The Top Folk Music Festivals of 2016
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Looking for a great folk music festival to attend this year? Check out our list of the top festivals taking place in 2016!
Newport Folk Festival
If you’re a fan of folk music, then you’ll want to check out Newport Folk Festival. This festival is one of the most popular folk music festivals in the world. It takes place in Newport, Rhode Island, and it features a variety of folk musicians from all over the world.
Location
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 and remains a focal point in the ever-expanding genre of Americana.
The event is held at Fort Adams State Park and offers a mix of veteran folk musicians and up-and-comers on several stages over the course of three days.
Dates
The Newport Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1959 as a counterpart to the previously established Newport Jazz Festival. The festival generally occurs every second weekend in July. Although it did not occur in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is scheduled to return in 2021.
The first Newport Folk Festival was held on July 1, 1959, and featured performers such as Joan Baez, Josh White, and Howlin’ Wolf. Pete Seeger was the festival’s keynote speaker. Since its inception, the festival has been held at Fort Adams State Park and typically features around 100 performers on several stages over the course of three days.
History
The Newport Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1959 as a counterpart to the previously established Newport Jazz Festival. Generally regarded as the first modern U.S. folk music festival,[1][2][3] it has been held annually ever since at various locations in Newport, including Fort Adams State Park and the grounds of the Newport Casino (now home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame).
Tickets
Festival-goers can purchase tickets for the Newport Folk Festival on the Festival’s website. Ticket prices range from $165 for a one-day pass to $495 for a three-day pass.
RockyGrass
RockyGrass is one of the top folk music festivals of 2016. It is a three day festival that takes place in Colorado. The event will have plenty of bluegrass music, food, and camping.
Location
Musicians come from all over the world to play at this intimate mountain venue, located in the Rockies just outside of Denver.
Dates
RockyGrass takes place from July 28 – 30 in Lyons, Colorado.
History
RockyGrass is an annual bluegrass music festival in Lyons, Colorado. The festival was started in 1971 by bluegrass enthusiasts Edison Hart and J.B. McDowell. It is one of the oldest continuously running bluegrass festivals in the United States. The Lyons Chamber of Commerce took over production of the festival in 1974, and it has been run by a non-profit organization since then. The festival features three days of music on five stages, with camping and other activities available on the site.
Tickets
RockyGrass tickets are now on sale! Get them while they last!
Pickathon
Location
Pickathon is a truly unique music festival experience. Located on Pendarvis Farm in beautiful Happy Valley, Oregon, Pickathon hosts a wide range of musical talent on six stages over four days. With a focus on acoustic and Americana music, this festival has something for everyone.
In addition to the music, Pickathon features plenty of activities for the whole family. There are kids’ activities, an on-site farmer’s market, and even yoga classes. Plus, the food at Pickathon is top-notch, with a variety of food trucks and vendors offering everything from wood-fired pizza to Thai cuisine.
So if you’re looking for an unforgettable music festival experience this summer, be sure to add Pickathon to your list!
Dates
The dates for Pickathon have not yet been announced, but the festival is typically held in early August. Stay tuned for updates!
History
Pickathon is an annual music festival held in Oregon, United States. The event is produced by Cloverdale Enterprises, LLC, and since its inception in 1998, it has been held every year on the first weekend of August. It is currently the largest capacity music festival in Oregon with a yearly attendance of around 11,000 people.
The festival has been nominated for various awards throughout its history, including a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album in 2015 and an Oregon Music Awards Hall of Fame induction in 2016.
Tickets
Pickathon is one of the top folk music festivals in the country, and takes place in the stunning Pacific Northwest. The 2016 lineup includes big names like Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck, and Indigo Girls, as well as up-and-coming artists like Sarah Jarosz and Hiss Golden Messenger.
Tickets for Pickathon go on sale in April, and are available both online and at the gate. Prices vary depending on how many days you want to attend, with 3-day passes starting at $165 and 5-day passes starting at $230. You can also buy single-day passes for $75-$85. Camping is included in the price of your ticket, so you can really make a weekend (or a week!) of it.
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is held every July in Oak Hill, New York and is one of the top folk music festivals in the country. The festival features several stages with a wide variety of bluegrass, old-time, and folk bands playing throughout the day and into the night. There are also workshops, jams, and a wide variety of food and craft vendors.
Location
The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is held annually in Oak Hill, New York.
Dates
The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is held annually in Oak Hill, New York. The 2016 festival will take place from July 14-17.
History
The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is an annual event that takes place in Oak Hill, New York. It is one of the largest and most prestigious bluegrass festivals in the United States, and has been held every year since 1984. The festival attracts top bluegrass musicians from all over the country and features a variety of events, including concerts, workshops, jam sessions, and square dances.
Tickets
Tickets for the festival are $120 for a 3-day pass, or $45 for a single day. You can purchase tickets online, or at various locations around town.
Old Settler’s Music Festival
The Old Settler’s Music Festival is one of the top folk music festivals of 2016. This four-day event takes place in Driftwood, Texas and features over 100 performers on 13 stages. With a wide variety of music, food, and activities, there is something for everyone at this family-friendly festival.
Location
The Old Settler’s Music Festival is held every year in Driftwood, Texas – just outside of Austin. The event takes place over four days (Thursday-Sunday) in April, and generally features about 90 acts on 7 stages.
In addition to live music, the festival also offers camping, workshops, kids’ activities, and various food and drink options.
Dates
The Old Settler’s Music Festival is held annually in Tilmon, Texas. The 2016 festival is scheduled for April 14-17.
History
The Old Settler’s Music Festival is one of the top folk music festivals in the country, and it takes place annually in Austin, Texas. The festival was founded in 1987 by some of the most influential figures in the Austin music scene, including Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
Since its inception, the Old Settler’s Music Festival has been a showcase for some of the best folk musicians from around the world. The lineup each year features a mix of established artists and up-and-coming talent, and the festival has become known for its laid-back atmosphere and great music.
If you’re a fan of folk music, or if you’re just looking for a good time, be sure to check out the Old Settler’s Music Festival.
Tickets
How Much Do Tickets Cost?
A full weekend of music at Old Settler’s will set you back $185, but that includes on-site camping and parking. If you don’t want to camp, there are a limited number of weekday and day passes available for $75-$95.
