A crafter shows how to play one of the homemade guitars available in their tent during the 2025 Cumberland Gap FolkFest (Jay Compton/Middlesboro News)Joseph and Samantha Hensley perform Bluegrass music in the Olde Church Events Center during last year's FolkFest. (Jay Compton/Middlesboro News)Appalachian traditions will take center stage once again when Cumberland Gap FolkFest returns on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in historic downtown Cumberland Gap. Originally founded in 1974 by the Cumberland Gap Townlift Committee, FolkFest became a beloved summer tradition before taking a hiatus. The festival is presented by Guardians of the Gap, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the history, heritage, culture, and natural beauty of Cumberland Gap. Whether returning to a favorite tradition or visiting for the first time, guests will find Cumberland Gap FolkFest to be an opportunity to experience the music, craftsmanship, stories, and hospitality that make Appalachia unlike anywhere else.