2026 Programme
It is a great pleasure to announce the Fairbridge Festival 2026 programme. The return of the FolkWorld Festival to its traditional home at Fairbridge Village after a five-year hiatus has offered an opportunity to reflect on the festival’s heart and soul, and on the enduring value of its revival, made possible through the dedication of passionate supporters and volunteers.
This year’s theme, Honouring the Past – Reimagining the Future, reunites the Fairbridge Festival family to celebrate a much-loved and iconic community event first presented in 1993. It also acknowledges the emergence of new generations of artists and audiences, and the excitement of the festival’s ongoing evolution.
The artistic programme reflects FolkWorld’s values, showcasing a rich diversity of folk and world music and dance, alongside the festival’s core children’s and youth programs. In 2026, there is an added focus on collective participation and strengthening connections across our festival community. We hope you enjoy the wonderful range of creative offerings from the many talented artists, and we look forward to sharing the precious Fairbridge Festival experience with you this April.
Jon Cope
Artistic Programme Coordinator
Apolline (Victoria)
Australian folk trio Apolline combines fiddle, cello and double bass into genre-bending arrangements of traditional Celtic melodies that inspire a new generation of contemporary folk.
Ari Jasper
A solo indie-acoustic act, featuring all-original music from his new album.
Bernard Carney
Bernard Carney OAM , Inaugural Fairbridge Patron.
Bluegrass Parkway
Bluegrass Parkway remains faithful to the 1940s genre using to a single microphone and
incorporating strong harmonies, great picking, fancy footwork and lots of fun into their traditional sounds of bluegrass.
Chris While and Julie Matthews (England)
Long-term fans are delighted to hear that legends of the English and Australian folk festival circuit, while and Matthews return to Fairbridge for the first time in 15 years.
Kris Mizzi (Victoria)
Australian singer-songwriter Kris Mizzi creates intimate and heartwarming songs with live performances that are magnetic, deeply human and highly memorable.