Philadelphia Folksong Society Preview Show and In-Person Board Meeting!

by | Aug 27, 2026 | Uncategorized

Special 9/23/26 Philadelphia Folksong Society Preview Show and In-Person Board Meeting!

Join us Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 PM at Arden Theatre Company (40 N 2nd Street in Old City) for an exclusive private performance of Bob Dylan’s Tony Award- winning musical Girl from the North Country (See below for the show description).

This special Pay-What-You-Choose (PWYC) donation performance supports the Philadelphia Folksong Society.

About the Show:
In a run-down boarding house in Duluth, Minnesota, strangers cross paths –
experiencing love, loss, and everything in between. Amongst the dust and deep in the throes of the Great Depression, these wayward travelers fill the guesthouse with music, hope, and soul. Girl from the North Country features songs by Bob Dylan, adapted for this production, including “Forever Young,” “Hurricane,” and “Like a Rolling Stone,” to create a moving American story of resilience in uncertain times.

Pay-What-You-Choose Performance
Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 PM

2026 Philadelphia Folk Festival Friend-a-thon

by | Jun 30, 2026 | Uncategorized

The Philadelphia Folk Festival Friend-A-Thon is back, and we’re calling on Fest fans, families, volunteers, friends, and music lovers everywhere to rally their crew and raise funds for the Festival we all love. From July 1–31, 2026, our goal is to raise $15,000 to support the future of the
Philadelphia Folk Festival.

More Info

Spring Thing 2026

by | Feb 5, 2026 | Music Events

Good news! The PFS Board has approved Spring Thing 2026
 
What we know so far:
Spring Thing dates: Friday, May 22 to Sunday afternoon May 24.
Location: College Settlement Camp, Horsham, PA
 
Watch the Spring Thing Facebook page: Ticketing & registration information to come.
 
This is a new location, but all your favorite things will be there:
Music, friends, fun & food, cozy cabins & campfires! Tents & RVs welcome. We plan to have a Daytripper ticket as well.
 
Six Sugzdinis and Claire Noyes are the co-chairs for Spring Thing; Anne Stevenson Smith, Administrator.
 
Our Spring Thing and Fall Fling weekends have always depended on participants sharing the effort to create these amazing events by taking on at least one task or shift (or more if you want!).
 
Thank you to those who filled out the Interest Survey and for your offers of assistance.
 
We are currently assembling a list of what needs to be done and when. We will be contacting everyone soon who has mentioned an area of interest.

3rd Annual Gene Shay Founders’ Award/Benefit Concert

by | Jan 30, 2026 | Music Events, Uncategorized

A FANTASTIC NIGHT FOR FOLK MUSIC LOVERS

You are invited to join The Philadelphia Folksong Society for the 3rd Annual Gene Shay Founders’ Award/Benefit Concert as we remember Gene Shay and we honor the legendary Tom Paxton, one of the most important figures in American songwriting and folk music. 

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with awards, captivating stories, and incredible music from talented performers headlined by Tom Paxton and featuring musical performances by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer and The DonJuans.

Save the Date – 63rd Philadelphia Folk Festival

by | Jan 12, 2026 | Music Events, Uncategorized

The Philadelphia Folk Festival is BACK for 2026!

Presenting music, camping, crafts, food, family fun and cultural activities for all ages, the 2026 Philadelphia Folk Festival will occur over the weekend of August 14, 15, 16, 2026. Located on the iconic Old Pool Farm, in Upper Salford Township, PA (Montgomery County), the event celebrates its 63rd year.

T-shirt design contest!

by | Jun 16, 2025 | Uncategorized

PFS is holding a t-shirt design contest!

YOU could design this year’s most popular piece of Folk Fest Merch! 

Calling all creative minds! YOU could design this year’s most popular Folk Fest T-Merch! We are hosting a t-shirt design contest, and we want to see your unique ideas. There’s no limit to the number of entries you can submit, so let your imagination run wild!

  • There is no limit on the number of entries someone can submit. Submissions close Sunday, July 6, 2025.
  • Our favorite designs will then go out to the PFS community to show their support and vote for their favorite design.
  • Not a digital artist? Designs can be as simple as a description and a napkin sketch.
  • There will be prizes! THE CONTEST WINNER WILL RECEIVE 2 t-shirts featuring YOUR design PLUS 2 ALL FESTIVAL PASSES!

For more details visit
https://folkfest.org/t-shirt-design-contest/

The Smiling Banjo Podcast

by | Dec 17, 2024 | Folk Music

The Philadelphia Folksong Society is strumming up some excitement with the debut of the Smiling Banjo Podcast, available on December 18. The Smiling Banjo Podcast is a backstage pass to the 2024 Fest, shining a spotlight on the 14 main stage artists with their live music performances and interviews from the 2024 Philly Folk Festival. It’s the perfect dose of Festival cheer for those craving that Fest magic as we ramp up for 2025! The podcast drops on December 18 across Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes rolling out on the second and fourth Sunday until the next Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Watch the first podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TpwkSSbJY0
If you’re feeling a little nostalgic for Fest, experience the magic of the Philly Folk Festival all year with the new Smiling Banjo podcast! Just in time for the release of the New Year’s Sale for the 2025 Philadelphia Folk Festival. Tickets for the 2025 Philadelphia Folk Festival are on sale December 18, 2024 through January 14, 2025 with discounts up to 25%. This is the lowest cost tickets will be priced for Fest, taking place in Upper Salford Township on August 15, 16, 17, 2025! So, take advantage of this great deal and bring the gift of music, community and fun to your loved ones.

Smiling Banjo Podcast Featured PFF Performers Include:

  • A.J. Lee & Blue Summit
  • John Oates
  • Michael and David Doucet and BeauSoleil
  • Alexis P. Suter
  • Shanna in a Dress
  • The Secret Sisters
  • Alice Howe and Freebo
  • Dom Flemons
  • John Gallagher, Jr.
  • Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Chao Tian
  • Angelique Francis
  • John Flynn
  • Tony Trischka
  • Lenny Kaye

This Podcast is made possible through the hard work of Philly Folk Festival Volunteers!

  • Producers: Eric Ring & Barry Sagotsky
  • Project Adviser: Michael Braunfeld
  • Videographer: Barry Sagotsky
  • Emily Drinker: Interview Facilitator singer-songwriter from Philadelphia.
  • Trish Hurley Callahan: Editor
  • Six Sugzdinis: Digital Content Manager

Save the Date!

by | Dec 17, 2024 | Uncategorized

We will hold a 2025 Philadelphia Folk Festival!

Save the Date for Fest on August 15, 16, 17, 2025!

The Philadelphia Folksong Society is grateful for the amazing community support while we came together to bring Fest back! We want to thank every patron, sponsor, volunteer, vendor, advertiser, neighbor, and community partner for supporting the 2024 Philadelphia Folk Festival! Because of our community’s support, our 2024 Fest was a financial and musical success!

Founded in 1957, PFS has offered programs of presentation, participation, and education throughout Greater Philadelphia and the nation year-round. We are dedicated to preserving the past, promoting the present, and securing the future of folk music and related forms of expression through education, presentation and participation.

PFS has contributed to the preservation of a variety of musical styles and historical perspectives and has acquired both local acclaim and international recognition through popular programs such as the Philadelphia Folk Festival.