NCFF Announces Additional 2026 Performers, Celebrating Dance and Creative Expression
The North Carolina Folk Festival continues to expand its 2026 lineup with the announcement of additional performers bringing dance, cultural traditions and community-driven creativity to downtown Greensboro Sept. 18–20.
This year’s festival coincides with National Dance Day on Sept. 19, inspiring a special focus on movement and dance throughout the weekend.
“Dance has always been an important part of folk traditions, and we’re excited to highlight the incredible range of movement, music and cultural expression that brings people together,” said Savannah Thorne, Artistic Director of the NC Folk Festival. “This year’s festival will feature everything from traditional dance styles to contemporary performances, creating opportunities for audiences of all ages to participate and experience something new.”
The festival’s dance programming will take place at the Tfiber Stage at LeBauer Park and feature performances curated with support from Dance Project, including NC Brazilian Arts Project: Dance the Samba; West African Bantaba featuring Wesley Williams and Suah African Dance Theatre; Piedmont Swing Dance Society; Ballet Folklórico Mexican Tradition of Julio Ruiz; and La Gozadera: NCFF Edition – A Latin Dance Experience with Maria Gonzalez and DJ Jonathan Vizcuna a.k.a. Jon.Viz.
The festival will also celebrate local artists and cultural traditions through Folklife programming, presented by Creative Greensboro. Folklife performers include Ritmos Peruanos, Murphy Campbell, Monroe School of Highland Dance, NC Youth Tap Ensemble, Royal Expressions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Folklórico Mexican Tradition of Julio Ruiz, Souls of Beauty and Collective, Flamenco Dance Program and EthnoUSA. This year’s Folklife area will be held inside the Greensboro Cultural Center, with performances in the Van Dyke Performance Space.
Returning for 2026, the Jams Stage — sponsored by Revity Federal Credit Union — will bring musicians and community members together through participatory performances, open mics and genre-spanning jam sessions. Featured programming includes World Percussion Jam with Bashir Shakur; Matty Sheets Memorial Open Mic with Tom Troyer and Laura Jane Vincent; Old Time Jam with Christen Blanton; Youth Talent Showcase with Ace; Irish Jam with Gavin Douglas; Honky Tonk Jam with Mark Dilon; Mariachi Demonstrations with Scott Glasser; Street Dance Battle presented by GSOul; and Beats Batch with Katie Blvd.
The newly announced performers join the previously announced 2026 NC Folk Festival lineup, bringing another year of diverse music, arts and cultural programming to downtown Greensboro. The festival will take place Sept. 18–20 and is free and open to the public.
For festival updates, artist announcements and event information, visit NC Folk Festival.
