Music in the Castle
PARKING AND VISITOR INFORMATION
Plan Your Visit
Region’s oldest, largest and most prestigious self-run marching band competition
Music in the Castle is more than a marching band competition. It is a Bristol tradition built on music, school pride, community support, and the unforgettable setting of Tennessee High School’s historic Stone Castle.
For generations, the Stone Castle has been one of Bristol’s most recognizable landmarks. Built during the Great Depression, the stadium is known for its tall stone walls, arched entrances, towers, and castle-like design. It has hosted football games, graduations, community events, and countless moments of Tennessee High pride.
Since 1951, marching bands have gathered inside the Stone Castle with one goal in mind: to encourage and celebrate a love for musical excellence. What began as a regional band festival has grown and changed over the years, but the heart of the event has remained the same.
The students and schools who compete here bring determination, spirit, and pride to every performance. Year after year, these bands continue to amaze us with their growth, dedication, and commitment to excellence.
Today, Music in the Castle continues that tradition. Hosted by the Tennessee High School Mighty Viking Band, this event brings together bands, families, schools, and fans from across the region for a full day of music, pageantry, and competition.
Each band that takes the field becomes part of the story. Every performance adds new energy to a tradition that has lived inside the Stone Castle for decades.
We invite you to join us, cheer on these outstanding students, and experience one of the most unique marching band events in the region. We can’t wait to see what each band has in store for us!
Location:
Tennessee High School
Stone Castle, Bristol TN
1112 Edgemont Ave,
Bristol, TN 37620
When: October 3, 2026 (Add to Calendar)
Gates Open: 10:00 AM
ETSU Exhibition: 9:00 PM
Tickets & Programs:
Available online & at the gate
Parking: Reserved Parking Available
General Parking:
Parking Map & Directions
Accessible Parking:
Parking Map and Directions
Essential Information
Enjoy your visit
reserved parking & Accessible parking options
Interactive map links for your phone or printable maps available
Reserved Parking
Reserved/Premiere Parking Pass
South Side of Castle
The Premiere Parking Pass reserves a parking space in the east-side parking lot of the Castle on Southside Ave, with direct access to ADA accessible ramps that lead to the Castle.
Get yours today before they’re gone!
Watch your email for day of event parking instructions.
You will be given a pass to print out and place on your dashboard.
A 4% service fee will be applied to this order.
The Premiere Parking Pass reserves a parking space in the southside parking lot of the Castle, off of Southside Ave, with direct access to ADA accessible ramps that lead to the Castle. Get yours today before they're gone!
*Watch your email for day of event parking instructions. You will be given a pass to print out and place on your dashboard.
**A 4% service fee must be applied to this order.
accessible parking options
General Parking Lot Locations
Click a Parking Lot Below for Turn by Turn Google Map Directions
STONE CASTLE FRONT PARKING LOT
Drive to Lot
(Accessible Parking ONLY)
Directions to Gate
(1 min walk)
SOUTH SIDE PARKING LOT
Drive to Lot
(Accessible Parking Available)
Directions to Gate
(2 min walk)
Spectator Parking & Accessible parking options
Interactive map links for your phone or printable maps available
Spectator Parking
General Parking Lot Locations
Click a Parking Lot Number Below for Turn by Turn Google Map Directions and step-by-step Google Map walking directions to the main entrance gate.
Stone Castle Front Parking Lot (Accessible Only)
Walk to gate (1 min)
Edgemont Presbyterian Church
Walk to gate (2 min)
South Side Parking Lot (Accessible)
Walk to gate (2 min)
Tennessee Middle School
Walk to gate (8 min)
Tennis Courts Lot
Walk to gate (14 min)
South Bristol UMC
Walk to gate (14 min)
Bristol Tennessee City Schools Lot
Walk to gate (15 min)
Graybar Parking Lot
Walk to gate (18 min)
spectator event map
View the event area before you arrive. The printable map includes spectator parking, ADA access, ticket booths, vendors, medical tent, band check-in, warm-up areas, and trailer parking
Plan Your Arrival
Public/Spectator Parking
Left lot along Southside Ave
ADA Parking
Edgemont Ave. entrance only
Band Check-In
Near Southside Ave / Queen St.
Key Locations
Ticket Booths, vendors and medical tent marked on map
MITC Food & Vendors
Thank you to our food truck line up for your support!
Click their logo to visit their Facebook page.
castle competition features
Castle
Upgrades
Large Jumbotron
State of the Art
AstroTurf Field
High-Quality
Adjudication
Multiple Award
Opportunities
Wide Variety of
On-Site Vendors
Upgraded Accessibility
Ramps and seating
Castle Renovations & Improved Access
Helpful accessibility feature routes, seating, and updated facilities for guests with disabilities
Comfortable and Welcoming
We want every guest to have a comfortable and welcoming experience at Music in the Castle. Improved accessible routes and seating areas are available for guests with disabilities, including guests who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Accessible ramps connect the Southside parking lot to street level and continue from street level to the Castle level. Both sides of Stone Castle also provide ramp access from ground level to the lower stadium level, where designated accessible seating areas are available.
On the visitor side, guests will find updated metal seating, designated accessible seating areas, and renovated restrooms. On the home side, access to upper-level accessible seating is available through the main Castle doors.
Designated accessible parking is available in both the front parking lot and the Southside/back parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis. When accessible parking spaces are full, guests may use the accessible drop-off area in front of Stone Castle. Event staff will be available to assist with directions and accessibility needs.
For accessibility assistance before or during the event, please contact event staff or ask for help upon arrival.
Stone Castle Renovations and Overview
castle RENOVATIONs & Improved Access for individuals with disabilities
Wheelchair access and ramps available with convenient entry routes.
Seating on “Home” side at upper level main Castle Doors
Accessible Ramps at both entrances.
Front parking lot access to upper stadium
Back parking lot access to lower stadium
Clear Field Views
designed for guests with accessibility needs
Accessible Seating Areas
available throughout the stadium
accessible parking options
Tennessee High School Parking Lot. This lot is Accessible Parking Only. Lot is at the Main Entrance of Music in the Castle. Wheelchair access to Stone Castle.
Walking Directions (On Site. Accessible Parking Only)
Google Maps link to accessible Parking Option at the back side of Music In The Castle. Ramps are available to access the Castle from the South Side Entrance. Wheelchair access to Stone Castle.
South Side Parking Lot
Walking Directions (450 ft / 2 min walk)
history of the stone castle
The Stone Castle is one of the most special places in Bristol. Its official name is Bristol Municipal Stadium, but most people know it as the Stone Castle. It sits on the campus of Tennessee High School and is home to the Tennessee High Vikings.
The stadium was built during the Great Depression. Work began in 1934, and the stadium was finished through a Works Progress Administration project in 1936–1937. The stone used to build the walls came from nearby Beaver Creek, where another project was helping with flood control.
The Stone Castle does not look like a normal football stadium. It was built to look like a castle, with tall stone walls, corner towers, arched openings, and a fortress-style design. That look is what makes it one of the most recognizable high school stadiums in Tennessee.
The first football game at the Stone Castle was played in October 1936 between Tennessee High and Science Hill. Since then, it has been used for football games, soccer games, graduations, music events, band competitions, and other community gatherings.
In 2025, the City of Bristol honored the Stone Castle with the Citywide Historic Preservation Award. A $3.6 million renovation, funded by Bristol Tennessee City Schools and the City of Bristol, included upgrades to visitor-side seating, ADA-compliant walkways and seating areas, concession stands, and the press box. These improvements were completed with care to protect the historic character of the stadium while improving the experience for guests.
The Stadium was also renovated in 1986 at a cost of $500,000, 49 years after its construction.
The Stone Castle's original cost was $34,000, paid mostly by the Federal Government, and the rest by the city.
The Stone Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 25, 1987. In 2025, the City of Bristol honored it with a Citywide Historic Preservation Award because of its history and importance to the Bristol community.
Today, the Stone Castle is still more than just a football field. It is a Bristol landmark, a Tennessee High tradition, and a place where generations of students, families, and fans have gathered.