The Smithsonian Institution’s annual Folklife Festival will not take its traditional place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this summer, marking a significant shift for the long-running cultural event. Instead of the usual Fourth of July gathering, the Mall will host President Trump’s Great American State Fair. In response, the Smithsonian has transformed its festival into a nine-month nationwide initiative titled “Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals,” partnering with 34 diverse cultural festivals across the United States throughout 2026.
Founded in 1967, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has showcased the United States’ cultural diversity through performances, demonstrations, and immersive environments reflecting regional traditions—from Navajo weaving and Irish fiddling to recreated New Mexico plazas and pieces of Alaskan glaciers. The 1976 Bicentennial festival drew approximately 4.5 million visitors, marking the pinnacle of its reach. This year’s itinerant format is intended as both a practical adaptation and a way to bring the festival’s mission closer to communities nationwide.
Clifford Murphy, director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, described the project as a “democratizing experience” that enabled deeper engagement with local cultural expressions. “Every year, we present a festival about place, out of place,” Murphy said. “This year, we’ve had an opportunity to collaborate with festivals in the spaces where they live.” Among the partner events are the Tucson Meet Yourself festival in Arizona and the Talbotton Blues Festival in Georgia.
The Center’s mission remains focused on advancing understanding and appreciation of living cultures in the U.S. and globally. Murphy emphasized the evolution of the festival’s scope since its inception. While early festivals explored whether the United States had distinct cultural traditions, the contemporary program embraces both longstanding and emerging cultural forms. For example, the festival is collaborating with a skateboarding event dedicated to women’s participation in the sport, underscoring the ongoing nature of cultural transmission.
Although the absence from the Mall was unplanned, the pivot to a traveling festival has generated positive experiences. Murphy highlighted the variety of cultural spaces and communities involved, expressing admiration for “the vibrancy of our cultural democracy.” He noted the resilience of communities maintaining their traditions, citing the August Quarterly Festival in Wilmington, Delaware, which persevered despite the recent fire that destroyed its organizing church.
The Smithsonian’s altered festival plans come amid broader tensions, including a dispute with the Trump administration over the institution’s representation of American history and values. Murphy declined to comment directly on these conflicts but indicated that engagement with diverse communities has fostered pride and surprise at the Smithsonian’s presence beyond its traditional Washington base.
The festival’s extended reach also revealed a widespread desire among Americans to gather in shared cultural spaces despite societal divisions. Murphy observed attendees at various partner festivals choosing to experience traditions different from their own, reflecting a common yearning for connection.
Looking ahead, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage anticipates maintaining a hybrid approach in 2027, with events both on the National Mall and in multiple locations nationwide. Details of the future programming remain forthcoming.