2026 Humboldt Folklife Festival Scheduled for July 18-25th

Press release from The Humboldt Folklife Society:

Arcata, CA–

The Humboldt Folklife Society (HFS) proudly presents The Humboldt Folklife Festival from July 18th -25th in Blue Lake, CA.

The event, which began in 1978, serves to highlight the many talented local musicians that live and perform in Humboldt County, and to encourage people to participate in music and dance. 

This year’s 2026 Humboldt Folklife Festival kicks off with a special show featuring Kingfoot and Huckleberry Flint on Saturday July 18th at the Dell’Arte Amphitheatre.

This will be a fundraiser for Humboldt Folklife Society and a night not to be missed! Bring your own picnic baskets and join us on the lawn for a night of pure magic.

Monday July 20th will be a special performance by Nigella Mahal for their Album Release Show inside the Carlo Theater at Dell’Arte at 7p.  Nigella’s Murmurations Album is for everyone who’s ever fallen in and out of love. For people who love others and don’t quite know how to express it. For lovers who will always love each other.
Tickets at https://dellarte.com/ or at the door. 

The evening performances continue on Tuesday July 21st also indoors at Dell’Arte’s Carlo Theater with the Songwriter Night at 7pm, hosted by Patrick Cleary and featuring Tony Cogliati, Dave Trabue, James Zeller, and Katy Belknap performing their original songs and discussing their songwriting process. 

The festival then moves outside to the Amphitheatre Stage at Dell’Arte for Bluegrass and Beyond on Wednesday the 22nd at 6pm, featuring A Banjo Makes Three, Compost Mountain Boys, and Hobohemia. Thursday July 23rd at 6pm is Under the Stars with Harmonic Howl, April Moore and Ranch Party, and local favorites Cadillac Ranch with special guest Ruby Ruth George. Low chairs and blankets are highly recommended.  Tickets for all weeknight shows are available online at www.humboldtfolklife.com

Friday night’s Barn Dance features Lyndsey Battle and Cidermill Stringband at Prasch Hall in Blue Lake, starting at 7pm. No experience needed!

The grand finale is the All Day Free Folk Festival, featuring 16 bands plus various workshops, and the traditional Beatles Singalong, at Dell’Arte beginning at 10:30 am until 8pm.  Food trucks and beverages are available.  

For tickets and more information go to humboldtfolklife.com. See you in Blue Lake!