Folk Canada Announces 2026 Ontario Folk Music Award Nominees

The 32nd annual Ontario Folk Music Awards will take place at The Studio in Hamilton, Ontario on Wednesday, October 14th during the annual Folk Canada Conference.

Folk Canada is pleased to announce the nominees for the 2026 Ontario Folk Music Awards. In recognition of the outstanding work and contributions of Folk artists and music industry from across the province of Ontario. The 32nd annual Ontario Folk Music Awards will take place during the Folk Canada Conference at The Studio in Hamilton, Ontario, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The event will feature performances by a select number of nominated artists and special guests, and is open to all Folk Canada Conference attendees. Still to be announced are the Estelle Klein Award recipients, the Laureate for the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award and Culture in Climate Award.

Established in 1987 and now in its 39th year, the Folk Canada Conference (previously the Folk Music Ontario Conference and Ontario Council of Folk Festivals) will take place October 14-18 in Hamilton, Ontario and welcomes attendees from across the country to the event. To learn more, Folk Canada invites interested parties to visit their website and sign up for their newsletter.

“The Ontario Folk Music Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent and creativity found across the province,” says Rosalyn Dennett, Executive Director of Folk Canada. “We’re proud to recognize this year’s nominees and bring the folk community together in Hamilton to celebrate their work.” Rosalyn Dennett is available for interviews, and select artists are available for interviews and performances in advance of the event.

The 2026 Ontario Folk Music Award Nominees are:

Song of the Year

“Unforgettable” by Amanda Rheaume (Amanda Rheaume, Dan Hosh)

“Inevitable” by Emma Lamontagne (Emma Lamontagne, Josh Bogert, Lynne Hanson)

“WIHOGORA” by Empress Nyiringango (Empress Nyiringango, Aron Niyitunga)

“Oh, Little One” by Jory Nash (Jory Nash)

“Patron Saint” by Kate Greenland (Kate Greenland)

“Until the Devil’s Paid” by Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps (Michael Darcy)

“Quit My Habit” by Rebekah Hawker (Rebekah Hawker, Edward T Murphy)

“Temporary” by Vicki Brittle (Vicki Brittle)

Album of the Year

The Truth We Hold by Amanda Rheaume

Not Defeated by Angelique Francis Band

Mi Pequeña by Eliana Cuevas

Immersed by Justin Gray

Sofreh Tisch by Ladom Ensemble

Honesty by The Lifers

Reasons To Stay by Tanika Charles

Recording Artist of the Year

Aysanabee

Great Lake Swimmers

John Muirhead

Kazdoura

The Pairs

summersets

Performing Artist of the Year

Julian Taylor

Logan Staats

Mimi O’Bonsawin

OK Naledi

Schmaltz & Pepper

The Barrel Boys

Music Video of the Year

“Without You” by Aysanabee

“Been Done” by Frank Mighty

“One More Dance Around The Sun” by Great Lake Swimmers

“Kaku “Grandma’” by Jonathan Nvita

“Exploits Island” by Kate Weekes

“Vulgar Bulgar” by Medusa Quartet

“Fruta Prohibida” by Payadora

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NOMINEES NOW