Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2023 is One For The History Books

Sold out crowd of 25,000+ attendees

It was another success for the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival with ‘SOLD OUT’ signs posted online the night before the fest officially kicked off, Saturday, September 23! Doors opened at 12 noon and festivalgoers – many of whom had been in line for hours – poured in through the gates and passed through security to enjoy a weekend of music, arts, food and fun at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee.

PHOTO: Ashley McBryde brings it up to the star level at the 2023 Pilgrimage. Photo credit: © Tori Perry 

Many brought blankets and lawn chairs to stake out their claims for the best viewing of the three stages while others were content to roam around and take in the atmosphere as the day’s events got underway. Nobody was going to go hungry with more than forty food and beverage vendors set up in the Park, many offering local cuisine. Others headed for Makers Village to check out a number of offerings from artisans and crafters from Nashville and the Southeast.

But it was the music that was the main interest for most of estimated 25,000+ Festival attendees and they weren’t disappointed.

“We were absolutely blown away by the performances we witnessed this weekend and are grateful to all the artists for making this a really special year. We want to thank the fans for being here and for their enthusiasm and passion for this festival. They show up ready to have a great time and their energy is one of the reasons we can attract such top tier talent,” shared festival producers Michael Whelan, Kevin Griffin and W. Brandt Wood after the conclusion of the Festival.

The Lumineers headlined Saturday’s event along with a full slate of star acts that included The Black Crowes, The Head and The Heart, Yola, Better Than Ezra, James Bay, Hailey Whitters, Boy Named Banjo and more.

Zach Brown topped the bill on Sunday with surprise guests The War & Treaty and even invited an audience member up on stage to join him at the mic.  Among other surprises, Charlie Worsham was joined by his buddy Dierks Bentley and singer-songwriter Ian Munsick.  Also thrilling the crowds on Sunday: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Ashley McBryde, Margo Price, Luke Grimes and many more.

The Festival’s producers noted that fans who missed out on the epic sold-out weekend tuned into Pilgrimage Festival’s social media for all the live updates, garnering over a million views for the festival’s Instagram page. 

As they streamed from Harlinsdale Farm, enthusiastic attendees were already making plans to be back for the next Pilgrimage in 2024. Watch a fast n’ fun video montage wrap-up of the Festival on their Facebook page. More about the Pilgrimage Festival here.