skip to main content

Take Part in European Folk Day 2026

Folk musicians are encouraged to take part in the 4th annual European Folk Day taking place on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Published: 20 August 2026 | 1:18 PM
A fiddle player playing with an accordion player as part of a folk music performance.
European Folk Day is a pan-European celebration of folk music,  folk dance and storytelling. Image credit: Shutterstock.

As part of the MU’s affiliation to the European Folk Network (EFN), we are pleased to announce that the 4th European Folk Day is taking place on Wednesday 23 September this year.

A celebration of folk music, dance and storytelling

From grassroots communities to national organisations, from individual musicians to companies involved in traditional arts at any level, European Folk Day is a chance for anyone wanting to celebrate folk music, dance and storytelling.

Artists are encouraged to participate by:

  • Recording and publishing a video performing a song that you have never shown to the public before
  • Exchanging songs with an artist from another country and recording each other’s songs
  • Connecting the concept to an in-person event, from a single performance to a festival
  • If you are a journalist, you can feature a song or an artist in your media, or dedicate the whole day to the topic

For more ideas, take a look at EFN’s recommendations of how to get involved.

Participants are invited to post their events and initiatives on EFN’s interactive site map, where it will appear on a searchable database.

Absolutely everyone can join in, and it's important to note that participation can be on the Folk Day itself but also on the days just before and after 23 September.

Participants are also reminded to tag EFN on social media @europeanfolknetwork and use #EuropeanFolkDay.

Continue reading

Close up of a Germany visa stamp on a passport.

New Guidance for Musicians Working in Germany

New MU guidance outlines the rules for musicians working in Germany, including work permit exemptions, visa requirements and key considerations for performers accepting engagements in the country.

Published: 20 August 2026

Read more about New Guidance for Musicians Working in Germany
Three wooden blocks with red icons painted on them.

MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise

A new EU customs charge on low-value parcels is creating additional costs and administrative challenges for musicians selling merchandise directly to fans in Europe. The MU will work to ensure musicians affected by the new legislation are represented at a stakeholder consultation later this year.

Published: 31 July 2026

Read more about MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise
A brick wall with the flags of Spain and Gibraltar painted on it, overlapping each other.

Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians

New arrangements between Gibraltar and Spain will remove routine border checks for people crossing by land. While the agreement does not change existing rights to work in Spain or the EU, any time spent in Gibraltar will count towards musicians’ 90-day allowance for the Schengen area.

Published: 30 July 2026

Read more about Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians