The Old Songs Festival returns to upstate New York this June with 40 performers spanning folk, Celtic, traditional, and world music—three days of concerts, dances, and workshops that invite everyone from seasoned musicians to curious newcomers to participate fully in the music.
Running June 26–28, 2026, at the Altamont Fairgrounds near Albany, the festival has built its reputation on something rare: a genuinely relaxed, participatory atmosphere where the boundary between performer and audience blurs. The lineup reads like a who's who of contemporary folk: Holly Near, Garnet Rogers, Guy Davis, Bruce Molsky & Darol Anger, Crys Matthews, and Jake Blount Band anchor the main stages, while dozens of other artists—from Christine Lavin to Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman—lead workshops, jam sessions, and collaborative performances throughout the weekend.
What sets Old Songs apart is the sheer volume of interactive programming. Beyond three evening concerts each night, the festival offers over 100 daytime workshops, dances, and performances. Visitors can spend Friday afternoon learning an instrument, Saturday morning dancing contras on a wooden floor, and Sunday singing sacred harp with Stefan Amidon. There are participatory jam sessions, ballad singalongs, shape note sings, gospel choirs, and family dances with Roger the Jester keeping children engaged. The Great Groove Band welcomes kids with most instruments in hand. It's the kind of festival where wandering from one session to another—picking up a new skill, joining a spontaneous musical conversation—becomes the entire point.
The practical side is equally thoughtful. Daytime sessions run Friday 2 pm–6 pm, Saturday 10 am–5:30 pm, and Sunday 9:30 am–3:30 pm, with main stage concerts each evening from 6:30 pm onward. The festival even hosts an Instrument Exchange where attendees can bring unused instruments and trade for ones they'll actually play. Craft vendors, food options, and a dedicated children's activity area ensure families don't have to choose between music and comfort.
For those unable to attend in person, all evening concerts will be live-streamed as audio-only broadcasts on FolkMusicNotebook.com, extending the festival's reach across the region and beyond. The festival's directors note that this accessibility reflects a deeper commitment: bringing the music and artists you love—and those you may come to love—into homes during uncertain times.
The event runs Friday 1 pm–1 am, Saturday 9 am–1 am, and Sunday 9 am–7 pm. Online ticket ordering is available with no additional fees. Festival merchandise is available both at the sales booth (Next Level Apparel in forest green or purple rush) and through Bonfire, with many styles and colors to choose from.
Old Songs is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, supported by media partners across six states including WEXT, WAMC, and WRPI in the Albany area, plus stations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. For anyone seeking a weekend of genuine musical community—whether you're a lifelong singer or someone who's never picked up an instrument—the Altamont Fairgrounds offers exactly that.