Thank you for attending Toronto Folk Festival 2026! Over the weekend of August 21-23, more than a thousand people gathered on Ward's Island to enjoy three magical days of music, love and community spirit. We danced in the sunshine and huddled together under the Pavilion as thunder and the pitter-patter of rain added an extra beat to the performances, it truly was a third edition for the history books.
TFF expanded to put on programming across three stages this year, with the Pavilion stage continuing to host unforgettable performances of folk, country, blues, jazz, Latin rhythms, acoustic storytelling and rock music. The addition of a tweener stage made sure the music never stopped in between sets on the Pavilion. The newly-added Island Outpost stage saw collaborations and songwriting circles, giving fans and artists the unique opportunity to discuss songwriting and poetry, exchanging song stories and riffing off each other in workshops.
Friday was TFF's "community night", and with folk music from all over the world and an incredibly supportive audience, we definitely felt the community. Ahmed Moneka and his band headlined the Pavilion stage and brought a uniquely Torontonian blend of music from Iran, Istanbul, Sudan, Syria, Greece and Iraq. New grooves were found, new friendships formed and memories were made that will last a lifetime.
A member of the crowd hugs Ahmed Moneka. Credit: Owen Rhys Forbes.
Saturday brought stormy weather to the Island, which ended up creating some truly special moments. As we all huddled under the roof of the Pavilion to shelter from the pouring rain,
Mike T. Kerr and his band stepped down from the stage and treated us to a special unplugged set. The persistent patter of the rain became an extra meteorological percussionist as we all huddled round the band.
A brand-new trio was born on Saturday as Emily Schulz, Leah Holtom and Rachel Hickey turned an Outpost collaboration into a new trio. Their first performance on the Pavilion stage threatened to be drowned out by booming thunder, but their beautiful harmonies prevailed, and in true folk festival fashion, it has led to something special: the trio is here to stay.
Mia Kelly closed out Saturday playing her first festival headline, with anthemic call and responses, closing out with a set of confident country anthems, sordid folk tunes and beautiful melodies.
Emily Schulz, Leah Holtom and Rachel Hickey's trial by thunder on Saturday. Credit: Nolan McBride
Rudy Ray leads the parade back to the mainland. Credits: Owen Rhys Forbes, Maddison Pacaud.
We look forward to seeing you back on the Island for Toronto Folk Festival 2027!
Best,
Rue Mathur
Toronto Folk Festival | Media
​
​
Toronto Folk Festival 2026
A weekend of community and music!
We closed out Sunday with a celebration of folk music from around the world. The Tkaronto Métis Jiggers and Fiddlers charmed us with fusion folk music and dances, Tiger Balme enchanted us with ethereal melodies on the harp, Pete Moss took us on nature walks and taught us about the trees,
Zamira Lacosta took us to the streets of Havana with heartfelt songs.
Bobby Dove immersed us in the world of Canadiana, the Mexican Legacy Dancers wowed us with a swashbuckling performance and Less Toches had us doing Colombian cumbia dances.
Kobo Town closed the festival with calypso, Caribbean storytelling and turned the Pavilion into a festive dancefloor, while Rudy Ray and his band led the annual ferry parade procession off the Island, which was a magical end to a beautiful festival.