Winterfolk XXIV Returns to Toronto: Four Days of Roots, Blues, and Community
Toronto, ON —Winterfolk XXIV returns for its 24th year with four days of live roots and blues music at the Tranzac Club from February 12–15, 2026. Featuring more than 100 artists across multiple stages, the festival highlights Toronto’s folk, blues, and singer-songwriter community. For the first time, Winterfolk expands to four days.
The festival begins on Thursday, February 12, with the debut of “Emerging Talent Night at
Winterfolk,” an evening dedicated to showcasing new performers of all ages. Emerging artists can apply through the festival website for stage time and visibility. Applications and full festival details are available at winterfolk.com.
Over its two decades, Winterfolk has become one of Toronto’s key music events—a place where artists, audiences, and venues come together. Founded by songwriter and performer Brian Gladstone, the festival remains true to its grassroots spirit.
“We started Winterfolk because I couldn’t find a stage,” Gladstone says. “Two decades later, we’re still building it—for anyone with something real to say through song.”
This year’s confirmed performers include Donné Roberts, Lynn Harrison, Robert Priest, Jesse Greene, Tyler Ellis, Shawna Caspi, Melanie Peterson, Jessica Stewart, Suzanne Jarvie, and Noah Zacharin, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Winterfolk XXIV takes place at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, just south of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex. Festival hours are Thursday and Friday from 7–11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. Tickets are available at winterfolk.com. A two-for-one advance ticket offer is available until November 15, with weekend passes priced at $40 in advance (door price $80). Thursday’s Emerging Talent Night requires a separate one-day ticket, while the weekend pass covers February 13–15. Before the festival begins, fans can get an early look at the lineup at the Winterfolk Festival Preview Show at Hugh’s Room Live on November 25, 2025. Tickets are available now, and each Hugh’s Room ticket purchase includes a $20 discount code toward a Winterfolk weekend pass.
“Winterfolk’s always been about community,” says Gladstone. “We work with the roots scene to help artists find paying gigs, support venues, and bring people out when the city’s usually quiet.”
“The folk and roots community needs young artists to carry the torch,” Gladstone adds. “That’s why Emerging Talent Night is such an important addition—it’s about giving new voices a platform and helping them grow .”
From its first year to its 24th, Winterfolk continues to offer live roots music, songs, and stories that reflect Toronto’s music community.
