Festival FAQ

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival has a program to accommodate patrons with physical challenges. If you have questions, concerns or require assistance, please ask for an Access Crew volunteer when you enter the festival.

Tickets and Purchasing

Complimentary access is available for someone who is helping a person with a disability attend the festival. Arrangement ahead of the festival is not required; please enter via the Access Gate (see below) and speak with volunteers to get wrist banded.

POS Debit machines are in use in our Ticket Office and on-site Box Office (North Gate).

Transportation & Parking

ETS DATS drops off at our North Gate/Access Gate.

Limited parking for those with City issued accessibility signage is available along 93 and 94 Streets, from 97 to 98 Avenues. Please obey signage, and remember that City Parking Bylaws are if effect.

Gate Entry

Our Access Gate is located just east of our North Gate. Look for the accessibility symbol, and our volunteer Access crew. DATS will drop off at this gate.

There are no steps at this gate. However, the ground may be uneven.

Seating

Main Stage – A covered, tented seating area is available at the west side of the stage for people with disabilities. Our volunteer Access crew manages this area – please speak to someone at the Access Gate when entering the festival about seating in this space, or to a volunteer stationed at the corner of the west dance area.

Session Stages – Covered tents are available at stages 1, 3 and 6. Please note these are unstaffed areas, and are first come, first serve.

Audience Services

Porta-potties – Accessible porta-potties are available wherever porta-potty services are marked on the Festival map, as well as at our Main Stage access seating area.

Hearing Loops – Installed at all stages just below sound booths. Get a loop receiver at Information, or use your T-switch hearing aid.

Visual Aids – Braille and large print program books are available at Information. Televisions broadcasting the Main Stage performance are located in our Main Stage access seating area.

Volunteer Access Crew

A team of 22 volunteers are on hand to help make your festival experience better. Please speak to one of them at our Access Gate (east of the North Gate), or in the Main Stage access seating area (west of main stage) should you have questions about your time at the festival, or if you have feedback.

2021 info will be updated 

Park and Ride: University of Alberta

Park in any Campus Lot (except the Jubilee lot) **UPDATE** The Education Car Park will be closed for renovation Friday, Saturday & Sunday of the Festival  Special Folk Fest parking rate is $5.50 per day. This rate is only available on weekends and after 6:00PM in Campus lots.

If you are arriving earlier on Thursday or Friday please park in The Windsor Lot (9217 116 St) as only this parkade will be programmed to accept the $5.50 rate starting at 3:00 PM. Be sure to select the Folk Fest rate.

The U of A parking operations have changed to incorporate technology. As such, it is now easy to pay using the Honk mobile app from the comfort of one's vehicle. Otherwise you can pay at the machines with credit or coin.  Remember to park first then pay. Parking via honk before you park does not guarantee you a spot.

Bus pick up – south east corner of the Butterdome (87 Ave and approx. 114 St).

Bus fare – ETS rates apply. Children 12 years and under are free. Exact cash,  ETS passes, tickets and transfers are valid for payment. Also accepted: Strathcona County and St. Albert transit passes.

Please note: bus drivers do not carry change.

Buses run every 30 minutes during the Festival. Hours of operation are:
Thursday  3:30 PM- Close
Friday       3:30 PM – Close
Saturday  8:30 AM – Close
Sunday    8:30 AM – Close

Edmonton Transit information, including trip planner, can be found at https://www.edmonton.ca/edmonton-transit-system-ets.aspx

The festival is held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in beautiful Gallagher Park » See Map

There is NO ON-SITE PARKING. Use Park & Ride, Edmonton Transit, walk, or bike. Please note that there are enforced parking restrictions in the area of Cloverdale, Strathern, and Bonnie Doon. 

Taxi Service: Taxis drop patrons outside the main gate on arrival. On departure, service is much faster if you go to the taxi stand on 97 Ave, no need to call a taxi.

Drop-offs:

• Main Gate - If you are getting dropped off or picked up by a rideshare such as Uber or TappCar, or from a friend or family member, you must use the designated drop off point on 98 Ave. (bottom of the hill). There is no public access into the Cloverdale community beyond that point. 
• South Gate (top of hill) - The drop off zone is at 93 St. To cross Connors Road, use the 93 St. crosswalk. NO crossing is permitted at 95 St. due to safety concerns.

Bike Lock-up Hours of Service

Please do not lock your bike in the park or surrounding community. Bike lock up is located behind the Muttart Conservatory. No supervised overnight bike parking, and no parking for motor bikes.

There is no parking available in the Cloverdale or Strathearn Neighbourhoods.

Park and ride, taxi,  and Edmonton Transit information can be found in the FAQs

Edmonton has many hotels located downtown. short distance from the festival. Contact your travel agent or Edmonton Tourism.

The Bennett Centre:  Located right across the street, the Bennett Centre offers a premium location for Folk Fest accommodations. The private hostel-style rooms accommodate up to four individuals (bunk beds). Visit bennettcentre.epsb.ca .

St. Joseph's College:

Located at the University of Alberta, minutes from all amenities and our Park and Ride location. Single dorm and 2 & 4 bedroom suites available. For information and reservations please email sjcres@ualberta.ca or call 780.868.9190

Camping: As we are located in Central Edmonton, there is no on-site camping. Camping is available at Rainbow Valley Campground, located near Whitemud Creek.