Every year in late September, the Sisters Folk Festival turns the whole town of Sisters, Oregon into one big concert venue — seven stages, 30-plus artists, and three days when “all the town’s a stage.” The 2026 festival runs September 25–27, and whether you’re a longtime pass holder or a first-timer wondering if it’s worth the trip (it is), this guide covers everything: dates, lineup, ticket prices, all seven venues, camping, parking, and the local tips that make the weekend easy.
What is the Sisters Folk Festival?
The Sisters Folk Festival is an independent, nonprofit, multi-genre music festival held every September in downtown Sisters, Oregon. Founded in 1995 and produced by SFF Presents, it puts more than 30 artists on seven stages within a few walkable blocks — from big festival tents to a historic church and restaurant courtyards.
Don’t let the word “folk” box it in. Any given hour you might catch fingerstyle guitar wizardry, a Latin funk dance party, Appalachian string band music, or a hushed singer-songwriter set inside a converted Baptist church. What sets the festival apart is its listening culture: this is a boutique event where the audience actually comes for the music, the venues are intimate, and the artists routinely call it one of their favorite stops of the year.
When is the Sisters Folk Festival in 2026?
The 2026 Sisters Folk Festival takes place Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27, 2026, in downtown Sisters, Oregon. Music starts Friday evening and runs all day Saturday and Sunday across all seven venues, rain or shine.
Wristband pick-up is at the box office at Village Green City Park. Box office hours are Friday, Sept. 25 from 1:00–11:00 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26 from 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 27 from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Single-day tickets can only be redeemed on the day of entry, so plan your arrival accordingly.
Who’s playing the 2026 Sisters Folk Festival?
The 2026 lineup is headlined by Australian guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel, Los Angeles Latin-funk favorites Ozomatli, Grammy-nominated songwriter Brandy Clark, and folk legend John Gorka — part of a bill of more than 25 acts spanning folk, bluegrass, blues, roots-rock, and world music.
Dig past the headliners and you’ll find the artists people rave about on the drive home: Pacific Northwest songwriter Margo Cilker, Appalachian up-and-comer Mason Via, blues slide guitarist Cristina Vane, West African–inspired jam band Toubab Krewe, Celtic-influenced crowd-pleasers The Paperboys, dark-folk duo Mama’s Broke, Boston youth string sensation Scottish Fish, and Punch Brothers guitarist Chris Eldridge performing with Kristin Andreassen. Saturday also features artist-led workshops — one of the festival’s best-kept secrets and included with Saturday and 3-Day tickets.
How much do Sisters Folk Festival tickets cost?
A 3-Day Festival Pass costs $245 for adults and $90 for youth (ages 6–17). Single-day tickets are $95/adult and $40/youth on Friday, $160/$65 on Saturday, and $75/$35 on Sunday. Children 5 and under are free, and all fees are built into the price — no surprise charges at checkout.
A nice touch: adult ticket prices include a complimentary commemorative pint cup (a $10 value) that you’ll use at the festival’s three bars at Sisters Art Works, Village Green, and Oliver Lemon’s — part of the festival’s push to cut down on single-use waste. Note that passes get you into every venue but don’t guarantee a seat at any particular show; the small rooms like The Belfry regularly hit capacity, so arrive early for must-see sets. Tickets are on sale now through the official Sisters Folk Festival ticket page, and refunds aren’t offered, so buy when you’re sure.
Where are the seven festival stages in Sisters?
All seven venues sit within a few blocks of each other in downtown Sisters: Sisters Art Works (1,350 capacity), Village Green City Park (1,300), Oliver Lemon’s (400), Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill (300), The Belfry (200), Frankie’s Kitchen & Cocktails (200), and The Open Door (200).
Each has its own personality. Sisters Art Works is the big tented stage on the north side of town, home to the rowdier, dance-it-out headline sets. Village Green anchors the center of downtown with the box office, merch booth, and food and craft vendors. Oliver Lemon’s — a tented stage on closed-off Fir Street in front of the employee-owned grocery — is the standing-room dance venue. The Sisters Saloon, housed in the beautifully restored 1912 Hotel Sisters building, mixes high-tempo acts and songwriters under old-west charm. The Belfry, a converted Baptist church, is the festival’s most atmospheric listening room. Frankie’s offers a garden-patio stage, and The Open Door pairs sets with fine art, wine, and craft cocktails. Hopping between them is the whole point — wander, graze, and let the town surprise you.
Where should you stay or camp for the festival?
Book lodging as early as you can — Sisters is a small town and festival weekend fills it completely. Your options: in-town hotels, festival camping at Sisters High School, nearby Deschutes National Forest campgrounds, or basing yourself 20–30 minutes away in Bend or Redmond.
The festival runs two camping areas for 3-Day pass holders. Sisters High School (1750 McKinney Butte Rd, about 1.7 miles from the venues) offers 18’×19′ vehicle and camper spaces for $110 for the weekend — dry camping, no hookups, quiet hours 10 p.m.–7 a.m. The closer-in Shepherd of the Hills RV sites sold out early, which tells you everything about demand. Beyond festival camping, the surrounding Deschutes National Forest has Cold Springs Campground just west of town, Indian Ford Campground to the northwest, and plentiful dispersed camping. For beds, look at FivePine Lodge, Best Western Ponderosa Lodge, GrandStay Hotel & Suites, Sisters Inn & Suites, or Black Butte Ranch eight miles west — then widen the search to Redmond (20 minutes) and Bend (30 minutes) once Sisters fills.
What should you know before you go?
Sisters is compact and walkable — all seven venues sit within a few blocks, parking is free on city streets, and overflow parking is available at the Sisters School District Building at 525 E. Cascade Ave. The festival happens rain or shine, chairs are provided at seated venues, and late-September weather demands layers.
At 3,200 feet in the high desert, Sisters in late September serves warm, golden afternoons and genuinely cold nights — think t-shirt at 3 p.m. and puffy jacket by 9 p.m. The three largest venues are tented, so weather rarely stops the music. Leave your camp chair at home (outside chairs aren’t permitted, and seated venues provide them) and leave your dog too — only trained service animals are allowed in venues. Bring a water bottle, sunscreen for the afternoon sets, and cash or card for food vendors at Sisters Art Works and Village Green plus the restaurant venues. For full accessibility details, see the festival’s info page — all seven venues are accessible, with volunteers on hand to help.
Make a full weekend of it: cool off along the Metolius River, one of the most beautiful spring-fed streams in Oregon, on Sunday morning before the music starts. And if you fall for Sisters’ events calendar, you’re not alone — the Sisters Rodeo in June and the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show in July round out the town’s big three. Exploring beyond town? Start with our Guide to Central Oregon.
Sisters Folk Festival 2026: Common Questions
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+Do kids need tickets to the Sisters Folk Festival?
+Can I bring my dog to the festival?
+What happens if it rains or snows during the festival?
+Should I bring my own chair?
+Are refunds available if I can’t attend?
About Chance & Tianna
Team Homeward Found · Realty One Group Discovery
Chance and Tianna Jackson are a husband-and-wife real estate team serving Bend, Sunriver, Three Rivers, La Pine, Redmond, Prineville, Tumalo, and Sisters. Between military roots, marketing expertise, and years of investing in Central Oregon, they guide retirees, families, Veterans, and investors through buying, selling, and relocating with a level of care that only locals can offer.
Chance Jackson
Oregon Realtor® · Top Producer
(503) 816-2780
Mr.ChanceJackson@gmail.com
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Tianna Waite-Jackson
Oregon Realtor®
(503) 207-8636
Ms.TiannaJackson@gmail.com
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