Calgary Folk Fest's Block Heater Ignites New Home at The Confluence for 2026
Block Heater 2026: A New Chapter at The Confluence
The Calgary Folk Music Festival is thrilled to announce its 11th annual Block Heater festival, presented by ATB, returning February 5–7, 2026. This year marks a significant evolution as the festival moves its primary operations to The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland for February 6–7, following a vibrant kick-off party at Festival Hall on February 5.
A Fusion of Music, History, and Community
The Confluence, formerly Fort Calgary, underwent a rebrand in 2024 to tell a more expansive narrative, embracing Indigenous culture and Treaty 7 history at the convergence of the Bow and Elbow rivers. This intentional new home not only deepens the festival’s cultural roots but also boosts the local economy of Inglewood and East Village's vibrant Music Mile, attracting residents and visitors alike with a “winter wonderland” atmosphere, complete with local food vendors, a skating rink, and family programming, making it truly family-friendly with free admission for kids 12 and under.
Star-Studded Lineup Announced
Get ready for a soul-stirring lineup featuring Grammy winner Cedric Burnside, whose latest album *Hill Country Love* was released in April 2024. Other headliners include Field Guide, Fruit Bats (fresh off their September 2025 album *Baby Man*), Goldie Boutilier, Jeremie Albino (from Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound with *Our Time In The Sun*), Joel Plaskett, and The War and Treaty. The festival's 2026 artist-in-residence, Heather Buchanan, will provide the captivating poster artwork, promising a truly integrated artistic experience.
