A warm breezy day brought another round of cultural curiosities and explorations on the National Mall. It was our busiest day so far this year, with each tent—whether music, discussion, cheese making, or otherwise—continuously packed.

Nancy Sekizawa has a voice like a knife. Her piercing alto rings so sharp and clear you can almost see it.

What’s a typical day at the Folklife Festival?

The Folklife Festival continued today with beautiful weather, energetic group dances, mouth-watering cooking demonstrations, and much more.

We are thrilled to present the world premier of a new song by Quetzal featuring soul singer Aloe Blacc. “Let’s Get to Knowing” will appear on the band’s upcoming Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album, The Eternal Getdown.

The 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival opened today with a tap on the tabla, as Salar Nader and Homayoun Sakhi kicked off the opening ceremony in the Arts and Industries Building.

Salar Nader and Homayoun Sakhi will perform at the 2016 Folklife Festival during the afternoons of June 29 and 30, and on June 30 they will headline the evening concert at the Ralph Rinzler Concert Stage, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The 2016 Smithsonian Folklife Festival began on June 29 with a ceremony in the Smithsonian’s newly reopened Arts and Industries Building.

Each year we ask, how do we better engage you, the visitor, in the creation, production, and presentation of our programs? Since its inception, the Festival has been a unique dance between participants, curators, and visitors.

Under clear blue skies, our technical team is installing white tents and billowing signs on the green grass of the National Mall. You know what that means? The Smithsonian Folklife Festival will soon be upon us!