Canmore Folk Festival 2025: Where Music Meets the Mountains

Get ready—Alberta’s longest-running folk music celebration returns to Canmore’s Centennial Park over the Heritage Day long weekend this summer: August 2-4, 2025 canmorefolkfestival.com. Expect three days of world‑class folk, roots, Americana, and singer‑songwriter performances, set against the breathtaking Rocky Mountain backdrop.

🎶 What’s Playing

The 2025 lineup features an eclectic mix of established and emerging artists:

• Headliners: Aysanabee, Basia Bulat, Corb Lund, Donovan Woods, Frazey Ford, Kishi Bashi, Mary Gauthier and more.‍
• Canadian talent spotlight: Blue Moon Marquee, Julian Taylor, local acts like Caroline Whyte, Amelie Patterson, Mountain Mansion.
• Emerging voices: About 80% of performers will be festival first-timers, bringing fresh energy.

🎤 Festival Highlights

• Main Stage + Workshops: Enjoy full-day concerts with six hours of Main Stage performances and spontaneous "lightning-in-a-bottle" sessions on secondary stages.
• Festival Friday: A free community concert the night before to kick things off.
• Dancing zone: Extra space for dancing opens in the evening so you can groove up front.
• Eco-conscious: New initiatives on waste reduction and site sustainability.

🎟 Logistics That Matter

• Hours: Aug 2–3: 9:30 AM–10:45 PM; Aug 4: until 10:30 PM
• Getting there:
  • Free Roam transit within Canmore
  • Folk Fest Express shuttle from Calgary for $40, with pick‑ups at South Calgary, downtown, and Crowfoot LRT.
• Parking/bikes: Paid parking downtown; bike parking provided by volunteers.
• Accessibility: Drop-off zones, wheelchair seating, companion tickets, first-aid stations.

🎒 Planning Your Weekend

• Stay close: Book early - festivals coincide with Canmore’s busiest weekend.
• Check Out Our Current Listings: Visit our properties page for more details
• Camping options: In the Bow Valley region - reserve early, or seek first-come sites at Wapiti and Spray Lakes.
• Pack smart: Mountain weather is unpredictable - bring layers, rain gear, sunscreen, hat, refillable water bottle.

🎉 Why It Matters

Since 1978, the Canmore Folk Music Festival has brought music and mountain lovers together - an inclusive, community-driven tradition. With around 5,000 daily attendees and over 600 volunteers, it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and connection rooted in Rocky Mountain beauty.

✨ Join the Magic

Whether you're a longtime folk fan or new to the scene, this Festival is your chance to meet music, mountains, and community in perfect harmony. Explore the full 2025 lineup, grab your tickets early, and plan for an unforgettable long weekend.

Stay tuned to the festival website to watch the schedule drop—workshops, set times, and more are on the way.

Ready for an epic getaway? Check out our Pristine Peak vacation rentals for the ideal basecamp - just minutes from the festival’s heart, so you can focus on the music and the mountaintops.

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