This weekend, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival (VFMF) echoes across Jericho Beach, celebrating the community connection of live music.
“Folk music has always been about bringing people together,” said Fiona Black, Artistic Director of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. “And we want to celebrate that folk is for all. Our Festival is a celebration of music as a gathering place for communities, cultures and generations. And with these two events, I want to encourage everyone to come and learn more about the festival, listen to some amazing music and share our excitement at what this year’s festival has in store.”
As a teaser to the great music that lay ahead, VFMF today July 16, The Rooftop Rhythms at the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch offer audiences an intimate free pre-festival experience in the heart of downtown. Mexico meets the Middle East in a jazzy blend as El Balcón takes the rooftop stage at 2pm.
The 49th Festival gates open, Friday July 17 at 2pm, and the music begins at 3pm from the East, West and South stages, before the Mainstage opens with a Musqueam Welcome at 5:50pm followed by performances including Aysanabee, Hazlett and Sahra Halgan.
Saturday and Sunday, the Festival gets started across three stages at 10:30 AM with performances like Rise Up and Sing hosted by Billy Bragg and collaborative sessions including Global Ties That Bind with host Empanadas Ilegales and Stories from Across the Pond hosted by John Smith. On the Mainstage Saturday evening are Tami Neilson, Billy Bragg and Ruby Waters with Sunday evening performances from Maruja Limón, Valerie June and BIM (Benin International Musical).
VFMF is a weekend for the whole family, parents with tickets can bring a child under 12 to the Festival for free. Open 3 to 5pm on Friday, 10am to 4:30pm Saturday and Sunday, the Little Folks Village is filled with activities and entertainment to feed little creative minds. To feed hungry stomachs, the festival again hosts an array of food trucks to find street eats, sweet treats and refreshments. Explore the artisan village for handmade, unique creations to take home, and don’t forget to pick up a ticket for the annual raffle for a chance at great prizes.
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival runs Friday, July 17 to Sunday July 19, 2026 at 
(Jericho Beach Park) off West 4th Avenue, just west of Alma Street. For the full performance schedule, weekends passes and tickets visit thefestival.bc.ca.