The Tucson Folk Festival is back for its 39th year on Friday, April 5 – Sunday, 7!  

The 39th Annual Tucson Folk Festival is an exciting weekend of live and original music featuring more than 150 performances and 400 musicians across six stages at/near Jácome Plaza in downtown Tucson.

(Photo courtesy of Tucson Folk Festival)

This year’s headliners include national and regionally celebrated acts: Steve Poltz, Lisa Morales Band, Keith Secola, Leslie Mendelson, The Cross-Eyed Possum, Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, Baba Marimba, and Mariachi Nuevo Azteca de Tucson.

“I’m thrilled to be playing the Tucson Folk Fest especially when the desert is in full bloom,” said Lisa Morales of Lisa Morales Band. “It’ll be wonderful to be home, doing what I love and I can’t wait for Tucson to hear the new songs that will be on my upcoming album!”

The full stage schedule for the 2024 Tucson Folk Festival can be found on their website.

Tucson Folk Festival (Photo by C. Elliott Photography)

“We must conserve letters. We are running out of them,” Steve Poltz joked. “Therefore, I hereby make a motion that we can save our precious letters by condensing ‘best festival’ to ‘bestival’ and Tucson Folk Festival to ‘TFF.’ TFF will be the bestival I’ve ever played. I can’t wait.”

There will be culinary options and unique crafts in the Elise Grecco Community Marketplace, the Festival Beer Garden, a kidszone with musical and arts experiences, raffles, and a festival store.

So, you’re bound to get hungry! Here are the food and beverage vendors setting up at this year’s fest.

Participating Food & Beverage Vendors

BlackJack Citrus Infusions
Hungary Express
Gus’s Gyros and Lemonade
Fiesta Filipina
San Francisco Chocolate Factory
Hot Pops Kettle Corn
3 Margaritas Kitchen
Pam’s Kitchen
Eatgypt
Mr. Ice Guy

Where to Find the Music

 The six festival stages each present a unique listening atmosphere highlighting some of the most historic sections of Downtown Tucson.

The Presidio Museum Stage takes place inside the historic walls of the Presidio San Agustín where a 150-year-old Sonoran house serves as the performer green room.

The North Church Stage leaves plenty of room for dancing as some of Tucson’s best blues, country, and original Americana bands take the stage. The Court Stage, Telles Stage, and three workshop and song circle tents surround the Old Town Artisans block, providing more intimate listening experiences for acoustic-oriented acts.

All stage venues are within walking distance of Jácome Plaza (corner of Stone and Pennington).

Pre-Tucson Folk Festival Show

The public is also invited to the Tucson Folk Festival Kickoff Showcase and Fundraiser on Thursday, April 4 from 6 – 9::30 p.m. at Monterey Court.

During the evening, attendees will be entertained by more than a dozen of the festival’s performers while raising donations to support the free festival. Reservations are encouraged and can be made in advance on Monterey Court’s website.

Live music at Monterey Court (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

The Tucson Folk Festival is presented annually by the Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance with support from the City of Tucson, Pima County, Rio Nuevo District, Arizona Commission on the Arts, and the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona.

For more information, visit tucsonfolkfest.org.

Tucson Folk Festival (Photo by Rex Scofield)

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