Folk on the Rocks

The festival

Since 1980, Folk on the Rocks has been dancing Yellowknife on the sand of Long Lake, under the midnight sun: more than 35 hours of programming on six scenes, artists from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and across Canada, and a big party that opens on Friday with Warm the Rocks. Its 46th edition was held from July 17 to 19, 2026, and artists' applications for 2027 are open until December 31, 2026.

It all started in 1980: founder Rod Russell and a bunch of passionate volunteers — folkie go-getters — moved a small outdoor show from the banks of Frame Lake to Long Lake. The event, which is a day-long event with local talent, has become a three-day festival and six scenes in more than four decades, with children's areas, a beer garden, a food fair and a northern craft shop. Buffy Sainte-Marie, Tanya Tagaq, Gord Downie, Dan Mangan, Sam Roberts Band and Sloan played there. It is nicknamed "the North's bangest party under the midnight sun" — the largest festival in the North under the midnight sun.

On Friday, Warm the Rocks opens the ball at Somba K'e Civic Plaza, in the city centre, before the weekend at the edge of Long Lake. The artistic direction is provided by Carly McFadden. No camping on the festival site: the nearest is Fred Henne Park, whose sites are reserved via NWT Parks.

Festival TV , an endless exploration of festivals and festivals around the world

The festival in images

Official photos of the festival, published on its official website (folkontherocks.com).

Video