Press Release

The 46th annual 3-day Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance will be held on June 26, 27 & 28, 2026, at the Altamont Fairgrounds in Altamont, NY, near Albany, NY.

Old Songs is a family-friendly festival of folk, traditional, Celtic, and world music and dance, known for its relaxed atmosphere, interactive sessions and workshops, hands-on experience, and participatory nature. In addition to evening concerts each night, there are over 100 daytime workshops, dances, and performances. Also featured are craft, food, and instrument vendors, and a well-run children’s activity area. The gates open at 1 pm on Friday and 9 am on Saturday and Sunday.

There are three main stage concerts, each featuring multiple artists on Friday and Saturday starting at 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 3:30 pm in the leafy, open-air main stage area (rain site also provided for the evening concerts). On-site camping is available for the weekend.

Music with Roots! Old Songs celebrates Folk, Celtic, Quebecois, Roots, Americana, and World music, from England, Scotland, Canada, the Midwest, Appalachia, Cape Verde Islands, New England, and more. Hear traditional, fusion, and new music from Contemporary Musicians, Singers, and Songwriters.

Old Songs encourages everyone to join in! Sing, Dance, Jam, or just listen and enjoy. Bring your acoustic music instrument and join a jam session, take part in learn-how sessions, classes, sing sacred harp, or try out dancing to our great dance bands.

School-age children who play an instrument or sing can participate in the “Great Groove Band” during the festival with instruction from music coaches, culminating in a performance on the main stage on Sunday. Kids of all ages will enjoy joking around with Roger the Jester, learning maritime skills hands-on with the Dirty Blue Shirts, and taking in the sights and sounds of the festival. There is face painting in the Family Activities area, where kids can also work with clay and yarn loops and enjoy musical programming for families.

The Old Songs Festival performers represent a wide variety of traditional music styles: Holly Near, Garnet Rogers, Guy Davis, Bruce Molsky & Darol Anger, Crys Matthews, Jake Blount Band, Trout Fishing In America, Cantrip, Windborne, Joe Jencks, Christine Lavin, Andrew Wells-Oberegger, Reggie Harris, James Keelaghan, The Vox Hunters, Wild Asparagus, Medusa, Lutchinha, Skye Consort & Emma Björling, Connie Kaldor, Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman, Maria Zemantauski, Magpie, Tret Fure, Sally Rogers & Howie Bursen, John Kirk & Trish Miller, Alexandra Deis-Lauby, Cumming·Kuhar·Stickney, Paul Rosenberg, George Wilson, Alan Thomson, Stefan Amidon, Chris Koldewey, Sonny Ochs, Deirdre & Sean Murtha, Cate Clifford, John Dickson, Kathleen Hanley, Ron Gordon, Jake Thomas, The Great Groove Band & more!