Evanston Folk Festival, photo by Josh Druding
Evanston Folk Festival has unveiled the lineup for its 2026 presentation. Returning to Evanston, Ill.’s Dawes Park on September 12 and 14, the third-annual musical celebration will highlight some of the foremost torchbearers from a variety ot folk traditions with more than 30 acts. This year’s staging, produced by SPACE Presents, will be led by headliners Trampled By Turtles and Indigo Girls.
“The warm embrace this festival has received since its inception in 2024 has been inspiring to see, and we have high hopes for this third edition building on that incredibly solid foundation,” said Jake Samuels, Director of Music for SPACE. “As Evanstonians, seeing our Lakefront filled with music fans and families enjoying artists from around the world and seeing some of what makes Evanston so special is so fulfilling for all of us.”
Beyond the top billings, Evanston Folk Festival’s third lineup will feature other acclaimed folk firebrands like Josh Ritter, Valerie June, Sierra Hull, James McMurtry, Mdou Moctar, Kathleen Edwards, The Brudi Brothers, Margaret Glaspy, Hayden Pedigo and Folk Bitch Trio. Other standouts confirmed for the event include Tift Merritt, Bebe Stockwell, Angela Autumn, Dean Johnson, Anjimile, Bill MacKay, The Fretliners, Esther Rose, a collaboration between Henhouse Prowlers and Don Stiernberg, and Roses for The Roches, a tribute set led by Nora O’Connor, Sima Cunningham, and Kelly Hogan. To set off the festivities on Friday, Sept. 11, the festival will host a special performance from the Punch Brothers at Cahn Auditorium.
“In its first two years Evanston Folk Festival has brought people together on the Lakefront for world-class music and many of our town’s finest vendors in an unparalleled setting,” said Evanston mayor Daniel Bliss. “I am delighted to see this announcement of their 2026 lineup and look forward to a beautiful weekend in Dawes Park this September.“
Tickets for the third annual Evanston Folk Festival will go on sale this Friday, March 20, at 10 a.m. CT. Find more information at evanstonfolkfestival.com/
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