Fresh Grass Festival
The FreshGrass Festival in North Adams is the event to head to in your RV to enjoy some world-class Bluegrass music in a gorgeous setting.
Event information
Freshgrass is an annual music festival that takes place in North Adams, Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art or MASS MoCA building, a former 19-century factory, serves as the venue for the event.
The beautiful Berkshire mountains act as the ideal setting for the world-class Bluegrass and Roots music that’s showcased at the festival. The event also features contests to find the best performers in different categories like banjo, fiddle, and band. Finalists play for a panel of illustrious judges, and cash prizes are awarded to the winners. The winner of the grand prize is also given a chance to play at the festival the following year.
Several stages are set up all over the venue where the bands and musicians perform. In the past, artists like The Hackensaw Boys, Ramblin Jug Stompers, Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth, Punch Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Brandi Carlile, and Indigo Girls have brought their music to the festival.
Freshgrass is a family-friendly event, and patrons can enjoy some incredible art displayed at the museum galleries in addition to the great music. Guests also have the option of camping at the venue and where they can take in the gorgeous surroundings.
Tickets
Guests have the option of choosing between single-day General Admission passes, three-day General Admission passes, and three-day VIP Freshpasses. Prices range from $60 (single-day General Admission pass) to $350 (three-day VIP Freshpass). All the passes will get you complimentary admission to the museum galleries.
Lower priced tickets are available for students and children over the age of 6. Younger children can enter for free. The Freshpasses include VIP privileges like access to an exclusive lounge, preferred seating, special gallery tours, and meet-and-greet opportunities. Take a look at the festival website for more information on tickets and pricing.
Explore Fresh Grass Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
North Adams is about three hours away from Boston and New York City. It is a scenic drive through the beautiful Berkshire mountains. Once you get into the city, you’ll need to head to MASS MoCA which is about a five-minute walk from the downtown area. You should not have any major issues with driving your RV to the venue if you plan on camping there; setups must be 30' or less to camp on site. Be sure to check if for road alerts for Massachusetts and its neighboring states before planning your trip to the area.
Parking areas
Parking is available within the museum grounds and in the immediate vicinity. It’s also possible to park in downtown North Adams. Accessible parking spots can be found near the venue. Additional remote parking options will also be arranged. If you need assistance with finding the entrances, a downloadable parking map is available on the festival website.
Public Transportation
North Adams is well connected by buses operated by the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority. There is ample bike parking available, so you can also ride your bike to the venue. Another way to get to the site is by using a taxi service or a ride-hailing app to the Freshgrass Music Festival.
Where to stay
Onsite
There are two separate areas designated for camping at the festival. Tent camping is available at “FreshGround,” a site that’s less than a mile away from the festival. Spaces for RVs can be found at “Camp Aggie,” which is about four miles away. Shuttle buses will be ferrying guests from the campgrounds to the staging areas throughout the duration of the event. There are no water, electrical, or sewer hookups available.
Nearby
If you’d like to enjoy more facilities than the ones offered onsite, there are plenty of other RV parks and campgrounds in the vicinity. The nearest campsite that accommodates RVs is less than four miles away from the venue. At these parks, you can enjoy facilities like water and electrical hookups, laundry services, and waterfront access.
Getting around
Personal vehicles like bikes, scooters, ATVs, skateboards, skates, Segways, and hoverboards will not be allowed within the venue. The grounds and galleries are wheelchair accessible, and there are easily navigable paved pathways in the outdoor areas. Patrons with disabilities can use motorized or manual wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers.
What to pack
Clothing
Most festival attendees will be dressed for the weather in casual, comfortable clothing. Some may even choose to get into the spirit of the festival by throwing on “High Homburg” Stetson hats or overalls. Be sure to wear comfortable footwear since you’re likely to be on your feet a lot.
Gear
Pack a small bag or purse with a few festival essentials like sunscreen, rain poncho, earplugs, sunglasses, a hat, a portable charger, and an empty or sealed water bottle. Camp-style folding chairs have been allowed in some areas in the past, so you may want to consider taking one to sit down and enjoy the music. Strollers may also have a few limitations but are allowed in the general areas.
Health & Safety
Make sure your RV has a well-stocked first-aid kit if you’re planning to camp at the venue. Patrons are requested to keep the site clean by using the trash receptacles and recycling bins provided. Free drinking water stations will be present all over the grounds, so be sure to stay hydrated.
Where to eat
Cooking
Open fires of any kind will not be allowed at the onsite campgrounds. So it’s a good idea to carry some convenient ready-to-eat foods, sandwich fillings, and meals that you can whip up on the stove in your RV. Make sure all your food is stored in sealed containers. Remember to have your water and fuel tanks full before your travel to the area.
Restaurants
Since the venue is so close to downtown North Adams, you’ll have plenty of great restaurants to explore. You can also head to one of the friendly pubs in the area if you’re in the mood for a night out. If you have the time, be sure to check out the North Adams Farmers Market on Saturday for some tasty eats.
Vendors
There will be some delicious food for hungry Freshgrass fans at the venue like melty cheese sandwiches, southern-style barbecue, and indulgent ice cream. You’ll have the chance to try different cuisines like Indian, Middle-eastern, German, and French. There will also be plenty of tasty beverages and vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free food on offer.
Safety
Security
Limited around the clock security will be available in the camping areas. Only registered campers will be allowed to enter these parts of the venue. Security personnel will make sure peace and order are maintained. All generators must be turned off during quiet hours. Patrons are advised to secure their belongings before leaving their sites.
Weather
It is typically warm during the day, but it can get quite cold at night. Be sure to take some warm clothing and blankets with you. The weather in the area can change unexpectedly, so go prepared for rain. Make sure your camping gear is waterproof and carry a rain poncho.
Medical
Trained medical professionals will be available to provide first aid to anyone who needs it. Patrons with mobility needs can make use of the free manual wheelchairs available from the museum lobby. Contact the festival organizers for any information or support related to the medical facilities and accessibility of the venue.
