We’re capping off the 50th anniversary of the Folklife Festival with special discussions and activities about our work behind the scenes and your favorite Festival memories

It starts with psychedelic patchwork of yellows and pinks. From there, broad strokes with a wadded paper towel form abstract shapes of white and black. Suddenly, a clown has emerged.

The Folklife Festival returned to the National Mall today after a rainy and truncated Thursday, bringing artists, radio broadcasters, dancers, clowns, and more to the public.

The danger of organizing a major event around the Fourth of July: a constant threat of summer storms.

Happy Independence Day! The Folklife Festival celebrated the diverse voices, traditions, and art of the United States today—as we do every day.

For the last few days, a nostalgic sound has been wafting through the Folklife Festival. It’s a familiar sound but from a likely unfamiliar musical instrument.

Where are you from? Where are you going? Why do you do what you do? These probably sound like simple questions, but they are at the core of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

The first weekend of the Folklife Festival came to a close today, welcoming members of the Caribbean community in Washington, D.C., to the On the Move program and a full house for each performance in the Circus Arts Big Top.

After a beautiful morning full of music, movement, and conversation, the afternoon’s events were cut short by a sudden downpour.

As we head into a sweltering weekend, we have a few tips for visitors to stay cool and comfortable on the National Mall. Don’t let the heat keep you home when the circus comes to the Smithsonian!