The Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival

The Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival (www.topangabanjofiddle.org) started in 1961, making it one of the oldest continuously held traditional music events in the US. It was first held in the Topanga Canyon, which is the reason for its name. The 1961 event, organized by Margot Slocum and Peg Benepe, attracted 30 contestants, 4 Judges, and 500 fans. Half a century later, it is 10 times bigger.

The following year, the event moved to Topanga Canyon's Camp Wildwood and expanded to include folk singing, old time and Bluegrass. Mary Ellen Clark and Dorian Kayser joined the team and eventually steered the festival through the next 20 years.

In 1990 the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest moved to its present home at the Paramount Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains, not far from its Topanga Canyon roots

On THREE STAGES plus The Dance Barn and Children’s area, set within Western movie sets and mountain locations -- bring your instruments and “sit in” with jamming musicians!

2018: The following, instituted in 2016 will be unchanged in 2018

Online Registration - For your convenience and in the interest of reducing incorrect information, we introduce the ability to register for the contest right from our website.

Flatfoot (Buck) Dancing Competition - Everyone can participate whether you play an instrument or not. See the DANCE page.

Intermediate Stage - Contestants in instrument categories who wish to compete at the Intermediate level will now play on the Intermediate Stage and the winner in each category will perform on the Main Stage.