Summary: The Canadian Folk Music Awards will take place in 2026 in Calgary, Alberta, from April 9 to 12, 2026. The 21st Edition of CFMAs announces 2026 Nominees from 105 nominees in 21 categories from across Canada. All category winners will be announced on 12 April 2026.
The Canadian Folk Music Awards are an annual music awards ceremony for incredible achievements in folk music and roots music. It was established in 2005 by the Canadian Folk Music Awards to promote Canadian folk music.
There are 21 categories, including children’s album, contemporary album, English writer, French songwriter, and many more.
The National Film Awards presents the Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026, including the Date, Venue, Nominations, Tickets, and Winners’ List. Keep scrolling to see the full list of Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026 nominations.
Likes to read: AI Film Festival 2025: Date, Venue, Host & Tickets
Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026 Nominations:
The 21st edition of the Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026 Nominees were announced on 28 October 2025. Check the list below:
Young Performer(s) of the Year
- Ella Gunning Parker – Look Alive
- Irish Millie – Between Then and Now
- Luka Hall – To Be Honest
- Max Francis – Home
- Salt Beef Junkies – Unnamed Demo
New Artist(s) of the Year
- Claire Morrison – Where Do You Go at Night?
- Jessica Pearson and the East Wind – LIVE from Motel Chelsea
- Kazdoura – Ghoyoum (Clouds)
- Robert Thomas and the sessionmen – The Way We Roll
- Wyatt C. Louis – Chandler
Contemporary Album of the Year
- AHI – The Light Behind The Sun
- Boreal – Winterbirds
- Claire Morrison – Where Do You Go at Night?
- Sacred Wolf Singers X Simon Walls – L’nu’k Mawiejik
- The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger) – Glasswing
Contemporary Singer of the Year
- AHI – The Light Behind The Sun
- Julian Taylor – Pathways
- Kyle McKearney – To The River
- Mia Kelly – To Be Clear
- Stephen Fearing – The Empathist
Global Roots Album of the Year
- Ahmed Moneka – Kanzafula
- Amir Amiri Ensemble – Ajdad – Ancestors, Echoes of Persia
- Joaquin Nunez & Habana Safari – Ruta de la Clave
- Kazdoura – Ghoyoum (Clouds)
- Selcuk Suna – The Space Between
Stan Rogers Traditional Singer of the Year
- Sam Allison (Lotus Wight) – Original Works for Voice and Banjo
- Maggie MacDonald (Cassie and Maggie) – Gold and Coal
- Mathieu Baillargeon (La Déferlance) – Âmes des bois
- Matthew Byrne – Stealing Time
- Michael Darcy (Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps) – Homemade
Traditional Album of the Year
- Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
- Matthew Byrne – Stealing Time
- Max Francis – Home
- Richard Wood – Richard Wood Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
- The Barrel Boys – Chicken In The Window
French Songwriter(s) of the Year
- Fred Dionne – Eldorado
- Guillaume Arsenault – Les plantes continuent de pousser même quand tu dors – Face B
- Maude Carrier – Les journées grises
- Sandie Valiquette – Forêt Marine
- Yves Marchand – Tellement naturel
English Songwriter(s) of the Year
- AHI – The Light Behind The Sun
- Mia Kelly – To Be Clear
- Shane Pendergast – Winter Grace
- Suzie Ungerleider – Among the Evergreens
- Terra Spencer – Sunset
Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year
- Amanda Rheaume – The Truth We Hold
- Asiah Holm – The Mask That You Made
- Aysanabee – Edge Of The Earth
- Inuksuk Mackay, Tiffany Ayailk (PIQSIQ) – Legends
- Wyatt C. Louis – Chandler
Instrumental Composer of the Year
- Anne Lindsay – SOLOWORKS 2
- Dane George – Spring Buds
- Eric Abramovitz, Rebekah Wolkstein, Drew Jurecka (Schmaltz & Pepper) – Schmaltz & Pepper
- Max Francis – Home
- Trent Freeman, Karrnnel Sawitsky, Eric Wright, Ben Plotnick (The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger)) – Glasswing
Children’s Album of the Year
- Ginalina – All the Earth Speaks
- Heather Feather – Together
- James Culleton – Superfolk
- Marky Weinstock & Friends (a.k.a. Dr. Marky) – “Here for you!”
- Oh Clementine – One Thousand Mornings
Instrumental Group of the Year
- Amir Amiri Ensemble – Ajdad – Ancestors, Echoes of Persia
- Amir Eslami – Multicultural Wind Ensemble
- Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira – Here To Stay
- Ladom Ensemble – Sofreh Tisch
- The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger) – Glasswing
Ensemble of the Year
- Boreal – Winterbirds
- Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
- Garçons à Marier – La Dot
- Jessica Pearson and the East Wind – LIVE from Motel Chelsea
- The Southern Residents – Folk Signals
Vocal Group of the Year
- Boreal – Winterbirds
- Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
- Jessica Pearson and the East Wind – LIVE from Motel Chelsea
- PIQSIQ – Legends
- The Barrel Boys – Chicken In The Window
Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries Award
- AHI – The Light Behind The Sun
- Calgaréal – Vanishing Points
- Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
- Oktoecho – Saimaniq Sivumut
- Payadora – Legend of Carau
Producer(s) of the Year
- Ben Plotnick (Loud in the Pines) – Every Colour Left
- Colin Buchanan & Davy Gallant (Lennie Gallant) – Shelter From the Storms
- Jim Bowskill (Brooks & Bowskill) – Blissful State of Mind
- Liam Duncan (Boy Golden) – For Eden
- Rayannah (Claire Morrison) – Where Do You Go at Night?
Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year
- Max Francis – Home
- Olivia Barrett – Elsewhere
- Rachel Therrien – Mi Hogar II
- Scott Duncan – Grandpa & Me
- Yves Cloutier – Fleuve
Solo Artist of the Year
- Duane Andrews – Duane Andrews And The Hot Club Of Conception Bay
- Heather MacIsaac – The Moon’s Daughter
- Lennie Gallant – Shelter From the Storms
- Mallory Chipman – Songs to a Wild
- Terra Spencer – Sunset
Single of the Year
- Edge Of The Earth – Aysanabee
- Human Kind – AHI
- Lost and Found – Sultans of String feat. Shannon Thunderbird
- To Fail – Rachel Cousins
- You Were There – Irish Millie
Album Artwork of the Year
- Kevin Hutchings – Halcyon Days
- Nastasia Y – Kyiv Soul
- Oktoecho – Saimaniq Sivumut
- Ru Rose – Revival
- The Arrogant Worms – Canadian Famous
The CFMAs have also released a new Spotify playlist featuring music by all nominees. Below is the Full playlist of CFMAs nominees.
Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026 Date & Venue:
The 21st edition of the Canadian Folk Music Awards is set from 9 April 2026 to 12 April 2026 at 4 pm. These events will take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, and on Sunday afternoon.
Events will take place across Calgary’s iconic cultural spaces, including the Bella Concert Hall, National Music Center, and the Westin Calgary.
- Date: Thu 9 Apr 2026 6:00 PM – Sun 12 Apr 2026 4:00 PM
- Location: Various locations, T2G 1R1
Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026 Ticket
The Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026 tickets are now available. Buy your tickets and enjoy the event. Your All-Access Wristband lets you attend every concert and ticketed CFMA event, including:
- Four special gala concerts at Calgary’s best venues, with amazing music from different styles and cultures. These shows are on Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons.
- Free entry to all public and community events happening throughout the weekend.
Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026 Winners List
The Canadian Folk Music Awards 2026 Winners will be announced on April 9-12, 2026. Winners will be announced through the two-stage elimination model.
- Round 1: Jurors will evaluate a portion of the submitted albums to determine nominees.
- Round 2: All jurors will review the same list of nominees to select the winners.
The official website of the Canadian Folk Music Awards is folkawards.ca. To get updated, check their official website or sign up for our channel for the updates and relatable content.
FAQs
Who won the Folk Awards in 2025?
Ríoghnach Connolly was named Best Folk Singer, with Alannah Thornburgh awarded Best Folk Instrumentalist, and Landless the winners of Best Folk Group.
What is the biggest music award in Canada?
The Juno Awards (stylized as JUNOS), referred to as the Junos, are awards presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada’s music industry.
Who is the richest singer in Canada?
Celine Dion is the richest singer in Canada, with a net worth of $570 million.
Leave a Reply