Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, first held in 1967, is presented annually on the National Mall by the Smithsonian Institution and spotlights living cultural traditions from the United States and around the world. The multi-day program features craftspeople, musicians, storytellers, foodways presentations, and public conversations that document and celebrate community cultural practices. The festival is free to the public and regularly draws large numbers of local residents and visitors.