June 16, 2020

For the safety of our patrons, volunteers, artists and staff due to the unpredictable and ongoing threat posed by the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with our government officials’ phased approach to group gatherings, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Richmond Folk Festival.

Developments related to state, national, and international events in 2020 have made it clear that as the organizer of this free, large-scale community festival, the necessary health precautions simply cannot be taken without radically changing the nature and scope of this event.

We have not reached this decision easily. We know that especially in these times of community isolation it’s important to come together and celebrate the rich traditions and cultures from around the nation and the world. Certainly, the joy we receive from producing this festival every October is immeasurable. However, we do not believe it is responsible or in the best interest of our community to bring together tens, and even hundreds of thousands of individuals in very close proximity, with no ability to control attendee numbers, distancing, or to sufficiently enforce precautions.

However, we don’t plan to let this weekend go unnoticed and are working now with our sponsors and partners to determine the most meaningful and safe way we can bring the community together, even if only virtually. We hope you’ll stay tuned for more announcements regarding virtual celebrations for The Richmond Folk Festival that showcase favorite past performances, new live performances, online children’s activities, a virtual marketplace, demonstrations, giveaways, and much more.

Remember to “Save the Date” for October 8-10, 2021

Until then, stay tuned to our social media pages and website!