How much does the Festival cost?

A full festival wristband is $40 in advance and $50 at the festival and gets you into all festival venues and activities both days. A one-night wristband is $30 and must be purchased at the festival.

Single venue admission per night is as follows:
Iron Post / Rose Bowl single night: $20
C4A / Blackbird single night: $15
Urbana Dance Company single dance: $5 suggested donation

Many events are FREE! All events at the Cohen Building are free. Children 12 and under get in FREE to all events. All evening workshops, jams, singalongs AND EVERYTHING ON SATURDAY BEFORE 5pm are FREE to all ages. No registration is necessary.

Credit cards accepted at Festival Central, the Iron Post, and the Rose Bowl. At other venues please pay with cash or check.

Where can I buy a wristband?

Prior to the festival, full-weekend and 4-pack wristbands can be purchased online in advance or at the the Iron Post and the Rose Bowl for $40. 

During the festival, wristbands for the full festival ($50) and for single evening entry can be purchased starting Friday, October 25, at 5:00pm at Festival Central (located in the Cohen Building, 136 W. Main St., Urbana) and during the festival at most venues. Single venue admission can be purchased at the individual venues. We will also be selling wristbands Thursday night, October 24, at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts event.

I made a donation – where do I pick up my complimentary wristband(s)?

You’ll find your wristband(s) waiting for you at Festival Central, located in the Cohen Building, 136 W. Main St. beginning at 5:00pm on Friday, October 25. The Sponsorship Levels page indicates the number of wristbands you receive based on the amount of your donation.

Where is the festival held?

The festival takes place in various places within in downtown Urbana. Our schedule and venue pages indicate exact locations. Venues this year are:

• Blackbird
• Channing-Murray Foundation and Red Herring Restaurant (Thursday night)
• Cohen Building (Festival Central)
• Community Center for the Arts (C4A)
• Iron Post
• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Thursday night)
• Lincoln Square Mall Food Court
• The Rose Bowl Tavern
• Urbana Dance Company
• Urbana Free Library

Please note that some locations, like the Iron Post, fill up quickly. Arrive early if you want to be sure to get in!

Is the festival open to all ages?

Most of our venues are all-ages. Festival-goers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for entry to The Rose Bowl Tavern and the Blackbird.

Where can we jam?

Check the Jams page on the website for information about the festival’s organized jams and the schedule for the exact time folks will be playing your favorite style. Spectators (and dancers!) are welcome at all jams. Did we mention that jams are FREE?

What about food and drink and places to stay?

We encourage festival goers to patronize the many fine food and drink establishments in and around downtown Urbana. Many are just a few steps away! We’ve reserved a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn on University in Urbana. Act quickly to reserve a  room. When you call be sure to say you are coming to the C-U Folk and Roots Festival to get the special rate.

Parking

Parking is available in the City of Urbana parking deck on the corner of Main and Broadway, as well as other locations in downtown Urbana. Plentiful street parking is available as well, but DO NOT park in the Landmark Hotel parking lot. Bike racks can be found near the Urbana Free Library, and on the north side of the parking deck.

Festival and artist merchandise

T-shirts are available for $15 at Festival Central in the Cohen Building at 136 W. Main St. Thanks to Jen Gibas for this year’s fabulous design! Jen is a medical illustrator and animator at the University of Illinois. Many individual artists will have CDs available at the time of their shows. 

How many hours do I need to volunteer to receive a festival t-shirt and wristband?

Volunteers only need to work four hours to get this incredible benefit. Find out all you need to know on this year’s volunteer page (forthcoming).

Lost and Found/First Aid

Lost and found and a first aid kit will be located at Festival Central in the Cohen Building

Who puts on this festival?

The C-U Folk and Roots Festival is an event organized and run entirely by local volunteers. Steering and Booking Committees meet throughout the year to plan the festival, with the assistance of many other individuals and organizations. We welcome you to join the fun by liking us on Facebook and participating in our planning operation.

The CU Folk and Roots Festival is a Not-for-Profit organization (501C3). All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.