Volunteers

What is the Calgary Folk Music Festival?

The Calgary Folk Music Festival (CFMF) was founded in 1980 and is produced by the not-for-profit Folk Festival Society of Calgary (FFSC).

This annual family-friendly musical extravaganza takes place on the last weekend of each July; and has been held at Calgary's Prince’s Island Park since its inception. Diverse programming presents 70 some artists across seven stages; ranging from local favourites to international artists, there is sure to be something for everyone. Come be a part of the magic and join the community of over 50,000 Calgarians and tourists as we gather for good music and great times!

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"One of the biggest successes of the volunteer program was the welcoming and supportive community-it made volunteering feel meaningful and enjoyable. I also really appreciated the food services provided; they were well-organized and thoughtful. I’d love to see both of these continue next year. Creating that positive environment really encouraged people to stay involved."

- 2025 volunteer

Returning volunteers

You will be receiving an email when it is time to confirm your intentions. Please log-in here. While we cannot 100% guarantee your previous spot on your crew, if you log in early to confirm it is highly likely you will retain your spot. Please note, on April 3 we will start processing new applications and allow new volunteers to apply to open positions on crews.

New Volunteers

We will begin to accept new volunteer applications on April 3. Click here for instructions on how to apply!

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

We have volunteer opportunities starting at age 13 (you must be 13 on the day of your first volunteer shift). You can join the following crews when you are:

13+

Waste Diversion, Pot Washing, Snack Bar/Beverage, Family Area

14+

Food Servers

15+

Cold Food, Music & Merch

16+

Instrument Lock-Up, Hospitality Support, Folk Buddies, Lamp Lighters, Signage, Eco Set-Up & Strike

What if I can only work the weekend?

Our volunteer commitments run 16-24 hours during the festival. Therefore, if you only work on the weekend you would be volunteering a minimum of 8 hours each day.

We recommend joining the festival parties crew (who volunteer during the parties on Sat/Sun), or checking out some of our pre-festival crews to get your hours in beforehand. Otherwise, we welcome you back next year.

What if I can’t make my shift/can no longer volunteer?

Let your crew coordinator know as soon as you do! Send an email to both your crew coordinator and vsupport@calgaryfolkfest.com so we can make arrangements to run without you.

How do I confirm my intentions for CFMF 2026?

Click here for confirmation instructions.

Am I guaranteed a spot on my crew from the last Festival?

While we don’t guarantee placement on your previous crew, it is highly likely you will retain your spot if you login early to confirm yourself. Please note we will start processing transfer requests starting on March 18, 2026, so we encourage you to login before that! If your crew is full, you are still welcome to return but will need to select another crew.

Volunteers who have been marked as ‘recontact’ for 2+ consecutive years are automatically marked as ‘discontinue contact.’ If this has happened to you, and you want to return, please contact vsupport@calgaryfolkfest.com and we will help you register for an orientation and reactivate your account.

I requested to transfer crews this year. When will I find out if I was accepted?

Volunteer transfer requests will begin on March 18, 2026. This may take some time depending on the crew; some teams require interviews, certifications, etc. Returning volunteers requesting to transfer have crew placement priority over new volunteers.

Who will be contacting me about my crew?

Once you have confirmed your 2026 intentions, your Crew Coordinator will contact you with further team details.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Your first point of contact should always be your crew coordinator. If you can’t get a hold of them, please contact vsupport@calgaryfolkfest.com.

How do I log into the volunteer portal?

Click here for instructions on how to log into the volunteer portal and update your 2026 status.

How do I update my contact information?

Click here for instructions on how to update your contact information.

How do I update my email address?

Click here for instructions on how to update your email address.

I forgot my password, what do I do?

Click here for instructions if you have forgotten your password.

How do I confirm my volunteer intentions?

Click here for instructions on how to confirm your 2026 CFMF volunteer intentions.

How do I request to transfer crews?

Click here for instructions on how to request a crew transfer.

What is Festival Hall?

Within the CFMF's building, Festival Hall (FH), we are able to present the diverse indie, roots, traditional, and world music the Festival is known for, all year round. Not to mention private booking such as weddings, speaking events and birthdays!

FH volunteer opportunities

Directly recruiting from our loyal CFMF volunteer base, the Festival Hall Volunteer Program operates with over 40 people on our mailing list. We rely on the support of our volunteers to help us run a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, orientations, and meetings.

We are not currently accepting applications for the FH Volunteer Program. Existing FH volunteers will be contacted with season updates and volunteer opportunities as they arise.

What is Block Heater?

Block Heater is a unique annual winter music festival that brings together diverse programming in the heart of Inglewood and with our friends at The Confluence. We just wrapped up our 11th edition in February 2026. This year included 28 musicians from across the globe.

BH Volunteer Opportunities

Block Heater will return in a similar iteration for 2026, utilizing both Festival Hall and a large outdoor tent and multiple stages onsite at The Confluence.

We are not currently accepting applications for the Block Heater volunteer program. We will provide an update on BH volunteer opportunities in Fall 2026.