Wildlife West Music Festivals

In addition to our other special events, Wildlife West produces an annual music festival! Wildlife West's concert series began as a series of smaller events, and these events have been consolidated into one large, multifaceted event to be held on the first weekend of August every year, bringing you the best of bluegrass, traditional western, world music, and other genres. Wildlife West's covered amphitheater and indoor "bean barn" venues provide shade and shelter, and plenty of seating. Our music festivals include workshops, contests, open jams, and other events, providing entertainment and fun for musicians and visitors alike! All our music festivals allow plenty of time to fully enjoy the zoo and other Park features. Bob Gray of Hot Club of Santa Fe calls Wildlife West "the best outdoor venue for bluegrass in New Mexico," and Syd Masters says Wildlife West is "the best outdoor venue in the State!" Come see for yourself!

Wildlife West is just 20 minutes east of Albuquerque in nearby Edgewood, New Mexico, and parking is always free! Free weekend camping (dry camping) is provided. Children under 12 free are admitted free. No alcohol or open fires are permitted at the festivals. Need lodging for your visit to the festival? Check out our list of hotels and motels in nearby Moriarty, New Mexico. To get a feel for the fun you can expect, visit our past performances page.

8th Annual Wildlife West Music Festival - August 6 through 8, 2010

Next year's music festival is scheduled for August 6 through 8, 2010. We are currently working to line up performers for next year's event, and will post information as it becomes available. Mark your calendar!

We're pleased to announce that the first of our headline acts has been signed on for this coming year's festival! Spring Creek, the award-winning Colorado bluegrass band, is breaking out into the national scene with a passion that’s winning over fans everywhere they go. These musical road warriors have held tight to the bluegrass tradition, while presenting a youthful, fresh sound. They eat, sleep and drink their craft within a musical community steeped in bluegrass. Never satisfied with the ordinary, these four voraciously search for unique or little-known songs, which they mold and shape through intricate instrumental arrangements and pristine vocal harmonies.

In 2009, Spring Creek joined the ranks of Ralph Stanley, Kenny & Amanda Smith and Steep Canyon Rangers as a Rebel Records recording artist. Spring Creek’s creative original songs and meticulous harmony vocals caught the attention of the nearly 50 year old Charlottesville, Virginia bluegrass label—which has never signed a Colorado-based band. Spring Creek recorded this past winter with famed Nashville songwriter, sideman and producer Jeff White (Vince Gill, Alison Krauss + Union Station) for their spring release, Way Up on a Mountain.

Spring Creek was selected from a field of 121 bands to perform as an official showcase artist at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2009 World of Bluegrass convention this fall in Nashville. Spring Creek are the 2007 Telluride and RockyGrass Festival winners, and are the first band to win both titles in the same summer. Their reputation for excellence made them the most in-demand Colorado bluegrass band this past summer, earning them spots at more than 10 regional festivals. In addition, the band’s original crowd favorite “High Up in the Mountains” won the Vox Populi Award for Best Americana Song from the Independent Music Awards.

Following up on 2006’s Rural & Cosmic Bluegrass, Spring Creek released Lonesome Way to Go in 2008 and their third disc, Way Up on a Mountain, on Rebel in May 2009. This 12-track album of kickin’ Colorado bluegrass has charmed fans, critics, DJs and festival producers alike with its expert vocals, instrumental work and impressive writing.

Wildlife West MUSIC festivals

8th Annual Wildlife West Music Festival - August 6 through 8, 2010