So far this thread seems to be only folk festivals, but my range of appreciation is broader than that. This year I hope to attend two local events (Portland, OR, US). The upcoming week of July 4th is the Annual [sponsor's name blank} Waterfront Blues Festival - always a mixed bag but chock full of goodies that add Zydeco, Gospel and other variations to the blues theme.

Then a half year later, in late winter, is the Old Timey Music Festival. This year was my first attendance but it was so terrific that I plan to become a regular. And the name might be a bit misleading because in addition to hearing modern musicians doing their interpretations of old songs, there are also performances of location specific traditional music by people who grew up hearing the music as well as becoming players themselves, learning from their elders.