The Philadelphia Folk Festival returns for its 62nd year on Aug. 14 with an exclusive concert for campers staying at the festival campsites. The concert's regular scheduling, open to all attendees, will continue Aug. 15-17. (Credit: Philadelphia Folk Festival Facebook)
The Philadelphia Folk Festival will launch its 62nd annual celebration with a special concert on Aug. 14, exclusively for attendees staying at festival campsites.
The Camp Stage event will feature performances by Philadelphia-based acts Hezekiah Jones, Mason Porter and Chris Kasper, offering an early start to a weekend of folk music and tradition.
The full festival runs Aug. 15–17 at Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township and showcases a mix of folk, Americana, and roots musicians from across the country. This year’s Main Stage Evening Concert lineup includes newly added performers Alejandro Escovedo, Cedric Watson and Eileen Ivers, along with several others.
Philadelphia’s own John Flynn will return as Main Stage emcee and will also perform during the weekend.
Previously announced artists include Alison Brown, the American Patchwork Quartet, the April Fools, David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach, John Gorka, John McCutcheon, John Moreland, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, and more. A full list can be viewed on the festival’s website.
More artists will be announced as the event approaches.
For many attendees, the festival is more than just a music event—it's a long-standing tradition. Julie Leinhauser, a longtime volunteer, said her family has been coming to the Festival since she was three months old.
“My dad hasn’t missed a festival in the last 50 years,” Leinhauser said. “During the dark pandemic days my fest family and friends from the Folk Fest became even more like family. We celebrated, laughed, and cried together. We kept each other going. I am so grateful for the people and good times this festival has brought into my life.”
The Philadelphia Folksong Society, the nonprofit behind the festival, has hosted the event annually since 1962. The organization aims to preserve folk music traditions while promoting emerging voices in the genre.
Beyond music, the festival includes camping, food trucks, crafts and activities for all ages. Dulcimer Grove provides a dedicated family-friendly area with enrichment programs for younger festivalgoers, while educational workshops offer additional learning experiences.
Author and folk historian Elijah Wald will present on his book “Dylan Goes Electric!,” the inspiration behind the forthcoming film “A Complete Unknown.” He’ll also perform a selection of rarely heard Bob Dylan songs from the 1960s.
Tickets and festival details are available at folkfest.org.
