The New England Folk Festival Association (NEFFA) organizes an annual festival dedicated to celebrating folk music, dance, and cultural traditions across New England. Founded with a mission to "encourage, sponsor, and preserve high standards of performance of the folk arts and traditions," NEFFA operates as an all-volunteer, non-profit organization made possible by hundreds of volunteer performers and community members.

The 2026 festival takes place April 24-26 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlborough, Massachusetts. The festival is distinguished by its participatory, community-driven approach. Programming includes contra dancing (a NEFFA signature is the no walk-through contra dance medley), traditional square dancing, English country dancing, Scandinavian dancing, waltzing, and international folk dancing with introductory through advanced workshops. The festival features jam sessions, instrument workshops, group singing, concerts, and performances by morris teams and costumed ethnic performing groups representing Middle Eastern, Serbian, Bulgarian, Filipino, Polish, and Scandinavian traditions.

Family-friendly programming plays a central role in the festival. The festival includes activities spaces with crafts for all ages, storytelling, and daytime dances. The Festival Marketplace combines a crafts room with vendor marketplace. Food options include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free selections. The festival also offers thought-provoking dialogues and networking opportunities. Programming runs Friday 7pm-11:30pm, Saturday 10am-11:30pm, and Sunday 10am-5:30pm.

NEFFA operates year-round programs beyond the annual festival, including weekly Thursday Night Contras in Concord and the Ralph Page Dance Event. The organization actively seeks performers representing underrepresented folk traditions, particularly from Asia, Africa, and South America, ensuring diverse cultural representation.