The Washington Folk Festival at historic Glen Echo Park returns for the 41st year for this local tradition. The Festival will run from 12 noon to 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4.

This FREE, rain-or-shine event is a celebration of the many cultural traditions that are a part of our greater Washington community.

You’ll experience a variety of American music styles like bluegrass, honkytonk, blues, swing jazz, old-timey, rockabilly, skiffle, and gospel. From abroad, savor offerings from the British Isles, Mexico, North India, Scandinavia, Afghanistan, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, Paraguay, Spain, the Balkans, and more. Prepare to move with dances including English country, contra, klezmer, bal folk, waltz, tango, Cajun, Middle Eastern, Bulgarian, and swing, with fantastic bands and expert callers who know their stuff.

With over 85 hours of performances in multiple performance areas, there is something for everyone!

Parking on-site is limited, so please take advantage of the festival shuttle from the free satellite parking at the Waverly parking lot located at 7400 Waverly Street, Bethesda, MD 20814, one block from the Bethesda Metro station on the Red Line.

If you have attended the festival in previous years, please note that this is a NEW PARKING LOT for satellite parking.

The Washington Folk Festival at historic Glen Echo Park returns for the 41st year for this local tradition. The Festival will run from 12 noon to 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4.

This FREE, rain-or-shine event is a celebration of the many cultural traditions that are a part of our greater Washington community.

You’ll experience a variety of American music styles like bluegrass, honkytonk, blues, swing jazz, old-timey, rockabilly, skiffle, and gospel. From abroad, savor offerings from the British Isles, Mexico, North India, Scandinavia, Afghanistan, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, Paraguay, Spain, the Balkans, and more. Prepare to move with dances including English country, contra, klezmer, bal folk, waltz, tango, Cajun, Middle Eastern, Bulgarian, and swing, with fantastic bands and expert callers who know their stuff.

With over 85 hours of performances in multiple performance areas, there is something for everyone!

Parking on-site is limited, so please take advantage of the festival shuttle from the free satellite parking at the Waverly parking lot located at 7400 Waverly Street, Bethesda, MD 20814, one block from the Bethesda Metro station on the Red Line.

If you have attended the festival in previous years, please note that this is a NEW PARKING LOT for satellite parking.

Kiti Gartner & the Drifting Valentines is a band out of Washington DC who play western swing, rockabilly, old country and some jump blues. Their influences include music from the 1940s and on, including almost everything that came out of The Quonset Hut and RCA Studio B in Nashville, Sun Records and Bakersfield. The Drifting Valentines are Kiti Gartner (vocals/rhythm guitar), Zachary Sweeney (electric guitar), Steve Wolf (bass), Brian Alpert (drums).

Join us in the Bumper Car Pavilion every Thursday night, June 16 - Augsut 25, 2022 for a FREE concert! 

Want to get ready to enjoy two days of music at the 40th Washington Folk Festival on June 4 & 5? Join us for this “teaser” concert before the festival with Cheik Hamala Diabate and The Backroads Band in the Bumper Car Pavilion!

In its 40th year, the Washington Folk Festival returns to Glen Echo Park, MD on June 4 and 5 from 12 noon to 7 pm each day with music of all kinds, participatory dancing, a fine crafts market, and storytelling. Hosting more than 450 performers on 7 stages, the festival celebrates the diverse American and international music and styles to be found throughout the Washington area among the local and talented performers. Jam in the picnic area! Ride the carousel! Revel in the joy of folk traditions, old and new. It’s FREE and takes place rain or shine. Find out more at www.washingtonfolkfestival.org. Complementary transportation and parking from the Geico lot located at 5260 Western Ave in Chevy Chase, MD is recommended; it’s just two blocks from the Friendship Heights Metro stop on the red line. The Washington Folk Festival is co-produced by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington and the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the National Park Service and Montgomery County, MD.

In its 40th year, the Washington Folk Festival returns to Glen Echo Park, MD on June 4 and 5 from 12 noon to 7 pm each day with music of all kinds, participatory dancing, a fine crafts market, and storytelling. Hosting more than 450 performers on 7 stages, the festival celebrates the diverse American and international music and styles to be found throughout the Washington area among the local and talented performers. Jam in the picnic area! Ride the carousel! Revel in the joy of folk traditions, old and new. It’s FREE and takes place rain or shine. Find out more at www.washingtonfolkfestival.org. Complementary transportation and parking from the Geico lot located at 5260 Western Ave in Chevy Chase, MD is recommended; it’s just two blocks from the Friendship Heights Metro stop on the red line. The Washington Folk Festival is co-produced by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington and the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the National Park Service and Montgomery County, MD.

For more than a decade, summer at Glen Echo Park has been synonymous with our weekly Summer Concert Series, where we present and support local musicians and performers who represent a diverse range of styles, influences, and cultures.

Learn More >> | RSVP >> | Park Map >>

June 11 - August 20, 2026 | Every Thursday at 7:30 pm 

Bumper Car Pavilion

RSVP preferred, not required

Limited seating available — feel free to bring folding chairs

ALL CONCERTS ARE FREE | DANCERS ARE WELCOME | FREE PARKING | RAIN OR SHINE

August 20 | Patrick Albán & His Buena Vista Social

For more than a decade, summer at Glen Echo Park has been synonymous with our weekly Summer Concert Series, where we present and support local musicians and performers who represent a diverse range of styles, influences, and cultures.

Learn More >> | RSVP >> | Park Map >>

June 11 - August 20, 2026 | Every Thursday at 7:30 pm 

Bumper Car Pavilion

RSVP preferred, not required

Limited seating available — feel free to bring folding chairs

ALL CONCERTS ARE FREE | DANCERS ARE WELCOME | FREE PARKING | RAIN OR SHINE

August 13 | U.S. Marine Big Band

For more than a decade, summer at Glen Echo Park has been synonymous with our weekly Summer Concert Series, where we present and support local musicians and performers who represent a diverse range of styles, influences, and cultures.

Learn More >> | RSVP >> | Park Map >>

June 11 - August 20, 2026 | Every Thursday at 7:30 pm 

Bumper Car Pavilion

RSVP preferred, not required

Limited seating available — feel free to bring folding chairs

ALL CONCERTS ARE FREE | DANCERS ARE WELCOME | FREE PARKING | RAIN OR SHINE

August 6 | Arty Hill & The Long Gone Daddys

For more than a decade, summer at Glen Echo Park has been synonymous with our weekly Summer Concert Series, where we present and support local musicians and performers who represent a diverse range of styles, influences, and cultures.

Learn More >> | RSVP >> | Park Map >>

June 11 - August 20, 2026 | Every Thursday at 7:30 pm 

Bumper Car Pavilion

RSVP preferred, not required

Limited seating available — feel free to bring folding chairs

ALL CONCERTS ARE FREE | DANCERS ARE WELCOME | FREE PARKING | RAIN OR SHINE

July 30 | U.S. Marine Band Latin Jazz Ensemble

The U.S. Marine Band's Latin Jazz Ensemble performs a mix of classic and contemporary Latin jazz hits that will keep hands clapping, feet tapping, and the dance floor busy!