Concerts & Events

A 3-DAY GUITAR EXTRAVAGANZA
AUGUST 24-26, 2023

For three days, Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music will be transformed into an acoustic and electric guitar lover's paradise.

Here's your chance to meet the guitar world's innovators and virtuosos. Curated by the acclaimed Fretboard Journal magazine and the Old Town School of Folk Music, the Fretboard Summit is a gathering unlike any other!

If you're looking for inspiration on how to play better, dive deeper into guitar collecting, or just meet the biggest guitar, amp, and pedal enthusiasts around, we have it all. All abilities and all guitarists (electric, acoustic, vintage, new…) are welcome at Summit workshops and events.

During the day, participants will choose from dozens of music workshops, panel discussions on guitar collecting and construction, and hands-on displays with some of the greatest luthiers alive today. Plus, jam rooms, pop-up exhibitions, rare vintage instruments and other surprises. Folks are encouraged to bring your favorite guitar and be part of this truly unique weekend.

2023 performers include: Tommy Emmanuel, Joey Landreth, Jorma Kaukonen, Bob Minner, Via Mardot, Bill Frisell, Jake Eddy, and much more still to be announced.

2023 workshops include sessions with Bill Frisell; Via Mardot, Bob Minner; Wayne and EJ Henderson; TJ Thompson; Mark Stutman; and more!

VIP 3-day and Single-Day All Access Passes are now available.
The full VIP 3-day experience includes access to everything Fretboard Summit has to offer including VIP-only events, giveaways, gift bags & special surprises. Limited to just 250 attendees.

Single-Day All Access Passes include admission to featured evening concerts, access to luthier exhibition, and all daily workshops & programming, including lectures, demos, jams, and more.

Luthier Showcase only passes, as well as individual concert tickets for Jorma Kaukonen and Tommy Emmanuel, are also now on sale!