Canmore and Kananaskis visitors planning for the upcoming Heritage Day long weekend can now turn to a freshly published guide from Tourism Canmore Kananaskis. The online resource highlights headliners for the 49th annual Canmore Folk Music Festival and reminds travellers to lock in bookings and a Kananaskis Conservation Pass before the busiest weekend of summer descends on the Bow Valley.
The folk festival returns to Centennial Park on 5th Avenue from August 1-3, 2026, bringing with it a roster of more than 30 acts. Topping the bill are Sarah Harmer, Begonia, and William Prince, joined by AHI, Barney Bentall, Cat Clyde, Miko Marks, The Felice Brothers, Steve Poltz, and Wild Rivers. Now in its 49th year, the event draws more than 18,000 people to downtown Canmore and remains Alberta’s longest-running folk music celebration.
With hotels and campgrounds filling rapidly, the guide urges visitors to act early. Alberta Parks campsites can be booked as far as 90 days in advance, and the August long weekend consistently sees peak demand. Anyone driving into Kananaskis Country or Bow Valley provincial parks must display a Kananaskis Conservation Pass on their vehicle. Passes are sold online, and failing to have a valid one carries fines of $150 for a personal vehicle and $350 for a commercial vehicle.
Families will find a break at the gate: children 12 and under get free admission to the festival, though they still need a wristband. Organizers hope the mix of headliners and free youth entry keeps the community-wide event accessible, even as the region braces for its heaviest visitor numbers of the year.
The digital guide rounds up other long-weekend diversions and local food-and-drink stops, making it a one-stop planning tool for what Tourism Canmore Kananaskis describes as the valley’s busiest stretch. Residents and out-of-towners alike can view the full rundown on the organization’s website.
