Wrap-Up: 2026 Festivals Retreat

2026 Festival Retreat participants

Folk Canada was pleased to host our 2026 Festival Retreat, April 19-21 at the Elmhirst Resort in Keene, ON. 

Each year, Folk Canada gathers the leadership of our Festival Member operations for 2 days of professional development, including hands-on workshops, sharing of best practices, and networking. Topics of discussion included Revenue Generation, Volunteer Recruitment & Retention, Governance, Marketing & Community Engagement, and an amazing Media Readiness Workshop led by Folk Canada board member Ann McKeigan of CompassMedia. New to this year, we threw in some singalongs, polar dips, folkfest trivia (thanks Jeff!)... it was a good time!

Participants came from across the country, including leaders from:

• Almonte Celtfest

• Blue Skies Music Festival

• Canmore Folk Festival

• CityFolk Festival

• Cultivate

• Goderich Celtic Roots Festival

• Hillside Festival

• Northern Lights Festival Boréal

• Peterborough Folk Festival

• Live From the Rock Folk Festival

• Springtide Music Festival

• Starbelly Jam Music Festival

• Stewart Park Festival

• Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival

• Sunfest

• Toronto Folk Festival

• Trout Forest Music Festival

• Wawa Music Festival

• Winnipeg Folk Festival

• Winterfolk

Thank you to everyone who came and participated in the Festival Retreat! If you'd like more information on the festival retreat, and how your event could be involved, please contact Tina Wroblewski at export@folkcanada.com