National Folk Festival 60th anniversary

2 to 6 April 2026
Exhibition Park in Canberra

In 1967, a group of university students with a $100 budget launched a weekend of songs, stories and dance in a Melbourne college hall. Since then, the National Folk Festival has become one of Australia’s most enduring cultural events – an annual celebration of diversity, belonging, and exploration of what folk culture means in Australia.

The audio interviews below were recorded at or before the Festival.

Charley Castle and the Boys in the Well
Barbie spoke to Steve Poltz
Susan Hey, Ukulele Republic of Canberra
Bruce Watson – Immortal project
Barbie spoke with sisters Natalie and Brittany Haas at the Festival
Richard spoke to the President of the Festival Board, Emma Cottam, at the opening of the Festival
Richard spoke to Festival Co-Artistic Director, the late Michael Sollis, before the Festival
Chris Stone, Festival Co-Artistic Director, spoke to Richard at the Festival launch.
Richard spoke to singer-songwriter Mandy Connell at the Festival launch

In the early days it travelled between cities, but since 1992, the Festival has been held in Exhibition Park in Canberra. It has grown into a national gathering with more than 850 returning volunteers.

The 2026 program will also welcome back artists whose contributions span decades, with concerts and events that honour protest and peace, spotlight quiet stories and bold voices.

Artists include Irish-born Canadian singer-songwriter Irish Mythen (pictrured), Newgrass group Charley Castle and The Boys In The Well, and UK-based duo Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, returning 30 years after their first National Folk Festival appearance in 1996.

Tickets and further details: https://www.folkfestival.org.au/