The Alaska Folk Festival is a week-long music festival held in Juneau almost always in April. First held in 1975, it is free to the public, has no auditions and marked its 50th anniversary in April 2025.[1]
| Location | Juneau |
|---|---|
| First festival | 1975 |
| Length | One week, usually April |
| Admission | Free |
| 2025 dates | April 7–13 (50th) |
| Organiser | Alaska Folk Festival Inc. |
Format
The festival lasts one week, almost always in April, and all events are free. There are no auditions, though submissions have a deadline, and each act gets 15 minutes while guest performers get 45-minute sets. Performers are not paid except for the annually selected guest artist, guest dance band and guest caller. It includes workshops, dances, jams and singer-songwriter showcases, with nine concerts over the week and about 15 acts per concert.[1]
Organisation
The Alaska Folk Festival Inc., a non-profit membership organisation, runs the festival, supported solely by volunteers, donations and membership dues. Mainstage performances are broadcast live on KTOO-FM, KRNN-FM and online.[1]
Recent years
The 2025 festival ran April 7 to 13 and marked its 50th anniversary. The 2020 festival was cancelled because of COVID-19 restrictions and the 2021 festival was held virtually and broadcast on YouTube.[1]
FAQs
When is the Alaska Folk Festival? One week, almost always in April.
Is it free? Yes, all events are free.
When did it start? 1975.
Sources
Key facts
- 50th festival in 2025
- Free, no auditions
Quick checkWhen did the Alaska Folk Festival begin?Show answer
1975
Sources
- Wikipedia. Alaska Folk Festival. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue