Plan Your Fest

Prince's Island

Our festival takes place on the beautiful Prince's Island Park in downtown Calgary.

The island is linked by three bridges to Eau Claire and downtown Calgary and a north bridge to Memorial Drive and the community of Crescent Heights. It is part of the pathway and hiking trail system lining both sides of the Bow River. The southern arm of the river has been landscaped, while the eastern end of the island re-creates a wetland environment. Please respect our environment!

Below, find helpful information on accommodation close to the festival grounds, what to bring, how to get here, where to park and more!

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Hotels

Westin Hotel

320 4 Ave SW

From

$179 - $189

Stretch out in their beautifully designed guest rooms, featuring thoughtful amenities and the famous Westin Heavenly Bed. It’s downtown, right by Prince’s Island Park and downtown river pathways. It’s a pet friendly hotel with an indoor pool, fitness centre and features the Essence restaurant and Keg Steakhouse.


(Last day to book at these rates: July 1, 2026)

Book now

Alt Hotel Calgary East Village

635 Confluence Way S.E.

From

$189-$209

Alt Hotel Calgary East Village is located just steps from the Bow River and all of the area’s amenities and attractions, including Prince’s Island Park. It features boldly designed rooms in a state-of-the-art structure, outfitted with eco-friendly technologies. Free wifi, a 24-hour gym and the Chix Egg Shop are other features. Take in the energy of a completely revitalized neighbourhood, just minutes from downtown.

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Courtyard by Marriott

525 5 Ave. SW

From

$159

Their sleek, contemporary design reflects the new modern Courtyard style, setting the stage for an exceptional stay. Nestled in the vibrant heart of Calgary's downtown, mere moments from Eau Claire Market and the serene Prince's Island Park, they offer a sleek, contemporary design in an unparalleled location. Step into our expansive fitness centre, where a wealth of cardio and fitness equipment, along with free weights, await to invigorate your wellness journey.

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Element by Westin Calgary

833 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

From

$169 - $189

Blocks from Prince’s Island Park, this all-suites property is an ideal extended-stay experience. Enjoy a complimentary Rise breakfast, and 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour pantry, The Bow & Bend restaurant & bar as well as Wonder Local Coffee and Pastry Shop.

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GENERAL INFO

The 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. Broad, cutting-edge programming boasts 70 artists from near and far who perform on seven stages in concerts and collaborative sessions. A genre-bending affair, it cleverly unites diverse roots, blues, funk, pop world and indie sounds from around the globe.

While on our Island village, revel in activities for the whole family, explore our handmade arts market, delight in global cuisines, participate in spoken word, comedy and dance in the Talk Tent and relax in our tree-shaded Big Rock Brewery beer garden. You can also wander with your beverage thanks to all-site licensing!

CULTURE

The Calgary Folk Music Festival's diverse and inclusive community comprises friends and family. Please respect your fellow folk! Through our ongoing work with community organizations, Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA) and Sagesse, we have developed and implemented a Safer Spaces policy. We are committed to providing a harassment-free space for everyone, regardless sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, physical appearance, age, language, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, or otherwise. Review our Safer Spaces policy.

FESTIVAL FORMAT & AMENITIES

The Festival is held in a beautiful, treed outdoor urban park that evolves into a 13,000 person daily village which includes all the amenities you require - food, beverages, water refilling stations and clean port-a-potties. Seating is on the grass on your own blankets and short chairs. Folks stake their claim in the mainstage field when they arrive and use that as their home base. From there, they wander to the seven different stages, family zone and Talk Tent to enjoy programming and activities. Seating, standing and dancing is flexible at all the stages. And there’s plenty of shade and areas on the site to relax and take a break!

Upon entering the site, you’re given a wristband, so feel free come and go.

WHAT TO BRING

Come as you are! The festival can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, but the most important thing to bring is a friend! Some folkies come prepared with all kinds of goodies, others simply show up. Boots, birks or barefoot, all are welcome at the gates! Here's some optional items for those who want to get a little extra out of their Folk Fest experience.

  • Clothing for all kinds of weather (often within the same day): summer wear, a jacket for late nights, rain gear plus dancing shoes!
  • A tarp, blanket and festival chair. (lots of folks just wander the site, sit, stand or dance on the grass without a tarp or chair)
  • A water bottle (refilling stations are plentiful around the site)
  • Bug spray and sunscreen are also very useful
  • Your own non-alcoholic beverages and food if you like
  • Open ears, a love of music, community and diversity

PHOTO & VIDEO RECORDING

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, attendees are asked 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.

FOOD & ALCOHOL

CFMF boasts one of Calgary’s most dynamic food vendor markets meeting the full spectrum of dietary considerations. Plus, you’re more than welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages to the island! Outside alcohol is not permitted, worry not! CFMF is a fully licensed festival across the grounds, and patrons who are 18+ (ID required) can purchase a variety of alcoholic beverages from both Big Rock Bar areas, as well as the Eau Claire Distillery Outpost.

Patrons are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles, with free water stations throughout the island! Stay hydrated, folkies.

Driving

Prince’s Island Park is in the downtown core, just north of the former site of Eau Claire Market, with lots of parking lots available in the area. Be sure to check the City of Calgary parking guide for updates.

Rolling

The Calgary Folk Music Festival boasts an expansive bike parking area on Prince's Island Park, across the Jaipur Bridge and to the East. You can't miss it! Bike down the Bow River pathway and lock up with ease.

Walking

Located off the Bow River pathway and linked by three bridges to Eau Claire and downtown Calgary plus a north bridge to Memorial Drive, you can hoof it to the fest from just about anywhere.

Public Transit

The nearest bus stop to Prince's Island Park is Eb 2 Av SW @ 3 St SW - a 7 min walk to Prince’s Island. The nearest light rail station to Prince's Island Park in Calgary is Nb Sunnyside C-train Station. Prince’s Island Park is 12 min walk away.


Festival map

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Experiences

CFMF Talk Tent

Comedy, spoken word artists, a hip-hop cypher, family entertainment and a music panel animate this cool space. It provides a fun, shaded tent alternative to the Festival's other enticing offerings. Richard Flohil's War Stories reveal the road life and work practices of musicians. Artists recant their experiences, illuminating their touring stories with all the bumps and bruises along the way.

ATB Atrium

Visit The Atrium by ATB at the north end of the main stage! Their popular Vends with Benefits custom vending machine, loaded with amazing prizes highlighting local business returns. Prizes range in value from $20 to $500 and Vends with Benefits is free to use for 18+ folkies. There's also a free phone charging station in The Atrium.