The Top Folk Music Festivals of 2017

If you enjoy folk music, check out our list of the top folk music festivals happening in 2017. From small town gatherings to large scale events, there’s sure to be a festival that’s perfect for you.

Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Newport, Rhode Island. The festival was founded in 1959 by folk music enthusiasts, including George Wein. The event is now one of the most highly anticipated folk music festivals in the United States, with attendees coming from all over the world.

Location

The Newport Folk Festival is an annual music festival held in Newport, Rhode Island. The festival was founded in 1959 by George Wein, the producer of the Newport Jazz Festival. Held at Fort Adams State Park, the event features a wide range of folk, blues, country and bluegrass performers. The 2017 festival will take place from July 28-30.

History

The Newport Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in July 1959 as a counterpart to the previously established Newport Jazz Festival. The festival is often considered one of the first modern music festivals in America. It remains a showcase for both emerging and established contemporary folk, roots, and rock artists.

lineup

The Newport Folk Festival is one of the top folk music festivals in the United States. The festival is held every summer in Newport, Rhode Island, and features a wide range of folk musicians from all over the country.

This year’s lineup includes some of the most popular names in folk music, including John Prine, Emmylou Harris, and Billy Bragg. There will also be a wide variety of up-and-coming artists performing at the festival, making it an ideal event for both music lovers and those who are just getting into the genre.

Cambridge Folk Festival

The Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the most popular folk music festivals in the world. The festival takes place in the city of Cambridge, England, and attracts people from all over the world. The 2017 Cambridge Folk Festival will take place from July 27th to 30th.

Location

The Cambridge Folk Festival is held in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall on the outskirts of Cambridge, England.

History

The Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the longest-running and most prestigious folk music festivals in the world. It began in 1965 as a one-day event called the New Vintage Folk Fair, which was held in a field in Cherry Hinton, just outside Cambridge. The event was so successful that it was expanded to a two-day event the following year, and has been held annually ever since.

Over the years, the Cambridge Folk Festival has played host to some of the biggest names in folk music, including Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Joan Baez, Nick Drake, and Van Morrison. The festival has also been a launching pad for many emerging artists, including Ed Sheeran, Mumford & Sons, and Laura Marling.

In recent years, the Cambridge Folk Festival has broadened its musical scope to include more than just folk music. The 2017 lineup includes acts from a wide range of genres, such as indie rock (Elbow), hip hop (Young Fathers), and world music (Songhoy Blues).

The Cambridge Folk Festival takes place every summer in Cherry Hinton Hall Park, just outside Cambridge city centre.

lineup

This year’s Cambridge Folk Festival is set to be one of the best yet, with a lineup that includes some of the biggest names in folk music.

As always, the festival will be held at Cherry Hinton Hall in Cambridge, and will run from Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th July.

This year’s lineup includes:

The Carolina Chocolate Drops

The Carolina Chocolate Drops are a Grammy Award-winning old-time string band from North Carolina. Their sound is a unique mix of African-American folk music and bluegrass, and their live shows are not to be missed.

The Handsome Family

The Handsome Family are an alternative country band from Albuquerque, New Mexico. They have been praised for their dark and atmospheric take on country music, and their live shows are known for being particularly intimate and moving.

I’m With Her

I’m With Her is a supergroup made up of three of the most talented singer-songwriters working today: Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan. Their harmonies are truly sublime, and their live shows are always a treat.

Fairport’s Cropredy Convention

Since 1979, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention has been one of the United Kingdom’s most beloved folk music festivals. The three-day event takes place in the quaint town of Cropredy in Oxfordshire, England, and attracts some of the genre’s most popular performers. This year’s lineup includes Irish singer-songwriter Christy Moore, English folk rock band Mumford & Sons, and Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader.

Location

The Cropredy Convention is a three-day music festival which takes place annually in the village of Cropredy in Oxfordshire, England. The festival is organised by Fairport’s Cropredy Convention Ltd, a not-for-profit company. It is attended by around 20,000 people, who camp on the village’s playing fields for the duration of the event.

The convention features a variety of folk and folk-rock acts, with a particular focus on Fairport Convention, who headline each year. Other recurrent headliners include Richard Thompson and Show of Hands. In recent years the festival has also featured indie and alternative acts such as Mumford & Sons, Elbow and Franz Ferdinand.

History

Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is an annual music festival which takes place in the village of Cropredy in Oxfordshire, England. The festival was founded in 1976 by the band Fairport Convention and is now run by the members of the band and their families. The festival attracts around 20,000 people each year and features a mix of folk, rock, and acoustic music.

The convention takes its name from the Battle of Cropredy Bridge which took place nearby in 1644 during the English Civil War. The battle saw Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentary army defeat the Royalists under Prince Rupert of the Rhine.

lineup

The Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is a folk music festival that takes place in Cropredy, England. The festival is organized by the folk rock band Fairport Convention and features a variety of folk, roots, and acoustic music.

This year’s lineup includes Joan Armatrading, Richard Thompson, Show of Hands, Lau, Paul Brady, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick, Chris Wood, Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, King Creosote, Kathryn Tickell & The Side, CARA Dillon, Alderville Blackbird Singers And Dancers, Ninebarrow,Emily Smith & Jamie MacInnesm Jim Moray

The Fairport’s Cropredy Convention takes place from August 10-12.

Tønder Festival

Tønder Festival is one of the top folk music festivals in the world. The festival takes place in the small town of Tønder, Denmark and attracts some of the best folk musicians from all over the world. The festival has a great atmosphere and is definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of folk music.

Location

The Tønder Festival is held in the small town of Tønder in the far south of Denmark. This picturesque setting on the border with Germany makes it one of the most picturesque festivals on our list. The streets are lined with quaint cottages, and visitors can explore the surrounding countryside by foot or bicycle.

History

The Tønder Festival is one of the largest and most well-known folk music festivals in Denmark. It was started in 1977 by a group of local musicians and has been held every year since then. The festival takes place in the town of Tønder, which is located in the southern part of the country.

Over the years, the festival has become increasingly popular, attracting visitors from all over Europe and beyond. The lineup each year features a mix of traditional and contemporary folk musicians from Denmark and elsewhere. In recent years, the festival has also begun to feature other genres of music such as jazz and world music.

The Tønder Festival is more than just a musical event; it is also a celebration of Danish culture and tradition. There are often many different events taking place during the festival, such as workshops, talks, and exhibitions. The atmosphere at the festival is very relaxed and family-friendly.

If you are interested in attending the Tønder Festival, be sure to book your tickets early!

lineup

The Tønder Festival is one of the top folk music festivals in the world, and takes place annually in Tønder, Denmark. The festival features a wide range of folk musicians from all over the globe, and is a veritable who’s who of the genre. This year’s lineup includes:

-Lau
-The Young ‘Uns
-Árstíðir
-Sultans of String
-Donovan Woods
-The East Pointers
-Tara Burke
-The Slocan Ramblers
-Brigitte DeMeyer & Will Kimbrough

Celtic Colours

Every October, Cape Breton Island comes alive with the sound of Celtic music at the Celtic Colours International Festival. For nine days, music lovers from all over the world come to experience the island’s culture and heritage. With over 100 events in venues across the island, there is something for everyone at Celtic Colours.

Location

Celtic Colours is an international music festival held every October on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. The festival attracts visitors from around the world who come to experience the unique Celtic culture of the island. The festival features over 100 concerts, workshops, ceilidhs, and other events.

While most of the concerts are held in indoor venues, Celtic Colours also offers a number of outdoor events. These include concerts at the Open Stage, which is held in a different location each day of the festival; the Square Dance, which is open to everyone; and the Outdoor Ceilidh, which is held on the last night of the festival.

History

Celtic Colours is an award-winning music festival that has been held annually on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada, since 1997. With more than 250 concerts and events taking place in over 30 venues across the island, Celtic Colours is one of the largest and most popular folk music festivals in the world.

The festival was founded by Jo-Ann Campbell and Max MacGillivray, two local music lovers who wanted to share their love of Celtic music with the world. Since its inception, Celtic Colours has become known for its unique blend of traditional and contemporary folk music, as well as its commitment to showcasing the best talent from both Canada and Ireland.

Over the years, the festival has grown considerably in size and reputation, attracting some of the biggest names in folk music from around the globe. In 2017, Celtic Colours will take place from October 7-15, and will feature such artists as Loreena McKennitt, Alyth McCormack, Irish Mythen, Tim O’Brien, John Doyle, Passenger, Sharon Shannon, Rodney Crowell, and many more.

Whether you’re a fan of traditional Scottish ballads or modern Irish folk songs, Celtic Colours is sure to have something for everyone. If you’re planning on attending this year’s festival, be sure to purchase your tickets early – they always sell out fast!

lineup

Celtic Colours is an annual music festival that takes place on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. The festival was founded in 1997 and features a wide range of Celtic music, including traditional and contemporary folk, worldbeat, and rock. Celtic Colours takes place over nine days in October and features over 120 concerts at venues across the island. The 2017 lineup includes such artists as Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes, Scottish indie-folk band Peatbog Faeries, Irish singer Dermot Byrne, Canadian Celtic-rock band Ashley MacIsaac, and many more.