The Ann Arbor Folk Festival is back! After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the 46th annual Folk Festival will be taking place on January 27 and 28. 

FolkFest is an Ann Arbor staple known for its eclectic, inspirational music and enriching atmosphere. Sponsored by the Bank of Ann Arbor, FolkFest is not only an enjoyable event but it also supports a good cause. FolkFest serves as a fundraiser for The Ark, which provides both live and virtual music to the Ann Arbor community. 

According to the event website, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival will have an altered format this year, as the music industry recovers from the impact of Covid. Therefore, the Festival will take place over two evenings.

Friday Night: BanjoFest

First, enjoy BanjoFest on Friday, January 27th at The Ark. BanjoFest features Valerie June, a Grammy nominated artist hailing from Tennessee. 

Valerie June has released three solo records and has worked on the President’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities. In addition to being a talented and prolific musician, she is a poet, illustrator and contributor to The Kennedy Center.

Valerie June is joined by musician and activist Thao, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Rachael Davis, and acoustic fingerstyle guitarist and banjoist Yasmin Wiliams. The artists will take the stage at 8 p.m. 

Saturday Evening: FolkFest 

On Saturday night, come listen to a variety of artists at FolkFest. FolkFest will be held at its traditional location of Hill Auditorium. 

FolkFest features a strong line-up of seven different artists such as Ani DiFranco, who is widely known as a feminist icon, Grammy winner, and creator of her own record label. Singer and songwriter Patty Griffin will also perform, as will soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones,  Austin Music Award winner Gina Chavez, indie duo the Oshima Brothers, singer and activist Kyshona, and Rolling Stone featured artist Jared Deck. Recording artist Parker Millsap will make a special appearance. 

FolkFest will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be emceed by musicians Peter Mulvey with SistaStrings.

Tickets and Information

Interested in a night (or two!) of great music? Tickets to Friday’s BanjoFest range in price from $45 for general admission to $250 for Platinum Circle admission. 

Tickets to Saturday’s FolkFest begin at $47.50 and also include up to a $250 Platinum Circle option. Explore more pricing options and purchase your tickets online at or via phone at 734-763-8587. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.  

Dr. Alyssa Whitford

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