Winterfolk XXIV will return to Toronto this February, marking 24 years of live folk, roots, blues and world music in the city, as organizers roll out a full multi-day schedule alongside a revised ticket pricing structure for 2026.
The long-running festival takes place February 13 to 15, 2026, at the Tranzac Club, with an additional opening-night showcase on February 12. Operated as a registered not-for-profit, Winterfolk has built a reputation as an intimate, listening-room festival that blends established Canadian artists, emerging talent and artist-led workshops in a multi-room format.
Organizers say the event continues to focus on community-building and accessibility during Toronto’s winter months, while adapting to rising operational costs through updated ticket prices. Advance sales are already underway, and the festival is expected to sell out.
Weekend passes for the full festival, covering February 13 to 15, are priced at $88 in advance, increasing to $100 at the door if available. Single-day tickets range from $29 to $44 in advance, depending on the day and theme. The Thursday Emerging Talent Night on February 12 remains free with advance registration, with a $10 charge at the door and donations encouraged.
Programming begins Thursday evening with Emerging Talent Night, a curated listening-room showcase featuring developing artists presenting original material. Performers are selected by local presenters, with the night positioned as a platform for future voices in the folk and roots scene.
Friday, February 13, runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and is themed as Blues Night, focusing on blues and blues-based music. Performances in the Main Hall include a CD release set by Suzanne Jarvie, followed by The Swingin’ Blackjacks, Jesse Greene, Suzie Vinnick and Sultans of String. Workshops and additional performances take place concurrently in the Southern Cross Room and Living Room, including a blues guitar styles workshop and a fiddle workshop.
Saturday, February 14, expands into a full-day schedule from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. under the banner Sounds of Canada. The day highlights original Canadian songwriting shaped by heritage and lived experience, culminating in a Valentine’s-night listening-room concert focused on themes of love and connection.
Main Hall performances on Saturday include Noah Zacharin, Brian Gladstone, Sue and Dwight, Jory Nash, Melanie Peterson, Ariana Gillis, The Mid-Century Modernes, Russell deCarle and Shakura S’aida. Parallel programming across the Southern Cross Room and Living Room features a mix of concerts and workshops, including sessions on Canadian historical songs, the 1960s folk revival, improvising guitar and songwriting themes tied to national identity.
The festival concludes Sunday, February 15, with Sounds of the World, running from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. The final day showcases artists drawing on global traditions within folk, roots and blues frameworks, reflecting the festival’s multicultural mandate.
Sunday’s schedule includes workshops such as a Guitar Summit, Fingerstyle Guitar Players and Protest Songs, alongside performances by Lightning Hill, Quarrington and Adams, Laura Fernandez, Jessica Stuart, James Gordon, Donné Roberts, Tony Springer and Kevin Breit. As with other days, multiple rooms operate simultaneously, offering audiences a choice between performances and participatory workshops.
Workshops remain a central feature of Winterfolk’s programming model. All sessions are planned and led by the artists themselves, structured as interactive conversations rather than formal lectures. Artists sit in the round, sharing songs, ideas and experiences around a common theme, with audience participation encouraged.
Festival organizers emphasize that advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended, citing daily sales and limited venue capacity. Full schedules, ticketing details and venue information are available through the festival’s website.
With its combination of curated performances, hands-on workshops and multi-room programming, Winterfolk XXIV aims to continue its role as a winter anchor for Toronto’s folk and roots community while adapting its pricing to support long-term sustainability.
