Festival
There’s more to Canberra than politics!
…that’s where the National Folk Festival is celebrated every Easter, when the city is frocked up in its golden autumn best. Australia’s festival flagship, the ‘National’, draws together people from all around Australia and the world. They come to share in the songs, dances, tunes, and verse that have flowed through the ages from many communities into Australian folk culture.
For five days Exhibition Park in Canberra becomes a magic place, filled with colour and sound. Hundreds of the world’s best musicians perform daily, in a non-stop flow of entertainment across twenty two fabulous venues. Every day is packed with workshops and sessions, where you can join in the dancing, singing and playing and become part of the celebration. It’s all there for you; once you’ve bought your ticket and come through the gates you won’t need to leave.
Hungry?
We have two sit-down wine bar restaurants, three bars and over thirty food stalls where you can sample the delights of world cuisine. All tastes and requirements are catered for.
Children to Entertain?
Children have their own Festival venue every day where quality performers and arts workers introduce them to the fun of the Festival - you can leave the computer games at home! For some time to yourself you can book the little ones into Childcare where they will be looked after by trained Childcare workers.
Teenagers Who Think “Folk” is Old-Hat?
Wrong! Every year more and more young people are being drawn to ‘the Folkie’, as performers, audience and volunteers. This is a Festival for all folk no matter their age.
Need a Shot of Retail Therapy?
For that very special something, you can browse amongst the 60 craft stalls. You’re bound to find something wonderful, be it a singing drum, a sparkling bracelet, outrageous boots or a fairy frock.
An Urge to Dance?
Yes, Cinderella, you can come to the Colonial and Scottish balls – or you can join in one of the many workshop sessions for a variety of dance styles from around the world. Each year the Festival offers workshops for beginners through to advanced dancers in folk styles from Europe, the Americas and other parts of the globe. Or you can settle back and enjoy an impressive program of colourful and captivating dance displays from around the world.
Want to Talk About It?
Come to the Poets’ Breakfast, the World Poetry Debate or any of the events on the Spoken Word Program – we’re always ready for a yarn.
Bitten by the Travel Bug?
We can’t put you on a ‘plane but if you get yourself to Canberra we can bring you the world’s songs, music and dances – from nearly every continent on Earth (We can’t seem to get those penguins from Antarctica organised to visit). And, of course, there’s some of the best home-grown, Made in Australia music you’ll ever hear. South Australia is our Featured State for 2009.
So – pack your suit away, pick up your dancing shoes and party hat, book your ticket and come on down!
What Actually Goes On at the Festival?
The Concert Program - The best folk and acoustic musicians and singers from all over Australia, and around the world, performing at their best on big concert stages and in comfortable intimate surroundings. Over 100 concerts. And then there are the jam sessions under the trees and in the Session Bar: extraordinary!
The Dance Program - There are dance classes all day, with everyone welcome to join in. Each night there are dances and balls with the finest dance bands in the country providing the music. Dance display groups from communities all over Australia come to the Festival to share with the rest of the country.
The Spoken Word - Yarns, storytelling and poetry - including the World Poetry Debate and the come-all-ye Poets’ Breakfasts, a daily heart - starter where all poets, the budding and the already bloomed - and you! - can roll out their purple prose over morning coffee and croissants.
National Folk School - If you want extended classes with some of the best instrument and voice teachers, this is for you, for three days before the main festival.
Atmosphere - The Festival creates a village atmosphere where we can celebrate the traditions that have created Australia. A village has to have shops, so the Festival has streets of superb craft and food stalls - all under the trees of our well-organised site.
For Kids - The family festival inside the main grounds is a purpose-made area for children’s performances and participation for children only, and professionally supervised child care is also available in the Childcare facility.
Admission - All this is for one Season ticket price, or Day and Evening tickets are available (food and drink is not included, of course). Camping is available with a Season ticket. Early Bird Ticketing operates on-line from 1 December. Tickets are available only at the gate after early bird ticketing stops.
Volunteering - We have a large volunteer team committed to enjoying themselves through contributing their time in many areas. If you want to be part of an enthusiastic team who love what they’re doing and want to learn new skills please get in touch with us soon. Places fill up fast.
