Rhiannon Giddens has announced the launch of her first-ever festival, Biscuits & Banjos. A celebration of Black music, art, and culture, it will take place April 25–27, 2025, in downtown Durham, in her home state of North Carolina. Giddens will serve as the Artistic Director for the festival, created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Black Banjo Gathering, celebrating the legacy of the event that launched Giddens’ career and the formation of her band Carolina Chocolate Drops.

The initial line-up, announced today, includes a much-anticipated reunion of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, playing together in their original lineup plus members from over the years, for the first time since 2014, as well as Rhiannon Giddens, Taj Mahal, Leyla McCalla, Christian McBride, Rissi Palmer, The Legendary Ingramettes, and New Dangerfield. More performers, authors and chefs will be announced soon.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 25, at biscuitsandbanjos.com.

Biscuits & Banjos, curated by Giddens, will span three days at multiple indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown Durham, where attendees can walk from location to location to watch performances, hear talks, and participate in interactive sessions that celebrate the rich tapestry of Black culture—including music, literature, food, and visual arts—while showcasing the diversity of voices and traditions that exist outside the mainstream narrative. Giddens emphasizes that "Black culture is not a monolith," and Biscuits & Banjos will provide a space for underrepresented creators to shine.

Throughout the weekend, attendees will enjoy an eclectic blend of musical performances, lectures, workshops, and readings. Programming includes a celebrity chef biscuit bake-off, square dances, and free banjo lessons. Giddens will perform multiple times in different formats, including leading a revue-style show with special guests and friends.

“This festival has been a longtime dream of mine,” says Giddens. “It’s about honoring the connections that tie Black culture together across time and geography, whether it's through music, food, or storytelling. The Black Banjo Gathering was such an important milestone for me personally, and I want Biscuits & Banjos to bring that same spirit of discovery and community to today’s generation of artists and fans.”

Giddens selected Durham as the festival's home due to her deep personal connection to the city and its thriving contemporary culture, rooted in a rich Black heritage. "Durham is the perfect place to launch Biscuits & Banjos," she explains. "It has a vibrant community, an incredible artistic scene, and a history that aligns with the festival’s mission to uplift and honor Black culture."

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, now more than ever Giddens is focused on the mission of uplifting and preserving North Carolinian culture. A portion of both ticket sales and merchandise income will go to hurricane relief efforts at next year’s festival. Giddens was on NPR's Morning Edition yesterday to talk about the devastation in the region and the role music can play in times of tragedy; you can hear her here.

Biscuits & Banjos is a non-profit, community responsive festival. Funding for Biscuits & Banjos is made possible in part by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, North Carolina Humanities, the Danielle Rose Paikin Foundation, the Harper House Foundation, Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund, and other generous individual donors, civic, and community partners. On the state’s partnership, Secretary Reid Wilson said, “The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is excited to help sponsor Rhiannon Giddens’ new Biscuits & Banjos festival in 2025. The festival will give North Carolinians an opportunity to immerse themselves in our state’s vibrant music and arts, rich history, and diverse culture. Music provides common ground for all of us, and we’re proud to be a part of this innovative event.”