Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival

Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival This is the official page for the Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival. Come join us 23, 24, 25 October 2026!

We are a small and friendly festival for all who love folk and bluegrass music and all the joy that it involves. We welcome old and new Festival patrons to Dorrigo Mountain for an intimate and friendly three-day weekend of acoustic music featuring some of the very best Folk, Bluegrass, Old-Time and Old-Time Country musicians from around Australia and overseas. The Festival Committee is proud that

we’re able to present the finest traditional, contemporary and acoustic music to you, our dearest patrons. We find joy in seeing festival audiences and musicians connecting, jamming and enjoying what we can so happily and humbly provide. To us, the festival is all about that connection and the celebration of it. The Festival Committee recognises the importance of involving and providing younger generations with opportunities to perform and learn. This is why each year our programme features a combination of artists with a fresh realisation of music and practiced, well-versed artists from Australia and overseas. In 2017 we held the Inaugural Dorrigo Old-Time Music School featuring tutors from Australia and America. This is an opportunity for musicians of all ages and background to learn, jam and perform with tutors who have the knowledge, heritage and respect of Old-Time music. The school is not just for musicians focusing on the Old-Time genre, there are many skills taught at the camp that are applicable across a wide range of musical genres. In recognition of being a “premier acoustic music” event, The Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival was awarded the status of a “Regional Flagship Event” for 2011 by NSW Tourism. This has significantly raised the profile of the Festival and it now attracts an even wider audience to experience its unique charm. There are many visitors who return to Dorrigo every year for this Festival because of the great atmosphere, and the opportunity to jam with fantastic and sometimes famous musicians under a shady tree or round the campfire. It's a time when our picturesque Dorrigo showground comes alive with concerts, workshops, dancing, jamming, impromptu performances, poetry and children's entertainment.

✨ Introducing our 2026 Lineup ✨Rain Of Animals is the euphonious collaboration between Pepita Emmerichs (Oh Pep!) and Th...
26/08/2026

✨ Introducing our 2026 Lineup ✨

Rain Of Animals is the euphonious collaboration between Pepita Emmerichs (Oh Pep!) and Theodore Barnard (Wire & Wool) and their love of all things mandolin, fiddle, guitar, harmony vocals, bluegrass, oldtime, swing, tunes and songs. Their sound is both new and old, unique in it’s instrumental wizardry and musical integrity all at once. Since their debut album Nali’s World was released in 21′ they have toured extensively around Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, where they are now based in Scotland. 26′ will see them release their sophomore album, which includes their own songs as well as tunes and special guests from their travels. They are not only in demand as a band but also as session musicians for the likes of F***y Lumsden, Stereo Naked, Harry Bird, Wayward Jane and Luke Plumb amongst others. They have ongoing collaborative projects with US mandolin master Jacob Jolliff and songwriter Donny McElligott as Good Guy Hank and aim to bring this plethora of musical experiences to the forefront in their own sound and performances.

To learn more about the festival and to book tickets, head to www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au

✨ Introducing our 2026 Lineup! ✨ Grassy Strings is a Kolkata-based bluegrass duo featuring guitarist and vocalist Souvik...
22/08/2026

✨ Introducing our 2026 Lineup! ✨

Grassy Strings is a Kolkata-based bluegrass duo featuring guitarist and vocalist Souvik Hazra and mandolinist Subhankar Dhar with Mainak Nag Chowdhury on bass. Dedicated to the sounds of American folk, swing, and bluegrass music, the project represents a unique and pioneering bluegrass act emerging from India. Over the past several years, they have actively participated in international music exchanges, festivals, and collaborations, bringing bluegrass music to new audiences around the world. With a deep appreciation for traditional bluegrass standards, original compositions, and classic folk repertoire, Grassy Strings has performed on both virtual and physical stages at numerous international events and festivals. Their music blends traditional bluegrass with Indian musical influences, incorporating songs in Bengali, Hindi, and Nepali alongside original melodies. Through their performances across Kolkata and throughout India, they introduce many audiences to bluegrass music for the first time, creating an engaging and joyful musical experience.

For more information and to book festival tickets head to www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au

✨ ANNOUNCING THE INAUGURAL BEGINNERS OLD-TIME BOOTCAMP ✨Tutors are Mickey & Michelle and we are so excited to present th...
18/08/2026

✨ ANNOUNCING THE INAUGURAL BEGINNERS OLD-TIME BOOTCAMP ✨

Tutors are Mickey & Michelle and we are so excited to present this opportunity for newer players.

✨Introducing our 2026 Lineup✨ Hailing from the country music capital of New Zealand, Jenny Mitchell is an Aotearoa Music...
08/08/2026

✨Introducing our 2026 Lineup✨

Hailing from the country music capital of New Zealand, Jenny Mitchell is an Aotearoa Music Award Winner and 4 x Australian Golden Guitar nominated songwriter, who weaves folk and country influences around stories of family, nostalgia and connection to the land. Following a 32-date Australian tour supporting the iconic Kasey Chambers, the release of her breakthrough album Forest House and an opening slot for global superstars The Lumineers, Jenny has emerged as one of the most moving new voices in country music on both sides of the Tasman.

“Every so often, an artist emerges who has everything it takes to reach the pinnacle of country music success. Jenny Mitchell is a star.” Country Music Capital News

To book tickets and learn more head to www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au

✨ Introducing our 2026 Lineup! ✨ Eli West is an American Roots musician from the Pacific Northwest. A multi-instrumental...
05/08/2026

✨ Introducing our 2026 Lineup! ✨

Eli West is an American Roots musician from the Pacific Northwest. A multi-instrumental creator of sonic spaces, Eli’s former training as a designer informs a sound that is lush and organic – neither manicured nor overgrown. Evergreen timbres weave among pitches, rhythms and lyrics to become comfortable rooms into which listeners are invited. Lauded by Tim O’brien as a musician “making music the World needs,” Eli’s reputation as a crafter of considered, toneful environments has fostered collaborations with Bill Frisell, Andrew Marlin, John Reishchman, Julie Fowlis, and many other pillars of the growing Americana movement. Joined by Patrick MGonigle.

To learn more about the festival and book tickets head to www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au

✨ Introducing our 2026 Linuep ✨ Martha Spencer is a singer-songwriter, mountain musician and dancer from the Blue Ridge ...
31/07/2026

✨ Introducing our 2026 Linuep ✨

Martha Spencer is a singer-songwriter, mountain musician and dancer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She grew up in the musical Spencer family and learned to play several instruments (guitar, fiddle, banjo, bass, dulcimer, mandolin) and flatfoot/clog at a young age. She performs and has recorded with various groups and has been involved with several roots music projects. She has played shows, festivals and led workshops across the US, Australia, UK, and Europe. Martha’s first solo album has been featured in articles in Rolling Stone Country, No Depression, Wide Open Country, Bluegrass Situation, Americana Highways, PopMatters and more. She also has been included in articles in the NY Times, Austin Chronicle and Billboard and was a part of the Fiddlin’ documentary movie.

Martha is joined by Lucas Pasley, an oldtime fiddler / banjoist and singer-songwriter from Sparta, NC in the heart of the southern Appalachian mountains. Rooted in traditional Appalachian and Country music, Lucas often pulls lyrics from his family’s writing in addition to his own with an emphasis on instrumental solos and harmony singing. His first album, Souls Living On, is a collection of four generations of songwriting in his family and his new album Ponies Back Home was released May 2023. On the traditional music side, Lucas plays in the band Gap Civil and has worked to preserve and honor the music of Alleghany County, NC and the surrounding areas.

Martha & Lucas will also be teaching at the Dorrigo Old-Time Music School prior to the festival!

Book your festival tickets and learn more at www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au

✨Introducing our 2026 lineup ✨Seth Mulder & Seth Mulder & Midnight Run are redefining modern bluegrass with a sound root...
25/07/2026

✨Introducing our 2026 lineup ✨

Seth Mulder & Seth Mulder & Midnight Run are redefining modern bluegrass with a sound rooted in tradition and driven by high energy performance. Emerging from East Tennessee, the band blends traditional and progressive bluegrass with elements of classic country, Americana, and folk. Known for timeless songwriting, tight harmonies, and dynamic live shows, they signed with Rebel Records in 2024 and earned S.P.B.G.M.A.’s 2023 Song of the Year for “My, My, My.” With extensive touring across the United States, Canada, and Europe, they have quickly become one of the most exciting acts in contemporary bluegrass.

Book your tickets to the 24th Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival now at www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au

We are delighted to announce the tutors for our 8th Dorrigo Old-Time Music School 2026! Please welcome as tutors! T...
22/07/2026

We are delighted to announce the tutors for our 8th Dorrigo Old-Time Music School 2026!

Please welcome as tutors!

This is going to be a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the best. Tickets are limited so don’t hesitate!

More information on workshops will be available soon.

Book at www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au/old-time-music-school/

17/07/2026

While we prepare for another leg of our journey, we’ve been taking some time to look back at the tours and gigs we’ve had the privilege to do around the world, many stories and moments that we probably haven’t shared with you before.

This is from one of our favourite places on earth — the beautiful in Dorrigo, NSW, Australia. Here’s a glimpse of our very first interaction with the festival’s director and artistic director, . She is truly one of the kindest and most hard-working festival directors we have ever met. Her dedication and hard work for bluegrass and folk music also took her to the USA earlier this year to attend the IBMA Leadership Bluegrass program in Nashville.

Every time we travel with music, we come back carrying new inspiration, new lessons, and beautiful human connections and Dorrigo gave us plenty of that.

We’ll be sharing more stories and memories from different festivals and places around the world very soon. Keep an eye out for them.

Address

4180 Waterfall Way
Dorrigo, NSW
2453

Telephone

+61266571224

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival:

Shortcuts

Share

Category