Your essential guide to the 40th Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Whether you’re a long-time advocate of this festival-in-the-city, or a concert newbie, there’s something for everyone at the 40th annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

This year’s highlights include Canadian pop royalty Barenaked Ladies, as well as the festival’s first-ever FREE opening night concert on Thursday, July 13 at 7 pm.

From July 13 to 16, hear over 65 music acts from 20+ countries on seven beachfront stages. The Vancouver Folk Music Festival will feature some of the world’s finest traditional and contemporary folk, world and roots music artists.

Basic Details

When: July 13 to 16, 2017

Website: thefestival.bc.ca

Venue: Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver

Headliners:

• Blind Pilot
• Aoife O’Donovan & Noam Pikelny
• Mbongwana Star
• Kathleen Edwards
• Barenaked Ladies
• Sidestepper
• Shawn Colvin
• Bahamas
• The Revivalists
• Cold Specks
• Blick Bassy
• John K. Samson & the Winter Wheat
• Rhiannon Giddens
• Billy Bragg & Joe Henry

Check out the complete Vancouver Folk Music Festival Weekend Schedule.

Image: Barenaked Ladies, Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Daytime Workshops

A unique part of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, the Day Stages run Friday, Saturday and Sunday over six stages spread throughout Jericho Beach Park. Want to know what happens when your favourite artists and bands mash things up in a comfortable, intimate festival setting?

Hear sessions based around different genres and themes at the Day Stages, in surprising collaborations that show off these individual artists’ skills and sheer love of music. Re-discover old favourites in a new light, and explore new up-and-comers before the epic Evening Stages each night.

Check out the complete list of Day Stages on the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Schedule.

Image: Belle Game, Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Festival Guide and App

The online Vancouver Folk Music Festival Info Booth is a great resource for all of your pre-festival questions. You can find great tips on festival accessibility, frequently asked questions, and a list of all the best festival eats.

New this year is the official Vancouver Folk Music Festival app, available on both iTunes and Android. Stay up-to-date on all events, while gaining access to special offers and in-event rewards, exclusive to app users.

Image: Blind Pilot, Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Tickets and Discounts

Want to save a little money? Purchasing tickets in advance is cheaper than getting them at the gate. For example:

Discount passes can only be purchased in advance. More info online, or in-person at the VFMF office (#230 – 275 East 1st Avenue), during regular business hours.

Vancouver Folk Music Festival 2017

• When: Friday, July 13 to Sunday, July 16
• Time: Friday from 1 pm to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm
• Where: Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver
• Tickets: Available online. Advance one-day and weekend passes until July 13, $50-$155, On The Gate $60-$170. Discounts available for students and youth.

Daily Hive Vancouver is a proud media partner of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.