Whare Flat Folk Festival is a music festival held annually over four days each New Year at Waiora Scout Camp in Whare Flat, located in the Silver Stream valley some 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) northwest of the city centre of Dunedin in the South Island of New Zealand. It has been held each year since 1975 and usually attracts international musical talent.[1] In addition to professional acts, the Festival offers opportunities for attendees to improve their music and dance skills at workshops, join in with others at late-night sessions, or perform at open mic shows.[2] For the purposes of the Festival, "folk" music is defined broadly to include any acoustic music;[3] the programme regularly includes a two-hour slot of blues on one afternoon.[4] Whare Flat Folk Festival is run entirely by volunteers.[5][6]