Best Summer Ukulele Festivals for 2017

Let’s put that summer energy to good use! Ukulele Music Info presents the 2017 summer ukulele festivals and camps you can take part in.

JUNE

Ukulele Festival of Great Britain
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK
June 16-18

Aiming to have its eight “uke-tastic” year this 2017, the Ukulele Festival of Great Britain is one of the biggest ukulele festivals in the world. A three-day ukulele-action-packed celebration featuring the talents of Abe Lagrimas Jr., Ooks of Hazard, Ukulele Uff Trio, Kyas, Strumpdiddlyumptious, Poor Boys of Worcester, Katy Vernon, and Cue; with ukulele workshops for all levels, auctions, and raffle draws.

Kamloops Summer Ukulele Festival
Sorrento, British Columbia, CA
June 16-18

The Kamloops Summer Ukulele Festival is a whole weekend filled with ukulele fun and learning. This year’s venue is the Sorrento Centre which has a view of the beautiful Shuswap Lake. Instructors and performers include Manitoba Hal, Jim D’Ville, Tina Hebner, Jane Jelbart & Mark Jackson.

HUGE 2017
Haworth, Yorkshire, UK
June 17-18

Be sure your ukes are in good shape for this year’s Haworth Ukulele Group Extravaganza, it is going to be a wild ukulele festival. Expect plenty of mass uke strumming, tombola and raffle, HUGE Ale, and an awesome evening of entertainment. On Saturday, June 17th there will be a flash mob, an afternoon of ukulele groups playing sets including songs from musicals and loads of chances to join in and play. The festival mission is to not go any longer than 20 minutes without picking up a uke and playing songs from the 2017 songbook. In the evening there will be a concert by No Fluke. On Sunday there will be a Ukulele Steam Train Special from Haworth station on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway as well as a small flea market for folks to shop at. This year’s theme is Songs From the Musicals, wouldn’t it be great to hear I Dreamed a Dream played and sang with a ukulele?

Ukestock Festival
Leermens, Groningen, Netherlands
June 23-24

Described as a “small festival for a small instrument”, this is a weekend of workshops and concerts with the ukulele as the centerpiece. The artists performing at the very first Ukestock Festival are De Habachos, Professor Peter, The Kokosnackers, and Bad Mouth Orchestra.

6th Original Utah Uke Fest Concert
Highland, Utah, USA
June 24

The 6th Utah Uke Fest invites you to bring your ukulele and your friends for a whole day of free workshops, open mic picnic, ukulele jams and a free concert featuring The Naked Waiters, Cathy Cash, West Side Pride and UFO HUM.

SHNUGFEST
Dover, New Hampshire
June 24

An initiative of the Southern New Hampshire Ukulele Group, the SHNUGFEST is gathering for “ukesters” of all levels to have fun and enjoy the summer weather to the tune of their beloved ukuleles. For this year, the Upper Valley Uke Group, Andrea Shirbik, The Flukes, So. ME Strumers, SNHUG, Bob’s Your Uncle and the Concord Group are performing.

5th MUFF

Mandorah, Northern Territories, Australia
June 24-25

Savor the summer heat, this is two days of ukuleles, country, and folk by the beach. The Mandorah Ukulele and Folk Festival is a free two-day uke fest by the Wagait Beach organised by the Cox Country Club Inc. This is a weekend of good music, summer shirts, and leis. Performing artists are Ben Hur Helwend, Ali Mills, Mirrabooka, Tracy Bunn, Ben Evolent and Johnny McIntyre.

Midwest Uke & Harmonica Camp
Olivet, MI, USA
June 23-25

Last year’s Midwest Uke & Harmonica Camp received many favorable reviews. Praised for its well-organized flow, effective instructors and enriching classes, the camp is bound to continue what it has started with this roster of artists/instructors; Sarah Masiel, Craig Chee, Gerald Ross, Lil Rev, Jim Beloff, Rachel Manke, Stuart Fuchs, Cathy Fink, Steven Espaniola, Ben Hassenger, Marcy Marxer, Gerald Ross, Andy Wilson, Frank Youngman and Sandy Weltman.

JULY

Geraldine Ukefest 2017
Geraldine, South Canterbury, New Zealand
July 6-9

A little bit of Hawaii is coming to New Zealand! This year’s Geraldine Ukefest features Hawaii’s very own award-winning ukulele virtuoso Bryan Tolentino and Halehaku Seabury. These amazing ukulelist and 100+ more performances from different talented artist will make of you wanna dance and sing to the tune of their ukuleles’ “aloha-ness.”

Rocky Mountain Uke Fest
Durango, Colorado, USA
July 7-9

Rocky Mountain Uke Fest brings Kevin Carroll, Jack-n-Jel, and Devin Scott as instructors and performers for this year 3-day long ukulele camp.

Summer Strum 2017
Wirral, United Kingdom
July 7-9

Beat the heat of the summer and dance with the frolic sound of the ukulele at this year’s Summer Strum, hosted by the Wirral Ukulele Orchestra. Get entertained by the Wild Pear, Ian Campbell, Kiki Fox, Two of Us, El D’uke and many more. The Splintered Ukes are giving a free concert on Friday July 7th and Trellebelle Ukulele Orchestra are travelling all the way from Sweden to play at the event! 

Box Ukulele Festival
Box, Wiltshire, UK
July 8, 2017

Box Ukulele Festival is newly organized music event by The Queen’s Head that aims to showcase the variety of music genres one can play with a ukulele. Don’t mess with its size. Pop, punk, rock, indie, jazz, you just name it, you can play with the ukulele. Headlining for its first year will be The Mighty Lemon, and with them is their rock, punk and pop repertoire of songs.

Rye Ukulele Festival
Rye, East Sussex, UK
July 8

Prep your hippy outfits for this year’s Rye Ukulele Festival’s theme is a celebration of the 50th year of The Beatles’ 1967 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club album. All you need for this uke fest is love and a ukulele! The 3rd Rye Ukulele Festival featuring ukulele bands from across the South East will take place on Saturday 8th July, from 11 am at The Cinque Ports Arms, Rye. It will include food, drinks, Ukulele stalls and more. The entry is free, and families (and ukes!) are welcome.

Uke-U-6
Bend, Oregon, USA
July 14-16

Come and be part of the Uke-U-6 ‘ohana and celebrate the spirit of aloha in this three days of friendship, ukulele music, and education. The performing artists include Andy Andrews, Neal Chin, Jim D’Ville, Danielle Ate The Sandwich, Arden Fujiwara, Denise Hinz and Patty Sage, Cinda Johnson, Aaron and Nicole Kim of the Quiet American, Lil’ Rev, Casey MacGill, Kalae Miles, Mark Ransom, and Carl Ventis.

Nanaimo Ukulele Festival
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
July 15-16

This year’s “great little festival” features two intermediate workshops lead by James Hill and two beginner workshops lead by Nanaimo’s very own Rob Wilkinson. James Hill and Anne Janelle will be adding to the fun with their ukulele-meets-the-cello performance.

47th Annual Oahu Ukulele Festival
Waikiki, Oahu
July 16, 2017

Who wouldn’t love to take part in Hawaii’s summer Ukulele Festival at Kapiolani Park Bandstand? It’s the largest annual summer tradition spreading the aloha spirit in the Aloha State itself after all. The festival is known for the performance of a ukulele orchestra composing of 800 kids. Now that’s too much ukulele at the same time!

Fifth Czech Ukulele Festival
Unetice, Czech Republic
July 28-30

Continuing its tradition of being the a mobile ukulele festival, this year’s Czech Ukulele Festival will begin with a ukulele train ride to exhibit the beauty of the spa town of Poděbrady. Then, the next two days will take place in the picturesque village of Únětice on the Prague outskirts, in a functioning brewery. The music for the festival’s main events will range from the Hawaiian classics of Aldrine Guerrero and Kimo Hussey to rhythm ‘n´ blues from Dead Man´s Uke and many more.

Third Annual CascoBay UkeFest
Portland, ME, USA
July 29, 2017

For the third time since 2014, the CascoBay UkeFest is yet again gearing up to give ukesters of all ages a day entertainment, learning, and good ukulele music at St. Luke’s Cathedral in the beautiful seaside city of Portland Maine. In addition to local ukulele groups performing, with the audience joining in on strum and sing-along songs; also the talented Stuart Fuchs will be performing and leading two ukulele workshops.

AUGUST

Utah Ukulele Festival
Logan, Utah, USA
August 5

Utah’s one and only all FREE and completely outdoor ukulele festival is taking place on Aug. 5 in Logan, Utah. The Utah Ukulele Festival offers free workshops/lessons for all ages, vendors/concessions, and wonderful entertainment all day long. Headlining this year’s event is multi-Na Hoku Hanohano nominees and father-son due, Mele’uhane who hail from the Big Island of Hawaii. Bring your camp chairs/blanket, your family and friends, and come soak up some sun while listening to the beautiful sounds of the ukulele.

Parbulele
Parbold, Lancashire, UK
August 4-6

Parbold’s Ukulele Festival “promises to be an unforgettable occasion in a truly beautiful location.” Look forward to a whole weekend of ukulele workshops for kids and adult alike, series of open mics and entertaining performances for UK’s best ukulele artists. The headline acts will include Ad Cooke, Michael Adcock, Chonkinfeckle, Ukulele Uff Trio and more! 

Uke-A-Bay
Colwyn Bay, Wales, UK
August 11-13

Woteva, Fagin’s Boys, Michael Adcock and Gaudy Orde are coming to bring rays of sunshine with their ukuleles to the biggest and brightest ukulele festival in Northern Wales.

New Jersey Uke Fest
Whippany and Morristown, NJ, USA
August 25-27

The Folk Project has again organized a whole weekend of fun ukulele workshops, performances, spontaneous jams, open mics, and vendors. Bringing in their ukulele prowess for the 2017 NJ Uke Fest are Kimo Hussey, Rachel Manke, Danielle Ate the Sandwich The Curt Sheller Jazz Trio and The Lords of Liechtenstein. 

Vienna Ukulele Night
Vienna, Austria
August 26

Der ukulelenprediger, eidaxl combo, puschkawü, the bad mouse orchestra and more are coming to the Local bar in Vienna for an exciting ukulele event. 

Garfest
Garstang, Lancashire, UK
August 26

A new addition to the Garstang Music and Arts Festival, GarFest is a day of full of unforgettable ukulele fun. A perfect activity for the kids this summer.

Ukulele Hooley by the Sea
Dun Laoghaire, Ireland
August 26-27

Dig those summer shirts out, practice your dance moves and tune your precious ukulele for two days of ukulele fun and frolics by the sea.

SEPTEMBER

Uking Under the Tuscan Sun
Sovicille, Sienna, Italy
September 9-16

A complete Tuscan Ukulele retreat in an idyllic Tuscan villa with a view of the Senese Mountains with workshops from renowned experts Peter Moss and Francesco Albertazzi.

Ukus in Fabula, the entertaining trio from Rome, will also be joining at the villa for a house concert, jam and morning workshop. Wine tastings, cooking classes, a Tuscan spa visit and excursions to Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Castellina in Chianti and more are on the itinerary. Daily workshops and jams are planned. Also, the festival offers private chef-catered meals at a century old Italian villa.

Alabama Uke Fest
Lake Guntersville, Alabama, USA
September 9

The Alabama Uke Fest is a nice way to spend a Saturday with the family. The itinerary includes uke lessons, group strummings, open mics and performances.

Tune in Dunes VII
Lincoln, Oregon
September 15-17

James Hill & Anne Janelle, Steven Espaniola, Aaron and Nicole Keim, Jim D’Ville, Andy Andrews, Bryan Holley, and Hood River Trio are bringing joy and entertainment for this year’s Tune in Dunes VII.

Dock Street Uke Camp
Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada
September 15-17

Held in conjunction with the Whirlygig and Weathervane Festival, The Dock Street Uke Camp aims to provide a unique ukulele learning experience near the port of the beautiful Shelburne City.

OUC.5 Ohio Ukulele Campout
Loudonville, Ohio
September 22-24

Last year’s Ohio Ukulele Campout ended with an exuberant summer strumming. The ultimate ukulele camping experience is coming back this year at the Mohican Adventures Campground.

The Central Coast Uke Festival
Central Coast, NSW, Australia
September 23-24, 2017

Two days of ukulele bonding, dancing, market stalls, food stalls and rides for the kids, and performances at The Entrance Memorial Park.

Port Townsend Uke Fest 2017
Port Townsend, Washington
September 27 – October 1

Port Townsend Uke Fest is a 4-day limited uke fest and workshop to be held at Fort Worden State Park. Workshops include different style choices such as jazz, blues, swing, Hawaiian, pop, novelty, and jug band ukulele.

SPRUKE Brisbane Ukulele Festival
South Brisbane, Australia
September 29 – October 1, 2017

The SPRUKE is an initiative of the Brisbane Ukulele Musicians Society Inc. that brings together people for the love of the ukulele. The finalized list of artists to perform during the SPRUKE includes Kyas Ryo, Ukulele Russ, Tyrone and Lesley and The Pockets.

Royal City Uke Fest
Dublin Street United Church, Guelph, Ontario
September 30, 2017

The very first Royal City Uke Fest is set to give you dynamic uke workshops, fun group strums and a performance from James Hill and Anne Janelle.

2017 Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival
Torrance, California, USA
September 30, 2017

The 2017 Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival is a celebration of the 4-stringed bundle of sunshine that has been making people smile, and sing and dance happily for over 100 years. This is a festival for everybody; whether you are an experienced ukulelist, a newbie, an occasional strummer or just a curious spectator.

2017 Albuquerque Ukekopeli Festival
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
September 29 – October 1

Play the uke with Albuquerque ukesters! You can be part of a live studio audience at the Friday night concert starring Ralph Shaw from England, Dani Joy from California, Mark Baker from Arizona and Gracie Terzian from New York. The next days will be filled with ukulele jams and workshops for all skill levels. What a great way to end the summer!