Winnipeg Folk Festival Unveils 2026 Lineup

Press Release

March 5, 2026

The Winnipeg Folk Festival brings a glimpse of summer with the unveiling of their 2026 lineup! Now in its 51st year, the venerable festival will welcome thousands of festival goers back to Birds Hill Park from July 9-12 for four days of music discovery, including a stellar lineup of artists from Manitoba.

The genre-spanning list of local performers includes indie country act Amos the Kid, wueer Cree songwriter and vocalist FONTINE, singer/songwriter Jacob Brodovsky, children’s performer James Culleton Superfun, bilingual Afro-pop soul artist Kelly Bado, Mama Cutsworth’s Family Dance Party, alternative folk artist The Secret Beach, and indie rocker Tinge.

Touring acts hitting the festival stage this year include marquee names Lucy Dacus, Of Monsters and Men, Father John Misty, Stephen Wilson Jr., Jesse Welles, Sylvan Esso, Kathleen Edwards, Billy Bragg, Ribbon Skirt, and many (many) more. The festival will also host artists from Bénin, Colombia, Iceland, Iraq/Canada, Ireland, Liberia/USA, Lithuania, Peru/USA, Scotland, Somaliland/France, Sweden, and Ukraine, plus a special celebration of Neil Young. Check out the full lineup at winnipegfolkfestival.ca/lineup/performers.

“We want to keep that familiar Folk Fest vibe our audience enjoys each year while also introducing artists who have never played the festival before,” said artistic director Chris Frayer in a release. “We curated this lineup with intention, bringing in artists who truly reflect who we are as a festival. We believe this year sets the trajectory for the next 50 years.”

The full schedule will be released in the coming weeks with lots of opportunities to enjoy local music throughout the festival. Tickets are on sale now at www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca/tickets

For up-and-coming young artists looking to get connected, don’t miss your chance to be a part of this year’s festivities through the Young Performers Program! The program hosts multi-talented youth musicians aged 14-24. Participants spend a day in sessions with mentors chosen from the Festival’s lineup, crafting and perfecting their songs and a second day performing on stage in front of a Folk Fest audience. Apply online by April 10!

This event is an MB Live partnered event. For more info about MB Live, visit www.manitobamusic.com/mblive. For more info about partnership, please visit www.manitobamusic.com/partnerships.

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