Visit

Is it really free?

Yes! The Festival is free and open to the public.

Do I have to register for any events?

In general, registration is not required. Occasionally we host sessions with very limited seating that require free, advance registration, but those events are clearly marked on the schedule.

Can I bring my dog?

The Festival can be a hot and crowded environment for pets, so please leave them at home. Service animals are welcome on Festival grounds and inside the Smithsonian museums. Water for service animals is available at the accessibility tent.

Should I bring my kids?

Yes! The Festival is a family-friendly event with demonstrations and workshops suited for all ages. The Family Activities tent, in particular, is designed for young visitors to try hands-on activities, games, crafts, and scavenger hunts.

Should I bring my own chair?

Limited seating is provided at every stage, so you do not need to bring your own—although we won’t stop you if you do.

Please note that if you regularly use a mobility device, particularly when traveling longer distances, we recommend that you bring it with you to the Festival.

Is the Festival accessible for visitors with disabilities?

In many ways, yes. We strive to maintain an accessible and inclusive environment for all visitors. See a list of services and accommodations on our Accessibility Services page.

Why does the Festival have to close if there’s a thunderstorm?

The Festival’s temporary tents and structures are not grounded, meaning they are at high risk of electrical shock in the case of a lightning strike. It is also unsafe to stand under trees, which attract lightning as well.

Our technical team closely monitors weather throughout the day, and they will call for the Festival grounds to temporarily close if there is lightning within eight to ten miles, depending on which way the storm is moving. We ask visitors, participants, and staff to take cover in the museums, Metro station, or other indoor spaces until the storm passes.

Can I volunteer?

Yes, please! We welcome volunteers of all ages, skills, and abilities. We suggest that you sign up in advance, but we also accept walk-ins during the days of the Festival. Please see the Volunteer page for more information.

Can I sign up to participate at the Festival?

Thank you for your interest! However, the Festival does not typically do open calls for artisans or performers. These participants are selected by our curators in a lengthy, research-based process.

Likewise, food and craft vendors are selected based on criteria set by the curators, Smithsonian leadership, and the National Park Service. Only organizations that are official partners and fiscal sponsors may table at the event.

How do you choose your programs?

Our Festival director and curators pursue programs based on research interests and expertise, community participation, potential partnerships, funding availability, and alignment with the mission of the Smithsonian and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. We often develop programs over two or three years. Not all programs reach the National Mall, but they all enrich our research and education efforts.

See a list of all Past Programs since 1967.

How can I support the Festival?

You can join our circle of support by making a tax-deductible donation. The Folklife Festival receives approximately thirty percent of its infrastructure costs from the federal government. Every year the remaining seventy percent—as well as all of its program-related expenses—must be raised from outside sources. Your generous support enables us to continue promoting culture of, by, and for the people!