Winnipeg Folk Festival Hacks to Help You Maximize Every Moment
When I was in college, I attended my first Winnipeg Folk Festival—and it was nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced before.
We listened to amazing performances of folk bands, danced barefoot on the grass, and sampled global eats from food trucks and stalls. It was electric yet chill—like a giant backyard jam session with thousands of your most interesting friends.
Ever since, I’ve made it a point to attend almost every year. I mean, it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Winnipeg during summer!
If you’re thinking of going, here’s a smart little guide full of insider tips to help you make the most of the magic.
What is the Winnipeg Folk Festival?
The Winnipeg Folk Festival is a four-day annual summer celebration of folk, roots, and global music. It began in 1974 as a one-time event and has since grown into one of Canada’s most iconic music festivals, drawing thousands every year.
When is the Winnipeg Folk Festival held?
The Winnipeg Folk Festival is held during the second weekend of July, starting Thursday evening and wrapping up on Sunday night. Saturday is usually the busiest day, with headlining artists and a buzzing atmosphere.
Where does the Winnipeg Folk Festival take place?
The Winnipeg Folk Festival takes place at Birds Hill Provincial Park, just a short drive northeast of Winnipeg. The park’s natural beauty provides the perfect backdrop for open-air stages, shaded trails, and cozy camping spots.
How to Get to the Winnipeg Folk Festival
By Car:
Driving to Birds Hill Provincial Park from Winnipeg will take around 30 minutes. Just hop on Route 57 east, then connect to Highway 59 North until you see the signs for the South Drive exit.
Once you take the exit, you’ll follow the road straight into the venue—there’s a parking lot at the entrance. Note that you’ll need a Vehicle Permit to park here.
By Folk Fest Express:
The Folk Fest Express is a convenient bus service that takes you straight from downtown Winnipeg to Festival Drive in Birds Hill Provincial Park. Just be sure you have a valid festival ticket, wristband, or access pass—only ticket holders can board.
The downtown pickup is located on the Southbound Memorial between St. Mary and York. I recommend this option if you want to skip the parking hassle and ride in comfort with fellow festival-goers—plus, all buses are accessible!
When you’re ready to head home, simply wait at the bus stop on Festival Drive, right across the road from the main parking area.
By Go Manitoba Carpool:
Carpooling is another great way to get to the Winnipeg Folk Festival, especially if you want to save on gas and parking while meeting fellow festival fans.
Simply download the GoManitoba app, create an account, and search for carpool matches based on your route and schedule.
By Bike:
Biking to the Winnipeg Folk Festival is a great option for those looking for a fun, eco-friendly way to travel. There’s a designated bike trail from the city that leads safely into Birds Hill Provincial Park—you can check out bike route directions here.
Once you arrive, you’ll find plenty of bike racks near the Main Gate Box Office to lock up your ride securely.
If you’re camping, just head to the pedestrian crosswalk when you arrive and take the trail to the Main Gate—this lets you skip the vehicle lineup entirely. Cycle right up to the “walk-up” kiosk to exchange your ticket for a wristband and roll in the park.
Winnipeg Folk Festival Ticket Information
Where to Buy Winnipeg Folk Festival Tickets
You can buy Winnipeg Folk Festival tickets online at frontgatetickets.com, their official ticketing partner, or in-office at 203–211 Bannatyne Ave. Keep in mind that tickets are not sold at the festival entrance to avoid congestion, so plan ahead.
When to Buy Winnipeg Folk Festival Tickets
Winnipeg Folk Festival Tickets typically go on sale 6 to 8 months in advance. The earlier you buy a ticket, the better, since they use a tiered pricing system that rewards early buyers.
How much are Winnipeg Folk Festival tickets?
Winnipeg Folk Festival tickets are generally around $117 for adult single-day passes, $94 for youth and seniors, and free for children 1 and under, with Thursday-only tickets slightly lower. Prices can change from year to year.
There are several ticket types to choose from: 4-Day festival passes (no camping), 4-Day with Festival Camping, and 4-Day with Quiet Camping.
For corporate ticket packages, you can contact Victoria King at [email protected].
Things to Do During the Winnipeg Folk Festival
Rock out to bands all day long
– Media credit: visionsbymich
Music is at the heart of the Winnipeg Folk Festival. With over 75 artists performing, including many making their Manitoba debut, you can discover your next favorite band (whether you’re into indie rock, folk, roots, electronic, country, Celtic, and more!)
The festival features nine unique stages—I recommend bringing a blanket or a low chair to claim a good spot. As the sun sets, the Main Stage lights up with headline acts, while Big Blue @ Night, the festival’s late-night concert series, brings alternative grooves.
For the best experience, check the daily schedule ahead of time and circle a few “must-sees” but leave room for surprises—some of the best sets I’ve seen are the ones I stumbled upon. Don’t forget your earplugs (for the louder shows).
Go camping with family or friends
– Media credit: winnipegfolkfestival
Camping at the Winnipeg Folk Festival is all part of the fun—and it’s only available as an add-on with a 4-day festival ticket. You’ll need to plan ahead, especially if you’re bringing an RV or trailer, since those spots require a separate permit and sell out fast!
If you love a lively atmosphere, choose the Festival Campground; it has food vendors, a campground store, showers, washrooms, water taps, first aid, and even a bus service to the main site. Since it uses a lot of resources, it’s a pricier than the next option.
For something a bit more chill, the Quiet Campground is your spot—it’s a bit further from the festival but has shady areas, running water, and flush toilets. A free (non-accessible) shuttle runs every 30 minutes to get you to the stages.
Attend chill daytime workshops
– Media credit: winnipegfolkfestival
Daytime workshops are one of the most unique parts of the Winnipeg Folk Festival. They’re collaborative jam sessions where artists from different bands and genres come together to create something totally unrehearsed.
To catch one, check the official festival schedule, which is posted online ahead of time and handed out on-site. Each day’s lineup includes workshop times, stage locations, and artist pairings.
Bring your kids to the Chickadee Big Top
– Media credit: winnipegfolkfestival
Under Chickadee Big Top, families can dive into live children’s music and activities every day from Friday through Sunday. Here, you and your kids can enjoy happy songs, interesting stories, easy crafts, and cool puppetry.
The stage is also the starting point for the fun Finale Parade on Sunday at 4:30 PM, which is a blast to watch and join in on.
Hang out at the Family Area
– Media credit: winnipegfolkfestival
The Family Area, located right next to the Chickadee Big Top, is the perfect place for kids and parents to relax, play, and explore together. From face painting to games, this spot will keep little ones entertained while grown-ups get a breather.
Afterwards, you can explore the main festival field nearby for even more family-friendly magic. You might spot stilt walkers, dancers, and even an instrument petting zoo.
Shop local at Hand-Made Village
– Media credit: winnipegfolkfestival
The Hand-Made Village is the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s own marketplace, which features a curated collection of artisan crafts. You can browse the stalls for jewelry, clothing, earthy homewares, natural body products, musical instruments, and kids’ toys.
Some festival booth staples include Earth and Hide for leather accessories, bamboo creations from Simply Bamboo, and Bead n Butter for delicate beadwork. You can even snag Winnipeg Folk Festival merch such as shirts, hats, keychains, and more.
I suggest bringing cash or tap-enabled cards. That’s because some vendors may not take all forms of payment.
Sample delicious festival fare
– Media credit: winnipegfolkfestival
Good news for foodies! The Winnipeg Folk Festival doesn’t mess around when it comes to grub. Here, you’ll find food vendors that serve everything, from comfort classics to global bites—all with a focus on ethical and sustainable options.
You can grab BBQ from BBK’s, ramen from Cho Ichi, sandwiches from King + Bannatyne, and handheld crepes from Kawaii Crepe. And if you’re addicted to good coffee, visit vendors like Bagelsmith and Forbidden Flavours.
Food lines can get long during peak mealtimes, so try eating during off-hours.
Check out the Prairie Outdoor Exhibition
– Media credit: winnipegfolkfestival
The Prairie Outdoor Exhibition is an open-air gallery filled with interactive and immersive installations that invite festivalgoers to explore, play, and connect. Keep an eye out as you wander—there’s art tucked into every corner of the festival.
For instance, you’ll see stage murals and large-scale sculptures designed around annual themes that celebrate community and creativity. Other artwork might be in the form of accessories, signs, outfits, and even spontaneous performances.
Volunteer to be a Folk Fest crew member
– Media credit: winnipegfolkfestival
Volunteering at the Winnipeg Folk Festival is a great way to be involved and get invaluable experience if you’re in the music or art industry. Plus, it’s a chance to meet new people and build connections.
They welcome everyone, including Indigenous, Black, and people of color. 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, new Canadians, those living with disabilities, and folks from low-income backgrounds are encouraged as well.
You can help set up, support artists, greet guests, or manage behind-the-scenes events; in return, you’ll get training, leadership support, and access perks like meals and shuttle rides. Shifts are between 16 to 20 hours across four days.
Where to Eat and Drink During the Winnipeg Folk Festival
In addition to the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s food vendor scene, you can venture outside Birds Hill Provincial Park for some top-notch eats. These are also great options for a quiet bite before entering or after leaving the grounds.
Pineridge Hollow
– Media credit: pineridgehollow
Website: https://pineridgehollow.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pineridgehollow/
Address: 67086 Heatherdale Rd 25E, West Pine Ridge
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9 AM – 9 PM
Contact: (204) 777-3881
Just a quick 15-minute ride from the festival grounds, Pineridge Hollow is a warm and cozy spot known for its farm-fresh seasonal dishes.
Don’t miss their famous Beet Chips—thin, crispy slices topped with rosemary and served with house-made goat cheese ranch. Another fan favorite is their Mushroom Perogies, stuffed with mushrooms, herbs, and feta—yum!
Brunch runs daily from 9 AM-3:30 PM—perfect for a pre-show feast or mid-day escape.
Nuburger
– Media credit: ilovenuburger
Website: http://ilovenuburger.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovenuburger
Address: 67086 Heatherdale Rd 25E, Oakbank
Hours: Mon – Sun: 11 AM – 10 PM
Contact: (204) 888-1001
If you’re craving a huge, juicy beef patty, Nuburger is only a quarter of an hour’s drive away from Birds Hill. This modern burger joint uses fresh Manitoba ingredients and bold flavor combos to keep things exciting.
Try their Bacon Cheddar Burger—stacked with candied bacon, aged cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and their signature herb mayo. Don’t skip their yam fries either; they’re crispy, golden, and perfect when dipped in the garlicky aioli on the side.
The friendly staff keep things moving fast, which is perfect for Folk Fest goers looking to refuel after a long day of music and dancing.
Jonesy’s Restaurant + Lounge
– Media credit: jonesysrestaurant
Website: http://www.jonesysrestaurant.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonesysrestaurant/
Address: 3133 Birds Hill Rd, East Saint Paul
Hours: Monday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Tue – Sat: 11 AM – 12 AM
Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (204) 669-0557
Jonesy’s Restaurant + Lounge is just five minutes away from the perimeter in Birds Hill, making it a convenient spot to eat before, during, or after the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
Their menu covers all the bases; imagine hearty steaks, fresh salads, comforting rice bowls, and lots in between. My go-to order is their Monster Stacker burger—it’s loaded with two half-pound patties, bacon, cheddar, mozzarella, onions, and all the fixings.
And for more bang for your buck, don’t miss their legendary Wing nights—just 99 cents per wing every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 PM until closing. Bonus: you’d have tons of sauces and dry rubs to choose from!
Where to Stay near the Winnipeg Folk Festival
Mere Hotel
– Media credit: merewinnipeg
Website: https://www.merehotel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merewinnipeg/
Address: 333 Waterfront Dr
Hours: Check-in time: 3 PM
Check-out time: 11 AM
Contact: (204) 594-0333
If camping is not your style, Mere Hotel is only a half-hour away from the festival. You’d be getting a modern stay in one of their stylish rooms with free WiFI, TVs, bathrobes, and mini-fridges—great for keeping snacks and drinks chilled between festival days.
Some rooms even boast river views—just call ahead to secure one if you prefer. Other perks include a 24-hour front desk, vending machines, and a fitness center.
You can book early and take advantage of their Advanced Purchase Rate and save up to 25%. Or you can make it a longer getaway with their Winnipeg Waterways Package, which includes a night’s stay, two boat tour tickets, and drinks at a local spot.
Super 8 by Wyndham Winnipeg East
– Media credit: super8wpgeast
Website: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8-winnipeg-east-mb/overview
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/super8wpgeast/
Address: 1485 Niakwa Rd E
Hours: Check-in time: 3 PM
Check-out time: 11 AM
Contact: (204) 818-3087
Super 8 by Wyndham Winnipeg East is a family-friendly budget hotel just a short drive from Birds Hill and the Forks.
Start your day with a free continental breakfast before hitting up the festival. And after being in a party mood all day, you can unwind and recharge in their indoor pool or hot tub.
What’s cool is that kids 17 and under stay for free when accompanied by an adult.