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, Twain, Stormie Daie, Delver, Lonnie Walker, Trippers & Askers, Slow Teeth, Kill the Buddha, Ancestor Piratas, and MORE!
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
Sliding Scale
We’re offering sliding scale tickets for ALAANA/BIPOC/SWANA** attendees. If this applies to you and you’d like to purchase sliding scale tickets, please visit our Sliding Scale Ticket Page. No proof required. Available for all ages. If you have questions or would like clarification on this matter please contact us at sleepycatrec@gmail.com.
**ALAANA - African, Latine, Asian, Arab, Native American // BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, People of Color // SWANA - South West Asian and North African
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