Calgary Folk Music Festival
Calgary Folk Music Festival is one of Canada's flagship, trailblazing music festivals held annually since 1980 at the beautiful Prince's Island Park in Calgary, Alberta. Our broad, cutting-edge programming boasts 70 artists from near and far playing on seven stages in concerts and collaborative sessions featuring everything from folk to funk to fresh hip hop. While on our Island village, revel in activities for the whole family, explore our handmade arts market, delight in global cuisines, and relax in our tree-shaded Big Rock Brewery beer garden.
The Calgary Folk Music Festival operates on a cash light system. There are no ATMs on site. Many areas – the main gate, beer gardens and Festival merchandise tent – accept credit, interac, e-wallet, apple pay and tap options but cash transactions will be accommodated, too. Independent vendors (food and artisan market) use their own payment options.
What to bring
This a shortlist of items that you can bring onto the grounds that'll improve your time at Folk Fest.
Backpack
Water bottle
Blanket
Tarp
Snacks
Friends and family!
Culture
We’re made up of friends and family here. Please respect your fellow folk.
Bring your service animal
Bring a festival chair
Have a good time
Don't bring pro cameras
Don't bring your pet
Don't harass anyone
Don't bring a beach chair
Venue
Our festival takes place on the beautiful Prince’s Island Park in downtown Calgary.
Hotels
Live that luxurious festival life with our wonderful hotel partners, all conveniently nearby!
525 5 Ave. SW
This brand-new hotel features a contemporary design and new modern style at the centre of bustling downtown Calgary, located in the heart of the business district and close to all services and amenities, just steps away from Eau Claire Market, Stephen Avenue and Prince’s Island Park.
Bistro Novelle features energizing breakfast, or dinner and crafted cocktails during the evening. The Crate market is available day or night. Recharge in the comfort of our newly designed contemporary rooms. There’s a spacious well-equipped fitness centre.
Rate: standard room (1 king bed or 2 queen beds) $149
Book your group rate for 2023 Calgary Folk Music Festival - Patrons Block - July 2023
You will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event.
Room booking deadline: July 06, 2023
610 10 Ave. SW
Built on the site of the historic Alberta Boot Company, this pet-friendly hotel pays homage to its cowboy roots, located in the vibrant Beltline District. In close proximity to the city's top attractions, including the Calgary Tower and the Scotiabank Saddledome. Walk to local downtown spots or hop on the CTrain and explore the nearby restaurants and shops. It includes complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour, two-story fitness centre. Each suite boasts a full kitchen and complimentary grocery delivery service.
Rates:
Studio, King suite - $199/night plus taxes
One bedroom King suites - $259/night plus taxes
All room rates include a deluxe buffet breakfast and complimentary wifi.
Room booking deadline: June 27th, 2023.
Book your group rate for Calgary Folk Festival
320 4 Ave. SW
The Westin is a 4 star hotel right by Prince’s Island Park featuring heavenly beds, 55-inch cable televisions, work desks with phones and pillowtop beds. Dine at Owen’s Landing or the Keg. Other features include 24-hour room service, a health club, an indoor pool and a sauna. They also welcome pets.
Rates:
$161 - traditional king room
$171- traditional double room
Book your group rate for Calgary Folk Festival Audience Block
Booking deadline: July 21, 2023
610 4 Ave SW
Formerly known as the Regency Suites Hotel Calgary, comfort, style and a great location await you at the Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel & Suites by APA. This all-suite hotel has everything you need for a relaxing, productive stay, with its close proximity to Prince’s Island and iconic city landmarks.
Rates:
$159 + tax one bedroom (with pullout couch) suite
$209 + tax - 2 bedroom suite
Book your room at the Coast Calgary
630 4 Ave SW
The Westley Calgary Downtown is nestled between the Bow River and the Core Shopping Centre, a mix of tranquility and energy. It’s steps from the west end of Prince's Island Park and scenic pathways. It features 24-hour sunlit fitness facility and outdoor leisure equipment rental.
The Cal-Mexican Fonda Fora restaurant and bar offers all-day service with roots in Mexican culture and a heavy influence of California's cuisine sensibilities.
Rates $185- $385 (king; queen, corner king, studio and 2-bedroom suites)
Book your Room at The Westley Hotel
FAQs
We provide covered seating for people with reduced mobility. If you need assistance reaching the festival site, please either arrive at the East Gate (no vehicle access) or drive to the West Gate, where we will signal a golf cart to transport you to the seating area. Chairs are provided for your comfort. Patrons needing a caregiver must still purchase a ticket, but the caregiver is admitted free.
Please be aware we have very limited capacity to transport patrons with reduced mobility between stages.
Festival chair is the designation we give to chairs with legs shorter than 8 inches. If you can roll a basketball under it, it's too high! We want all of our patrons to comfortably view the performances. If you are unable to sit in a low-lying chair due to medical reasons, we offer accessible seating near the stage with standard size chairs and viewing screens.
Festival patrons are encouraged to take cellular devices, point-and-shoot, film and instant film photos throughout the event. Be sure to tag us at your leisure! However, we urge all attendees to leave DSLR, mirrorless, zoom lenses and any full-frame or crop sensor digital cameras at home.
As per the ticketing agreement, only approved photographers and videographers are permitted to take professional quality images. The Festival reserves the right to determine what photography and photographs are deemed professional, and may ask you to remove your photos from any public-facing social media platforms, websites and publications at our discretion.
The Calgary Folk Music Festival volunteer photo and video team will be working hard all weekend long capturing the event. Check out our Flickr page, and follow us across all social channels @calgaryfolkfest.
Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome at the Festival. However, outside alcohol is not permitted. Be advised that bag checks occur at Festival entry points and personal alcohol will be confiscated and disposed of.
The sessions are curated, collaborative, in-the-round and jams that unite artists in exquisite in-the-round mash-ups during the afternoon Friday and the day Saturday and Sunday on multiple stages at Prince’s Island. See your favourite artists or choose sessions according to the line-up and/or themes. There’s lots of variety and really something for everyone.
The Folk Festival Society of Calgary (FFSC) is committed to providing a safe and healthy event in which to enjoy music, volunteer and work. Our Cannabis Consumption area is located past Stage 6 at the North East side of the Festival grounds.
We would like to remind patrons, staff, volunteers and vendors and contracted workers that:
- Our events are “Smoke-Free” outside of the designated tobacco smoking and cannabis consumption areas and guided by The City of Calgary ("City") Bylaws.
Bringing Cannabis onto Prince's Island Park (PIP) will be allowed and is subject to the Cannabis Act which states you must:
Learn more about the guidelines protecting public health.
- Medical Cannabis users please only carry your daily needs. You may be asked to demonstrate you are authorized to carry cannabis products at the request of a police officer.
- Volunteers, vendors and workers please note accommodating the use of medical cannabis / marijuana does not entitle:
- All volunteers are expected to arrive sober at the start of shift and remain sober for the duration.
- Staff, board, contractors, vendors and suppliers must be compliant with the consumption policies of their employer.
Learn more about the consumption of Cannabis for Calgarians
Should you encounter anyone who appears to be in medical distress or is unresponsive as a result of consuming cannabis, alcohol or other unidentified substances please find an event volunteer and they will call first aid and assist.
Choose an environmental option to get to the Festival! Prince's Island Park is connected to Calgary's Bow River pathway and accessible from any point in the city.
Our bike lockup will be lock up your bike at your own risk. Our safety and security team will continue to monitor the bike racks area, and we will have ample eyes from existing festival volunteers to help keep the area as safe as possible.
The Calgary Folk Music Festival operates on a cash light system. There are no ATMs on site. Many areas – the main gate, beer gardens and Festival merchandise tent – accept credit, interac, e-wallet, apple pay and tap options but cash transactions will be accommodated, too. Independent vendors (food and artisan market) use their own payment options.
And we've got more answers! Head to our full FAQ page for more details. If you still can't find the answer you're looking for, feel free to reach out to us at hello@calgaryfolkfest.com and we will return your query within business hours.