The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF), the state’s oldest continuously run folk festival, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. Since its inception in 1975, the NJFF has served as a cultural beacon for showcasing the rich folk traditions and diverse cultural heritage of New Jersey and beyond. This year’s landmark festival promises to be its most memorable yet, drawing thousands of attendees to the Rutgers University campus in New Brunswick on April 26, 2025.
The New Jersey Folk Festival has become an iconic celebration of folk music, traditional arts, and multiculturalism. This year, to commemorate its 50th year, the festival will feature performances from a broad spectrum of musical genres, dance performances, heritage crafts, storytelling, and much more. The event, which will be held in the heart of New Brunswick, also provides a venue for local artisans and food vendors to showcase the state’s agricultural bounty, from farm-to-table dining options to handmade crafts from local makers.
Festival director, Brian Patrick Kurisky, Ph.D., reflected on the festival’s impact, saying, “The NJFF has not only preserved and celebrated folk music and culture, but it has also fostered a deep sense of community. Over the past 50 years, the festival has created an invaluable space for cross-cultural exchange, connecting people from all walks of life through the universal language of music and art.”
Festival Highlights: Music, Arts, and Community Engagement
This year’s festival lineup includes performances from some of the finest folk artists in the United States, along with international musicians from various traditions. The festival will also offer music workshops, where attendees can learn about instruments like the banjo, guitar, fiddle, and percussion, among others. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on folk art activities, ranging from quilting to pottery, all of which reflect New Jersey’s diverse cultural traditions.
In addition to the music and arts programming, the NJFF is focusing on preserving and sharing the stories of immigrant communities through a special cultural heritage series. This initiative highlights the role of folk music in the immigrant experience and its role in shaping New Jersey’s rich cultural tapestry.
Since its founding by Rutgers students, the NJFF has grown significantly in size and scope, with over 10,000 attendees gathering each year. The festival is also instrumental in supporting local businesses, with many small food vendors, artisans, and non-profit organizations taking part in the event. The festival’s community-driven approach fosters an environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, enjoy the arts, and celebrate the diverse cultural landscape of New Jersey.
Looking Toward the Future
As it enters its next half-century, the NJFF remains a cornerstone of New Jersey’s cultural identity. The festival continues to evolve, incorporating new musical traditions and modern technologies while remaining rooted in its folk music and cultural heritage. This evolution reflects the festival’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and the promotion of New Jersey’s artistic community.
To mark the 50th anniversary, the NJFF is introducing a digital archive project, which will preserve recordings of past performances, interviews with musicians and attendees, and other significant moments from the festival’s history. This project will allow future generations to experience the festival’s legacy and its contributions to the cultural fabric of New Jersey.