If you have never attended the Shawano Folk Music Festival, we highly encourage you to check out this outstanding music festival. Don’t worry if you are not familiar with our featured performers. This festival has a reputation of always having really good music. Whether it’s for just one day enjoying music in the shade of the outdoor tents, taking in a Friday or Saturday evening concert inside the theater, or purchasing a weekend pass and enjoying the entire weekend, we invite you to discover Shawano’s best kept secret: the annual Shawano Folk Music Festival, the event that brings in the great musical talent of local, national, and sometimes international, performers making music under the trees in the gorgeous wooded setting that is Mielke Park.

The 2025 festival took place the weekend of August 8 – 10 and was a huge success; with fantastic music, talented artists and crafters demonstrating and selling their creations, and plenty of good food to enjoy.  Each year the festival committee selects a performer from the lineup to serve as honorary director for the following year’s festival. Heather Styka, the 2025 honorary director passed the baton on to Anne Hills, one of the most beloved voices in folk music. Anne has performed in Shawano a number of times and loves our festival. She was thrilled to be asked and is already offering wonderful support. Anne will again be featured next year. Stay tuned as we develop and announce the rest of the lineup for 2026!

Thank you to the Shawano County Arts Council for all their support!

Please visit the Shawano Folk Music Festival Website for more information.