Like summer's other internationally-acclaimed events--the International Jazz Festival and the HSBC Celebration of Light, to name just two--the Vancouver Folk Music Festival is as beloved by locals as it is by the destination-seekers it attracts.
Named one of the ten best outdoor concerts in North America by USA Today, the three-day festival includes over 70 hours of world, folk and roots music on eight outdoor stages, all overlooking the picture-perfect vistas of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore mountains.
An exciting and eclectic mix of musical genres, the "folk" in Folk Music includes everything from blues and hip hop to gospel and more. This year's performers include Los de Abajo and Arrested Development, Bellowhead, Canadian super group Bop Ensemble, and B.C.'s Roy Forbes. Find the complete performance line-up here.
- When: Friday, July 17 - Sunday, July 19
- Where: Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver
- Getting to the Vancouver Folk Music Festival: There is festival parking available outside Jericho Beach: head west along 4th Avenue, past Wallace St., and look for the festival parking signs. Bus #4 will also take you directly to the site.
More than just music, the festival includes a Little Folks Village--a place where the entire family can unleash their creative spirit with face-painting, a recyclable-material Creation Station, and play areas--and an art market, with plenty of folk artists. Spread out your beach blanket and stroll the festival sights, listen to the music, and savor the mellow, West Coast vibes that characterize this event as so very Vancouver.
Tickets to the festival are sold per day (so even if you want to see only one concert, you must purchase a day ticket) or you can buy the all-weekend Festival Pass.
- Festival Pass: $165
- Saturday or Sunday: $80
- Friday night: $54
- Kids under 12 get in free; student, senior (65+) and youth (13 - 18) discounts available.
Tickets are can be purchased at the gate or online. Early bird discounts for tickets purchased before June 12, 2009 are also available through the site.
