Current Volunteers

Registration is Now Closed

Registration to volunteer for the 52nd edition of the Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 8-11, 2027 opens February.

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Proud Supporters of the Folk Fest Volunteer Family!

Pronouns

We encourage all our folkies to share their pronouns with us (e.g. she/her, he/him, they/them, a combination like she/they, and others). Here are some reasons why this is a good thing:

  • It’s easier to talk to someone when you know how to address them!
  • Asking for and using someone’s pronouns shows respect for their identity.
  • It normalises the practice of sharing pronouns.
  • It signals that you are willing to be an 2SLGBTQIA+ ally.
  • It helps create a welcoming and inclusive community for everyone.

Adding your pronouns to WFF forms such as your volunteer profile will also enable us to include them on materials such as your access pass or a name tag.

You can ask someone how they want to be referred to if you’re not sure - try asking, "What are your pronouns?"  And if you get it wrong, mistakes happen! Don't make a big deal about it or overly apologize. Just correct yourself and move on quickly. Also, if you're a part of a conversation where someone gets it wrong, politely correct them. This helps everyone and is part of good allyship.

Additional Info

Apprentices

We’re excited to welcome back our Apprentice volunteers, and to help our Apprentice Grads find new homes!

If you are:

  • 13-17 years old – you will continue as an Apprentice volunteer.
  • 18 years or older – Congratulations! You will graduate to an adult crew.
  • DEADLINE FOR BOTH RETURNING APPRENTICE REGISTRATION AND APPRENTICE GRAD TRANSFER REQUESTS IS MARCH 1.

Confirmed your login info? Taken your picture? Great, you can now register!

  • Log in using your username and password.
  • Select the “My Profile” tab (on the far right in the web version, in the top left menu of the app), then select “Contact Information’.
    • Double-check your contact information and update as necessary.
    • If you haven’t already done so, upload your photo to the right-hand side of the smiling head (in the app this is a separate section under “My Profile’).
    • Always click “Save” before leaving any page.
  • Select “My Profile” again and this time select “Additional Info’. All the rest of the registration questions can be found here:
    • Fill out all questions under “2026 Festival Information’. 
  • Update any changes in “About You’, “More About You!’, and “Skills and Certifications” that you want us to know about.
    • In “Crew Selections', select the top three crews that you’d be interested in working on.
    • APPRENTICES ONLY: Update any other “Apprentice Information” that is out of date.
    • APPRENTICE GRADS ONLY: Fill out the questions in “Transfer Information”
    • Always click “Save” before leaving any page.

Congratulations - you're finished!

Sign up by March 1 to be automatically confirmed on the Apprentice Crew. As you know, we always have more apprentices apply than we have space for, so don’t delay in getting your spot secured!

Apprentice grads need to fill out their transfer application by March 1 to be prioritized for crew choices. Late applications may not be possible to accommodate.

Year-Round Volunteers

Although you complete your volunteer hours year-round, we still need you to log in and be counted!

What we’re really asking is: Do you plan to attend the 2026 festival? If you don’t answer this question in your Better Impact profile, we will assume you won’t be attending the 2026 Festival and will not issue you a volunteer access pass.

Remember, year-round volunteer hours apply only to benefits at the upcoming year’s festival and cannot be carried forward to future years.

Requesting a Crew Transfer
  • Team building is important to us, so we ask you to give your current crew your best effort before requesting a transfer.
  • However, we do recognize that for a variety of reasons, sometimes a crew isn’t the right fit. If you’re interested in switching to a different crew, fill out the Transfer Application Form instead of registering through the process above.
  • We can’t accommodate all transfer requests. Volunteers who needa new crew due to Festival changes will be prioritized.
  • Transfer requests are due by March 1 to have the best range of available crew options. Late requests may not be accommodated.
Kin Pass

Kin Pass applications will be sent to accepted volunteers in April.

Refund Request

Refund request form is now closed. 

FAQ

How many hours do I have to volunteer?

Volunteers on Festival crews have a minimum time commitment of 16-20 hours and must be available for all four days of the Festival. Year-Round and Single Day crew volunteers have different expectations. See those Crew Descriptions for more info.

Can I only volunteer for one day?

Are you only available to volunteer on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of the Festival weekend? You can still participate! Single Day volunteers take part in all applicable training and meetings, just the same as a full weekend volunteer, and earn a backstage pass for the day(s) they volunteer. Choose one of three crews: Site Enviro, Site Safety, or Traffic.

How long will my shifts be?

Actual shift lengths and times vary by crew. You can find basic shift information about each crew on the Crew Descriptions page, and can discuss details with a crew coordinator when you are interviewed for a particular crew.

How much information should I include in my application?

The more complete your application is, the more likely you are to be selected to volunteer and the better the chances that you will be placed on a crew that’s a good fit.

How do I make sure I get onto the crew I want?

We always consider your crew preferences but cannot guarantee placement on a specific crew. When you apply, you will be asked to choose the top three crews that interest you. You wil also be asked to choose one crew from a list of ‘crews of highest need’. Not all crews have openings every year and this allows us to use your skills where we need them most. Visit our Crew Descriptions page for more information on all of our crews. 

What happens after I apply?

Once you have applied, you will receive an acknowledgment email from us. It will give you some instructions that will help us keep in touch with you about your status.

How will I know I’ve been selected for a crew?

If you are selected for a crew, that crew’s coordinator will contact you directly to talk about their specific requirements and duties to make sure you are able to do the job.

When will I find out if I've been selected to volunteer?

We begin placing some new volunteers right away and strive to finalize our crews by early May. That said, we always have last minute openings and may add new volunteers right up until the Festival weekend.

When is the latest that I can apply?

We will begin placing new volunteers on crews right away and hope to finalize our crews by May. That said, we will always have last minute openings and will be adding new volunteers right until the Festival.

How will I be kept up to date?

After you’ve applied, you’ll receive an acknowledgment email from us with some instructions that will help us stay in touch with you about your status. General volunteer updates are shared with accepted volunteers through regular volunteer e-newsletters. You’ll also be contacted directly by your crew coordinator.

How do I get in touch with you?

Didn’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact us!
volunteer@winnipegfolkfestival.ca
204-231-0096