The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is back for its 58th year. And this year’s theme will tackle a wide ranging, diverse — yet often overlooked — facet of society: teenagers. The festival will run from July 2 to 7 on the National Mall.
The theme this year is “Youth and the Future of Culture,” and it seeks to explore “how young people influence and engage with culture, and how they create, innovate, and sustain cultural practices and traditions.” With that theme in mind, the six-day festival will feature youth-centered and youth-led programs, encompassing themes of cultural tradition, media, music, language, and beyond.
In the section “Emerging Media Makers,” young creators will demonstrate “how young filmmakers, journalists, and DJs are telling unique and personal stories that explore the depth and breadth of their worlds.” There will be film screenings, radio broadcasts, and discussions in the Arts and Industries Building.
Programming will also include showcases from the Museum of the Contemporary American Teenager, a museum in Montgomery County, Maryland. Teens will present performances and demonstrations on topics such as social media, slang, and coming of age.
The “Music Apprenticeship” area will include showcases from the Rebel Song Academy, the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists, and more. With “Streetwise,” teens will demonstrate how they interact with their environmental surroundings through street art, graffiti, and skate arts.
In the Language Lodge area, visitors can learn about how the younger generation is reclaiming and relearning Native languages. In the “Next Generation Artisans” area, programming will focus on how young people learn traditional skills and trades like blacksmithing.
Visiting the Festival
Programs are held throughout the National Mall, with set performances and activations — including music, cooking demonstrations, workshops, and discussion sessions — listed on the online schedule. An online map shows where to find each section.
The Folklife Festival is free; no tickets are required. It runs from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Evening concerts Thursday through Sunday run until 7:30 or 8:30 p.m. They take place on the National Mall, between Seventh and 12th streets.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase, including tacos, a half smoke, Indonesian chicken skewers, and gelato.
And it’s worth noting that the dates coincide with DC’s annual Fourth of July celebrations. So there may be increased traffic in the area.
Feature image by Sonya Pencheva, Smithsonian Institution
