25th Annual Albuquerque Folk Festival October 6 – 7 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque
(Albuquerque, NM)—The Albuquerque Folk Festival celebrates its 25th year at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102), (505) 246-2261 on Friday Evening October 6 and, Saturday October 7, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p. m., with over 100 non-stop events at multiple venues. Parking is FREE!
Headliners include:
Dirk Powell and Cedric Watson (Louisiana): Cajun
Charm City Junction (Maryland): Bluegrass, Old-Time, Celtic
Nathan & Jessie (San Diego, CA): Swingin jazzy folk
The Here and Now (Austin) Celtic
Kellie and Pete (Pennsylvania): Old-time music from 1920s and 30s
Matt Watroba (Michigan) Traditional, contemporary, and original folk music
Local and regional performers include:
Bayou Seco (Silver City): Northern NM Fiddle Music & Cajun
Snorty Horse (New Mexico and Missouri): Old-Time Missouri and Appalachian Songs
Baracutanga: (Alb) Traditional/modern Latin music representing Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, USA
Higher Ground (Alb): Bluegrass; The Virginia Creepers (Alb): Old time fiddle music
Bébé La La (Alb): Indie Folk Français, Singer Songwriter
Adobe Brothers (Alb): International Bluegrass, Old Timey, Celtic, Latin, Blues, Klezmer
Albuquerque Chinese Folk Dance Ensemble (Alb): Traditional Chinese Folk music w/Folk dance
Lasotras (Alb): World, Latin American, North American and Southwestern folk music
The Rebbe’s Orkestra-klezmer & Judaic Band (Alb): Klezmer, Eastern European, Israeli, Middle Eastern, Ukranian
Eileen & the In-Betweens (Alb): Folk, Americana, Originals
ATC Stringband (Santa Fe): Traditional American Folk Music
Janice Belflower (Alb): Singer Songwriter
The Albuquerque Folk Festival, along with entertainment on three performance stages, emphasizes participation, teaching, learning, with many participatory activities, including workshops, sing-alongs, jam with the band, dance, children’s musical activities.
- Five Workshop Venues for singing, dancing, and musical instruction
- A Sign-Up Stage for up-and-coming performers to showcase their talents
- Jam with the Band (different band each hour)
- Hosted Jams (different music genre each hour)
- Storytelling Tent, Kids Tent, other activities for kids of all ages
- Band Scramble (bands, chosen by lot, perform two songs for prizes on the main stage)
- Evening Contra Dance, preceded by instruction for new dancers (music provided by the Albuquerque Megaband)
Arguably the Southwest’s premier participatory folk venue, the festival, which is run by over 400 volunteers and presenters and has no paid staff, enlists organizations and individuals who can transmit Folk Art knowledge, skills, and traditions through a wide range of folk activities that draw upon American, New Mexican, and various international traditions. In the process, they seek to create alternatives to the public trend of relying on passive entertainment with participation instead of just observation.
Amenities include an instrument check room, free bike valet, a merchandise table, instrument consignment table, free parking, arts-and-crafts vendors, food trucks, lots of chairs, shade under the cottonwoods, spontaneous jams, laughter, and joy.
Date: October 6th evening only & 7th 10 am – 9 pm
Location: The National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Ticket Prices:
- Adult All Day: $25 online; $30 at the Gate
- Children Under 12 Free
- Children 12-18: $7 online; $10 at the Gate
- Military, Students 19-25, and Seniors 65+ (with ID): $15 online; $20 at the Gate
- Family (2 adults children up to 18 years old): $25 online; $35 at the gate
- Tickets are available online from
The Albuquerque Folk Festival is a not-for-profit, 501(c) (3) and 509 (a) (2) public charity, made possible in part by and receiving support from New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs , WESTAF (the Western States Arts Federation), the National Endowment for the Arts; and the City of Albuquerque’s Urban Enhancement Trust Fund and Cultural Services Department—Mayor Tim Keller; Bernalillo County, Community Services Division.
Additional information: www.abqfolkfest.org and tickets may be purchased in advance at the National Hispanic Cultural Center https://www.nhccnm.org
