Vancouver Folk Festival
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is back this summer and it’s bigger, bolder, and more joyful than ever. From July 18 to 20, music lovers will gather at the city’s most stunning waterfront location, ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park, for a full weekend of world-class performances, food, art, and community.
This year’s lineup is a vibrant mosaic of global artistry and Canadian heart. From the rhythms of Tanzania, Congo, Morocco, South Africa, and Ireland to the voices of PEI, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, the 2025 roster is a celebration of music without borders.
“The 2025 Festival lineup reflects the diverse communities we serve and the powerful stories that music can tell across cultures and continents,” says Fiona Black, Artistic Director, Vancouver Folk Music Festival. “In a world that sometimes feels like it is being pulled apart, there’s comfort in knowing that we’ll again be gathering to feel the positive power of music and community, and their ability to change us all for the better.”
Festivalgoers can expect everything from the soulful traditions of Tanzania’s Zawose Queens and the electrifying Congolese collective Les Mamans du Congo x Rrobin, to the genre-bending sounds of Cris Derksen, a celebrated Indigenous cellist and composer. Highlights also include Bab L’ Bluz, a Franco-Moroccan psychedelic Gnawa rock band, Australia’s Emily Wurramara, whose music celebrates her Indigenous heritage of Anindilyakwa, and Canadian favourites like Elisapie, Jane Siberry, and Julian Taylor. Whether you’re dancing to a psychedelic Gnawa groove, harmonizing with an Indigenous cello-driven ballad, or swaying barefoot to a Maritime folk song, this year’s festival delivers the soundtrack to summer.
More than just a music festival, VFMF is a community celebration filled with dancing, storytelling, food, artisan markets, and the stunning natural beauty of ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park. This is the place where musical borders dissolve and the beach becomes a stage for cultural connection and discovery.
Adds Black, “It’s a great time to be presenting ‘folk’ music which is having a real resurgence amongst younger demographics in the guise of ‘indie folk’. Some of the hottest bands in this oeuvre at this year’s festival include our very own home-grown Ocie Elliott from Victoria, BC, the exceptional folk and bluegrass duo The Milk Carton Kids and Watchhouse, who have a legion of fans from their earliest incarnation as Mandolin Orange. I consider folk more as an umbrella term to encapsulate music without borders or boundaries and relevant to all ages.”
The Vancouver Folk Festival is more than a concert — it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and connection. Festivalgoers of all ages can enjoy:
● Artisan markets featuring handmade goods and local treasures
● Tastes of the world from a wide array of food vendors
● Interactive artist workshops and panels offered throughout the festival
● Family-friendly zones with programming for little folk fans
● And, of course, sunset singalongs on the beach
The list of 2025 artists is below and full info is online at https://thefestival.bc.ca/.
CANADIAN ARTISTS
● African Chamber Music Ensemble (BC)
● Bel & Quinn (QC/Haiti)
● Blue Moon Marquee (BC)
● Cris Derksen (ON)
● Elisapie (QC)
● Haram (BC)
● Jane Siberry with Rebecca Jenkins (ON/BC)
● Julian Taylor (ON)
● Kellie Loder (NL)
● Krystle Dos Santos and Orchard Sky (BC)
● Lennie Gallant (PEI)
● Locarno (BC)
● Marcus Mosely and Friends (BC)
● Marin Patenaude (BC)
● Meredith Moon (ON)
● Mimi O’Bonsawin (ON)
● Nico Paulo (NL/Portugal)
● Ocie Elliott (BC)
● On the Beach: Neil Young Reimagined (BC)
● Rich Hope (BC)
● Samantha Parton (BC)
● Speeding West (BC/US)
● Sue Foley (ON)
● TEKE::TEKE (QC/Japan)
INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
● Bab L’ Bluz (Europe/Africa)
● Bamba Wassoulou Groove (Africa)
● Derek Gripper & Guy Buttery (South Africa)
● Eilen Jewell (United States)
● Emily Wurramara (Australia)
● Jake Xerxes Fussell (United States)
● Kris Drever (Scotland)
● Les Mamans du Congo x Rrobin (Africa)
● Margaret Glaspy (United States)
● Rumbaristas (Belgium /France/Spain)
● Ruthie Foster (United States)
● Shooglenifty (Scotland)
● The Heavy Heavy (UK)
● The Langan Band (Scotland)
● The Milk Carton Kids (United States)
● The Zawose Queens (Tanzania)
● VÍÍK (Denmark/Norway)
● Watchhouse (United States)
● Willi Carlisle (United States)
● Ye Vagabonds (Ireland)
Whether you’re a lifelong folk fan or a first-timer ready to discover something new, this year’s festival is an invitation to show up, slow down, and soak up the music — from wherever you are, and whoever you are.
Early Bird weekend passes are on sale now. Book tickets through the website or contact the Festival Box Office at 604.602.9798 between 10am and 4pm or [email protected]. Buy early to get the best pricing and secure your spot at one of the city’s most iconic and inclusive summer events. Ticket prices are subject to taxes and fees.
ABOUT THE VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is a Canadian cultural institution. It is a unique community-based celebration internationally renowned for presenting the finest traditional and contemporary folk and roots music from around the world. Now in its 48th year, the Festival continues to be one of the city’s most beloved, enjoyed, and respected events. Each year, the Festival draws tens of thousands of enthusiastic attendees to experience the music and culture of more than 40 international, national, and local acts.