The 18th annual Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival will be held Thursday, October 8 through Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Please note that this is a change in the previously announced dates of October 1 – 3. The festival has decided to move our festival dates forward by one week, so as to not conflict with the UIUC Homecoming 2026.
The festival will feature live performances of folk, bluegrass, world and traditional music from local and national artists, as well as workshops, seminars and children’s activities. It is the longest-running folk music festival in central Illinois.
Saturday, October 10th will feature events that are family friendly and for kids-of-all-ages, including jam sessions, workshops, lessons, and impromptu festival fun, all taking place in and around downtown Urbana. On Saturday, every event before 5pm is free and open to the public.
The festival will be held in several venues in downtown Urbana, including the Rose Bowl Tavern, Gallery, Community Center for the Arts, the Urbana Free Library and the Independent Media Center.
The CU Folk & Roots Festival is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit event that strives to promote and celebrate the Champaign-Urbana community and thriving music scene. For more information about the Champaign-Urbana Folk & Roots Festival please visit www.folkandroots.org, and follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram.