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From Wednesday, October 14 through Sunday, October 18, 2026, Folk Canada brings its 40th annual national conference to downtown Hamilton, gathering artists, presenters and music-industry professionals for folk, roots and traditional music programming. Everyone is welcome, although the programme is designed primarily for people working in music and the creative industries.
Expect Official, Spotlight and Acoustic Showcases; keynotes; panels; workshops; roundtables; peer sessions; artist-development programming; networking and business meetings; and the three-day Culture in Climate Summit. Developing artists can also connect through the READI incubator and programming for artists aged 25 and under.
Conference registration covers the conference programme but does not include the separately ticketed Ontario Folk Music Awards. A free Community Folk Fest for Hamilton residents takes place on Sunday, October 18 and is listed separately.
Folk Canada offers supervised childcare for registered attendees from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Caregiver registration, community tickets for attendees facing cost barriers and volunteer registration options are also available through the organizer.
Wednesday, October 14
11:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Paid on-site parking is available. Folk Canada lists rates of $6.50 hourly or $17.95 daily, with electric vehicle charging. The garage clearance is 6 ft 2 in at the King Street entrance and 6 ft 6 in at the Bay Street entrance.
Sheraton Hamilton Hotel · 116 King Street West
Venue details →Sheraton Hamilton Hotel states that its main entrance, meeting spaces and on-site parking are accessible. Folk Canada offers caregiver registration and asks attendees seeking specific accommodations to contact the organizer.
