2026 PROGRAM
Our team are excited to share an exceptional program with you to celebrate 60 Years of the National Folk Festival across 2-6 April 2026. Secure your tickets to see amazing artists from across Australia and the world, where special collaborations and audience participation opportunities result in unique experiences you won't find anywhere else.
There are several ways to discover the program and plan your ultimate Festival itinerary:
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Explore our full program grid online
- Pre-order your copy of our Souvenir Program
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Use our new app for your phone - available soon
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Download a PDF of our Program Grid in either colour or black and white - available soon
Scroll down to learn more about each method.
We hope you enjoy the interactive features of our online program.
The colour code will help you identify different types of events:
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Click the heart symbol to save favourites, and then print your Festival schedule
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Click an event name to discover more about it, and to see artists involved
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Click on an artist's name to learn more and see when else they are appearing
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Click 'back' in the top left corner to retrace your steps
We hope the colours and text are clear and accessible.
Any issues, please email info@folkfestival.org.au
To minimise waste, a limited number of hardcopy program books will be available for purchase at the Festival. Please click the button above to pre-order your copy for $8 before 11th March to avoid disappointment. If you have a Festival pass already, click 'skip to more tickets' in the bottom left to order the program and other merchandise.
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Explore the Festival program with all the trimmings in a beautiful full colour A4 book with over 65 pages
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Enjoy a curated introduction to the events and find out all the special details about the Festival
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Get the facts quickly with all the useful Festival information compiled together
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Have the Festival program grid and maps easily accesible to find your way around
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Circle or highlight your favourites and make notes in the margins the old-school way
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Stay off your phone during the Festival and remain present with friends and family
Soon you'll be able to click the button above to download the Festival Pro app for your phone. Once you have installed it, simply search for National Folk Festival to load our program.
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Explore the Festival schedule by stage, day or time
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Check out the Festival maps to find your way around
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Tap an event name to discover more about it, and to see artists involved
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Tap on an artist's name to learn more about them and see when else they are appearing
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Tap the heart symbol to build your selection of favourite artists and events
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Use the 'Favourites' view to explore your own saved schedule by artist or by events
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Change your preferences in settings, including colours, font size and notifications
Closer to the Festival you'll be able to download the Program Grid in either colour or black and white. You can print this at home and carry it around as a quick reference.
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Have the Festival program grid easily accessible to find your way around
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Circle or highlight your favourites and make notes in the margins the old-school way
-
Stay off your phone during the Festival and remain present with friends and family
Read on below for highlights of each day or explore different areas of the program through the menu options. Follow the Festival online for updates and event information, and make sure you've secured your tickets!
DAY-BY-DAY HIGHLIGHTS
Most artists will appear over at least three days, but here’s a glimpse of what’s on each day:
Thursday: Welcome to Country begins our gathering, then Natalie & Brittany Haas, T3HO., The Inadequates, and Mandy Connell Trio on the stage; Phil Jamison, Bortier Okoe and Shane Lestideau on the dance floor; with Special Events including the Opening Concert, and Folk Family Singalong with Mandy Connell.
Friday: Spooky Men's Chorale, Grace Petrie, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Suga Cane Mamas and Tuck Shop Ladies on the stage; Grand Bal and Late Night Ceili on the dance floor; with Special Events including Songs of Protest, AFMA Showcase Concert, and the Festival Guitars Round Robin.
Saturday: Karen Lee Andrews, The Fagans, Windborne, Tony McManus, Wiradjuri Echoes, Warren Fahey and Liz Frencham on the stage; Queer Céilí, Ghanaian Dance Workshop, and Trad Rave on the dance floor; with Special Events including Concert for Peace, Dabke and Tatreez, and 60 Years of Festival Memories with Warren Fahey.
Sunday: Ruth Hazleton, Riccardo Tesi & Giua, Steve Poltz, Yulugi, Elias Alexander, and Shark & Fox on the stage; Bushranger's Ball and Appalachian Flatfooting and Clogging on the dance floor; with Special Events including The Great Poetry Debate, Festival Islanders Round Robin, Charley Castle's Big Newgrass Jam, and the Adults-Only Cabaret.
Monday: Dallahan, Kris Mizzi, San Miguel Fraser, Fred Smith, Maatakitj, and Apolline on the stage; Family Folk Rave, and Calling Round Australia on the dance floor; with Special Events including the Infinite Song Contest Final, Mickey & Michelle's Restrung, 60 Years of Queer, and the Farewell Concert and Farewell Dance closing out the evening.
Each day offers so much more, including Live at the National Variety Shows, Festival Made collaborative concerts, Circus Hokum daily shows, FolKwiz, Young Folk concerts, Festival ensembles, plus oodles of sessions, workshops, and captivating street performances.