This is your one stop shop for all things Canmore Folk Festival—from gate times, where to stay, accessibility info, to tips for making the most of your musical mountain weekend. Whether you're a first-time guest or a seasoned folkie, you'll find everything you need to plan your perfect festival experience right here.
Need more information about when the gates open, or what some of our policies are? We got you!
The Canmore Folk Festival is held every Heritage Day long weekend! This year it falls on August 2-4, 2025. We also host Festival Friday, a free community concert on the Friday before the folk fest kicks off.
Festival Friday: Times TBD
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 p.m.
Monday: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking landscapes of Canmore, Alberta the festival takes place in Centennial Park. Just a short walk away you'll find the offsite Pub Stage at Miner's Union Hall.
At the main stage, your tarp/blanket size is limited to 6x8 feet. Festival-style chairs are allowed throughout the main stage seating area but are restricted to 24 inches high, to the top of the chair back, including a maximum leg length of eight inches. Special areas are designated to the rear of the crowd for taller lawn chairs. Any complaints about chair height should be directed to our Ambassador Team Volunteers, who can be identified by their orange T-shirts.
There is no reserved seating at the side stages. Please do not leave your tarps or chairs unattended in these areas.
Please bring individual rain apparel, as large “group tarps” are not allowed.
The Canmore Folk Music Festival occupies a very limited site. We do NOT allow small tents to be set up on site.
Dancing is a hot topic at our festival - our designated dancing zone is to the right of the Stan Rogers Stage! Feel free to pop by anytime and get groovy. Additionally, the last acts Saturday and Sunday evenings are meant to get you up and shaking your tail feathers! Here is what to expect:
If you place your tarp within 30 feet from the stage your tarp space is yours until the last act Saturday or Sunday. At around 9:30 pm. you will want to gather up your stuff and be ready to welcome your fellow folkies into the expanded dance zone. Stay if you like or move off to the sides. People behind the dancing zone will be able to leave their tarps down, but we hope you’ll be up shakin’ too!
Navigating Canmore during the long weekend can be intimidating, but we want to make it as easy as possible! Read on to learn more about biking, local transit, the Folk Festival Express from Calgary, and more.
You can find the festival grounds at Centennial Park on 5th ave - just a hop, skip and a jump away from Canmore's Mainstreet! Click here to view directions.
The Canmore Folk Festival is pleased to partner with the Canmore Community Cruisers again to offer onsite secure bike parking.
Enjoy the fabulous mountain scenery and local vibe as you pedal from your home or accommodations, without the need to search for parking. After entry at the Main Gate, just walk your bike along the paved path to the fenced bike corral at the rear of Lawrence Grassi Middle School. Cruiser volunteers will put a numbered tag on your bike and give you a matching claim check. You then park your bike in the corral. For extra security, just throw on your own bike lock.
Should the bike corral reach capacity, there are additional bike racks outside the fenced corral where you can lock up your bike.
Our local bus system is FREE within the town of Canmore (Routes 5T & 5C). Learn more about routes and pickup times here.
Hop on board the Folk Fest Express for a hassle-free journey from Calgary to the festival site! In collaboration with On-It Bus, this convenient service offers a round trip to the Canmore Folk Festival for just $40, departing from three convenient locations in Calgary. Say goodbye to parking woes in downtown Canmore and hello to stress-free travel!
The bus service ensures you arrive at the festival site bright and early, with departure from Calgary set to get you there by 10:00 AM. Enjoy a full day of music, fun, and festivities, knowing that your return journey is sorted. When the music dies down and the festival wraps up, simply hop back on the bus departing for a comfortable ride back to Calgary. Pickup and drop offs include South Calgary, Downtown Calgary, and Crowfoot LRT.
Experience the Canmore Folk Festival without the hassle of driving and parking – let the Canmore Folk Festival Bus take you there and back, leaving you to focus on enjoying the music and the vibes!
*Groups of 4 or more will receive a 10% discount
Tickets will be available soon!
Click here for more information.
South Calgary 7:40 AM
Downtown Calgary 8:05 AM
Crowfoot LRT 8:30 AM
Arrival Canmore Folk Festival drop off 10:00 AM
Departure from Canmore Folk Festival 11:00 PM
South Calgary 7:40 AM
Downtown Calgary 8:05 AM
Crowfoot LRT 8:30 AM
Arrival Canmore Folk Festival drop off 10:00 AM
Departure from Canmore Folk Festival 10:15 PM
Summer is Canmore's busiest time and securing parking downtown is nothing short of a challenge. We encourage individuals who are capable to walk, bike, or use public transit whenever possible, leaving parking spots for those who require them.
As of 2022, the Town of Canmore has implemented paid parking in areas around town including the downtown core. Click here to learn more.
Parking may be available on appropriately marked streets surrounding the Canmore Folk Fest site. Please do NOT block residential driveways if you choose street parking.
We've partnered with the Banff Airporter for a 15% discount for the shuttle service from the YYC airport to Canmore and Banff which is available 11 times daily. The discount code is folkfest2025, and is valid for travel dates July 31-August 6, 2025.
To book, click Banff Airporter and then Book Now. Proceed through the reservation and type - folkfest2025 - in the "Promo Code" section on the final payment page to receive the discount. The discount code works up to 2 weeks before the event starts. To guarantee availability, make a reservation at least a month prior to travel.
Will you be joining us at the Canmore Folk Festival? Excellent! If you've already snagged your tickets but still need to sort out the finer details, we're here to assist. Especially if you're traveling from outside the Bow Valley, it's crucial to start planning your accommodations sooner rather than later. The August long weekend is one of Canmore's busiest times, so you can expect the town to be bustling. Our top recommendation is to lock in your accommodation plans as soon as you can. But don't worry, we've got your back! Here are some handy tips on where to stay during the festival weekend.
Our hotel partner, Banff Lodging Co, offers two conveniently located hotels in town, both just a stone's throw away from the downtown core. Pocaterra Inn & Waterslide, situated on Bow Valley Trail, boasts amenities like a pool, waterslide, and complimentary breakfast. Additionally, Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge, also on Bow Valley Trail, offers standard hotel rooms as well as rooms with kitchens and one or two-bedroom apartments for a cozy home-away-from-home experience. After a day of enjoying music in the mountains, unwind in their hot tub and sauna. If you're considering booking with our hotel partner, we recommend acting fast, as mountain getaways tend to fill up quickly on long weekends, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable place to rest.
While there are numerous camping spots in the Bow Valley and surrounding areas, these spots tend to get reserved quickly. If you prefer to plan ahead, be sure to check for site availability as soon as possible and keep an eye out for cancellations.
Alternatively, if you don't mind the spontaneity, there are two first-come, first-served campsites: Wapiti Campground, conveniently located next to the Visitor's Center in Canmore, and Spray Lakes West Campground, which is about 30-40 min drive outside of town.
If you have friends or family in town, consider asking about camping on their property! This will keep you close to the action and free up space for others.
This year, we've teamed up with Tourism Canmore Kananaskis to make planning your Bow Valley long weekend a breeze. If you're unsure about where to stay, TCK provides a wealth of information and resources to help you make informed decisions. From hotels and resorts to hostels and campgrounds, they've got all the details on accommodation options in the area. Click here to check it out!
Last but certainly not least, consider the option of staying with a friend. Canmore locals understand that people come from far and wide to experience the beauty of the Bow Valley, and they're sure to welcome you with open arms.
Join us in celebrating the beauty of folk music in a safe and accessible space where everyone is valued and respected.
At our folk festival, we are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all attendees, performers, and staff. As such, we have implemented a Safe Space Policy to ensure that everyone feels respected, valued, and free from harassment or discrimination of any kind. We embrace diversity in all its forms and encourage open-mindedness and mutual respect among participants.
Any form of harassment, including but not limited to verbal, physical, or sexual harassment, will not be tolerated. If you experience or witness any behaviour that violates this policy, please report it to an Ambassador Team volunteer immediately, or if the situation does not require immediate attention you can email info@canmorefolkfestival.com. We are dedicated to promptly addressing any concerns and taking appropriate action to maintain a welcoming and secure atmosphere for everyone to enjoy the beauty of folk music and culture together.
A drop-off zone is located adjacent to the Main Stage for persons with accessibility issues. On request, security volunteers will assist persons with limited mobility to get settled in the designated seating area. Wheelchairs and tall lawn chairs are grouped together in the main stage seating area to allow clear sight lines for both those patrons and those who choose to sit lower to the ground.
If you require an extra person to act as an aid to help you enjoy the festival we are happy to give them a pass free of charge! After you purchase your pass to the festival please email admin@canmorefolkfestival.com with a screenshot of your purchase an any additional information.
Any missing children will be taken to the info booth, and an announcement will be made from the stage. Parents, take a moment to write your cell phone number on your child’s wristband so we can speed the reunion!
If someone is injured please contact the information booth or an Ambassador volunteer (identifiable by their orange T-shirts). St. John’s Ambulance personnel are on duty for the duration of the festival, located in the field near the front gate.
We are currently reviewing our emergency evacuation plan. Please check back for more details later!
The site includes a large number of tall, lodgepole pines around the main stage area that provides some limited shade during the day and limited protection from rain should the weather turn on us. The majority of the site, however, is an open field, so please bring what you need for rain or shine, including but not limited to: a refillable water bottle, hat, sunscreen, sturdy footwear, warm layers, and rain gear.
If you can't find the information that you are looking for, don't be shy - shoot us a message!
403-678-2524
info@canmorefolkfestival.com
