Folk Music Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss in the Midwest

The Midwest is full of great folk music festivals! Here are some of the best ones you won’t want to miss.

Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, Illinois

The Summer Camp Music Festival is held each Memorial Day weekend in Chillicothe, Illinois. The event features three stages of live music, camping, arts and crafts vendors, food and drink concessions, and more. The festival offers a wide range of musical genres, including folk, bluegrass, jazz, rock, and more.

Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival – Ozark, Arkansas

Wakarusa is a four-day music festival held in early June at Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas. The festival features a wide variety of musical genres, including folk, bluegrass, electronica, and rock, and attracts both well-known and up-and-coming artists. In addition to the music, Wakarusa offers a variety of other activities, including camping, yoga and meditation classes, Drum Circle jams, and Kids’ Activities.

Hoxeyville Music Festival – Wellston, Michigan

Now in its 18th year, the Hoxeyville Music Festival is a three-day music and camping event held in Wellston, Michigan. The festival features a wide variety of folk, bluegrass, and Americana music, as well as workshops, kids’ activities, and more. With over 50 bands on 8 stages, there’s something for everyone at Hoxeyville.

BlissFest – Harbor Springs, Michigan

Since 1981, BlissFest has been bringing together top-notch musicians and music lovers for an unforgettable weekend of fun. Held annually in Harbor Springs, Michigan, the festival features a wide range of folk and world music, along with crafts, food, and camping.

performers over the years have included Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, Lily Tomlin, and many more. With bands playing on four different stages around the festival grounds, there’s always something to enjoy no matter what your taste in music may be.

If you’re interested in staying onsite for the weekend, there are plenty of camping options available. You can also purchase day passes if you just want to come for the music. Check out the BlissFest website for more information on ticket prices and scheduling.

Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee

This non-profit, family-friendly festival celebrates the Bristol recording sessions of 1927, which are considered to be some of the most important recordings in country music history. The music lineup includes big names in folk, bluegrass, and old-time music, making it a can’t-miss event for any fan of Americana music. Even better, proceeds from the festival go to support the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

If you’re looking for a more low-key festival experience, you’ll find it at the Rhythm & Roots Reunion. This smaller festival takes place in a historic district of Bristol, Virginia, and features a lineup of mostly regional and local musicians. The focus is on providing an intimate and authentically Appalachian experience, with plenty of opportunities to dance along to the music.

Pickathon – Happy Valley, Oregon

This one-of-a-kind music festival takes place on a charming family farm just outside of Portland, Oregon. The lineup features an eclectic mix of folk, bluegrass, and indie rock bands, and the festival is known for its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Pickathon is the perfect place to enjoy some great music in a beautiful setting.

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival – Oak Hill, New York

The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is held annually in Oak Hill, New York and features some of the best bluegrass musicians from all over the country. This family-friendly event offers something for everyone, with live music, food and drink, camping, and kids’ activities. Music lovers of all ages will enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival experience.

Old Settler’s Music Festival – Driftwood, Texas

The Old Settler’s Music Festival is one of the premier folk music festivals in the country, and takes place every year in Driftwood, Texas. The festival features an eclectic mix of folk, bluegrass, Americana, and roots music, and attendees can camp on-site for the duration of the event. In addition to the music, the festival also features a variety of food and drink vendors, as well as artisan craftsman selling their wares.

DelFest – Cumberland, Maryland

DelFest is an bluegrass and Americana music festival founded in 2006 by the Del McCoury Band. The family-friendly event takes place every Memorial Day weekend at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maryland.

The festival features performances by some of the biggest names in folk and bluegrass music, as well as a wide variety of food and drink options, activities for kids, and camping facilities.

Northwest String Summit – North Plains, Oregon

The Northwest String Summit is a bluegrass and roots music festival held at Horning’s Hideout in North Plains, Oregon. The four-day festival features a diverse lineup of musicians representing various genres of roots music, including bluegrass, old-time, newgrass, Celtic, and Americana. In addition to the musical performances, the Northwest String Summit also offers workshops, jam sessions, and other activities for attendees.

The Northwest String Summit was founded in 2002 by Yonder Mountain String Band banjo player Dave Johnston and his brother Adam. The first edition of the festival featured only two stages and a handful of local and regional bands. Since then, the festival has grown significantly in size and popularity, attracting some of the biggest names in folk and roots music from all over the world.

Some of the past performers at the Northwest String Summit include Alison Krauss & Union Station, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, The Del McCoury Band, Jerry Douglas Band, Sam Bush Band, Steve Earle & The Dukes (and Duchesses), Punch Brothers, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, Trampled by Turtles, Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, and many more.