Alex Serpa and Emily Jyne take in the 50th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival by the Spruce Hollow Stage, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Birds Hill Provincial Park shimmered with music, colour and community spirit on Saturday during the third day of the Winnipeg Folk Festival‘s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Headliners including Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Leyla McCalla, Noeline Hofmann, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Viv and Riley, Cristina Vane, and The Cat Empire delivered standout sets that brought diverse folk, blues, and Americana to an enthusiastic crowd.
Festivalgoers thronged stages and green spaces, dancing under sunny prairie skies — albeit a bit smokey — and discovered hidden sets at Little Stage workshops echoing the festival’s tradition of spontaneous musical collaboration.
With over 70,000 attendees expected across the four-day event, Saturday’s atmosphere combined nostalgia with fresh energy, while festival veterans mingled with new faces drawn in by high-profile acts and local talents alike.
Photographer Colin Corneau captured the rhythm, crowds, and spirit of the second-last day at this year’s Folk Fest.
Basia Bulat performs at the Snowberry Stage Saturday afternoon during the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Cristina Vane performs at the Little Stage in the Forest Saturday afternoon during the 50th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
An art installation makes its way towards the main stage Saturday evening at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Hurray for the Riff Raff performs on the main stage Saturday evening at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Hurray for the Riff Raff plays the main stage Saturday evening at the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
The crowd crowds up to the main stage Saturday evening at the 50th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Hurray for the Riff Raff plays the main stage Saturday evening at the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
The audience at the main stage at the start of Saturday evening performances during the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Jake Vaadeland talks with a fellow band member while listening to Noeline Hofmann Saturday evening during the 50th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Bubbles galore by the main stage Saturday evening during the 50th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Sean McLachlan and Grace Boyd walk in their art installation at the 50th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
A stilt walker attracts some attention on the path to the main stage Saturday afternoon during the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Myles Riedel plays a cigar box banjo he bought at the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Kirstie Cameron, Danielle Vaillant and Bobby Hasselstrom dance at the Snowberry Stage during the 50th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
Basia Bulat leads the crowd gathered at the Snowberry Stage Saturday afternoon during the 50th Winnipeg Folk Festival, July 12, 2025. (COLIN CORNEAU / CHRISD.CA)
