UPDATE: Ukulele Festivals 2013
Here’s a preliminary list of the ukulele festivals scheduled for 2012. If you have details on any others leave a comment or send me a message.
USA and Canada
The Vancouver Ukulele Festival 2012
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Date: February 25th & 26th 2012
Performers: Ralph Shaw, The Ukesters, Guido & Daphne.
Website: http://vancouverukulelefestival2012.eventbrite.com/
Local Amenities: Map
18th ‘Ukulele Festival of Northern California
Location: Chabot College Performing Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA 94545
Date: April 1, 2012 10:00am – 5:30pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalnorcal.org
Local Amenities: Map
The Fourth Annual Reno Ukulele Festival
Location: John Ascuaga’s Nugget Resort
Date: March 30 – April 1, 2012
Performers: The Quiet American, Gerald Ross, Lil Rev, Dominator.
Website: http://renoukefest.com
Local Amenities: Map
Gorge Uke Fest ’12
Location: Hood River, OR
Date: March 2 – 4, 2012
Performers: Boulder Acoustic Society, Lil Rev, Victoria Vox.
Website: http://www.gorgeukuleles.org/
Local Amenities: Map
Smoldering Uke 2012
Location: Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 88 West Carmel Road, Carmel Valley California
Date: March 23 – 25, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2012/01/smoldering-uke-winter-ukulele-retreat.html
Local Amenities: Map
Mighty Uke Day II
Location: Lansing, MI
Date: May 5, 2012
Performers: Lil’ Rev, Lansing Area Ukulele Group, The Fabulous Heftones, Magdalen Fossum, and The Ukulele Kings
Website: www.facebook.com/groups/180847702019438/
Local Amenities: Map
Third Annual May Day Ukulele Play Day
Location: Modesto California
Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.Funstrummers.com/
Local Amenities: Map
West Coast Ukulele Retreat
Location: Asilomar, Monterey Peninsula
Date: May 16 – 20, 2012
Performers: Andy Andrews, Mike DaSilva, Jim D’Ville, Joel Eckhaus, Dave Egan, Peg Reza, Gerald Ross, Fred Sokolow, and Kumu Pomaika’i
Website: http://ukuleleretreat.com/
Local Amenities: Map
5th Denver Ukefest
Location: The Oriental Theater and L2 Events Center, Denver Colorado
Date: May 17,18, and 19 2012
Performers: Jake Shimabukuro, Nellie McKay, Aldrine Guerrero, Tina and Her Pony, Hapa Hillbillies, The Quiet American, Ukulele Loki, The Denver Uke Community
Website: http://www.facebook.com/DenverUkeFest
Local Amenities: Map
Lone Star Uke Festival 2012
Location: Dallas, Texas
Date: June 1 – 2, 2012
Performers: Jim D’Ville, Pops Bayless, Debbie Porter, The Wahooligans
Website: http://www.lonestarukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map
4th Annual Ukulele World Congress 2012
Location: 4600 Plum Creek Rd, Nashville, Indiana
Date: June 1 & 2, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?54413-UWC-2012-Ukulele-World-Congress/
Local Amenities: Map
New York Uke Fest 2012
Location: NY Society of Ethical Culture Concert Hall, 2 West 64th St (overlooking Central Park)
Date: June 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.nyukefest.com/ (Warning: music auto-plays)
Local Amenities: Map
Ukulele Boudoir 2012
Location: 64 bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris
Date: June 16, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://festival.ukuleleboudoir.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Montreal Uke Fest
Location: La Sala Rossa, 4848 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2T1R5
Date: July 14th 2012
Performers: James Hill & Anne Davison, Krista Muir, Michael Wagner
Website: http://montrealukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Reston Ukulele Festival
Location: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, VA
Date: July 14th 2012
Performers: Victoria Vox, Bruce Hutton, Kathy & Marv Reitz, Lelehuna, Pat Quinn & Gina DeSimone, Sweater Set, Aloha Boys and Paul Hemmings Uketet
Website: http://restonlakeanne.com/3rd-annual-ukulele-festival-2012/
Local Amenities: Map
Muck Roots Ukulele Festival
Location: Muckenthaler Estate in Fullerton, CA
Date: July 19th, 2012
Performers: Captain Jeff and His Musical Chumbuckets, Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys, and Left Over Cuties
Website: http://themuck.org/july-19-muck-roots-ukulele-festival/
Local Amenities: Map
Mighty MO Ukulele Festival
Location: Cedar Creek Conference Center, Olive Road New Haven, MO 63068, United States
Date: July 20 & 21
Performers: Cali Rose, Flea Bitten Dawgs, Craig Bandeau.
Website: http://www.mightymoukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Ukulele University
Location: Runway Ranch, Bend, OR
Date: July 20-22, 2012
Performers: CinderBlue, Anvil Blasters
Website: ukeu.info
Local Amenities: Map
Ukulele Play
Location: Utah
Date: July 23-30, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://ukuleleplay.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Midwest Uke Fest
Location: Folkcraft Instruments wood shop in Woodburn, Indiana
Date: August 4-5, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.midwestukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Second Annual Oakridge Ukulele Festival
Location: Oakridge, OR
Date: August 3, 4, 5, 2012
Performers: Brook Adams, Craig Chee, more TBA, classes & workshops
Website: www.oakridgehostel.com/events
Local Amenities: Map
Ukulele Festival South Florida
Location: 1870 Griffin Rd Dania Beach, FL 33004
Date: August 18, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestsouthflorida.com/Welcome.html
Local Amenities: Map
Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay
Location: Pinecrest, California
Date: August 18 – 24, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://campookoolaylay.wordpress.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Wine Country ‘Ukulele Festival
Location: TBA
Date: September 7, 8, 9, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://winecountryukefest.com/coming-events/
Local Amenities: Map
Minneapolis Uke-Fest 2012
Location: Aster Cafe, 125 S.E. Main Street, Minneapolis
Date: September 15, 2012
Performers: Katy Vernon, Kim Sueoka, Savannah Smith, The Meteor Boys, The Broken Bicycles
Website: http://www.facebook.com/events/300905283336356
Local Amenities: Map
Dock Stree Uke Camp
Location: Shelburne, NS
Date: September 14-16, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://ukecamp.blogspot.com/
Local Amenities: Map
2012 San Diego Ukulele Festival
Location: Port Pavilion, Broadway Pier, San Diego
Date: October 13 – 14, 2012
Performers: Ronnie Seno, Brad Norris, Pat Enos, Julia Nunes, Kalama Brothers, Willie K, Aldrine Guerrero, Brian Vasquez And Lava Jam, Derick Sebastian, Ukulele Bartt, Brittni Paiva, Taimane, and more
Website: http://www.sandiegoukefestival.com/
Local Amenities: Map
4th Annual Milwaukee Ukulele Festival
Location: Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Date: October 20, 2012
Performers: Fabulous Heftones, Ukulele Bart, Kate Powers & Steve Einhorn, Jon Prown, and Lil Rev
Website: http://milwaukeeukuleleclub.com/blog/dont_worrythe_fourth_annual_milwaukee_ukulele_festival_is_coming
Local Amenities: Map
6th annual Eugene UKEtoberfest
Location: Eugene Oregon
Date: October 12-13, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://uketoberfest.com/
Local Amenities: Map
UkeFest Virginia
Location: The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen
Date: November 2-3, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website:
Local Amenities: Map
The Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway
Location: Lake Tarpon Resort
Date: November 2-4, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.tampabayukulele.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Hawaii
Lana’i Ukulele Festival
Location: Manele Bay Four Seasons
Date: April 13-15, 2012
Performers: Richard Ho’poi’i, Kawika Kahiapo, Byron Yasui, CJ Boom Helekahi, Hula Honeys, Benny Uyetake, etc.
Website: http://www.lanaiukulelefestival.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Uke Ohana Molokai
Location: Pu’u O Hoku Ranch & Halawa Valley, Molokai, Hawaii
Date: May 25-29, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://ukeohana.com/
Local Amenities: Map
6th Annual Maui Ukulele Festival
Location: Maui Arts & Cultural Center – Kahului, Maui
Date: Sunday, October 14, 2012 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/maui.htm
Local Amenities: Map
12th Annual Waikoloa Ukulele Festival
Location: Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa
Date: March 3, 2012 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/waikoloa.htm
Local Amenities: Map
Oahu – 42nd Annual Ukulele Festival
Location: Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki, Oahu
Date: July 22, 2012 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/oahu/index.htm
Local Amenities: Map
United Kingdom and Ireland
Ukes for UNICEF – Ukulele Festival
Location: Berkhamsted Civic Centre
Date: March 3, 2012 – 11:30 to 17:30
Performers: Ken Middleton, Krabbers!, Keef Jackman.
Website: http://www.ukesforunicef.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Colliers Wood 3rd Ukulele Festival
Location: Colliers Wood Community Centre, 66-72 High St., SW19 2BY
Date: April 21, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.collywoodukes.com/index.html
Local Amenities: Map
Ukulele Festival of Great Britain
Location: Cheltenham
Date: June 1st – 3rd 2012
Performers: Gerald Ross, Nico’o, Manitoba Hal, Re-entrants, Winin Boys, Ukulollo, and more
Website: http://www.ukulelefestival.co.uk
Local Amenities: Map
SUS Square Ukulele Festival
Location: Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
Date: June 29 – July 1st, 2012
Performers: Friday night – Mother Ukers + support, Saturday daytime – Luke Futcher – workshops + performance, Clive Harvey – workshops + performance, Saturday night – Mr B Gentleman Rhymer + Krabbers, Sunday daytime – Mass uke jam hosted by Krabbers, Till there was Uke (tbc)
Website: Call Paul on 01202 430820 or email shop@southernukulelestore.co.uk if you would like to register your interest.
Local Amenities: Map
Ukulele Hooley By The Sea
Location: Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Date: August 17, 18 & 19
Performers: TBA
Website: ukulelehooley.com
Local Amenities: Map
Europe
Festival International de Ukulele de Lerrain
Location: Lerrain
Date: June 22, 23, & 24, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://fiul.weebly.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Caldogno Ukulele Meeting
Location: Caldogno (IV), Italy
Date: July 19-22, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefest.it/ukulelemeeting/index.php?lang=en
Local Amenities: Map
Australia and New Zealand
Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival 2012
Location: 68 Lurline St., Katoomba
Date: February 3 – 4, 2012
Performers: Bosko and Honey, Bella Hemming, The Blue MUGs
Website: http://www.bluemugs.com.au/
Local Amenities: Map
The Coromandel Ukulele Festival
Location: Coromandel Town
Date: May 19, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.thecoromandel.com/new-zealand/coromandel-events-detail/?fuseAction=detail&eventID=68
Local Amenities: Map
2012 Cairns Ukulele Festival
Location: Cairns, Australia
Date: July 6, 7, & 8, 2012
Performers: Manitoba Hal, Aaron Keim, Paul Hemmings.
Website: http://cairnsukulelefestival.net/
Local Amenities: Map
Hibiscus Ukulele Convention 2012 – Orewa New Zealand
Location: Orewa Arts and Events centre
Date: October 27th, 2012 9.30am – 5:30pm
Performers: The Nukes, Kevin Fogarty, Avon Hansen-Beadle
Website: http://www.ukuleleheaven.co.nz
Local Amenities: Map
Canberra Ukulele Festival of Fun 2012
Location: Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Date: October 27th 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://ukelyptus.com.au/index_files/CUFFs.htm
Local Amenities: Map
Melbourne Ukulele Festival 2012
Location: Melbourne
Date: March 8 – 11, 2012
Performers: Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Ralph Shaw, Bosko and Honey, U.K.E., Benny Chong.
Website: www.muf.org.au
Local Amenities: Map
2012 Newkulele Festival
Location: Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Date: October 26-28, 2012
Performers: Azo Bell, Mic Conway, AJ Leonard’s Tropical Lounge, Melbourne Ukulele Kollective.
Website: http://www.newkulelefestival.org.au/
Local Amenities: Map
Asia
Thailand Ukulele Festival 2011
Location: Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon
Date: February 25 – 26, 2012 11:00 – 21:30
Performers: Aldrine Guerrero, Kalei Gamiao, KYAS, Shigeto Takahashi, Kimo Hussey, Lula, Sungha Jung.
Website: http://www.thailandukulelefestival.com/
Local Amenities: Map
Al, thanks a bunch for this list. I was about to look into this very thing to see if I can fit a festival in this year. MUCH appreciated!