Summer Hot Spots For Folk Music Fans

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is one of the most popular, well-attended folk festivals in the country. Every year in late July—right in the middle of the summer—some of the greatest contemporary singer/songwriters, folk artists and bands join together for a four-day festival in the hills of upstate New York. The vibe is one of strong community, and the music ranges from gospel to old time fiddle-driven dance tunes. Camp out or stay in a nearby hotel—this is one of the best places in the country to be a folk fan in summertime.

2009 line-up includes Amy Speace, Janis Ian, Cliff Eberhardt, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Susan Werner, and more.

One of the oldest folk music festivals in North America, Newport was where Bob Dylan went electric, and where just about every folk artist worth mentioning has graced the stage—from Pete Seeger to the Indigo Girls, and beyond. This music festival takes place the first weekend in August each year, in Rhode Island. Newport is well worth a trip whether you're a local or coming from afar.

Celebrating 50 years in 2009, Newport has changed its name to George Wein's Folk Festival, and will welcome the best of old and new folk music: Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Neko Case, Langhorne Slim, Fleet Foxes, and more.

Planet Bluegrass plays host to three fantastic music festivals in the mountains of northern Colorado, just outside Boulder. The first of these is Telluride. Probably the most popular not-entirely-bluegrass festival west of the Mississippi, Telluride has featured artists ranging from Bonnie Raitt to Nickel Creek. Lyons, Colorado, is a quaint little town, perfect for a festival of this size. Nearby camping and the river that runs through offer great opportunities for song circles and jam sessions.

2009 line-up includes David Byrne, Elvis Costello, Conor Oberst, Sam Bush, Punch Brothers, and many more.

Central Park is a great place to go anytime of year, whether you're a local or a tourist, a musician, or a music fan. Buskers and songwriters always pepper the park, but summertime is full of free concerts at Central Park's Summerstage. Past performances include Edie Brickell, Sonya Kitchell, Ani DiFranco, Umphrey's McGee, and many more. Each year's schedule is announced in May.

2009 line-up includes Josh Ritter, Indigo Girls, Umphrey's McGee, Bela Fleck, and many more.

This incredible series of concerts take place in Battery Park and at the World Financial Center, South Street Seaport, Brooklyn, and elsewhere. Sponsored by one of my favorite radio stations in the country—WFUV—the free concert schedule is expanding all the time. Keep an eye on their Free NYC Concerts Web site for more info and each year's full lineup.

2009 line-up includes They Might Be Giants at Celebrate Brooklyn, Arlo Guthrie at the River to River Festival, and Judy Collins at the Folks on the Island concerts, to name a few.

Rocky Mountain Folks Festival is another weekend thrown by the Planet Bluegrass Folks. Once again, Lyons, Colorado, is an incredibly charming town (and home to Uncle Earl). Rocky Mountain Folks Fest generally features an incredible array of artists from folk-rock to protest music and alt-country. Keep an eye on their Folks Fest Web site for a full lineup and more info.

2009 line-up includes Rufus Wainwright, Gillian Welch, Brett Dennen, Madeleine Peyroux, and many more.

Bill Monroe was the godfather of American bluegrass, and Bean Blossom, Indiana, plays host to the annual Bill Monroe Memorial Bluegrass Festival. It's been more than four decades of great music in Monroe's hometown. Camping is available onsite, and if you're looking for bluegrass legends, this is the place to go. Artists that have graced the Bean Blossom stage include the Grascals, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Ralph Stanley, Bobby Osborne, and many more.

2009 line-up includes Ralph Stanley, Bobby Osborne, Dan Tyminski Band, James King, and many more.

With more than a decade under its belt, Pickathon has grown in to one of the Pacific Northwest's finest folk and roots music festivals. Situated on a lovely sprawling farm just outside of downtown Portland, Oregon, Pickathon has welcomed the likes of the Avett Brothers, the Gourds, and numerous up-and-coming locals, to name a few.

2009 line-up includes Blitzen Trapper, John Doe & the Sadies, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, the Wiyos, and many more.