April’s snow may still be melting, but the city’s summer soundtrack is already taking shape with Calgary’s Folk Music Festival (CFMF) returning for its 47th year. 

The festival’s line-up will feature 68 artists, promising a four-day, globe-spanning musical gathering at Prince’s Island Park from July 23–26. Acts come from as far away as Somalia, Japan and Australia, and as close as Calgary, Lethbridge and Edmonton.

Mainstage headliners include Iceland’s Of Monsters and Men, American genre-bender Thundercat, Nashville’s legendary country act Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives and the UK’s post-punk icons The Psychedelic Furs.

CFMF’S Artistic Director Kerry Clarke said this year’s lineup is chock-full of talent for Calgarians to discover, so much so that she can’t say who she’s most excited for. 

“I always say it’s like trying to choose your favorite child,” she said.

“I’m very thrilled about Thundercat. We’ve been trying to get him for a couple of years, and when they say yes, it’s kind of amazing.”

From indie folk to post-punk and Arabic psychedelic funk to spaghetti western, this year’s lineup is sure to feature a diverse mix of sounds that any Calgarian can find a favourite in, some even from their own backyard.

Albertan acts include 2026 Contemporary Roots Juno winner Mariel Buckley, Canadian country legend Corb Lund, and orchestral singer-songwriter Fish in a Birdcage. Other local talent includes indie duo Raleigh, harp-playing Hermitess and multi-culti The Mbira Renaissance Band. 

Clarke hopes Calgarians explore the artist bios on the CFMF’s website in the coming months and discover the music for themselves. 

“Bring your friends, bring your family, meet new friends, come and come expecting all kinds of different weather and all kinds of different music,” she said

“And come prepared for the day, because the hours go really fast and hop from stage to stage.” 

Much to explore beyond the headliners

Besides the marquee acts, Clarke emphasized the festival’s collaborative spirit, something that sets it apart from traditional concert experiences.

This year’s lineup will see 41 different collaborative sessions over the four-day weekend. The genre-fusing workshops, or jam sessions, allow local artists to collaborate with global acts, creating unique performances that may never be seen again. 

That mix of global and local talent is central to the festival’s programming, with Albertan artists forming what organizers describe as its backbone.

For festival board chair David Fird, that diversity is what keeps audiences coming back year after year. Including himself. 

“I’m really not there for the headliners, I’m there for finding new gems,” he said.

“[Clarke] brings music from all corners of the planet, and getting there for the workshops on Saturday, Sunday, I say is what I’m excited for.”

Concert goers can also explore the artisan market to find tasty snacks and refreshing beverages, head to the Talk Tent for intimate and interactive storytelling or bring the whole family to the Bishop & McKenzie Family Zone for crafts and special performances by Superfun and Par de Dos. Children 12 and under get free admission to the festival, with discounts available for youth and seniors as well.

That sense of discovery is echoed by longtime attendee Bob Sumner, who said the festival’s atmosphere is just as important as the music itself.

“It’s just a whole vibe on the island for four days, so that’s what I get excited for,” he said. 

Fird said tickets are already high in demand, with sales reaching pre-pandemic levels, so he recommends Calgarians get their tickets before they’re gone. 

Clarke’s advice for Calgarians is to come out if they can and experience music the way it’s intended: together.

“People just don’t realize what an awesome vibe it is and how egalitarian it is, and how everything works well,” she said. 

“I really get excited that we’re able to bring that kind of thing to Calgarians, and that there’s an opportunity to see people’s favourite artists and discover artists at the same time.”

For the entire list of artists, check out calgaryfolkfest.com, and stay tuned for set-list times and stage lineups.