The Canmore Folk Music Festival is Alberta's longest-running folk music festival, celebrating 48 years of music, community, and creativity. Held annually over the August long weekend, the festival brings together a dynamic lineup of local, national, and international artists, drawing an audience of over 5,000 people each day to the stunning Rocky Mountain town of Canmore. With its picturesque setting and welcoming atmosphere, the Canmore Folk Festival has become a beloved destination for music lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Founded in 1978 by a group of passionate volunteers, the Canmore Folk Festival began as a small community gathering and has grown into one of Western Canada’s premier folk festivals. We’re proud to continue this tradition, celebrating music’s power to connect people of all backgrounds through storytelling and song. Our festival remains grounded in its community roots, with the support of dedicated volunteers, a committed board, and partnerships with local sponsors, businesses, and patrons from across Canada and beyond.
More than a just weekend. The heart of the Canmore Folk Festival is a commitment to promoting artistic excellence, inclusivity, and community engagement year round. We strive to create a space where everyone feels welcome and inspired. Our mission is to foster a vibrant, sustainable arts community that showcases diverse musical talents and nurtures local artists through initiatives like our Artist Development Program. In addition to our annual festival, we host smaller events throughout the year, supporting year-round arts engagement and enriching Canmore’s cultural landscape.
We are dedicated to honoring the legacy of our loyal audience of music lovers while fostering new connections. Through initiatives like Pay-It-Folkward, Festival Friday, and meaningful engagement with our local community year round we strive to ensure that the festival is accessible and inclusive.
The artistic vision and all programming aligns with our strategic plan to:
● Share our passion for music to a vital community
● Create exceptional experiences
● Maintain a vibrant and sustainable organization
● Foster community spirit in an inclusive environment
At the Canmore Folk Festival, our values shape everything we do, guiding our mission to create an enriching and inclusive experience for all:
● Artistic and Audience Diversity: We celebrate a wide range of cultural expressions and artistic styles, ensuring our festival reflects the rich tapestry of voices within the folk music community and beyond.
● Affordability: We are committed to making our festival accessible to everyone, operating in a way to keep ticket prices as low as possible while providing opportunities for all members of the community to engage with the arts through volunteer opportunities and free programming.
● Inclusivity: We strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, regardless of background, identity, or experience with folk music.
● Artist Development: Supporting artists is at the heart of our mission. We are dedicated to fostering talent and providing opportunities for growth and mentorship within the community.
● Environmental Stewardship: We recognize our responsibility to protect the environment and work diligently to minimize our ecological footprint through our Towards Zero Waste initiatives.
● Good Governance and Fiscal Responsibility: We uphold the highest standards of governance and fiscal responsibility, ensuring transparency and accountability in all our operations.Being a Strong Community Partner: We actively engage with our local community, building strong partnerships and collaborations that enhance the cultural landscape of Canmore and support our collective well-being.
Every year more than 550 volunteers come together to make the Canmore Folk Festival the huge success it is – without them, there would be no festival. Collectively they donate more than 7,500 hours of free labour, from setting up tents, to selling merchandise and cooking meals. Directing it all is a dedicated team of 45+ coordinators who come together throughout the year to plan the logistics and build their teams.
The rewards of volunteering are vast: new friendships are formed, new musical discoveries are made. But among the tangible benefits we offer are a free weekend pass for the festival, a T-shirt, backstage snacks and access to the exclusive after party we throw for you after the main stage ends, showcasing a variety of festival performers giving you a private concert.
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403-678-2524
info@canmorefolkfestival.com
