There may be snow on the ground and the temps well below freezing right now, but beautiful summer festival are announcing their lineups; giving us something grand to look forward to sooner than we expect. Take for instance Evanston Folk Festival, which will be taking over Dawes Park again for two full days on September 12 and 13. The folk-focused festival has been delivering amazing festivals since its inaugural fest in 2024 and this year is another extraordinary lineup of conversations, performances, and special evening concerts!
The 2026 lineup feel like another step up from last years packed festival. This years headliners span the folk era with Trampled by Turtles bringing their bluegrass drenched folk while icons the Indigo Girls will deliver the more rocking side of folk to Evanston Folk Festival. The rest of the 2025 will be just as impressive and eclectic with Josh Ritter, Valerie June, Sierra Hull, Mdou Moctar, Margaret Glaspy, Tift Merritt, Hayden Pedigo, Anjimile, Lucy Wainwright Roche (whose brother and father perfromed last year!), and more! The festival also feature tons of local acts including Bill MacKay, Henhouse Prowlers, Don Stiernberg, Tobacco City, Anna Vogelzang, and Roses for the Roches featuring Nora O'Connor, Sima Cunningham, & Kelly Hogan.
There will also be plenty of conversations at the Chicago Public Media Tent Talks: including Emily Saliers & Amy Ray, In-Conversation; A John Prine Symposium; Apples & Honey: Family Rosh Hashanah Sing-A-Long; and Protest Songs Then & Now. Plus the whole festival will be kicked off with a special show at Cahn Auditorium with the Punch Brothers!
Evanston Folk Festival will be taking place on September 12 and 13 at Dawes Park, 1700 Sheridan Rd, Evanston. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 20 at 10AM CT, and can be purchased at there website.
All photos by Andrew Lagunas and Julian Ramirez
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