2025 Canterbury Folk Festival

Canterbury Folk Music Festival celebrates music and people, we welcome you :-)

Held every Easter in the tranquil park setting, Waipara Adventure Centre, offers the opportunity to relax enjoy the music and environment. This is primarily a camping-based event and encourages full participation of attendees with additional impromptu music sessions and mini concerts outside the programmed performances of the booked artists.

Workshops and tutorials are provided in a wide range of music and related subjects, and there is a dedicated youth and children’s activity programme using musical skills of parents and tutors. The festival also offers exposure and tutoring from overseas artists.

There is an emphasis on networking, sharing musical experiences and forging lasting relationships between like-minded musicians, no matter their skill level or experience.

As participants come from all over New Zealand friendships are made that encourage attendance at other festivals and events throughout the country. Many of the national and international acts are involved with nationwide tours and the exposure they gain from this festival leads to recommendations and endorsement for their other shows.

The Guest Artists this year are talented and will bring an amazing diversity of performance and a wealth of entertainment Celtic Ferret, Auckland; Jay Juggler and Magician, Dunedin; Lachie Platt, Christchurch; Pat Higgins, from Ireland now Wellington; Raylee Bradfield, Christchurch; Peninsula Envy, Southland and Christchurch; Samuel Fawkner-Egli, Taranaki; Tess Liautaud and Jessie Rose Shanks, Canada and Christchurch; The Skeatles, Christchurch and Theo & G Barndance. Details of the guests and their workshops on website.

Are you are a musician aged 16-25, then our Youth Programme is for you.
Looking to improve your performance skills in a creative, supportive environment? Join us at the Canterbury Folk Festival Youth Programme, this year led by our two fantastic Youth Guest Artists: Samuel Fawkner-Egli and Lachie Platt!

Both experienced songwriters and performers, Sam and Lachie will provide guidance and support in developing your performance skills, whether that’s songwriting, arrangement, sound tech, or simply gaining confidence on stage. Then perform two songs in the final concert Sunday night. More info on website.

The festival is jam-packed with opportunities to perform and get involved. Join the Blackboard Concerts – all equipment provided, with our experienced sound technicians on hand to assist. The late-night jam sessions are a relaxed way to learn songs and jam with some incredibly talented musicians. Or sign up for the Blind Date concert - put your name in a hat and join forces with one of our guest artists and other talented attendees to prepare a piece to perform. Perform one of your poems at the poetry session, join the festival choir or the early morning stretch yoga.

The Children's Programme is also another highlight, a family Hill Billy Hoedown starts Friday 3-5, the Ceilidh dance for the whole family that night, Facepainting, Rock painting, Jay Juggler and Magician performs a morning family session each day, Festival parade on Sunday, Young people's open mic, Easter egg Hunt and arts table with materials available all weekend. Then there are the activities that venue offers, bike tracks, water slide...

Coffee cart onsite from Friday late afternoon with muffins etc, Mark at the coffee cart would like attendees to challenge him at chess. Caterers on site for Saturday and Sunday meals, these can be booked online before the weekend.

Accommodation options are camping, power connections for bus and caravans’ avail., bunks, and there are some exclusive cabins as well. There are cooking facilities onsite.

The money you pay for tickets is used to pay musicians and provide the facilities for the weekend. The festival is run by volunteers sharing their passion for live acoustic music and the camaraderie that the festival palpates.