Current Programs
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Earth Optimism
Meet scientists, anthropologists, and other specialists to learn about conservation in action at the Smithsonian and in our communities.
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United Arab Emirates
From poetry to perfume, explore past and present traditions of the region as resources for connecting communities and envisioning a sustainable future.
Watch Live
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For the first time, we are broadcasting live from the National Mall! Tune in to the evening concerts here at 6:30 p.m. ET, and see the full schedule of streaming events.
Festival 101
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The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, established in 1967, honors contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them. Produced annually by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, the Festival has featured participants from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
Our free Festival takes place for two weeks every summer on the National Mall, overlapping the Fourth of July holiday. It is an educational, research-based presentation that features master artisans and other tradition bearers. We invite visitors to sing and dance along, try craft and game workshops, learn traditional recipes, ask questions, and take part in this unique cultural exchange.
Featured Video
Festival Blog
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June 28, 2022Native Recipe: Bison Meatballs with Elderberry Syrup
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June 27, 2022A Family of Fragrance: Scents and Memory in Arab Perfume
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June 27, 2022Rainy Day Six: Top Five Photos
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June 26, 2022Day Five: Top Ten Photos
Past Programs
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2005 FestivalOman: Desert, Oasis, and SeaLiving at the crossroads between Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean, Omanis have developed a complex culture that draws on the country’s Arab roots as well as its long-standing contacts with India, East Africa, and the Middle East.
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2004 FestivalWater Ways: Mid-Atlantic Maritime CommunitiesThe region that stretches from the Great South Bay of Long Island to Core Sound in North Carolina is home to a living cultural heritage based on many generations’ worth of maritime skills and knowledge.
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1986 FestivalCultural Conservation: Traditional Crafts in a Post-Industrial AgeIn a sense, crafts record the resonances between a craftsperson’s skill, the aesthetics of a particular tradition, use of the local environment, and negotiations with a changing market.
Support the Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, sustainability projects, educational outreach, and more.
