Vancouver Folk Music Festival

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is a Canadian cultural institution. Taking place on the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples—sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations—it is a unique community-based celebration that is internationally renowned for presenting the finest traditional and contemporary folk, world and roots music from around the globe.

Now in its 46th year, the festival continues to be one of the city’s most beloved and respected events. In a typical year, the event draws up to 30,000 enthusiastic attendees to beautiful Jericho Beach Park. Two and even three generations of families join friends and fellow community members to experience the music and culture of more than 40 international, national, and local acts. They come together to listen, dance, enjoy family activities—and to experience the festival’s magical ambience. Attendees can also check out the Beer and Wine Garden and popular Artisan Market between performances, not to mention Pete’s Eats, an eclectic outdoor food market with a range of eclectic and delicious choices for every palate and wallet.

Founded in 1978, the festival was first held in Stanley Park before relocating to Jericho Beach Park in its second year. Following initial support from the City of Vancouver, the festival established the non-profit Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society in 1979. In the festival’s early years, it created and operated its own record label and distribution company, Festival Records.

Over the decades, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival has played a key role in the development of artists and audiences on a regional, national, and international level. The society continues to honour the same traditions, with an emphasis on diverse and emerging artists. The following is just a small cross-section of the names that have performed at Jericho Beach over the years: Billy Bragg, Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco, Townes Van Zandt, Ry Cooder, Utah Phillips, Sidi Touré, Gillian Welch, Boukman Eksperyans, Tuvan Throat singers, Taj Mahal,  Yemen Blues, Neko Case, Pied Pumkin, Veda Hille, Feist, K'naan, Alejandro Escovedo and the Sensitive Boys, Stringband, Calexico, Dan Mangan, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ferron – and so many more.

Progressive values are important to Van Folk, which operates with an environmental consciousness and deep respect for the beautiful park that is its home every summer. Event organizers work hard to keep Jericho Beach Park clean and green, with the goal of a waste-free festival with Recycling Alternatives. Garbage cans have been replaced with systems that promote the recycling of paper and plastic and composting of appropriate food products.

The festival continues with its vision of presenting an artistically excellent event that is welcoming, safe and enjoyable, that respects and celebrates people of all cultures, ages and orientations, and that honours the environment and the park it is granted the opportunity to inhabit every summer.