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WHAT IS ALLOWED?

  • Kindness, Patience, and Pure Joy

  • Sunscreen

  • Empty refillable water bottles to use at refillable water stations

  • Service animals

WHAT IS ENCOURAGED?

  • Bags under 20”x20”x10”

  • Blankets 6’x8’ or smaller

  • Strollers/wagons/carts only for patrons attending with young children

  • Personal umbrellas in the event of rain, but must be closed during performances

  • Phones with App downloaded!

WHAT IS PROHIBITED?

  • Discrimination or harassment of any kind

  • No riding bicycles, skateboards, or scooters (any wheeled form of transport) through the festival site. (Bike parking is located in Center City Park)

  • Beach umbrellas

  • Flag poles

  • Illegal substances

  • Firearms

  • Weapons of any kind

  • Laser pointers

  • Outside alcoholic beverages

  • Drones

  • Sales of food/beverages within the footprint by anyone other than official Festival vendors

WHAT IS DISCOURAGED?

  • Bags larger than 20” x 20” x 10”

  • Glass containers

  • Pets

  • Selfie sticks

  • Hard or soft coolers

  • Strollers/wagons/carts for anyone without young children

Official Policies

  1. All sales are final; no refunds or exchanges for any reason.

  2. All artists, set times and stages are subject to change. All advertised acts have confirmed their appearance at the Festival. However, acts are subject to change without notice and refunds of any purchases made on site will not be issued due to artist cancellations or any other reason.

  3. Events take place rain or shine. If severe weather becomes a threat and we need to interrupt programming, stage announcements will be made regarding safety procedures. Programming will resume when deemed safe.

  4. All persons, bags and personal items are subject to inspection at any time within permitted event footprint (see event map). Please review accepted and prohibited items.

  5. Any visitor that directly or indirectly interferes with the enjoyment or safety of the event will be asked to leave the footprint and may be subject to arrest and prosecution by State/Local Authorities.

  6. The event will continue to make every effort to ensure socially responsible behavior in order to allow visitors to enjoy the event.

  7. The festivals encourage a smoke-free environment and ask that you respect the health of your neighbors at the event and refrain from smoking in any area where it may affect someone else. Smoking is prohibited under all tents and inside buildings. Please find an isolated area if you must smoke, and dispose of your butts properly.

  8. The Festival allows ADA* recognized service animals trained specifically to assist a person with disabilities at all events. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not permitted at the festival. If you have a certified service animal, you will be required to have your service animal with you at all times. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.

  9. Pet Policy Disclaimer | By entering the North Carolina Folk Festival footprint with a pet, you agree to assume full responsibility for your animal at all times. NC Folk Festival, its staff, volunteers, sponsors, and affiliates are not liable for any injury, illness, damage, loss, or other negative outcome resulting from your decision to bring a pet to the festival. Pet owners are solely responsible for their animal's behavior, safety, and any harm the animal may cause to other guests, animals, vendors, or property.

    Note: Pets may not access buildings or venues where non-service animals are prohibited. Service animals, as defined by the ADA, are welcome in all areas.

  • No tickets needed! The NC Folk Festival is FREE to attend. We invite you to enjoy three days of fun in the heart of downtown Greensboro.

    Food, beverages, marketplace handcrafts, and other merchandise will be available for purchase.

    If you’d like to upgrade your experience with snacks, drinks, and shade–VIP tickets are available for purchase.

  • Yes! The NC Folk Festival is completely free and open to the public.

    We have to raise over $1.5 million dollars each year to put on this festival.  60% of that sponsorships, 20% is selling festival drinks and merch and the other 20% is YOUR DONATIONS.  Please be on the lookout for our Bucket Brigade volunteers in blue shirts carrying blue buckets, TEXT NCMUSIC to 50155 or click here.

    • Friday, September 18th from 5pm-10pm

    • Saturday, September 19th from 9am-10pm

    • Sunday, September 20th from 12pm-10pm

    • There are also afterparties on Friday and Saturday in downtown Greensboro!

  • 60+ INCREDIBLE artists from around the world! Find the complete lineup and schedule on our website.


  • There’s ample parking in decks and surface lots throughout downtown. All downtown Greensboro parking decks with the exception of Church Street are available for parking on Festival weekend.  The cost is $10 per car per day. 

    Check out this map for parking decks or check our App for gps instructions.Item description

  • Handicap parking can be found in every parking deck surrounding the Festival site.

    We also have ASL interpreters.

  • COME ANYWAY!!!  The Festival program and site are designed to operate in most all weather conditions. The show will go on even in a little rain!   We even have tented areas at most stages so you can hear music and stay dry.

    Be sure to check our app and social media platforms for updates.

  • If you're 21 or older and plan to purchase alcohol during the festival, stop by Guest Services with a valid photo ID to receive your wristband. Your wristband lets bartenders know your age has been verified, making purchases quicker throughout the weekend.

  • Please turn in any lost items to a Guest Services tent. These tents are located near First Bank Stage, Friendly Avenue and NC Railway Stage.

    If you are trying to track down an item that you lost, you can send a Lost Item Claim to info@ncfolkfestival.com

  • Credentialed photographers and videographers will be working throughout the Festival.  Some images may be used in upcoming promotional materials.  Your presence at the event is your permission for such promotional use by the Festival.

  • Yes. Not only will it be open, but there will be lots to explore. Come enjoy our dance workshops in the Van Dyke Performance Space or peruse the art galleries that will remain open for Festival weekend!

  • There are misting tents on the footprint, shaded areas along the way, and we also recommend stepping into the Greensboro Cultural Center (our FolkLife area), the Greensboro History Museum, Greensboro Library or Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum to cool off for a bit. Don’t forget to bring your reusable water bottle to refill at our free hydration stations!

  • By entering the North Carolina Folk Festival footprint with a pet, you agree to assume full responsibility for your animal at all times. NC Folk Festival, its staff, volunteers, sponsors, and affiliates are not liable for any injury, illness, damage, loss, or other negative outcome resulting from your decision to bring a pet to the festival. Pet owners are solely responsible for their animal's behavior, safety, and any harm the animal may cause to other guests, animals, vendors, or property.

    Note: Pets may not access buildings or venues where non-service animals are prohibited. Service animals, as defined by the ADA, are welcome in all areas.

  • The festival is for all ages! We have dedicated family-friendly programming at the Family Stage and Family Area..