The Best Folk Music Festivals of 2018

It’s that time of year again when the leaves start to change color and the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air. That can only mean one thing: it’s time for the best folk music festivals of 2018!

Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1959 with the expressed intent of bringing traditional music and contemporary artists together. The festival is often considered one of the first modern music festivals in America. It remains a highlight of the Newport summer season and Newport’s music scene.

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. Together, they are two of the oldest continually running music festivals in the United States. The festival is often considered one of the first modern music festivals and helped give rise to modern American folk music. It features performances by leading folk musicians and has occasionally featured musical performances by rock and pop artists.

Dates

The 2018 Newport Folk Festival will take place July 27-29 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island.

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 ( predating both the Monterey Pop and Woodstock festivals by more than a decade), and remains a focal point in the ever-expanding genre of Americana/roots music. Held every year at Fort Adams State Park, on Aquidneck Island in Newport, the gathering was first conceived by George Wein as a way to bring traditional folk music to a wider audience, and has continued throughout its history with an emphasis on rescuing endangered or forgotten musical forms and performers while simultaneously showcasing both iconic and up-and-coming talent.

Highlights

Set on the picturesque Fort Adams State Park overlooking Newport Harbor, the Newport Folk Festival has been a staple of the summer music calendar since 1959, when it was founded by promoter George Wein. Though it was originally conceived as a showcase for traditional folk artists, in its second year the festival expanded its scope to include then-unheard-of artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. In subsequent years, the festival would play host to legendary sets by everyone from Pete Seeger to Neil Young to Joni Mitchell.

Today, the Newport Folk Festival remains true to its roots, with a focus on singer-songwriters and Americana-influenced musicians. But it has also become one of the premier destinations for folk, bluegrass, and country music lovers from all over the world.

Some of this year’s highlights include:

· The Avett Brothers
· Jack Johnson
· First Aid Kit
· Natalie Merchant
· John Prine
· Lucius

Cambridge Folk Festival

The Cambridge Folk Festival is a three-day event that takes place in the historic city of Cambridge, England. The festival was founded in 1965 and has been held annually ever since. The event is known for its diverse lineup of folk musicians from all over the world.

Location

The Cambridge Folk Festival is held at Cherry Hinton Hall in the south-east of the city. The area surrounding the hall is used for parking and camping, and there are a number of food and drink stalls. The main stages are located in a large marquee, with smaller stages inside the hall itself and in a smaller marquee in the grounds.

Dates

The Cambridge Folk Festival is held annually on the site of Parker’s Piece in central Cambridge, England. It is one of the largest and most longstanding folk festivals in the world.[1][2]

The festival was first held in 1965 and has been held every year since, except for 1981 when only a mini-festival was held. The 2018 festival takes place from 26-29 July inclusive.

Dates: 26-29 July 2018

History

The Cambridge Folk Festival is an annual music festival in England. The festival is held in the historic city of Cambridge, and features a wide range of folk music from around the world.

The first Cambridge Folk Festival was held in 1965, and has been held every year since then. The festival has become one of the most important folk music festivals in the world, and has played a significant role in the revival of British folk music.

The Cambridge Folk Festival is organised by a small team of staff and volunteers, and is run as a not-for-profit organisation. The festival is financed through ticket sales, donations, and sponsorship.

Each year, the Cambridge Folk Festival attracts an international audience of around 15,000 people. The festival has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and is renowned for its good organisation and facilities.

Highlights

The Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the most highly anticipated folk music festivals of the year. Located in historic Cambridge, Massachusetts, the festival features some of the best folk musicians from around the world. This year’s lineup includes headliners The Decemberists, Bahamas, and tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman.

In addition to great music, the Cambridge Folk Festival offers a variety of food and drink options, as well as a variety of shops and vendors. There is also a Kids’ Zone with activities for children of all ages. The Cambridge Folk Festival is a great way to enjoy a weekend of good music and good times.

Fairport’s Cropredy Convention

Running from August 9-11, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is one of the UK’s most beloved music festivals. The event has been running for almost 40 years, and celebrates the very best in British folk music. With a packed lineup of world-renowned artists, as well as a host of emerging talent, Cropredy is a must-visit festival for any folk music fan.

Location

The Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is held annually in the village of Cropredy in Oxfordshire, England. The festival was founded in 1976 by the folk rock band Fairport Convention and has been held every year since. The convention is one of the largest and most well-known folk music festivals in the world, attracting over 20,000 people each year.

The Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is known for its relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, and its lineup features a mix of well-known and up-and-coming folk musicians. Past performers have included Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, REM, and Joan Baez. The 2018 lineup includes musicians from all over the world, such as Lisa Hannigan from Ireland, Passenger from England, and Shovels & Rope from the United States.

If you’re looking for a relaxed and fun festival experience with great music, then the Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is definitely worth checking out.

Dates

This year’s festival takes place from August 9-11.

History

Since its inception in 1980, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention has become one of the UK’s most popular and well-loved folk music festivals. Taking place in the picturesque village of Cropredy in Oxfordshire, the annual event attracts a diverse range of folk performers from across the globe.

The brainchild of Fairport Convention founder member Ashley Hutchings, the festival was originally conceived as a way of bringing together some of the biggest names in British folk music. Over the years, it has grown in size and stature, and now features a wide variety of music from both traditional and contemporary artists.

With over 20,000 people attending each year, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is now one of the largest outdoor music events in the UK. And with its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, it’s easy to see why so many people keep coming back year after year.

Highlights

Now in its 41st year, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is the best folk music festival of 2018. The three-day event, which takes place in the Oxfordshire village of Cropredy, is a celebration of British folk music, with a particular focus on Fairport Convention, one of the most influential folk-rock bands of all time.

Other highlights include sets from Richard Thompson, Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre, Show of Hands, and many more.

Tønder Festival

Location

The Tønder Festival is held in the town of Tønder in southern Denmark. It is one of the largest and most popular folk music festivals in Europe, attracting musicians and fans from all over the world. The festival takes place over four days in August, and features more than 100 concerts on 10 stages. There is also a large market with stalls selling food, drink, and crafts.

Dates

The Tønder Festival is one of the world’s largest and most renowned folk music festivals. It takes place every year in the small Danish town of Tønder, in the south-west of the country. The festival attracts around 25,000 visitors from all over the world, who come to enjoy the unique atmosphere and to listen to some of the best folk music performers from Denmark and abroad.

The 2018 edition of the Tønder Festival will take place from August 23rd to 26th.

History

The Tønder Festival is a folk music festival held annually in the town of Tønder in southern Denmark. The festival was first held in 1981, and has been held every year since then except for 1985, when it was cancelled due to bad weather. It is now one of the largest and most well-known folk music festivals in Europe, and has been attended by over half a million people from all over the world.

The festival takes place over four days, and features over 300 concerts on 15 stages. There are also workshops, dances, films, and other events. The music at the festival ranges from traditional folk to contemporary folk, and everything in between.There is something for everyone at the Tønder Festival!

Highlights

The Tønder Festival is one of the best folk music festivals in the world. Every year, the festival attracts world-renowned folk musicians from all over the globe. The festival takes place in the small town of Tønder, Denmark, and features four days of non-stop music.

Some of the highlights of the Tønder Festival include:

· The opportunity to see some of the best folk musicians in the world perform live

· A wide range of musical styles on offer, including traditional Scandinavian music, Celtic music, bluegrass, and more

· A friendly and welcoming atmosphere – perfect for families and music lovers alike

· A convenient location in the heart of Europe, making it easy to get to from anywhere in the continent

Celtic Colours

Celtic Colours is an international Celtic music festival which is held annually in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. The festival takes place over nine days in October, and features over 200 musical events with 1,000+ performers from around the world. Celtic Colours has something for everyone, with a wide range of musical styles on offer, as well as a range of other activities and events such as workshops, ceilidhs, and conversations with artists.

Location

Celtic Colours is an annual international music festival that takes place on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. The nine-day festival features over 200 musical events, including concerts, workshops, pub sessions, ceilidhs and more. Celtic Colours celebrates the traditional music and culture of the Cape Breton Island community, as well as the cultures of other Celtic nations.

Dates

Celtic Colours is an annual international music festival held on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. It has been running since 1997 and usually takes place in October. The 2018 festival will run from October 5-13.

History

Celtic Colours is an annual music festival that takes place on the Canadian island of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The event was founded in 1997 by J.P. Cormier, Ashley MacIsaac, Mary Jane Lamond and Theresa Tompkins and takes place every October.

The festival has its roots in the Celtic music scene of Cape Breton, which is renowned for its fiddle music and step dancing. The annual event sees thousands of visitors from all over the world descend on the island to enjoy nine days of concerts, dances, workshops, ceilidhs and other events.

Celtic Colours has become one of the most popular folk music festivals in the world and has been credited with helping to revive traditional Celtic music and culture. The event has also been praised for its positive impact on the local economy, with estimates suggesting that it generates around $15 million CAD (approx. $11.5 million USD) for the island each year.

Highlights

Celtic Colours is an annual music festival that takes place on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. The nine-day event features over 200 performances by world-renowned Celtic musicians from Cape Breton, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Galicia.

Since its inception in 1997, Celtic Colours has become one of the most popular music festivals in North America, attracting over 100,000 visitors each year. The 2018 festival runs from October 5-13 and features concerts, ceilidhs (traditional Gaelic social gatherings), workshops, jam sessions and more.

Some of the highlights of this year’s festival include:
– Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser & American cellist Natalie Haas
– Irish singer Karan Casey
– Cape Breton supergroup Beòlach
– Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes
– Welsh singer Cass Meurig
– Canadian trioISO