Established in 1975
The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is one of the nation’s longest continuously running folk festivals and the largest in New Jersey. This annual celebration of folk music, arts, and traditions brings together performers, artists, communities, organizations, and vendors to highlight the historical, modern, and diverse folklife and folk arts from around the state and beyond.
Artisans, Crafters, & Vendors
All applicants will be notified by end of May 2026
Artists & Performers
All applicants will be notified by end of May 2026
Food Trucks & Vendors
There will be 10-12 unique food truck/vendor spots available for the 2026 NJFF.
Volunteers
If you’re available on August 29, we’d be happy to have you join us!
Saturday August 29, 2026
11:00AM-5:00PMDavidson’s Mill Pond Park
South Brunswick, NJ
Rain or Shine
Free & Fun For All Ages
2026 Stages & Performances
2026 Activities
2026 Merchandise & Vendors
Mission Statement
The mission of the New Jersey Folk Festival is to preserve and protect the music, culture, and arts of New Jersey. Therefore, the main focus of this festival is the traditional music, crafts, and foods of the diverse ethnic and cultural communities within the state and its surrounding region.
Festival History
Established in 1975 by Rutgers University Professor of American Studies Dr. Angus Kress Gillespie, the New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is the oldest continuously run folk festival in the State of New Jersey.
Historically, the NJFF occurred on the last Saturday of each April coinciding with the annual Rutgers Cook College Agricultural Field Day, which partnered with the annual Rutgers Day event in the mid-2000s. Traditionally, it was located on the Great Lawn at the Woodlawn mansion, home to the Eagleton Institute of Politics. In 2024, it moved to the grass field in the vicinity of Passion Puddle and Lipman Hall. The 50th Anniversary Festival planned to take place on this date and location but was postponed due to dangerous weather conditions.
With that postponement came the conclusion of the University’s financial support and sponsorship of the festival causing the NJFF to look for a new home. To carry on the tradition, the 50th anniversary of the NJFF was rescheduled to August 2025 and relocated to Davidson’s Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick, NJ as a part of Middlesex County’s FolkLive programming series.
While originally run by student members of the Rutgers American Studies “Festival Management” course, the NJFF is now managed by a small team of non-profit staff members, board members, and volunteers.
The 2026 NJFF is being produced in partnership with the Arts Institute of Middlesex County as a part of the County’s 2026 Folk Live series. Hosted at Middlesex County’s Davidson’s Mill Pond Park, the event will also incorporate aspects of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s former Garden Arts & Music Festival to highlight New Jersey’s rich agricultural heritage in partnership with the Middlesex County 4-H, E.A.R.T.H. Center, and Middlesex County Master Gardeners.
The Festival Logo
Did you know that the NJFF adopted the Jersey Devil as their logo seven years before the National Hockey League team adopted the mascot in 1982?
The trademarked logo of the NJFF features the NJFF. While the logo has evolved from the original 1975 version on the left to the 2026 version on the right, it still pays tribute to the Jersey Devil! The Jersey Devil, said to have been born in the Pine Barrens region of the state, is one of the most famous folklore icons in the United States. Read more about the Jersey Devil on this Wikipedia page.
Keep the Festival Free!
For over 50 years, the NJFF has proudly been FREE and open to the public, in thanks to support from people like you.
Due to increased costs associated with live festival production, we are actively seeking donations to the New Jersey Folk Festival Inc, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization registered with the State of New Jersey. We are incredibly grateful for contributions of any size. All donations are tax deductible, in accordance with all Federal and State regulations and limitations.
2026 Sponsors & Partners
The NJFF would not be possible without generous public and private support. We want to express our gratitude to this year’s sponsors and event partners:
Partners:
Sponsors:
Coming Soon…
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities
With over 50 years of history and thousands of attendees from Middlesex County, the state of New Jersey, and the surrounding region annually, the NJFF represents a highly-engaging and enriching sponsorship opportunity for companies and organizations. The 2026 sponsorship packet can be found here. For additional information about sponsorship or to discuss a customized sponsorship program, email Matt.
Volunteering at the Festival
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, volunteers are critical to the success and longevity of New Jersey’s oldest and largest folk festival.
We are currently seeking volunteers to assist with pre-festival tasks such as:
- Representing and marketing the festival at upcoming events around Middlesex County.
- Assisting with preparation tasks (e.g. button-making, flyering/postering, supply-packing, etc)
Additionally, we are most in-need of volunteers for the day before the festival (Friday August 28, 2026) and the day of the festival (Saturday August 29, 2026).
If you are available for August 29, we definitely have a spot for you! All volunteers assisting 3 or more hours will receive a complimentary NJFF volunteer t-shirt.
Do you work with a group or organization with multiple volunteers?
Email Matt to coordinate a group volunteer opportunity. We are happy to provide certification of volunteer or service hours to students and/or organizations.
Directions, Parking, & Travel Information
Address
The 2026 NJFF will be held at Davidson’s Mill Pond Park, a 499 acre Middlesex County Park located in South Brunswick Township, NJ. The entrance to the park is in North Brunswick and can be found using the GPS address: 42 Riva Avenue – North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902.
Driving Directions
From Route 287
- Take Exit for Rt. 1 South
- Follow directions for Rt.1
From Route 1
- Take Rt. 130 at Rt. 1 & 130 circle
- At light after Middlesex County Offices & Correctional Center, make left (Davidson Mill Rd.)
- Make first right onto Riva Ave.
- Park is on the left
From Route 18
- Take Cranbury Rd. (Rt. 535) in East Brunswick
- Follow to Davidson Mill Rd. (Make a right)
- Go over bridge
- Make left onto Riva Ave. (Last left before bridge)
- Park is on the left
From Route 9 North
- Take Rt. 18 North
- Follow directions for Rt. 18
From Garden State Parkway South
- Take Exit 130 (Rt.1)
- Follow Rt.1 South
- Follow directions for Rt.1
From Garden State Parkway North
- Take Exit for 287
- Take Exit for Rt. 1 South
- Follow directions for Rt.1
From NJ Turnpike
- Take Exit 8A
- Follow signs for Rt. 32 West
- Take Rt. 130 North (New Brunswick)
- Make right onto Davidson Mill Rd.
- Make first right onto Riva Ave.
- Park is on the left
Parking
Parking at Davidson’s Mill Pond Park is FREE. Upon arrival, you will be directed to the parking area by a member of the Middlesex County Parks Ranger team. Most parking will be in designated areas of a grassy-field with a limited number of ADA spaces reserved in small paved lots. After parking, guests will be directed to walk toward the Festival Grounds. Note: Non-emergency vehicular traffic is PROHIBITED on the Festival Grounds on the day of the festival.
Travel Information
The closest public transportation option to the NJFF would be using the New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor Line. We recommend exiting the train at either the New Brunswick station and utilizing a taxi or rideshare service or the Jersey Avenue station using a rideshare service. Enter Davidson’s Mill Pond Park or 42 Riva Avenue in North Brunswick, NJ as your destination.
Festival & Park Regulations
The following conduct and/or items are prohibited at the New Jersey Folk Festival:
- Alcohol
- Disturbing the wildlife including picking flowers, plants, or vegetables.
- E-bikes
- Fireworks
- Personal amplified sound
- Open fires or flames
- Smoking, vaping, or use of e-cigarettes.
- Use of drones or remote-controlled aerial devices.
Bikes and skateboards are permitted on-site but may not be actively used on the festival grounds.
Failure to comply will result in removal from the festival and park grounds. All regulations for Middlesex County Parks posted here also apply to the festival day.