Woodford Folk Festival

Unleash your inner bohemian as ancient cultures converge into a sensory experience like no other! Woodford Folk Festival is an eclectic annual six-day event held from 27 December to 1 January and it’s a Queensland institution.

What to Expect

Woodfordia’s folk festival exists in a realm of its own, situated on 500 acre parkland in Jinibara Country.

As you pass through the gates you enter a vibrant world full of action and excitement teeming with colourful and charming characters, intriguing displays, eclectic stalls and captivating performances, radiating vibes of peace, hope and inclusion for all.

The festival embraces the diversity of world culture with over a thousand performances across the week by local, national and international artists. Woodford celebrates music, dance, theatre, comedy, arts and education, from political lectures to kids’ drumming workshops and everything in between.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale now. You can purchase tickets online or at the gate.

For ticket support contact the box office on 07 5496 1066 between 9am - 5pm (EST) Monday to Thursday (Open Fridays between OCT-JAN).

What’s on for Families?

The venue boasts 35 performance venues (18 of which are all-weather venues) featuring wonderfully diverse performances, panels and more delights across the 6 days, including:

• Music, dance, theatre (including street theatre), artistic and comedy performances
• Art displays
• Writers’ panels
• Film festival
• Folk medicine
• late night cabarets
• Parades
• Art and craft workshops
• Social dialogue and debate
• An environmental programme featuring talks, debates, films and discussion groups with scientists, health professionals, farmers and social justice activists
• Special events including the spectacular final festival eve fire event (bring a blanket for hillside cushioning)
• Education – from political lectures to kids’ drumming workshops and everything in between
• An entire children’s festival
• Circus performances and workshops
• And much, much more!

Tap to the Rhythm of the Beat

Musical diversity is core to the Woodford Folk Festival program with acts from contemporary international artists to traditional folk groups performing consecutively on several stages each day. There is always a tune in the air and the tapping of feet to be heard at Woodford emanating from the 3 main performance stages:

Amphitheatre

• Woodford’s main arena and the stage to catch all the big national and international performances. Past performers have included John Butler Trio, the Waifs, The Beautiful Girls and Beth Orton. The Amphitheatre is also the place to be on New Year’s Eve when the festival holds its renowned ‘Welcome Ceremony’ and ‘Fire Event’, the biggest lantern ever!

The Grande

• As the name suggests, 'The Grande' is a huge big top stage with a natural grass amphitheatre surrounds. This is the second-largest venue at the festival. The Grande is host to a multitude of musical styles from folk, rock and pop to solo and classical musicians. Just nab a shady spot and stay the day!

Luna

• The 'Luna' stage is considered the Town Hall of the festival. This stage is situated at the centre point of the festival grounds and seats over 1200 people. It's a great place to rest up and rejuvenate enjoying performances by outstanding bands and soloists.

Just Dance!

With so much music in the air, Woodford becomes a day-long dance party. Aside from enjoying a boogie courtesy of the music artist line-up, the festival also has a dance program which includes traditional folk dance from around the world with the ‘World Folklines’ lineup and dance workshops via the ‘Dance and Movement’ program. Get the inside scoop on how to shake those hips with the allure of a professional belly dancer or elegantly swirl away learning English Vintage dancing.

You can literally dance your way through world culture at Woodford!

Event Line Up 2020 TBC

Woodford’s Children’s Festival

Youth, vitality and creativity are embraced and celebrated at the Children’s Festival, a festival within a festival! This is the place where imagination and play are central to a child's experience of the festival world, with workshops, performances, arts and crafts to keep little hands and minds busy. They can get involved in a recycling craft project, learn to juggle, touch a slimy frog or just sing along to a crazy little tune. It features all sorts of activities kids love!

Education & Discovery

Are you passionate about the environment, sustainable practices and cultural diversity? Woodford Folk Festival offers an enriching educational program.Presentations and discussion groups with scientists, health professionals, farmers and social justice activists are all on the agenda. It’s a community dedicated to the learning and sharing of knowledge for the betterment of all.

Other Things to do and see at Woodford Folk Festival

• Be dazzled by fire breathing and masquerade street performers as the ‘On The Streets’ performers bring the festival streets to life.
• Artisania is a living village of creative talent, with artists running workshops for those wanting to learn everything from couture to mask making. It’s a land where everyone is an artist.
• Always wanted to join the circus? The ‘Vaudeville Circus’ is a program of tumbles, spills and breathtaking beauty. Watch as a dream world becomes a reality. Better yet, try it for yourself at the many workshops on offer.
• Wireless will have you breathless with laughter as comedians, storytellers and poets weave a tale or two.
• Celebrating the world’s oldest living culture, First Nation is a program dedicated to foundations of Indigenous culture, from visual arts to traditional dance demonstrations.
• Restaurants, cafes, stalls and bars line Woodfordia’s streets offering visitors delicacies from all over the world to dig into.

Accommodation for the Woodford Folk Festival

One of the truly unique aspects of Woodford Folk Festival is the camping. It’s a great way to live and breathe the event 24/7.

Camping comes at an additional cost to ticket prices, with overnight and week long packages available. Sites are unpowered, but there are showers, toilets and even a grocery store to top up on supplies. The true bonus of camping is taking advantage of an afternoon ‘siesta’ to revitalize for the evening program.
Don’t have a tent? Don’t worry; the festival has its very own tent city accommodation available.

If you prefer the comfort of solid walls and a mattress, there are accommodation options at Woodford, D’Aguilar and Stanmore.

The Woodford Festival is a great opportunity to take in the D’Aguilar range and all the local area has to offer. Celebrating our country’s musical, dance and artistic talent, it’s a cultural experience the whole family can enjoy. Learn more about the festival on their website.