2026 Rhode Island Folk Festival

The Rhode Island Folk Festival is a free music festival held at Crescent Park in East Providence, Rhode Island. The 2026 festival will take place on Sunday, August 30 from Noon–6 PM (rain date: September 13). Vendor applications will be accepted until June 1, 2026, and artisan applicants will be notified of acceptance by June 15. Food vendor applications follow a separate approval process and timeline, and notifications may occur later.

This family-friendly event features three stages of live music, artisan vendors, food trucks, and a dedicated children's area with hands-on musical activities and instruments for kids to explore.

Vendor booth fees are considered a donation that helps support the festival and allows us to continue offering this event free to the public.

Vendor Guidelines
The Rhode Island Folk Festival prioritizes artists and makers who create their own work. Vintage items, vinyl records, and specialty tools related to music or craft are welcome. All work must be created by the applicant. Buy-sell and commercially manufactured merchandise are not permitted.

Each 10' × 10' space fee is $85 for the day. Electricity is not available in the park. Vendors must provide their own 10' × 10' tent, secured with 40 lb. weights on each tent leg (NO STAKING). Tables, tents, chairs, weights, and tablecloth linens are not provided. I understand that I am responsible for the collection and reporting of all sales tax and have my own sales and vending permits, proper licenses and insurance. I further agree that I will not dismantle my display prior to the end of the festival at 6pm. I release and hold harmless the City of East Providence, Hear In Rhode Island, Inc, The Rhode Island Folk Festival and all volunteers and staff associated with. They will not be held responsible for any injury or loss that may arise or come to the exhibitor, or his employees or his goods, from any cause whatsoever as a result of involvement in the RI Folk Festival.

A $85 booth fee is required at the time of application as a donation to the RI Folk Festival, helping to support this free-to-the-public event. If your application is not accepted, this fee will be refunded in full. However, if you are accepted, the fee is non-refundable.