Golden Festival has been called a once-in-a-lifetime experience that happens every year. Anchored in Balkan traditions (roughly Romania to Greece, Croatia to Turkey), and venturing generously beyond, the programming spans the ancient and the experimental, the oud and the synthesizer. Crowds join hands and dance, shop for folk arts, nibble feta, sausage, and desserts, and share midwinter cheer. It’s a pop-up community where young and old, the folklorist, music professional and party animal come together in two nights of joy.