Block Heater returns February 2026.
The Calgary Folk Music Festival's 10th annual Block Heater returned Valentine's day weekend, February 14–15, powered by ATB. Featuring 18 international artists across three downtown venues. The annual music festival returns February 2026, stay tuned for announcements this November.
We love our Block Heater volunteers! Every year our small but mighty volunteer team helps bring the heat to Calgary. Thank you for everything that you do. Returning volunteers: check your inboxes and let us know your intentions! For first-time volunteers, stay tuned. We'll be reaching out shortly.
Heather Buchanan is an artist, illustrator, and author based in Calgary Alberta. Her art deals with the human condition—specifically the condition of being a human who is barely hanging on in these wild and bewildering times. She has worked with clients like Netflix, Virgin, and the Globe and Mail, as well as local companies like High Line Brewing, Calgary Co-op, and Purr. That said, you’re more likely to see her work framed and hanging above the toilet in your best friend’s bathroom. Not only does Heather make art about the unfathomable mysteries of human behaviour, she occasionally participates in them. You can find her talking to herself in the garden, doing crosswords with her husband and cat, and microwaving the same cup of tea over and over.
Block Heater is a vibrant, nomadic music festival which has been housed in Inglewood, the East Village and downtown at indoor venues and Olympic Plaza. It has evolved into a significant mid-February oasis that defrosts the winter blues with an inspiring and diverse line-up. Block Heater has welcomed many marquee artists, including:
Andy Shauf • Chad VanGaalen • Daniel Romano • Damien Jurado • Elliott BROOD • Heartless Bastards • Jeremy Dutcher •Justin Townes Earle • Kid Koala • Kathleen Edwards • Raine Maida & Chantal Kreviazuk • Tanya Tagaq • The Devil Makes Three • The Milk Carton Kids • Reuben and the Dark • Shane Koyczan • Snotty Nose Rez Kids • Valerie June