Volunteer
Volunteers are critical to the success of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Working closely with Festival staff, they contribute to a variety of duties including assisting and informing visitors, conducting surveys, supporting participants, and helping with audio, photo, and video documentation. These are just a few of the opportunities available. Year after year, volunteers return to the Festival because it offers great fun, great people, and lots to learn.
The volunteer application for the 2026 Festival will be available here in the spring. Until then, please sign up for the mailing list below so we can alert you as soon as the system is ready.
Photo by Kerri Redding, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are volunteer shifts?
Morning and afternoon shifts are typically four hours. Evening shifts may be shorter, depending on the concert schedule.
Do I have to sign up for a certain amount of shifts?
You can sign up for a single shift or every shift! There is no minimum or maximum. Every volunteer gets a free Festival T-shirt and an ice cream voucher. Volunteers who work concurrent morning and afternoon shifts will receive a meal voucher.
Anyone age fourteen or older are welcome to volunteer. Those under eighteen must bring a signed guardian permission form, and anyone under sixteen must also be accompanied by an adult (guardian, older sibling, troop leader, etc.), who is also welcome to also volunteer.
Can I earn community service or student service learning hours?
Yes! Just bring the forms provided by your school or employer when you check in for your shift.
What should I wear to volunteer?
You will receive one official white Festival volunteer T-shirt that you should wear for your shift, or you may wear a white shirt that does not have other words or logos so that you may be identified as a volunteer. Closed-toe shoes are required, and a hat and sunscreen are strongly recommended.
You will check in and out from every shift at the volunteer tent, located at the west end of the Festival grounds. Arrive ten to fifteen minutes before your shift time to check in and receive your official volunteer badge.
Have other questions? Email FestivalVolunteer@si.edu.
Photo by Julie Byrne, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Photo by Julie Byrne, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Festival Volunteer Mailing List
Don’t miss out on future volunteer opportunities! Sign up for the mailing list below.
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