Grade A Festivals
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Stan Rogers Folk Festival
Now in its 22nd year Stan Rogers Folk Festival (Canso, NS) July 23-26, has won many accolades and awards, and is considered one of Nova Scotia’s signature music festivals. Imagine Woodstock, but “East Coast Style” with world-class production, indoor and outdoor stages, wholesome food vendors, a diverse crafter village and endless jamming onsite and throughout the community, and showers – yes, hot showers! – in the campground. There are 800 campsites on the festival grounds and hundreds more nearby. Their definition of folk is almost limitless, it is “Music for Folks”. Stanfest received an ‘A’ grade on the Canadian Festival Report Card in 2019. Visit their website for tickets and…
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River & Sky Music Festival
River & Sky Music Festival (Fisher’s Paradise, ON) July 22-26, brings you simple good times, with the best Canadian Indie and Northern Ontario camping, along the Sturgeon River. Since their inception in 2009, R&S strives to support regional emerging artists in Northeastern Ontario and to showcase their talents alongside amazing artists from across Canada and beyond. While River & Sky is not a folk festival, it does have a folky feel. You won’t find expensive bouncy things for kids or a beer tent. Bring your own lawn chair and a cold canned beverage and relax. Friend and family friendly, it’s a simple festival that is all about the music, the…
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South Country Fair
South Country Fair (Fort MacLeod, AB) July 17-19, began as a camping weekend for several local folk clubs in 1987; intended for organizers to get to know each other better, it morphed into an annual 3-day event, open to the public. They’re still trying to get to know one another, but The Fair seems to be doing quite well. The mission of South Country Fair has always been to expand cultural horizons in Southern Alberta by giving community members the opportunity to experience a diversity of music, spoken word and performance art in the context of a three-day, camping-style, old-world outdoor folk music festival. The South Country Fair has received…
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Vancouver Folk Music Festival
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival (Vancouver, BC) July 17-19, is a Canadian cultural institution; a unique community-based celebration internationally renowned for presenting the finest traditional and contemporary folk and roots music from around the world. Each year, the Festival draws more than 40,000 enthusiastic attendees to beautiful Jericho Beach Park. Two and even three generations of families join friends and fellow community members to experience the music and culture of more than 40 international, national, and local artists. They come together to dance and to enjoy food and children’s activities – and the magical ambience of the Festival. The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has received an ‘A’ grade on the…
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Tay Creek Folk Festival
Started in 2008 by Jenifer Jobbins, the Tay Creek Folk Festival (Tay Creek, NB) July 17 – 19, is an annual opportunity for New Brunswick musicians to gather & perform in a beautiful country setting. Tay Creek Folk Festival has received and ‘A’ on the Canadian Festival Report Card for the past two years. Visit their website for tickets and lineup info! http://taycreekfestival.ca/
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Dawson City Music Festival
The first Dawson City Music Festival (July 17-19, 2020, Dawson City, Yukon) took place in 1979. It was an intimate, two-day affair among friends, comprising a jam session on a West Dawson farm and a dance at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s. Quickly realizing that the Festival was too good a secret to keep, an enterprising band of local volunteers incorporated the Dawson City Music Festival Association in 1980, and received charitable status in 1986. Since then, the event Vancouver’s Georgia Straight dubbed as “Canada’s tiny, perfect Festival” has developed a reputation as one of the nation’s premiere musical events, but its strengths have remained the same: unparalleled intimacy, grassroots spirit, fabulous Klondike hospitality,…
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Ness Creek Festival
Ness Creek Cultural and Recreational Society presents the Ness Creek Festival (Saskatoon, SK) July 16-19, is reputed as “The best time you can have in one weekend!” Four Magical Days celebrating Music, Arts, Community and Ecology in the breathtaking setting of the Boreal Forest. Over 30 Main Stage performances, Workshop stage, Eco-Village, Artisan Market, Community Kitchen, Children’s Area, Drum and Dance Circle, Community Sharing Circle, After Hours Tent, and more. Immerse yourself in the Magic of Ness while staying in our rustic campgrounds. The best part is that camping is free with a weekend pass! Feel the sunshine on your face, dance to the beat of live music, breathe the fresh…
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Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival
The Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Arts Society Festival (St. John’s, NL) July 10-12, is an incredible weekend of entertainment for the whole family. Spread out over three exciting days, the Festival is the coming together of community and culture. Come and enjoy a weekend of celebrating Newfoundland & Labrador’s unique culture with great traditional music, interactive workshops, local art work and craft and plenty to eat, drink, see and do. This is a friendly festival that attracts people from all over the world, and it is heralded as one of the province’s premiere cultural events. The Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival has received an ‘A’ grade on the Canadian Festival…
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Sasquatch Gathering
Sasquatch Gathering (Metis Crossing, AB) June 26-28, is a family friendly, music and arts festival. It has had 8 different locations throughout Alberta and now calls Métis Crossing its home. The festival has received an ‘A’ grade on the Canadian Festival Report Card in 2019 and 2017. Visit their website for more information! http://www.sasquatchgathering.com
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Tottenham Bluegrass Festival
The Tottenham Bluegrass Festival (Tottenham, ON) June 19-21, is three days of Bluegrass Music in the natural amphitheater of the Tottenham Conservation Area, by the waters of the village pond.