Portland’s Folk Festival returns to Crystal Ballroom with two-day lineup and fundraising for Sunstone Way
A two-night folk and Americana showcase is set for late January in downtown Portland
Portland’s Folk Festival is scheduled to take place over two days at McMenamins’ Crystal Ballroom, with performances slated for Friday, January 30, 2026, and Saturday, January 31, 2026. The event is billed as an annual celebration of folk and Americana music featuring local and national artists, and it is being presented by Portland Folk Fest.
The festival’s published event details list all-ages entry and general-admission, standing-room setup. Doors are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. on Friday with music beginning at 6 p.m., while Saturday’s program lists doors at 2 p.m. and a 3 p.m. start. Advance single-day tickets are listed at $48.75, with a higher day-of-show price and a two-day pass option.
Lineups span two days, blending touring acts and Portland-area performers
Friday’s bill includes Hot Buttered Rum, Marty O’Reilly, Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel, Rizo, Worth & Strain, The Apricots, Alaina Fidanzo, Chibia, Matt Mitchell Music Company, and Mitch Whitaker.
Saturday’s bill lists Glitterfox, Family Worship Center, Greg Holden, Johnny Franco and His Real Brother Dom, Fox and Bones, Kendall Lujan, Whiskerman, Bart Budwig, Reb & the Good News, Dustin Dale Gaspard, Camille Tredoux, Strange & the Familiars, and designated Portland’s Folk Festival Song Contest winners.
Venue: McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., Portland
Dates: January 30–31, 2026
Format: All-ages, general admission
Festival proceeds are designated for Sunstone Way amid ongoing shelter system changes
Organizers state that festival proceeds will be donated to Sunstone Way, a Portland-based nonprofit that operates low-barrier shelter programs and provides wrap-around services intended to support transitions into housing. The festival’s fundraising focus comes as the region’s shelter network continues to shift, including planned closures and program transitions affecting some facilities operated by contracted providers.
Festival materials describe the event as a benefit in which proceeds support Sunstone Way’s work in Portland’s shelter system.
A songwriting contest adds a structured pathway for emerging performers
The festival also includes a 2026 songwriting contest that offers selected winners performance slots tied directly to the weekend’s programming, including a paid set on the Crystal Ballroom stage and additional appearances in a smaller listening-room setting. The contest is positioned as both a talent-development component and an additional fundraising mechanism connected to the benefit structure.
Operational details for ticketing and accessibility are published by the venue and ticketing outlets, including guidance for accessible seating requests. Attendees are encouraged to confirm door times, set times, and admission policies ahead of arrival, as schedules and operational requirements can change close to show dates.