One of the city’s most cherished summer traditions is back — and it’s bringing the world with it.
From July 18 to 20, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival returns to Jericho Beach Park with a weekend of live music, cultural connection, and beachfront celebration. With a lineup that spans continents and communities, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be one of the most vibrant in the festival’s history.
“The 2025 Festival lineup reflects the diverse communities we serve and the powerful stories that music can tell across cultures and continents,” said Fiona Black, Artistic Director of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.
“In a world that sometimes feels like it is being pulled apart, there’s comfort in knowing that we’ll again be gathering to feel the positive power of music and community.”
This year’s roster reads like a global mixtape. From the electrifying Congolese collective Les Mamans du Congo x Rrobin and the soulful Tanzanian group The Zawose Queens, to Bab L’ Bluz, a Franco-Moroccan psychedelic Gnawa band, the international lineup will take audiences on a journey across Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Scottish, Irish, and Nordic traditions will also be well represented by acts like Ye Vagabonds, Shooglenifty, and VÍÍK.
Canada, too, shines brightly in the mix. Homegrown talent includes Juno-nominated Indigenous cellist Cris Derksen, Inuit singer-songwriter Elisapie, Ontario’s Julian Taylor, and BC’s own Ocie Elliott, who headlines a strong showing of indie-folk artists drawing in younger audiences.
“It’s a great time to be presenting ‘folk’ music, which is having a real resurgence among younger demographics,” said Black. “I consider folk more as an umbrella term to encapsulate music without borders or boundaries and relevant to all ages.”
Beyond the music, festivalgoers can expect artisan markets, global cuisine, family programming, and interactive artist workshops — all set against the natural beauty of Jericho Beach. Whether it’s barefoot dancing in the grass, a beachside sunset singalong, or discovering a new artist on a small stage, the festival offers countless ways to engage.
The festival’s full artist lineup includes over 40 Canadian and international acts, with notable names like Jane Siberry, The Milk Carton Kids, Emily Wurramara, Ruthie Foster, and Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) rounding out the weekend bill.
Early bird weekend passes are on sale now through the festival’s website at thefestival.bc.ca or via the Festival Box Office at 604-602-9798. With its signature mix of music, nature, and community, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival remains a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar — and 2025 promises to be unforgettable.
Last modified: April 24, 2025
