The National Folk Festival

September 2-4, 2011 - Nashville, TN

First held in 1934, the National Folk Festival is the oldest multi-cultural festival of traditional arts in the nation, and has been produced from its inception by the NCTA.  Now entering its 73rd year, it is a traveling festival produced in partnership with communities around the country.  The National Folk Festival’s three-year stay in each host city is intended to lay the groundwork for locally produced festivals and events that continue after the National moves on.  To date, the National has been presented in 26 cities.  Musicians and craftspeople from every state in the Union and most U.S. territories have participated in this “moveable feast of deeply traditional folk arts.”  Presented to audiences free of charge over a three-day period, National Folk Festivals since 1987 have had audiences upwards of 175,000. 

The NCTA is proud to announce Nashville, Tennessee as the host city for the 2011-2013 National Folk Festivals. The event was held over Labor Day weekend on September 2-4, 2011.

Visit the official site of the 2011-2013 National Folk Festivals in Nashville, TN.

Martin Guitar is a proud sponsor of the 73rd National Fok Festival and the work of the NCTA.

Festivalgoers can enter the Martin Guitar Giveaway at the NCTA booth near the Capitol Hill Stage.
• First prize: HD-28 Martin guitar (with custom festival inlay)
• Second prize: Martin OXK ukulele
• Third prize: 12 sets of Martin Lifespan guitar strings

For more information, visit the NCTA facebook page.

A Brief History of the National Folk Festival  Download PDF

The” National” Today Download PDF

How communities can apply to become a National Folk Festival host city

After hosting the 70th, 71st and 72nd National Folk Festivals from 2008-2010, Butte, Montana will have the inaugural Montana Folk Festival on July 8-10, 2011.