scenic Dan River today!
Key Takeaways
- New Walkable Main Street Location: The 52nd Annual Stokes Stomp Festival moves from Moratock Park directly into downtown Danbury and the Arts Block, integrating historic landmarks like the Courthouse and The Arts Place of Stokes into the event grounds.
- Two Stages of Live Entertainment: Features a Main Stage packed with school marching bands, Junior Mountain Music, Straight Shot, dance troupes, clogging with Robert Tilley & Hard Times Band, and Salem Swing Band, plus a new Courthouse Stage open mic hosted by Balmaceda Studios.
- Deep Cultural Heritage: Originating in 1974 and spawning the Stokes County Arts Council, the festival partners with the Stokes County Historical Society to offer courthouse open houses, local art exhibits, and special heritage programming.
- Community Parade & Festivities: The festivities kick off Saturday, September 12, at 10:00 AM with the Town of Danbury Parade, alongside local craft vendors, community displays, and family activities.
- The Ultimate Mountain Day Trip: Nestled between Hanging Rock State Park and the Dan River, visitors can combine morning hiking, paddling, and climbing with an afternoon of music, art, and local food.
Danbury, NC Stokes County
September, 2026
For more than half a century, the Stokes Stomp has celebrated the music, arts, heritage and people who make Stokes County unique. On Saturday, September 12, the 52nd Stokes Stomp Festival continues that tradition while embracing an exciting new chapter in the heart of downtown Danbury.
After decades associated with Moratock Park along the Dan River, the Stomp has moved onto Main Street and the Arts Block, creating a walkable festival experience surrounded by the places and stories that define the county seat. The Historic Stokes County Courthouse, The Arts Place of Stokes and downtown businesses become part of the festival itself, while a partnership with the Stokes County Historical Society adds an open house, exhibits and special programming celebrating local history.
The day begins with the Town of Danbury Parade at 10 a.m., followed by a full afternoon of entertainment. The Main Stage will feature the North Stokes, South Stokes and West Stokes bands, followed by Stokes Junior Mountain Music. Straight Shot takes the stage from 12:30–2 p.m., followed by CC Dance Company. Robert Tilley & Hard Times Band join the Old Dominion Cloggers for a performance blending live music with traditional dance, while Miss Joyce’s Dance takes the stage later in the afternoon. The Salem Swing Band closes the Main Stage from 4:30–6 p.m.
One of the most exciting additions is the Courthouse Stage. Set against the historic courthouse, Balmaceda Studios will host an open mic from noon until 3 p.m., providing a place for emerging, young and undiscovered performers to share their talents. It is a fitting addition to a festival born from a desire to celebrate and preserve Stokes County’s cultural arts. The original Stokes Stomp was held at Moratock Park in 1974 and ultimately led to the creation of the Stokes County Arts Council.
What makes the Stokes Stomp especially worth the trip is everything surrounding it. Downtown Danbury sits between Hanging Rock State Park and the Dan River, framed by the Three Sisters peaks of the Sauratown Mountains. Visitors can spend the morning hiking, paddling or exploring before joining an afternoon filled with music, dance, art, history and community.
The Stokes Stomp is more than an annual festival. It is Stokes County telling its story—in the very place where its mountains, river, history, arts and people come together.
Find out more at www.stokesarts.org/events/stokesstomp. Book an overnight stay at local accommodations at
www.hangingrock.com
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