(Photo by Rob Kerr)
The legacy of the Sisters Folk Festival (SFF) continues to grow as the beloved Central Oregon event returns to downtown Sisters, Oregon, September 25-27 for its 29th annual festival. More than just a weekend of exceptional live music, SFF is a true discovery festival where the familiar meets the unexpected, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that has captivated audiences for nearly three decades.
The 2026 lineup combines some of the biggest names in folk, Americana, bluegrass, and roots music, and exciting new voices. Legendary songwriters, boundary-pushing young artists, and fan favorites like world-renowned guitarist Tommy Emmanuel; global music group Ozomatli; Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Brandy Clark; 12-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year, Michael Cleveland; and critically acclaimed folk legend John Gorka are among the 33 acts slated to perform across the festival’s seven venues.
The festival is built around the listening experience, offering performances across downtown Sisters in unique venues, from expansive tents and a historic church to local restaurants and backyard courtyards. Attendees seeking transformative lyrical inspiration will be content at intimate spaces like The Open Door, Frankie’s (formerly Sister’s Depot), and Sisters Art Works. For those looking for a more lively experience, upbeat performances run from the afternoon well into the night on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, with late-night shows ending after midnight at Oliver Lemon’s, Sisters Saloon, and The Belfry.
In the tradition of offering free community events, families are invited to join in a full day of hands-on creativity at the SFF KidZone, an annual festival highlight designed for young and the young at heart. The event includes live entertainment and creativity on Saturday, September 26, from 11am to 5pm at Fir Street Park. The acts slated to perform include jugglers, a magician, and a professional bubbler, plus a lively community dance hosted by the Sisters Middle School Outlaw Strings Band, Scandalous Chutney. With interactive art activities, creative performances, and community spirit, the KidZone is like its very own mini festival. No wristband required.
On Sunday, September 27, the free SFF Community Celebration returns to Village Green Park at 10am for a free morning gathering featuring performances by an array of festival artists, led by local songwriter and poet Beth Wood. Often described by attendees as “church,” this beloved tradition offers a joyful, music-filled start to the day and is open to everyone, whether you’re attending the festival or not. No wristband required.
2026 marks the start of a new era in leadership for the Sisters Folk Festival and its parent organization, SFF Presents. After seven years of transformative leadership from Crista Munro, the nonprofit music and arts organization has appointed arts leader and nonprofit executive, December Carson as the next executive director.
Most recently, Carson served as the director of marketing and patron services at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton, where she oversaw public relations, audience engagement, and front-of-house operations for the region’s first new performing arts center in over three decades.
“I am honored and thrilled to join SFF Presents as its next executive director,” said Carson. “As a lifelong Oregonian and someone who has attended the Sisters Folk Festival for 20 years, I have experienced firsthand the extraordinary impact this organization has on artists, audiences, and the broader community. SFF Presents has built a remarkable legacy of creating meaningful connections through music, art, and shared experiences.”
Carson takes the helm with a mission to expand opportunities for audiences of all ages and ensure that SFF Presents continues to thrive as a vibrant cultural resource for Sisters and the region, starting with another unforgettable Sisters Folk Festival this September.
The full performance schedule and lineup are available at sistersfolkfest.org. Three-day weekend passes and a limited number of Friday- and Sunday-only tickets are available for purchase at aftontickets.com/SFF2026. For more information contact info@sistersfolkfest.org.