The Best 8 Folk Music Festivals in Florida in 2024

The Folk Music Festivals in Florida offer traditional music enthusiasts a smorgasbord of spectacular music, dance, workshops, and artisan crafts. Unbeknownst to many, Florida is a hub for folk music. Many of its engaging festivals are held in the winter, allowing people to escape the cold of more northern parts of the U.S. and enjoy outdoor events in a mild, comfortable climate.

Given Florida’s rich folk music heritage, we’ve created a guide to the best folk music festivals in Florida that you can take advantage of. Read on to get the low down and make plans to hear the best of traditional, Celtic, bluegrass, folk, and Americana music that Florida has to offer.

Foggy Long Britches Folk Festival

We’re kicking off our list of the 8 best folk music festivals in Florida with the one that’s just around the corner. The Foggy Long Britches Folk Festival offers 4 days of engaging acoustic music in a classy setting–the Sparacia Witherell Family Winery & Vineyard, located in Brooksville. Due to the venue, festivalgoers will have their pick of over 80 wines and 230 beers to accompany delicious fare from food trucks on the grounds.

Thursday night festivities begin with an open mic at 5 pm hosted by Guitar Mic. The following Friday through Sunday features full days of live music by artists and bands like Sean Curran, Grant Peeples, Alivia Hunter, Hannah’s Whirl, Nick Bohn, Sincerely Yours, the Florida Cracker Cowboys, and Remedy Tree.

Other activities include a craft fair, and the winery welcomes children and pets. You won’t want to miss this amazing folk music festival running January 25-28.

South Florida Folk and Acoustic Music Festival

Hosted by the Broward Folk Club, the South Folk and Acoustic Music Festival is one of the largest folk music festivals in Florida. Its location in the southern part of the state makes it a welcome destination for people desiring a warmer climate when the rest of the country is experiencing a frigid February.

This folk festival features Friday evening events starting at 5:30 pm like an open mic for performers, a youth showcase, and a headliner. Two stages provide diverse musical acts throughout the festival’s 3 days by artists including Amy Carol Webb, Dave Nachmanoff, Clare Cunningham, Bob Lind, Carolina Star, The Shade Tree Pickers, Miami Arts Charter  Jazz Ensemble, Friction Farm, and Marc Black.

Other events include music jams and song swaps hosted by Matthew Sabatella, Teresa O’Neill, Laurie Jennings, and Bill Metts (among others). There are also workshops where musicians can sharpen their fingerstyle guitar playing, songwriting skills, and vocal chops.

Over 20 vendors, food trucks, and raffles round out this amazing folk festival. You can attend the South Florida Folk and Acoustic Music Festival February 2-4, 2024 at the Bergeron Rodeo Arena in Davie, Florida.

Celtic Family Jamboree

One important branch of the folk music genre is Celtic music, and if you are in the mood to dance a merry jig while listening to frenetic fiddles and other acoustic instruments produce exhilarating world music, then the Celtic Family Jamboree has it all. This family-friendly event, set for the weekend of February 2-3, offers RV and tent camping to attendees, and pets are welcome on a leash.

The festival’s 2024 lineup includes performers Albannach, Raglan Road, Dragonfly, Bing Futch, West of Galway McIntyre, Marcille Wallis & Friends, and more. Their Friday evening potluck dinner will make you feel right at home, and their free Saturday morning workshops will offer folks the chance to hone their dancing and instrumental skills. There will also be Celtic merch for sale and Highland Game demos.

One more must-see will be an authentic period Jacobite Reenactment! You don’t want to miss the Celtic Family Jamboree, situated at the Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville, Florida.

Will McLean Music Festival

Among the best folk music festivals in Florida is the Will McLean Music Festival, which honors the singer who paid tribute to his home state of Florida with his memorable songs, poetry, and stories. Like many music festivals in Florida, this one takes place in late winter (actually the cusp of Spring–March 8-10). One draw to this festival is its Best New Florida Song Contest which inspires songwriters from the region and beyond to enter their original works in hopes of standing out.

Multiple types of music can be enjoyed at the Will McLean Music Festival–Americana, Blues, Celtic, Bluegrass, Country, and New Folk. Coupled with workshops, jams, contra dancing, and a young musician’s showcase, this festival is well worth attending.

19th Annual Spring Frolic

The 19th Annual Spring Frolic is set at the Pioneer Settlement in Barberville, Florida–the perfect setting to celebrate both folk music and other traditional arts. The impressive festival boasts 8 different stages of live music over its 2 days. With plenty of performers to watch, along with jam tents, it’s a haven for musicians and music lovers alike.

Besides the music, attendees can observe weavers, spinners, blacksmiths, and other craftsmen demonstrating their skills. Storytelling and living history demonstrations add another layer to this enjoyable and educational event. Rounding out the Spring Frolic’s offerings are craft vendors and food.

The 19th Annual Spring Frolic occurs April 6-7 at the Pioneer Settlement in Barberville, Florida. Make sure to check it out.

Gamble Rogers Folk Festival

The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival honors a standout folk artist who impacted the genre as the lead singer and guitarist for the Serendipity Singers, and later as a solo artist. He appeared on classic shows like the Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show, charming audiences with his performing and storytelling skills. His death at the age of 54, the result of attempting to rescue a drowning swimmer at Flagler Beach, elevated him to a place of honor among his fans. It’s fitting that this ongoing festival be held in his honor.

Notable events at the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival include a YoungFolk Stage where up-and-coming performers can showcase their skills, dancing, local artisans, craft vendors, and food trucks. Among the headlining and supporting acts for 2024 are Remedy Tree, The Krickets, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, the John Jorgenson Quintet, Verlon Thompson, Jerron “Blind Boy”, Paxton, Red and Christopher Henry & Their All Star Band, and Wyatt Ellis.

Slated for April 12-14, the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival has earned its spot among the numerous best folk music festivals in Florida. Mark your calendar and plan your trip to St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton, Florida.

Florida Americana Music Festival

The Florida Americana Music Festival is a new festival hosted by the same group that hosts the Foggy Long Britches Folk Festival, so you can be sure that the quality of performers and other events will be high. It, like a couple of other festivals we reviewed, also takes place at the Florida Sand Music Ranch. This particular festival allows camping on the grounds. It will be hitting the ground running, offering live music and more for four straight days from April 18 to 21, 2024.

Acts you can expect to see and hear at the Florida Americana Music Festival include Have Gun, Will Travel, the Greg Roy Pressure Band, Remedy Tree, Grant Peeples, Firewater Tent Revival, Dr. Bacon, the Currys, and Uncle Moonlight, and Lauren Heintz.

Once spring has sprung, make your way to the first annual Florida Americana Music Festival at Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville.

Florida Folk Festival

Originating over 60 years ago, the Florida Folk Festival is the longest-running folk music festival in Florida. Founded in 1953, this engaging three-day festival showcases the best that modern American folk music has to offer in live traditional and new folk music, dance, storytelling, crafts, and delicious food. Memorial Day weekend 2024 will be a memorable one as spectators can choose from over 300 performances. 

With vendors selling an abundant variety of crafts and other wares, coupled with food trucks and open-air kitchens serving up cultural classic dishes from collard greens to cornbread to gyros to shrimp gumbo, this festival has earned its reputation as the best folk music festival in Florida. 

This year’s Folklife Area theme for 2024 will be “Earth,” not only celebrating traditional Florida culture but also providing opportunities for people to learn about native plant and animal species as well as family history. Attendees can also try their hands at traditional crafts, sit in on music jam sessions, attend workshops, and watch a myriad of demonstrations. 

Visit the Florida Folk Festival 2024, set on the Suwannee River at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park May 24-26, 2024.