The Washington Folk Festival is back on its traditional summer date after a 2024 cancellation and a one-off fall comeback in October 2025. The free, all-day event runs noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Glen Echo Park.

Glen Echo resident Ayan Kishore, 41, helped make it happen. The CEO of Benetech, a nonprofit that makes reading and learning accessible for people with disabilities, had no background in music or event production when the festival was cancelled in 2024 due to volunteer shortages. He joined the board of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington anyway, and now serves as FSGW vice president and co-chair of the 43rd annual festival.

"I was just floored by how amazing everyone was," Kishore told Bethesda Magazine, describing his first encounter with the festival after spotting a banner near his home more than a decade ago. "Year after year we started circling the date and planning our summers around it."

His co-chair, Ingrid Gorman, has been involved for more than four decades. She started by helping raise the festival's circus-style tents in the mid-1980s before joining the programming committee and eventually the FSGW board.

New stages, new traditions

Six stages will host more than 40 acts this year, according to the festival's official press release. Two are brand new.

A Middle Eastern Spotlight, developed with the Maryland Governor's Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs, features Persian, Turkish, Jewish and other Middle Eastern musical traditions. Acts include the Sarv School of Persian Music, Group Mavi and a Jewish Music Showcase. A halal Turkish food stand will be on site.

The second addition, Songs for All Ages, is a family-focused stage with interactive performances and an evening finale called "Liberty & Justice for All." The lineup includes Donna Elanor's Tricorn Tales, Bill Jenkins World of Music and award-winning musician Maureen Andary.

The broader lineup spans Celtic folk-rock, gospel a cappella, Zydeco, flamenco, Japanese koto and bluegrass featuring two-time Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee Tom Gray on bass.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore honored the 2026 festival with an official citation recognizing its contribution to the state's cultural life.

Volunteers needed

The festival depends on roughly 500 volunteers, from sound engineers to stage crews. Kishore estimates organizing it consumes the equivalent of a part-time job.

High school students can earn Student Service Learning hours by volunteering. Shifts are available Saturday, Aug. 22, for setup; Sunday, Aug. 23, for the festival itself; and Monday, Aug. 24, for teardown. Roles include performer check-in, stage crew, info and donations booth and operations. Students can indicate their school on the volunteer sign-up form and direct questions to [email protected].