Festival FAQ

2020 FESTIVAL AUG 6-9 has been cancelled
FAQs 'in progress'. Updates for the 2021 Festival season will be ongoing.

Tickets & Hours

The 2020 Festival has been cancelled.

Information about the festival in 2021 will be updated.

Check out our ticket page!

2021 ticket prices TBA

In the gate line up, volunteers exchange tickets for wristbands as quickly as possible. During peak times, this process may take longer. Please be considerate of the effort our volunteers are making to expedite your visit. 

4-day passes are exchanged for one wristband for the whole 4 days. Single Day tickets are exchanged for single day wristbands for the day indicated on the ticket.

All four tickets (Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun) may be redeemed for a weekend wristband on the first day, or as single tickets for daily wristbands. Wristbands are not exchangeable.

Your wristband allows you to come and go from the festival and must be worn at all times. Wristbands must not be removed or tampered with. Lost wristbands can not be replaced. 

To get your wristband early and speed up the entry process out the pre-banding hours at our box office on the Ticket Info page.

The Festival Office is located at

10115 - 97 A Ave 

Regular office hours are 9:30 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

As of March 18, we will be closing our office to the public temporarily.

Festival staff are working from home and can be reached via email - contact info can be found here,  or call to leave a message at 780.429.1899

2021 Onsite Box Office hours will be updated.

Getting to the Festival

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

Thursday 1:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Friday      1:30 PM – 12:30 AM
Saturday  9:00 AM – 12:30 AM
Sunday    9:00 AM – 11:30 PM

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.

Gate Entry

2021 information will be updated.

Mainstage:

  • Thursday 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  • Friday 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  • Saturday 2-3 PM & 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  • Sunday 2-3 PM and 7:00 PM to 11 PM

Side stages 

  • Friday 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  • Saturday 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM & 3:00PM to 7:00 PM
  • Sunday 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM & 3:00PM to 7:00 PM

How do I know what’s on when? View the full schedule here, buy a program book, or download the Edmonton Folk Music Fest app.

There are two entry gates:

  • Main Gate/North Gate/Bottom of Hill - 94th St & 97th Ave.
  • South Gate/Top of the Hill - Corner of Connors Road & Cloverdale Hill Road

Box Office is located at the Main Gate.

Gate Opening times: 

Thursday  4:30 PM
Friday       4:30 PM
Saturday   9:30 AM
Sunday     9:30 AM

Arrive at North Gate at 94St and 97Ave or South Gate at corner of Cloverdale Road and Connors Road. Please arrive no earlier than 1 hour prior to gate opening.

Please respect community residents by sticking to sidewalks and minimizing noise.

For information about the Gate Lottery Lineup procedure for a earlier seating selection, please click on the Gate Lottery Process tab below.

The lottery process takes place before the main gates open. It is not mandatory, but is for those who want first choice of seating at the mainstage.

Locations

There are two lottery locations:

East Lottery

Bennett Centre (97 Ave between 93 & 94 St)

West lottery

Bike lock-up (west of 96A St and 96 Ave)

* Use bike path south of Muttart Conservatory

Note that there is no public parking in the Cloverdale neighbourhood or at Muttart during the lottery.

Timelines and procedures

Out of consideration for the festival’s neighbours, please do not arrive prior to the listed times. Everyone who arrives prior to the draw beginning will receive a ticket, so there is no need to arrive early.

  

Thursday & Friday

   

Saturday & Sunday

1

Lottery area opens

2:00

   7:00

 

Show your ticket/wristband, volunteer badge or proof of age and get a lottery ticket.

Everyone who arrives prior to the draw beginning will receive a ticket. Please do not arrive prior to the listed times.

  

2

Lottery draw begins

2:30

   7:30

 

Lottery ticket distribution stops promptly at 30 minutes past the hour when the draw begins.

When your group is announced, exit the area with your lottery ticket and join the line.

  

3

Lottery line escorted on site

4:00

   9:00

Things to be aware of

Participating in the lottery

  • To participate in the lottery, you will need to show one of: festival ticket, wristband, volunteer badge, or proof of age (for youth or senior tickets). The box office onsite may not be open during lottery hours, so plan to pick up tickets ahead of time.
  • To participate, you must remain in the lottery area until your ticket group is called. If you choose to leave early, you will be asked to return your lottery ticket.

Children

  • Children under 12 can accompany parents in the corral and the lottery lineup, but cannot receive separate lottery tickets.
  • Children over 12 (with a youth ticket or volunteer badge) can receive their own lottery ticket. They cannot accompany a parent onto the site with the lineup unless parent and child have lottery tickets in the same group.

 

Entering the site

  • Once you have joined the line, there may be time for you to leave and come back. However, depending on the number of people present, this window may be very short – plan to bring everything with you that you will need to lay your tarp.
  • Before entering the site, the lottery line will be divided into groups of 30. These groups will be escorted in to lay tarps.
  • To get onto the site, each person must have their lottery ticket. Treat them like gold!
  • Each lottery ticket is good for one person and one tarp only. Friends must go with their own lottery ticket groups or with the public lineup at the main gates.

Seating

We’re outdoors in a natural amphitheatre! Seating isn’t provided. Here’s what to do:

  • Bring a tarp as your base – These can be up to 8X10 feet OR 2.5 X 3 meters in size. Use tarp pegs that aren’t sharp, and ensure you use a mallet to pound them all the way into the ground. Tarps larger than the allowed size will be asked to be folded down by security volunteers.
    • See our “Gate Entry” tab for more info about placing your tarp on the Main Stage hill each day. Remember tarps aren’t allowed at session stages.
  • Tarp markers – Many people bring home-made decorated sticks/objects, or decorate their tarps to help friends and family find them on the hill (eg. rubber chicken on a stick). Make sure you keep size in mind – don’t block anyone’s view!
  • Chairs – Bring a low back, low legged chair. These may be no higher than 26 inches off the ground, with legs/seats no higher than 8 inches from the ground. Security volunteers will ask for low chairs to be folded down. Chairs may be used at session stages.
  • Tents and lean-tos – These are to be used for shade and rest purposes only, and must be low profile and pop up in nature. Tents may only be placed past the crest of the hill/top of the hill so they do not interfere with patron site lines. They may have no larger than a 2.5X3 meter footprint, and cannot be more than 1.5 meters tall. Tents must be secured to the ground, and be removed each day.
  • Layered clothing
  • Rain gear
  • Comfortable footwear
  • Sunscreen & bug spray
  • Something to sit on… like a tarp! (Max. size 8'x10')
  • Low-backed, low-legged chair. The maximum chair height allowed on the festival site is: back no higher than 26 inches off the ground, legs/seat no higher than 8 inches off the ground.
  • Snacks & beverages – no alcohol or glass containers
  • Your tickets
  • Cash – some vendors are cash only
  • High-backed, or regular-legged lawnchairs. The maximum chair height allowed on the festival site is: back no higher than 26 inches off the ground, legs/seat no higher than 8 inches off the ground.
  • Pets of any kind
  • Alcohol or illegal drugs
  • Glass containers or bottles
  • Professional photo, video or audio recording equipment

Note: Bag checks in effect.

At the Festival

Folk Fest-iquette – Be a good neighbour!

Each day 25 000 people come together annually at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival in Gallagher Park to take in some of the world's best folk music, and to have a good time. Whether catching up with friend in the Beer Garden, getting in line for a green onion cake, or taking in a performance on the hill, we want to ensure everyone is having an amazing festival experience. Here's how you can contribute:

Everyone is welcome and valued - We encourage all people at the festival to participate in a vision of inclusivity. Regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, religious belief, ability, colour, or other personal characteristics, we want everyone at the festival to feel safe, welcome and valued

Respect - Contribute to the discussion, share ideas, and express yourself. But please be respectful of those around you, and make sure your good time isn't coming at the expense of others. Activities (verbal or physical) causing harm to others will not be tolerated.

Get to know your Festival community – We’re all here because we love music! Get to know those around you and use friendly discussion to solve tarp disputes or other issues.

Patron Responsibilities

  • Wear your wristband at all times (pass holders), or have your ticket with you (day pass holders).
  • Dance in marked areas at the east or west side of the mainstage (or at session stages), and take in person or phone conversations away from the music. Respect peoples’ space!
  • Leave prohibited items at home – bags and items are subject to search by gate volunteers. Check out our “What to bring!” tab for more info.
  • Only smoke in marked areas. This includes tobacco, cannabis and vaping products (see the Festival Map).
  • Leave the way you came – take your tarps, chairs and any other items with you at the end of the day. Dispose of compostables, recycling and waste in the appropriate bins.

The Music and Merch Tent is located east of the main stage. You'll find Performer and Festival merchandise. T-shirts, CDs, LPs, water bottles, mugs,chairs, and much more are available for purchase

The Family Area is located across the field from Stage 7. 
Come over and play, jump, craft, run, sing, and be kids with us!

During the festival:

  • Drop off or claim lost and found items at the Information Tent (look for the big balloons)

Following the festival:

  • Contact the Edmonton Folk Music Festival Administration Office to claim or inquire about your lost items

Inquiries can be made by phone at 780.466.0597 or by email lostandfound@edmontonfolkfest.org

All lost & found items need to be claimed within 3 weeks of the festival.
Items that are unclaimed will be donated to charity.

Look for teh big balloons! Our volunteers have all of the information to help you enjoy the festival.

2019 Edmonton Folk Festival Map

ALL WINNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE EDMONTON FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL RAFFLE!

EARLY BIRD (Draw Saturday, Aug 10 between 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM; all tickets sold before 9:30 PM Saturday are entered in this draw and the Main Draw) 

  • Edmonton Oilers: WINNING TICKET #9065 The winner will be able to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers at two 2019/2020 regular season home games at the beautiful Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton. Even better, three friends can join you at each game, with seating for 4 at a luxury Loge Table! Courtesy of Ticketmaster Canada LP. Package Valued at $3200.00
  • Silver Tarp Package: WINNING TICKET #3139 The winner and a guest will enjoy the 2020 Edmonton Folk Music Festival with two full VIP backstage passes, second placement of their tarp on the Main Stage hill and two Edmonton Folk Music Festival chairs! Arrive in comfort and style and prepared for any weather with 2 Arc’teryx jackets: a Zeta LT Jacket and an Atom LT Hoody, courtesy of Arc’teryx West Edmonton (some restrictions may apply). Complete your festival look with a pair of beautiful sunnies or eyeglasses from Bailey Nelson. Package Valued at $2270.00

MAIN DRAW (Draw Sunday, August 11 between 9:45 PM and 10:15 PM. All tickets purchased before 8:45 PM Sunday will be entered in the Main Draw) 

  • SPECIAL DRAW: Golden Tarp Prize Package: WINNING TICKET #8654 The winner and a guest will enjoy two full VIP backstage passes for the 2020 Edmonton Folk Music Festival with the best seats on the hill! The Golden tarp winner receives first placement of their tarp at the Main Stage and two Edmonton Folk Music Festival chairs! This red-carpet treatment includes four night’s Fairmont View Accommodation at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald and valet parking during the 2020 EFMF Festival weekend (Thursday through Sunday nights), donated by Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. Be folk fest ready in your two new Arc’teryx jackets, a Zeta LT Jacket and an Atom LT Hoody, courtesy of Arc’teryx West Edmonton (some restrictions may apply). Complete your festival look with some beautiful new eyewear from Bailey Nelson. Package Valued at $3776.00
  • 1st PRIZE: EIA Icelandair Travel Prize: WINNING TICKET #8772 The winner receives two non-stop, round-trip Saga class tickets from Edmonton to Iceland or anywhere in Europe Icelandair flies (no blackout dates; some restrictions apply). EIA Airport City package (7 days complimentary valet parking, Plaza Premium 2-hour Lounge pass, two 20-minute massage vouchers and $100 in Outlet Collection gift cards) included! Donated by the Edmonton International Airport.  If that’s not enough, thanks to McBain Camera, you’ll be able to save all the memories of your trip with your new Nikon D5300 DSLR camera with 18-55mm AF-P VR and DX 70-300mm VR Lenses. This compact, lightweight, rugged and comfortable camera comes with bag, extra battery and remote. Travel in style with a new pair of sunglasses, courtesy of Bailey Nelson. Package valued at $7199.90
  • 2nd PRIZE: Folk Music Galore: WINNING TICKET #2065 The winner will receive two tickets to 15 pre-selected live music shows in the Edmonton area throughout 2019/2020 capped off with two 4-day passes to the 2020 Edmonton Folk Music Festival! Tickets for two at the Arden Theatre (5 shows), Live at Winspear (3 shows), the Northern Lights Folk Club (3 shows), and Festival Place (4 shows) have been reserved for this lucky winner. Want more? Enjoy dinner out before the show at 4 great local eateries near the individual venues, with four separate $100 gift cards. In case you want more music, the winner will enjoy 10 CDs, selected especially for you, from the 2019 Edmonton Folk Music Festival line-up! Sit in comfort with two Edmonton Folk Music Festival stadium cushions. Tickets (and Arden Swag) donated by the Arden Theatre, Live at the Winspear, the Northern Lights Folk Club and Festival Place. Package valued at $2600.00
  • 3rd PRIZE: Eastman E1SS-LTD limited-edition acoustic guitar and 3 months of lessons! WINNING TICKET #7493 This Eastman guitar is made in the classic American guitar building tradition. One of only 250 pieces made worldwide, this beautiful guitar features a solid Adirondack Spruce top with Sapele back and sides, hand scalloped braces to achieve maximum top vibration, an ebony fingerboard and bridge and more. And, it comes with a hard shell case. Start to become a guitar whiz with 3 months of lessons at Acoustic Music Shop! All courtesy of Acoustic Music Shop.  Valued at $1638.00

TICKETS ARE SOLD AT THE FESTIVAL ONLY AT THE RAFFLE BOOTH AND FROM ROVING RAFFLE SELLERS

1 FOR $3 OR 2 FOR $5 

RAFFLE LICENCE #534242

First Aid is located north west of main stage along 95 Street.  

The First Aid tent is staffed with health care professionals.

The First Aid tent does not supply items such as sunscreen and insect repellant.

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival is committed to minimizing the festival's impact on the environment.

Recycling bins are distributed across the site - look for waste diversion stations, and look for our Green Team for help and information.

  • returnables such as pop cans can be placed in the blue receptacles.
  • general waste receptacles can receive all other waste materials - materials are sorted for recycling and composting.

Bring your own reusable cup/cutlery or buy them at the Music & Merch tent.

Compostable beer cups provided in the beer garden - thank you to Big Rock!

Compostable cutlery and containers are used by food vendors. They can be placed in bins for sorting. 

Reusable Plate Program - made possible with the assistance of the Edmonton Community Foundation.

How it works:

  • pay a $2 deposit when you purchase food served on a plate
  • return your plate to the plate return depot when you're finished and get your $2 deposit back
  • plates are washed and sanitized, and put back into circulation
  • please return plates as soon as possible after eating so we can keep them circulating

EFMF Response to COVID-19

Our priority is the health and safety of our patrons, artists, and volunteers and we support the efforts of AHS to mitigate and control transmission.

The 2020 Festival has been cancelled.

After the Festival

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival is always the weekend following the August long weekend.

2020 - August 6 - 9 - Cancelled

2021 - August 5 - 8

2022 - August 4 - 7

Look for the big balloons at the Information Tent!

During the festival:

  • Lost children or adults can be taken to the Information Tent.
  • Drop off or claim lost and found items at the Information Tent. 
  •  

Following the festival:

  • Contact the Edmonton Folk Music Festival Administration Office to claim or inquire about your lost items

Inquiries can be made by phone at 780.466.0597 or by email lostandfound@edmontonfolkfest.org

Items will be held for 3 weeks post festival. Items that are unclaimed will be donated to charity.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to keep up to date with all things EFMF!

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For information regarding other attractions in Edmonton, visit exploreedmonton.com

Whether you're an artist, vendor, sponsor or volunteer, check out our info about how to get involved!