Folk Music Festivals to Check Out This Summer

Looking for some fun summer festivals to enjoy? Check out our list of the best folk music festivals happening around the country this season!

Introduction

The summer months are the perfect time to enjoy some great live music, and there are plenty of folk music festivals to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed and intimate atmosphere or a lively and festive atmosphere, there’s sure to be a festival that’s just right for you.

Here are just a few of the many folk music festivals taking place around the country this summer:

The Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas is one of the longest running folk festivals in the country, having first started in 1972. This year’s festival will take place from May 23rd to June 9th and will feature over 100 performers on 13 stages.

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in New York is a more intimate affair, with only four stages and around 40 performers. This year’s festival will take place from July 25th to 28th.

The Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island is one of the most iconic folk festivals in the country. This year’s festival will take place from July 26th to 28th and will feature over 80 acts.

What is folk music?

Folk music is music that is passed down orally through generations. It is often simple in structure and style, and is meant to be sung or played by ordinary people, not professional musicians. Folk music varies from country to country, and region to region. In the United States, for example, there is a rich tradition of folk music from the Appalachian Mountains, as well as from the southwestern deserts and the Pacific Northwest.

Folk music festivals are a great way to experience this rich musical tradition. Here are some folk music festivals to check out this summer:

The Newport Folk Festival is one of the oldest and most well-known folk music festivals in the United States. It takes place every year in Newport, Rhode Island, and attracts some of the biggest names in folk music.

The Philadelphia Folk Festival is another long-running folk festival that takes place yearly in Pennsylvania. Like Newport, it attracts top folk musicians from all over the country.

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is a more intimate affair, taking place on a small farm in upstate New York. But don’t let its size fool you – this festival has been growing in popularity every year, and features some of the best up-and-coming folk acts around.

The history of folk music

Folk music is a genre of music that traditionally uses acoustic instruments such as guitars, banjos and fiddles. The songs often tell stories of the everyday lives of the people who wrote and performed them.

Folk music has its roots in the oral tradition, and many of the earliest folk songs were passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. As different cultures came into contact with one another, their music began to mix, and new genres were born.

Today, folk music is enjoyed by people all over the world. It has inspired countless other genres of music, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. If you’re looking for a folk music festival to attend this summer, here are some of the best ones around.

The top folk music festivals in the United States

The United States is home to some of the best folk music festivals in the world. Here are just a few of the top festivals that you should check out this summer:

1. The Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island is one of the oldest and most well-known folk festivals in the country. Each year, the festival features a mix of established and up-and-coming folk musicians from all over the world.

2. The Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado is another long-running festival that takes place in one of the most beautiful locations in the country. The lineup features a mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass performers, and there are also plenty of other activities to enjoy during the festival, such as camping, hiking, and fishing.

3. The Old Settler’s Music Festival in Texas is a more recent addition to the folk festival scene, but it has quickly become one of the most popular events of its kind. The festival takes place annually on Labor Day weekend and features four days of music on multiple stages, along with workshops, jam sessions, and other activities.

4. Finally, if you’re looking for something a little different, make sure to check out The Strange Folk Festival in Illinois. This unique event focuses on promoting awareness and understanding of different cultures through music, dance, food, and other forms of expression.

The top folk music festivals in Europe

The top folk music festivals in Europe are a great way to experience the region’s traditional culture. From Spain to Sweden, these festivals offer a wide range of music and activities for all ages.

-Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (Spain): This four-day festival takes place in the town of Benicàssim on the Mediterranean coast. It features a wide range of international and local acts, as well as a variety of activities and workshops.

-Rock am Ring/Rock im Park (Germany): These two sister festivals take place simultaneously in Nuremberg and Munich, respectively. They feature some of the biggest names in rock, metal, and alternative music.

-Roskilde Festival (Denmark): This is one of Denmark’s biggest and most popular music festivals. It features a mix of international and local acts, as well as a variety of other activities.

-TRNSMT (Scotland): This relatively new festival takes place in Glasgow and features a mix of rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic music.

-Way out West (Sweden): This three-day festival takes place in the city of Gothenburg. It features a wide range of international and local acts, as well as a variety of other activities.

The top folk music festivals in Asia

Folk music is enjoyed by people all over the world, and there are many festivals dedicated to this genre. If you’re looking for a folk music festival to attend this summer, here are some of the top options in Asia.

The Nara World Heritage Festa in Japan is one of the largest folk music festivals in the region. Held every October, the festival features traditional Japanese music and dance performances, as well as food and drink from local vendors.

The Kuala Lumpur International Folk Festival is another popular option, held annually in Malaysia’s capital city. The festival features a wide range of folk music from all over Asia, Africa, and Europe, making it a great way to experience the diversity of the region’s musical traditions.

For a more intimate experience, check out the Jeju Island Folklore & Culture Festival in South Korea. This yearly event takes place in October and features traditional music and dance performances from Jeju Island’s various ethnic groups. Visitors can also try their hand at making folk art or participate in other traditional activities.

The top folk music festivals in Africa

Folk music is a genre of music that is traditionally passed down from generation to generation. It is often based on the music of a particular region or culture, and can be used to tell stories and express emotions. Folk music festivals are a great way to experience this type of music, as well as meet people from all over the world who share a passion for it. Here are some of the top folk music festivals in Africa that you should check out this summer:

1. The Swazi National Folklore Festival: This festival takes place in Mbabane, Swaziland, and features folk dancers, musicians, and storytellers from all over Africa.

2. The Sauti za Busara Festival: This festival takes place in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and is one of the largest and most popular folk music festivals on the continent. It features a wide range of traditional African musical styles.

3. The World Music Expo: This expo takes place in Cape Town, South Africa, and showcases folk musicians from all over the world. There are also workshops and seminars on various aspects of folk music.

4. The Gaborone International Music Festival: This festival takes place in Gaborone, Botswana, and features a wide variety of traditional African musical styles.

5. The Knysna International Oyster Music Festival: This festival takes place in Knysna, South Africa, and is one of the most unique folk music festivals on the continent. It celebrates oysters – yes, you read that correctly – through music, dance, food, and more!

The top folk music festivals in Australia

The top folk music festivals in Australia offer a wide range of genres and styles for music lovers to enjoy. From traditional Celtic and bluegrass sounds to more contemporary and alternative artists, there is something for everyone at these events.

Many of the festivals take place in rural areas, so they provide a great opportunity to explore the Australian countryside as well as enjoy some great music. Here are some of the top folk festivals to check out this summer.

-Woodford Folk Festival: This festival takes place over six days and features more than 2,500 performers from all over the world. There is a strong focus on world music and there are also many workshops and events held each day.
-Port Fairy Folk Festival: One of the most popular folk festivals in Australia, this event features a wide range of local and international artists performing across multiple stages. There is also a market area with food and craft stalls, as well as a kids’ zone with face painting and other activities.
– Byron Bay Bluesfest: As the name suggests, this festival focuses on blues music but there are also many other genres represented. With more than 200 acts performing over five days, this is one of the biggest music festivals in Australia.

The top folk music festivals in South America

Looking for a folk music festival to check out this summer? Here are the top folk music festivals in South America:

1. Festa do Boi Bumba, Brazil
2. La Tirana, Chile
3. Surubi, Argentina
4. Fiesta de la Candelaria, Colombia
5. Carnival, Ecuador
6. Corpus Christi, Peru

Conclusion

And that’s a wrap! We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best folk music festivals happening this summer. From East to West and everything in between, there’s sure to be a festival that’s perfect for you. So get out there and start enjoying some great music!