NCFF Supports Artist from Across the State
The North Carolina Folk Festival is putting North Carolina-based artists in the spotlight, with homegrown talent making up the majority of the 2026 lineup. Through paid performance opportunities, exposure to new audiences and industry connections, the festival continues to uplift artists from across the state.
The free, three-day festival returns to Greensboro on Sept. 18-20, featuring 67 performances, 44 of which are North Carolina-based, and is expected to welcome more than 135,000 attendees.
The festival supports North Carolina artists in several ways:
Investing in the state’s creative economy by hiring and paying North Carolina-based artists, musicians and cultural practitioners for their work.
Providing a major platform for homegrown talent by giving North Carolina-based artists the opportunity to perform alongside nationally and internationally recognized acts for large audiences.
Creating visibility and professional connections by introducing North Carolina-based artists to new fans, media, presenters and potential future booking opportunities.
Reflecting the depth of North Carolina’s music scene by featuring artists from communities across the state and showcasing the range of talent within North Carolina
Making the arts more accessible through free admission, allowing artists to reach audiences who may not otherwise purchase tickets to live performances while giving attendees the opportunity to discover talent from their own state.
“Making music accessible is just one part of the NC Folk Festival,” said Savannah Thorne, Artistic Director of the NC Folk Festival. “We want to give back to the North Carolina artists who make this festival possible by giving them a platform to share their music with new audiences, while celebrating the incredible music culture we are so thankful to be a part of.”
NC ARTISTS IN THE 2026 FESTIVAL
Abigail Dowd • Sandhills Region, NC
Air Fairies • Greensboro, NC
Andrew Scotchie • Asheville, NC
Andy McGeagh • Greensboro, NC
Bala Roots • Greensboro, NC
Ballet Folklorico • Greensboro, NC
Beats Batch • Greensboro, NC
Caleb Caudle • Appalachia, NC
Dalia Razo • Greensboro, NC
Elora Dash • Chapel Hill, NC
Emerson Bruno • Raleigh, NC
Evan Blackerby & The Bandwagon • High Point, NC
Flamenco Dance Program • Greensboro, NC
Folkknot • Greensboro, NC
GMAJ Youth Jazz Ensemble • Greensboro, NC
Irish SeisiúnGavin Douglas • Greensboro, NC
Jacob Sharp • Morganton, NC
Jazz Jam with Titus Gant • Greensboro, NC
Karla Davis • Monroe, NC
King M Dot & The Leftovers • Greensboro, NC
La Gozadera Latin Dance with Maria Gonzalez • Greensboro, NC
Leroy Pridgen IV • Greensboro, NC
Matt Laird • Greensboro, NC
Monroe School of Highland Dance • Hillsborough, NC
Murphy Campbell • Stokesdale, NC
NC A&T Drumline • Greensboro, NC
NC Brazilian Arts project: Samba Workshop • Charlotte, NC
NC Youth Tap Ensemble • Chapel Hill, NC
Nikki Morgan • Wilkesboro, NC
Old Time Jam with Christen Blanton • Greensboro, NC
Beginner Swing dance Lessons with Real World Dance • Greensboro, NC
Rakish • Greensboro, NC
Ranford Almond • Greensboro, NC
Ritmos Peruanos • Greensboro, NC
Royal Expressions Contemporary Ballet • Greensboro, NC
Signal Fire • Wilmington, NC
Souls of Beauty Collective • Greensboro, NC
Stacy Rinaldi - Kids Jam • Greensboro, NC
Street Dance Battle presented by GSOul • Greensboro, NC
Susto Stringband • Asheville, NC
Tom Troyer • Greensboro, NC
Too Phat Brass Band • Greensboro, NC
West African Bantaba w/ Wesley Williams and SUAH African Dance Theatre • Greensboro, NC
World Percussion Jam w/ Bashir Shakur • Elon, NC
