Festival FAQ

The festival always falls on the weekend after the holiday Monday in August.

The 2019 festival is August 8-11th.

2020 - August 6 - 9
2021 - August 5 - 8

Stay tuned to our ticket page for updates

The festival is held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in beautiful Gallagher Park (next to 97 Ave and 94 St) » 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. 

Bike Lock-up Hours of Service

Please do not park your bike in the park around the Muttart Conservatory. Our bike lock up is located on the park pathway behind Muttart Conservatory.

No supervised overnight bike parking, and no parking for motor bikes.

Park & Ride : Park & Ride service is available from the University of Alberta (See the next tab for complete details).

Regular transit service: bus transit service goes right by the park in all directions. Call 311 within Edmonton or 780-442-5311 from outside the city for information, or visit takeets.com.

Taxi Service: Taxi service is located on 97^th Avenue outside the main gate. Please DO NOT CALL taxis. Service is much faster if you go to the taxi stand. Taxis are allowed to drop patrons at the main gate.

Drop-offs: 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^th Avenue (bottom of the hill). There is no public access into the Cloverdale community beyond that point.

Park and Ride: University of Alberta,

Park in any Campus Lot (except the Jubilee lot) – 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 .

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 cash.  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- 11:30 PM
Friday       3:30 PM – 1:00 AM
Saturday  8:30 AM – 1:00 AM
Sunday    8:30 AM – 11:30 PM

There are two entry gates:

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

The Festival Box Office is located  at  the North Gate.

Absolutely NO drop offs are permitted at the top of Cloverdale hill. The drop off zone for the South Gate is at 93rd St. To cross Connors Road, use the 93 St. crossing. NO crossing is permitted at 95 Street due to safety concerns.

Gate Opening times:  Regular gate line-ups and openings at North and South gates will happen as in previous years.

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

When Can I Line Up?

To ensure fair, orderly line-ups that create minimal intrusion and noise in the Community, there is a lottery for line-up position for those who wish to line up before the gates open. (See the next section for full lottery procedures)

The gates will open for general admission at 4:30pm on Thursday and Friday and 9:30am on Saturday and Sunday. 

To ensure fair, orderly line-ups that create minimal intrusion and noise in the community, there is a lottery for line-up position for those who wish to line up before the gates open.

The gate lottery is not mandatory – it is used by those who want the closest seats to the main stage. 

The 2018 Lottery Process 

1. East Lottery: Located near Stage 1 with entrance at the east service gate. Patrons who park by Connors Road can walk down Cloverdale Road. As the lottery order is announced, patrons will be lined up on the sidewalk westward from corner of 93St and 97Ave. Then they will be escorted in groups of 25 to the East side of the main stage.
2. West Lottery: Located near the Bike Lock-up There is no public parking in the neighborhood or at the Muttart for the lottery. As the lottery is announced, patrons will be lined up along 96 Ave. When it is time to enter the site, patrons will be escorted in groups of 25 to the West side of Main stage.

Gate Lottery Procedures

1. Arrive between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm (no earlier) on Thursday and Friday and 6:30 am and 7:00 am (no earlier) on Saturday and Sunday.
2. Thursday and Friday lottery tags are distributed starting at 2:00 pm, and the draw is completed at 2:30pm.
3. Saturday and Sunday lottery tags are distributed starting at 7:00 am, and the draw is completed at 7:30 am.

Patrons who wish to participate in the lottery MUST have their festival ticket, wristband, Government ID for proof of age (for youth or senior tickets), or volunteer badge to receive a lottery tag. If you plan to participate in the lottery you should pick up your ticket ahead of time, as the Festival Box Office may not be able to accomodate you in time for the lottery.

• On all days, patrons must stay in the lottery area until the draw is completed.
• If you leave before the draw, you are ineligible for the draw. One lottery tag for one person, and one tarp only.
• If your friend has a different place in the lottery,  they cannot go in with you, they must wait until their turn.

Everyone who participates in the lottery must be considerate of our volunteers and of the community. Abuse will not be tolerated.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Entrance Procession: Once the lottery draw is completed, participants will be escorted at a walking pace in groups of 25 from all entrance gates to the seating area. To ensure everyone’s safety, there will be no rush!

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.

Once you are in line at the gates, 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 redeemed for one wristband for the whole weekend. Single Day tickets are redeemed a single day wristband for the day indicated on their ticket.

All four day tickets (Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun) may be redeemed for a weekend wristband on the first day, or as singles 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. 

• 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
• Snacks & beverages – no alcohol or glass containers
• Your tickets
• Cash – many vendors are cash only

• High-backed, or regular-legged lawnchairs: Maximim chair height = back no higher than 26 in. 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.

Yes, you can bring in your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. There are many tasty options from our vendors that should satisfy many tastes and dietary needs. See a full list of vendors here.

Mainstage:

• Thursday: 6 – 11:00 PM.
• Friday 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
• Saturday 2-3 PM & 7 PM to 12:00 AM.
• Sunday: 2-3 PM and 7 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? The Artist line-up full schedule are posted here. Program books will be available on site, or download the Edmonton Folk Music Fest app from the app store.

Bike lock-up, family area, food and beverage, beer garden, merchandise sales, information tent, lost & found, first aid, washrooms, water refills, recycling stations, as well as on site cash machines. Even Yoga!

Purchase a Festival program book, or download our free app for complete information.

Do you have Children? The Information tent is marked by large balloons. Show your children where they can go if they are separated from you on site.

Lost and Found:

• During the festival - Visit the Information Tent
• Following the Festival - it takes a while to accumulate! Please contact our offices at 780-429-1899 after Tuesday. Lost items will be donated if not claimed by September

The Folk Festival has a complete program to accommodate patrons with physical challenges.

Accessible parking is available North of the Main Gate. This limited parking is available on a first, come first served basis and therefore not guaranteed. For more reliable service, Taxis and DATS vehicles drop and collect patrons directly at the Main Gate during the event.

For patrons who have purchased a ticket and require an attendant, the attendant is admitted at no charge. For patrons who qualify for free entry, an attendant will require a ticket. 

Wheelchair Access and Other Mobility Issues: Festival Volunteers can assist wheelchair users to the accessible covered seating area next to the main stage. Most of the Session Stages also have small side areas that are accessible for patrons. Space in these areas is restricted to the patron who requires them plus one attendant.

Hearing impairment: Magnetic induction loops have been installed at performance areas to enable hearing assistance. Ask Access Crew or Information Tent volunteers for a loop receiver (or use your T-switch hearing aid) for the specific locations at each stage.

Visual impairment: Braille and large print schedule information is available at the Information Tent.

If you have questions, concerns or require assistance once you are on site, please ask for an Access Crew volunteer when you enter at the either gate, or at the Information Tent.

Policies, Safety and Etiquette – Good Neighbor Guidelines

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival plays host to 100,000 patrons over four days. In order to ensure the best possible experience for everyone involved, please be aware of our good neighbor policies. Most of these guidelines are common sense – please be considerate to everyone on the hill.

• Use only the space you need.

At the Main Stage, tarps may be no larger than 8 x 10 ft. No tarps may be left at side stages. These stages will be cleared of unattended tarps and chairs between sessions.

• Don’t Block the View 

Please be aware of chair height limits: 26” from the ground to top of the back, with maximum 8” legs/seat. Please ensure that your chair is not too tall. Small tents or lean-tos are only permitted at the very top of the hill. Dance at the side of stages in dance areas.

• Consider your neighbour’s listening experience
  Turn off your cell phone and don’t talk during performances. Most folks want to hear the music, not your conversations. If you absolutely need to talk – including on your cell phone – please move away from the stages.

• No Smoking Areas

Smoking is not permitted in any seated area of any stage (including Main Stage) or inside the beer garden. It is also not permitted in any line-up per City bylaw. Please consider the needs of those around you.

Smoking is permitted in the north east corner of Stage 1 or at the top of Area 4 during the day. Please adhere to smoking signage.

Note: Vaping is considered smoking, and the same rues apply.

• Pitch in

Put your compostables, recyclables and garbage in appropriate bins provided. Pinch and pocket cigarette butts. Help us keep Gallagher Park clean!

• Know Where Your Kids Are

Do not leave children unattended. Children must be supervised. Direct lost kids to the Information Tent.

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).

The Bennett Centre also offers a separate facilities access pass which allows for convenient access to the Bennett Centre’s indoor washrooms. 

Visit bennettcentre.epsb.ca  to book.

There are also options to stay at residences at the University of Alberta (780-492-6056) or Grant MacEwan University (780-633-3623). Contact them directly for details.

Camping: As we are located in Central Edmontn, there is no on-site camping.  Camping is available at Rainbow Valley Campground, located near Whitemud Creek. For reservations, call 780-434-5531. 

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

Edmonton Folk Festival 2018 Site Map

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RAFFLE WINNERS!

EARLY BIRD PRIZES (Draw Saturday, August 11)

Edmonton Oilers, Courtesy of Ticketmaster Canada LP WINNING TICKET #1271

• Two 2018/2019 regular season home games at Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton.
• Seating for 4 at a luxury Loge Table

Package Valued at $3200.00

Silver Tarp Package, Jackets courtesy of Arc’teryx West Edmonton WINNING TICKET #8798

• Two full VIP backstage passes to the 2019 Edmonton Folk Music Festival
• Second placement of your tarp on the Main Stage hill
• Two Edmonton Folk Music Festival chairs!
• Two Arc’teryx jackets: a Beta SL Hybrid Gore-Tex Jacket and an Atom LT Jacket

Package Valued at $1980.00

MAIN DRAW (Draw Sunday, August 12):

SPECIAL DRAW:

Golden Tarp Prize Package, Accommodation, picnic basket and parking courtesy of the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald; jackets courtesy of Arc’teryx West Edmonton WINNING TICKET #4139

• Two full VIP backstage passes for the 2019 Edmonton Folk Music Festival
• First placement of your tarp at the Main Stage hill
• Two Edmonton Folk Music Festival chairs
• Four night’s Fairmont View Accommodation at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald with valet parking during the 2019 EFMF Festival weekend (Thursday through Sunday nights)
• A Chef’s Gourmet picnic basket for two during the 2019 EFMF Festival weekend
• Two Arc’teryx jackets, a Beta SL Hybrid Gore-Tex Jacket and an Atom LT Jacket

Package Valued at $3706.40

1^st PRIZE: Folk on the Rocks Festival Package, Passes and flights courtesy of Folk on the Rocks; camera courtesy of McBain Camera WINNING TICKET #2645

• Two weekend passes to the 39^th annual 2019 Folk on the Rocks Festival in Yellowknife, NWT
• Two Canadian North Airline flights from Edmonton to Yellowknife
• Up to 4 night’s hotel accommodation in one of the FOTR Festival’s partner hotels during the festival weekend
• Fuji X-Series X-T20 Camera, outfitted with a18-55mm F2.8-4.0 lens

Package Valued at $3549.00

2^nd PRIZE: San Francisco! Flights and parking courtesy of Edmonton International Airport; wine courtesy of Peller Family Vineyards WINNING TICKET #4546

• Two non-stop business class return tickets to San Francisco from Edmonton via Air Canada
• One week of Priority Valet Parking at EIA
• A selection (12 bottles) of Canada’s finest wines

Package valued at $3000.00

 3^rd PRIZE: Larrivée Guitar, Courtesy of Acoustic Music Shop WINNING TICKET #0770

• A Larrivée D-40RW Legacy Acoustic Guitar and Case

Valued at $2000.00

Please see official raffle rules for prize restrictions.

Purchasers must be 18 years of age or older.

Draw Times:

• Early Bird Draw: 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM on Saturday, August 12, 2017
• Main Draw: 9:45 PM and 10:15 PM on Sunday, August 13, 2017

Raffle Sales Cut-Off Times:

• Early Bird: 9:30 PM Saturday, August 12, 2017
• Main Draw: 8:45 PM Sunday, August 13, 2017

Tickets purchased before the Early Bird cut-off will be eligible for both Early Bird prizes and Main Draw prizes. Purchases made after the Early Bird deadline will only be eligible for the Main Draw.

During the festival (August 9-12):

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

Following the festival (August 13-23):

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

780-429-1899

lostandfound@edmontonfolkfest.org

All lost & found items need to be claimed by August 24^th. Items that are unclaimed will be donated to charity.