Vancouver Folk Music Festival has been a major part of the city’s summer events for a few decades now, and it's an awesome event for people of all ages.
This folk music festival attracts well-known artists from around the globe who take to the stage for this three-day event.
The good news? The festival not only features terrific tunes, but it's also set amongst the most stunning scenery of Vancouver, too.
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is always a good time — Photo courtesy of Vancouver Folk Music Festival
History of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Back in the 1970s, Mitch Podalk, the artistic director of the Winnipeg Folk Festival, had a dream of moving out west and starting a folk festival in Vancouver. Suffice it to say, he succeeded in establishing a world-class folk festival.
When the first festival was held at Stanley Park in 1978, volunteers from Winnipeg’s festival made the trek out to Vancouver to help pull this ambitious task off. And the fact that it has been around year after year is a testament to the amazing job they did right out of the gates.
From the second year onward, Jericho Beach Park has been the site of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, and they really couldn’t have snagged a better spot.
From the beach's park, festival-goers are treated to stunning views of downtown Vancouver, the North Shore mountains and the ocean. It’s a little slice of urban heaven.
2015 Festival Details
The 2015 Vancouver Folk Music Festival will take place from Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19, at Jericho Beach Park.
There are a number of artists who will be taking to the stage over the course of this three-day music festival. A handful of highlights include Taj Mahal, Lurrie Bell, 100 Mile House, Richard Thompson, Trampled by Turtles, Frazey Ford, Basia Bulat, Sara Watkins, Said the Whale and so many more!
For a full list of performers, check out the festival’s website.
The sun sets over the Vancouver Folk Music Festival — Photo courtesy of Vancouver Folk Music Festival
What to Expect
For three days, you’ll enjoy live music from one of Vancouver’s most stunning beaches. Pack a picnic and a large blanket, and sit back and relax, as world-class folk artists take to the stage.
An added bonus? The festival is family friendly, so bring the kids, too.
Along with music, there’s also the Artisan Market + Folk Bazaar, where you can pick up handcrafted items from artists local and beyond.
Hungry? There’s plenty of food to grab while you’re at the festival. But you can also pack a picnic and bring in your own food to enjoy throughout the day.
Bringing the kids? The Little Folks Village is where kids 12 and under can play free when accompanied by a parent with a paid ticket. They’ll enjoy things like clay making, face painting, drawing, painting and other fun activities.
Tickets and Transportation
You can purchase a ticket for the day or a pass for the entire weekend of the festival, and if you can attend the full weekend, you won’t regret it.
Pricing for a weekend pass, including the service fee, is as follows:
- Adult - $149
- Student (for students 19 and older) - $104
- Elder (for ages 65 and older) - $89
- Youth (for ages 13 to 18) - $69
Pricing for a day pass varies depending on the day you end up going. Friday is a shorter day, so pricing is reflective of that. Early bird tickets are on sale until June 15, 2015.
Tickets can be purchased online in advance.
You can get to the festival by bus, car or bicycle. For those who bike, there’s supervised bicycle parking for $2/day near the West Gate.
