SALISBURY, Md. — The City of Salisbury has announced that the Maryland Folk Festival will not take place in 2026 due to funding challenges following a difficult sponsorship and grant cycle.
After careful evaluation, the City determined that it is not possible to produce the Festival at the level of quality and experience that the community has come to expect.
“This was not an easy decision,” said Caroline O’Hare, Events & Culture Manager for the City of Salisbury. “The folk festival has become a meaningful tradition for our community—bringing people together through music, dance, food, and shared experiences. We are incredibly proud of what has been built over the years.”
Since its transition from the National Folk Festival, the Maryland Folk Festival has welcomed tens of thousands of attendees to downtown Salisbury each year, featuring nationally and internationally recognized artists alongside regional performers and cultural traditions. The event has served as a cornerstone of the City’s arts and culture programming and a significant driver of downtown activity.
The City of Salisbury expresses its sincere appreciation to the many sponsors, volunteers, artists, local businesses, and city employees who contributed to the festival’s success over the past decade. Their support helped create a welcoming, family-friendly event that celebrated cultural diversity and community connection.
While the Festival will not take place this year, the City of Salisbury’s Arts, Business, and Culture Department remains committed to creating opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the arts, engage with diverse cultural traditions, and connect with one another.
“We’re taking this time to reflect and look ahead,” said O’Hare. “Our goal is to continue building meaningful experiences for our community in new and thoughtful ways. We’re already beginning conversations around future community-centered programming and exploring what a new event in Fall 2027 could look like for Salisbury.”
Additional updates from the City of Salisbury Arts, Business, and Culture Department will be shared as future programming takes shape.
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