A Bittersweet Milestone: The Final NL Folk Festival
- James Tarrant
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Sad news to share this morning on the Newfoundland & Labrador Folks Arts Society page. On this June 30, as the society announced that “the beloved NL Folk Festival—an enduring summer tradition and cornerstone of our cultural community—will likely take its final bow this year.
Despite passionate community support and successful fundraising efforts, the Society has lost a critical piece of core funding. This funding was not just important—it was essential for sustaining operations throughout the year and ensuring the festival’s future.
“This was not the outcome we had envisioned,” said Board President Julie Vogt. “We had bold plans for a 50th Annual NL Folk Festival that would blow the roof off this province over five days. But we simply can’t do it alone, and we cannot continue to ask our staff and volunteers to carry the full weight of this work without the resources to support them.”
With this loss, the Society can no longer maintain staffing or cover operational costs post-Festival. It also means the vision of a festival that uplifts artists, supports local businesses, and enhances our cultural and tourism economy is no longer viable. Every alternative path was explored. But the gap left behind was just too wide to cross.
That said—this year’s festival is still happening. And it’s going to be something special. A celebration not just of music and community, but of five decades of memories, resilience, and joy.
Join us in Bannerman Park one more time. Let’s sing, dance, laugh, and remember what this festival has meant to so many. Let’s honour the artists, staff, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and every single person who helped this dream thrive for 50 unforgettable years.”
We’ll make this last one count.
The festival has been a huge part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s cultural landscape since 1977. Over the years, it’s grown from humble beginnings into one of the oldest and most cherished folk festivals in the country. It’s been a place where generations have gathered to sing, play, listen, and reconnect—always with that unmistakable community spirit.
For emerging artists the folk festival has provided a cherished stage for seasoned performers across the province.
From traditional fiddlers and accordion players to singer-songwriters and contemporary folk acts, the festival has been a launchpad and a homecoming all at once. Names like The Ennis Sisters, Ron Hynes, Figgy Duff, and countless community musicians have graced its stages over the years, helping to shape the province’s musical identity.
Every summer, Bannerman Park in the heart of St. John’s comes alive with music, stories, and the unmistakable heartbeat of Newfoundland’s folk traditions. From July 11 to 13, the Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival is back—and it’s bigger, bolder, and more soul-stirring than ever.
Sure, big names like Serena Ryder are headlining, but let’s be real: the soul of this festival lies in the local talent. These voices and stories keep Newfoundland’s musical heritage alive—and push it into the future.
Star Power & Folk Legends
This year’s lineup is packed with talent that spans genres and generations. Serena Ryder brings her powerhouse vocals and signature folk-rock swagger to the stage on Saturday night, July 12. Expect favourites like Weak in the Knees and Stompa, and maybe a few surprises. And suppose that’s not enough to get your toes tapping. In that case, you’ll also catch Irish folk powerhouse Daoirí Farrell, the electrifying Eastern-European-infused group Polky, and the soulful grooves of Tanika Charles.
Of course, Newfoundland’s folk icons are also taking the stage. Matthew Byrne’s storytelling songs will tug at your heart, while Anita Best and Sandy Morris show us why they’re living legends. And don’t miss Beaumont and Silver Wolf Band, whose mix of Indigenous and local roots brings something truly special to the festival.
Where the Magic Happens
Beyond the main stage, something incredible happens under the tents of the Equinor Community Village. These intimate spaces—like the Neil Murray Stage, Traditions Tent, and Francophone Tent—are where up-and-coming local acts shine and where the next generation of folk legends is born.
What We’re About to Lose
When the NL Folk Festival fades into memory, we’re not just losing a weekend of music—we’re losing the magic of discovering acts like:
Salt Beef Junkies – That high-energy punch to your heart with a traditional twist
High & Lonesome – Sweet, soaring harmonies steeped in folk-country soul
Sooky Couch Girls – Bluegrass with a side of laughter and community warmth
Dave Penny & Daunt Lee – Classic Newfoundland storytelling and wit, brought to life on stage
The Irish Crew – A celebration of our roots with lively, toe-tapping Irish folk
These weren’t just performances. They were moments. A shared nod across the crowd. A goosebump harmony under a festival tent. A tune you didn’t know you needed until it wrapped around your heart.
What’s at Stake
This festival was never just a lineup of acts—it was a living, breathing tribute to Newfoundland’s evolving musical identity. It gave local artists a stage, a spotlight, and a real shot to grow. It helped keep traditions alive—not by preserving them in amber, but by letting them stretch, bend, and bloom.
Without this festival, the threads that bind artists to audiences, elders to youth, and songs to stories begin to fray. We lose a meeting place, an incubator for creativity, a heartbeat in the province’s cultural rhythm.
Keep the Spirit Going
Just because the festival may be ending, the music doesn’t have to stop. You can keep the soul of it alive:
Go see a local show. There’s magic in every pub and community hall.
Buy the album. That merch table is a lifeline.
Tell someone about the band that blew your mind.
Be present. Show up with your whole heart.
We may not gather in Bannerman Park again next year—but the songs can still be sung. And their echoes? That part’s up to us.
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