
Festival FAQ
Tickets & Hours
When are tickets available?
Tickets for the 2022 Festival go on sale online only at 10 am on June 4, 2022.
Tickets are available at www.frontgatetickets.com
Where can we purchase tickets?
Tickets are available at www.frongatetickets.com.
Check out our ticket page for more info.
How much are tickets?
Find the 2022 ticket prices here.
Do I need a wristband? How do I get one?
Yes, you need a wristband. Your ticket will be scanned at the gate, and you will be given a wristband upon entry.
In the gate lineup, 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.
Personal Passes are exchanged for one wristband for the whole 4 days.
Single Day tickets (and tickets from the 4-Pack) are exchanged for single-day wristbands for the day indicated on the ticket.
Wristbands are non-exchangeable and non-transferable.
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 or removed wristbands can not be replaced.
To get your wristband early and speed up the entry process, check out the pre-banding hours at our Ticket office on the Ticket Info page.
Ticket Office Hours
The Festival Office is located at 10115 - 97a Ave.
For Ticket Office hours head to our Ticket Page.
Onsite Box Office Hours
2022 Onsite Box Office hours to be announced.
Ticket Refund Policy
Check out our Ticket Page for details.
Is there re-entry to the festival site?
Your wristband allows re-entry to the festival. Do not remove your wristband if you wish to re-enter
Do I need a physical ticket?
You do not need a physical ticket.
We can scan a physical ticket or your electronic ticket on a mobile device. If using a ticket on a mobile device, please have it ready at the gate before you are asked.
I can't find my ticket/can't locate my order
You can call our office in advance of the festival 780-429-1999, or during the Festival you can stop by our Festival Box Office (just beside the Main/Northern Gate) and we can help sort out the issue.
If you have purchased your ticket from a third party, we will not be able to replace it.
Getting to the Festival
Accessibility
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 on Site
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.
Tickets can only be purchased (If available) on the festival site at the northern gate Box Office (bottom of hill).
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.
Park & Ride
Park and Ride: From the University of Alberta
Valid in STADIUM and WINDSOR car parks August 4 -7 from 6am to 12am each day.
The parking coupon code is 98D13W.
Note your license plate number before leaving your vehicle. Purchase parking from the parking dispenser and when it asks you for payment type, choose coupon code. Select full daily parking. You can print the receipt, but it does not have to be displayed on the dash.
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
ETS
Edmonton Transit information, including trip planner, can be found at https://www.edmonton.ca/edmonton-transit-system-ets.aspx
Taxi / Uber / Ride Service
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
2022 Bike Lock up information to be updated.
From 2019:
Bike Lock-up Hours of Service
Thursday 1:30 PM – 11:30 PMFriday 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.
Parking
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
Where Can I Stay? Accommodations/Camping
Edmonton has many hotels located downtown. short distance from the festival. Contact your travel agent or Explore Edmonton.
The Bennett Centre: The Bennet Centre will be closed in 2022. For more information please 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
When is the Music On?
2022 information to be updated
2019 Mainstage hours:
- 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? Full schedule will be available in July. Program books are available to purchase at the festival, and the Edmonton Folk Music Fest app will be available to download in June.
Line Up
2022 information to be updated
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 beside 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.
Gate Lottery
2022 gate lottery info will be updated in the summer.
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.
Seating - tarps, chairs
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.
What should I bring with me?
- 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. If you need one, we sell them in our Music and Merch tent on site!
- Snacks & beverages – no alcohol or glass containers
- Your tickets
What should I leave at home?
- 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
- Weapons and sharp instruments
- Professional photo, video or audio recording equipment
Note: Bag checks in effect.
At the Festival - 2022 info to be updated
Folk Fest-iquette
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.
- 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.
Where can I dance?
2022 info to be updated
What can I eat?
2022 info to be updated
What can I drink?
2022 info to be updated
Shopping
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.
Family Fun Area
The Family Area is located across the field from Stage 7.
Come over and play, jump, craft, run, sing, and be kids with us!
Lost & Found
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. It can take a few days for all items to be returned from site, so check again.
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. After that time, any remaining unclaimed items will be donated to charity.
Info Booth
Look for the big balloons! Our volunteers have all of the information to help you enjoy the festival.
Map
Raffle 2022
The Festival will be running a 50/50 raffle in conjunction with our regular prize based raffle. Look for our volunteers on-site, visit the information tent, or buy online here.
First Aid/Safety
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.
Sustainability
2022 info to be updated
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.
Compostable 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
COVID-19
2022 info to be updated
After the Festival
When is next year's Festival?
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival is always the weekend following the August long weekend.
2023 - August 10 - 13
2024 - August 8 - 11
Lost & Found
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 after this time will be donated to charity.
Where can I find news about the Festival?
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to keep up to date with all things EFMF!
Subscribe to our newsletter here.
What else can I do in Edmonton & Alberta?
For information regarding other attractions in Edmonton, visit exploreedmonton.com
How can I participate in next year's festival?
Whether you're an artist, vendor, sponsor or volunteer, check out our info about how to get involved!