New England Folk Festival
ONLINE
~ April 22-24, 2022 ~
The New England Folk Festival, widely known by the name NEFFA, is an annual folk festival that blends dance, music, crafts, and more from many places and cultures. We hope that you will join us!
The Festival is run by the New England Folk Festival Association, a cultural and educational, volunteer-run, non-profit organization. The talent of our performers is also offered on a volunteer basis.
Festival Basics
When: Friday April 22 to Sunday April 24, 2022. Our 78th Year!
Where: Online! Zoom links were available in the Festival Lobby. Zoom recordings coming soon. NEFFA Videos
What: Online! Schedule is here. SCHEDULE
Who: Lots of amazing performers - have a look at the Performer Index
Performer Application: Closed. Contact program@neffa.org with questions.
Evaluation Forms - deadline May 10, 2022
Volunteer Application: Closed. Thank you for your interest in volunteering for NEFFA. We are full up for the 2022 Festival, but hope you will consider volunteering next year, when we expect to be live, in-person, in Marlborough, MA! In the meantime, please come and enjoy the online festival!
Registration: Now closed.
Order your 2022 Festival t-shirt!
Download the Festival Program Book
FAQ: 2022 NEFFA FAQ
CoC: Festival Policies
What Happens at the Festival?
NEFFA Online is unique because of the participatory nature of the events. Not only are there concerts and performances, but there are also opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with music, dance, and folk arts culture.
- Festival Performers: Performer applications are now closed. Email Program Chair Lynn Noel (program AT neffa DOT org) if you have specific questions.
- Music: There is music everywhere! You will find jam sessions, instrument workshops, group singing, and performances of folk music throughout the Festival.
- Participatory Dance: The Festival is known for its varied social dance program, which includes: Contra and traditional square dancing, international folk dancing, couple dancing, waltzing, English country, Scandinavian, and more. There are plenty of introductory workshops, as well as sessions geared towards intermediate and advanced dancers (a particular favorite is the no walk-through contra dance medley, which originated at the NEFFA Festival).
- Discussion Sessions: Thought-provoking dialogues provide a great opportunity to network with other Festival attendees with similar interests. These moderated discussion sessions cover a wide range of topics.
- The NEFFA Annual Meeting: NEFFA is an all-volunteer run organization. Come meet the Board, provide feedback, and ask questions.
Festival Volunteers
The Festival runs as well as it does because of the efforts of hundreds of Festival volunteers. You can earn free admission by volunteering and enjoy being a part of a great group of people. Check out our volunteering page here: Call For Volunteers
Program Book Advertising
NEFFA Program Guides are read by thousands of Festival-goers and provide entertainment and reference for months to come. Ad revenue helps us defray the cost of producing the books, which lets us keep admission prices as low as possible. Please consider placing an ad with us. Rates and Info can be found here.
Be a Part of The Team
The New England Folk Festival Association works year-round not just on Festival planning, but also on a weekly contra dance, a monthly on-line concert series, The Ralph Page Legacy Weekend, and a grants program. Contact Janet Yeracaris (President AT neffa DOT org) if you are interested in getting involved.
Vendor Opportunities
The Festival has several vendor areas. Please contact the appropriate person for your particular area.
- Crafts Room – Items for sale hand-made by seller. More information about the application process can be found here. Contact Crafts Co-Chairs Ann Schunior ( neffa AT schunior DOT org) or Dina Flockhart (cloakmakers AT gmail DOT com).
- Folk Bazaar – Items for sale from folk traditions across the world. Contact Folk Bazaar Chair Len Bittenson (len DOT bittenson AT gmail DOT com) or access the Folk Bazaar Application Form.