The Festival is just around the corner! Be sure to grab your tickets in advance, as tickets will NOT be sold at the gate. You can easily purchase your tickets online through Front Gate Tickets or in-person at our office located at 203-211 Bannatyne Avenue. In office purchases must be made BEFORE Tuesday, July 8 at 4:00 PM.
We are so excited to see your smiling faces and to welcome you back to enjoy the music, the outdoors, each other’s company, and 50 incredible years!
BANNATYNE OFFICE CLOSURE DATES
July 9-18 – Office Closed
July 21 – Office Reopens
August 4-15 – Office Closed
Celebrate 50 Years of Folk
50 YEARS OF FOLK: AN EVOLUTION OF A FESTIVAL PHOTO EXHIBIT
Dive into the history of the Winnipeg Folk Festival through six captivating panels of archival photos, each spotlighting one decade. They will be on display near the Folk School, and from Friday to Sunday, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Long-time volunteers will be on hand to guide you through the Festival’s stories and milestones. This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
FOLK FEST BANJOS
Strike a pose and take photos with your favourite Folk Fest banjo from over the years, located in the Festival Village near the photo exhibit.
FOLK FEST MEMORIES
Each night, our Main Stage will open with powerful videos from our story gathering project from the 2024 Winnipeg Folk Festival. Don’t miss these moving tributes!
SQUARE DANCING
Friday, July 11 at 2:30 PM
Folk School
We’re keeping a fun folk tradition alive! Learn square dancing from Willi Carlisle. Haven’t square danced before? No worries, this is a perfect place to learn!
CLOGGING
Sunday, July 13 at 3:00 PM
Folk School
Clogging has brought rhythm and energy to Winnipeg Folk Festival stages for years — now it’s your turn to join in! Learn the steps and put your new skills into action with Leonard Podolak and Matt Gordon.
Safety & Services
FIRST AID
First Aid provides basic first aid and medical assistance, and coordinates with emergency personnel in serious situations. Located just north of the Food Village.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Volunteers are here to help! When in need, seek a volunteer in a blue vest or resources to help you stay safe. Any report of racism, discrimination, harassment or violence will be dealt with as quickly and effectively as possible.
WELLNESS SUPPORTS
Mental health professionals are part of our coordinated response team. They can support people in crisis and assist in accessing additional off-site care outside of the Festival. Safety volunteers (in blue vests) coordinate access to this care.
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
We are committed to making the Festival accessible, however we acknowledge that we still have our barriers. Please visit our Accessibility page for more information.
NO GLASS ALLOWED
Please remember, there is NO GLASS ALLOWED we want to keep all the folkie toes safe from cuts.
Be Prepared
Whether you are a seasoned folkie or it’s your first time festing, it’s important to be prepared:
- If you’re new to the Folk Fest family, make sure you check out our Festival Info page.
- Check out our “What to Bring” list on our website for a full list of items you won’t want to forget.
We’re all one happy family for the weekend, and when everyone looks out for each other and follows the basic rules, we all help create a safer, more respectful space.
Leave No Trace
We respect the land and love our Folk Fest home, and we want to leave the park exactly how we found it! Pack out what you pack in and keep your site clean and tidy for the duration of the Festival.
REMOVE YOUR ROPES
Hammock ropes left behind will strangle and kill a tree – and we’ve already lost trees because of this. Help keep the beautiful Birds Hill Park forest alive and healthy!
REDUCE WASTE
Here are some ways you can reduce waste at your campsite:
- Buy or borrow good quality water bottles, wagons, and backpacks that will last.
- Bring reusable containers for your food for the weekend.
- Make sure you are composting or recycling before you throw something in the trash.
PACK OUT WHAT YOU PACK IN
Take your recycling, compost, and garbage to the right places. Our wonderful Enviro volunteers are available at every waste station on site and they’re always happy to help!
How to Folk
BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR. TAKE CARE OF THE LAND. TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.
PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES
To ensure everyone has an incredible weekend, please read our Participant Responsibilities before you arrive. We need everyone’s help to create a safe environment for the weekend. Knowing what to expect can also help you have a fun time.
GET YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE
Tickets will NOT be sold at the Main Gate. Tickets are available at our office at 203-211 Bannatyne Avenue or online through Front Gate Tickets. The deadline to purchase tickets in the office is Tuesday, July 8, by 4:00 PM.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
You can carpool or take the bus! Visit our Transportation page for more information on how to get to the site and navigate around the park. Remember, at the end of the night, the east lot goes east, and the west lot goes west, so be sure to park accordingly.
Please note: There are changes to bus routes and stops for 2025.
DO I NEED A PARKING PASS?
Thanks to the Manitoba Government all provincial parks are FREE for 2025 so you DO NOT need to purchase a Provincial Park Pass for this year.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Come rain or shine, the show must go on, and we don’t want you to miss a beat! Be prepared for anything and use the “What to Bring” list on our website to help you prepare for the best festival yet! You can pack light or come prepared with a backpack or wagon. Please note there are no bag check services at the Festival.
DO I NEED CASH?
Only if you prefer! In an effort to reduce cash transactions, Taverns, Festival Merch Store, and most of our vendors offer contactless payment options, including both debit and credit.
HOW DO I STAY UP-TO-DATE?
Download the app to plan out your own personal schedule and turn notifications on to get updates about your favourite shows and information throughout the Festival weekend. Download it in the App Store or on Google Play.
IS THERE WI-FI ON SITE?
There’s no public Wi-Fi at the Festival! If you’re coming from out of the country, make sure to bring a data plan. If you’re concerned about being able to use our app, don’t worry; it runs without Wi-Fi, so you can even (sort of) “unplug” for the weekend.
WILL THERE BE A PRINTED PROGRAM?
A free printed Festival Guide will be available with schedules and important information. This year, we have a special 50th Edition Souvenir Program Book for purchase that includes artists and schedules, and MORE! For the most up-to-date information, we encourage all folkies to download the app due to potential ongoing and last-minute changes.
WHERE AM I?
Download our maps for the Festival site, Festival Campground, and Quiet Campground! An interactive Festival site map is also available in the Winnipeg Folk Festival app.
WHERE DO I GET WATER?
For sustainability reasons we do not sell bottled water at the Festival. Bring a refillable water bottle or buy a Winnipeg Folk Fest mug at the Festival Merch Store to refill at any of our water taps for FREE! You can find them throughout the site marked by big blue flags.
WHERE DO I COMPOST?
Similar to the water tap flags, look for green compost flags marking our waste stations throughout the site. Here, you can dispose of your compost, including compostable tavern cups, recycling, and landfill waste. If you need help figuring out what goes where don’t hesitate to ask the friendly enviro volunteer!
HOW DO I TARP SHUFFLE?
Queue in line along the trees at the Main Gate 10 minutes before it opens to receive a ticket. The tarp shuffle will begin at the Main Stage 20 minutes after the gate opens or at 5:30 PM if the ground is wet.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Check out our FAQs page for more information about tickets, refunds, camping, parking, or anything else!
