The National Folk Festival is a celebration of music, poetry, community, circus, visual arts and more!

The festival is diverse, from the people who take part, the cultures and countries represented and the array of things to see, do and listen to.

The festival will run at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) from 17-21 April – across the Easter long weekend. The Easter Morning Church Service on Sunday 20 April is an inclusive, family-friendly event from 9-10am, which will include singers, harpist, guitarists, cellists and flute players uniting to bring this event to life.

The National Folk Festival ethos is to empower audiences, artists and communities to celebrate and create together, also focusing on excellence, inclusion, integration and sustainability.

Family-friendly events

Thinking of taking the children along to the festival? All ages are welcomed on site so even the littlest family members can join in the fun; there’s even a family marquee.

There will be several children-focused performers and performances, as well as hands-on music and art workshops. Children can try out musical instruments, take part in arts and crafts, be part of the festival parade or learn circus skills and listen to multicultural stories.

There will also be daily family dances, taking in different styles, including swing, Italian tarantella and bush dance.

On the streets

Some performances will be taken off the stage to the streets of EPIC. This will include choirs, roaming minstrels, dance troupes and street performers. These performances are classed as “off-grid and often the thing you didn’t know you needed, captivating your attention and lifting spirits as you move through the festival site”.

An international flavour

Artists and participants at this year’s festival hail from all over the country and the world. International artists, cultures and backgrounds represented across the five days include Canada, Ireland, Scotland, the US, New Orleans, Mediterranean, Indonesian, Indian, French, Afghani, Nigeria, Scandinavian, Jewish (klezmer), Tongan, Portuguese, Singaporean, African, Chilean, Latin America, Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Fiji, Mali, Tibet, Andean, the UK, Italy, Balkan, Swedish, Austrian, Chinese and probably more…

Very local artists

There are plenty of Canberra and surrounding area groups involved in the festival with just a few listed below:

Canberra Eurosession: A new musical community celebrating the diversity of European folk-dance music. Musicians of all experience levels, instruments, and styles are welcome to join.

Show times: Friday 18 at Session Bar from 12:30-2pm, roaming street performance around 4:30-5pm and the piazza 5-6:40pm, Sunday 20 April flute and fiddle 2:40-3:30pm and Monday 21 April session bar 12:30-2pm.

Ellery String Quartet: Forming in 2021, Ellery String Quartet is a dynamic group of young musicians based on Ngunnawal/Ngambri land. They have performed Scandinavian folk music in venues around Canberra – from churches to rooftops, flower fields and even inside a telescope. Their moving waltzes and fast-paced fiddle tunes are sure to have you tapping your feet.

Show times: Friday 18 April piazza 10:50am-noon, Coorong 7:30-9:50pm at the Bridgerton Ball, Saturday 19 April flute and fiddle 2.40-3:30pm, piazza (Coorong forecourt) 6:40-7:10pm, Sunday 20 April Coorong 6-7pm, Monday 21 April Sam’s Caravan 10:30am-11:20am and flute and fiddle 1:30-2:20pm.

The Canberra Chordsmen: A men’s barbershop chorus that sings in the barbershop a capella vocal harmony traditional style, including four-part harmonies. They sing a variety of music from traditional barbershop Polecats to arrangements of contemporary songs. The group competes at a regional, national and international level.

Show times: Friday 18 April terrace 11:20am-12:20pm (workshop), village green 1:20-2:10pm, Sunday 20 April piazza gate 12:20-12:40pm, Budawang forecourt 2:30-2:50pm, Flemington Gate 5-5:30pm, Monday 21 April terrace 10:10-11am, piazza gate noon-12:20pm and quokka pop-up 1:10-1:30pm.

For more information visit the festival website at folkfestival.org.au/

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