COLUMBUS, OH - January 28, 2026
The Central Ohio Folk Festival celebrates its 29th year with a warmer date. It has moved its traditional beginning of May event to the first full weekend in June: June 6 & 7, 2026. The festival also announces a new location. It's moving from Highbanks Metro Park to the brand new Bank Run Metro Park located in Lockbourne, Ohio. With the new space comes a new focus: an event space with a larger capacity. The park is easily accessible via interstates. It is in its final construction phase and currently not open to the public. The site was the previous home of the sizable annual Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Music Festival.
Join us for an incredible two-day event where the magic of music comes alive across four vibrant stages. The festival attracts more than 12,000 over the two days from Central Ohio and beyond, yet retains an attractive smaller community vibe. The gathering features scores of musical performances by touring and local artists, showcasing folk, bluegrass, old-time, and roots music in both traditional and contemporary eclectic mixes.
Festival goers can experience engaging jam tents and participate in community song and drum circles. For musicians and the curious, there are 30 workshops covering a myriad of topics and instruments, including beginner workshops. For families, there is a wide array of kids' crafts, performances and storytelling, and the popular Instrument Petting Zoo.
The Saturday night headliner concert features the Tray Wellington Band. Tray has been honored with some of the most prestigious accolades in acoustic music, including the 2024 Steve Martin Banjo Prize and 2019 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year. He has earned recognition from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Billboard and NPR, which have highlighted his innovative contributions to contemporary roots music. These accolades underscore Tray's reputation as one of the most exciting, forward-thinking, and influential banjo players of his generation. Listen at: traywellington.com/music/.
At the new space, attendees can enjoy a vaulted ceiling pavilion with a capacity for 300 picnickers, a large outdoor stage, and lots of open green space dotted with old, majestic trees. Food trucks will be onsite as well as Nocterra craft beer for those who enjoy locally made brews.
There is a modest admission fee. PRE-SALE General Admission tickets are $10 (18 and over). ON-SITE General Admission tickets are $15. Under 18 is free. General Admission covers both days. HEADLINER PREFERRED SEATING tickets are $20 and include General Admission. Tickets are on sale NOW and the link to purchase can be found at: columbusfolkmusicsociety.org/festival.html
The festival is produced by the Columbus Folk Music Society and is co-sponsored by WCBE 90.5FM.
CONTACT: infofestival@columbusfolkmusicsociety.org
###
