One of the largest independent festivals in the Australian music calendar, the Port Fairy Folk Festival over the Labor Day long weekend in March each year attracts a huge crowd to the historic town of Port Fairy.

A huge line-up of national and international acts include folk roots, blues, jazz, bluegrass, Celtic roots, jazz, country, rock, and music of the world. There's also a Children's Folk Circus, markets and buskers, all set in the historic Port Fairy township.

The first festival was held in 1977 and organised by a group from Geelong who has organised a folk music club. One of the group, Jamie McKew, suggested holding a festival in Port Fairy where there were good venues and amenities and an historic atmosphere.

Folk Festival highlights

As well as performances, sessions, choirs, theme concerts, workshops, classes and theatre is staged as part of the festival program alongside street parades, markets, busking and street theatre, and children's events in the Free Festival of the Streets.

The Festival Arena is the main venue, but events spread throughout the town including churches, halls, street stages, parks, markets, local pubs, restaurants and clubs. The Festival Arena contains five stages, a children's folk circus, bars and cafes, workshop facilities, a food festival and market and craft stalls.

Port Fairy fills to the brim during Folk Festival, so get in fast for accommodation.

More information:    www.portfairyfolkfestival.com