As fall crisps up the Ottawa air, one more major music festival invites the city to celebrate local and international artists this month.
Now more than 30 years old, CityFolk returns to the capital for five nights featuring headliners Alabama Shakes, Cameron Whitcomb, Third Eye Blind, Of Monsters and Men and Alice Cooper.
The Charlatan has gathered everything you need to know before heading out to the autumn music festival kicking off on Sept. 16.
Who’s playing at CityFolk 2026?
CityFolk’s 2026 lineup features a range of genres, including folk, rock, alternative, bluegrass, country and more.
Wednesday, September 16: Emily Jean Flack (5:30 p.m.), Steph Strings (6:00 p..m), Nicolas Pellerin & Les Grands Hurleurs (6:30 p.m.), Marcus King Band (7:20 p.m.), Ashley MacIsaac (7:50 p.m.), Alabama Shakes (8:55 p.m.).
Thursday, September 17: Fine Food Market (5:30 p.m.), Sam Drysdale (6:00 p.m.), The Codas (6:30 p.m.), Stella Lefty (7:20 p.m.), The White Buffalo (7:45 p.m.), Cameron Whitcomb (8:50 p.m.).
Friday, September 18: Tennyson King (5:30 p.m.), The New Hires (6:00 p.m.), Gwenifer Raymond (6:30 p.m.), Carson Cameron (6:50 p.m.), Switchfoot (7:20 p.m.), Jensen McRae (7:45 p.m.), Carson Cameron (8:20 p.m.), Third Eye Blind (8:50 p.m.).
Saturday, September 19: Teilhard Frost (5:30 p.m.), Ken Presse (6:00 p.m.), Jobi Riccio (6:30 p.m.), Vicki Brittle (6:55 p.m.), Angus & Julia Stone (7:25 p.m.), Pokey LaFarge (8:00 p.m.), Vicki Brittle (8:35 p.m.), Of Monsters and Men (9:05 p.m.).
Sunday, September 20: Steady Rain (5:30 p.m.), Bad Nerves (6:00 p.m.), Panic Shack (6:30 p.m.), David James Allen (6:50 p.m.), Sex Pistols (Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock) featuring Frank Carter (7:20 p.m.), Amigo the Devil (7:45 p.m.), David James Allen (8:20 p.m.), Alice Cooper (9:00 p.m.).
CityFolk’s full lineup can be viewed on the festival’s website. If significant weather delays are expected, organizers say they will use onsite and social media announcements to inform festivalgoers.
Where is CityFolk?
This year, CityFolk has moved to a new home: the festival grounds at the RA Centre.
The festival is usually held on The Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park, but the ongoing Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment project has made the location unavailable in time for this year’s dates. The RA Centre features two outdoor stages: the TD Stage and the Westside Stage.
Getting to CityFolk
The RA Centre is located at 2451 Riverside Dr., between Bank Street and Bronson Avenue.
For transit users, organizers say the most reliable approach is to walk to the RA Centre from the Billings Bridge bus station.
Unlike Bluesfest, OC Transpo does not provide free admission with CityFolk tickets. Details for ParaTranspo have not been confirmed yet.
If you plan on driving, festival parking is available at 875 Heron Rd., about a 12-minute walk from the RA Centre. The lot is open from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on all festival days. Festival parking is $25/day and can be purchased on the CityFolk website.
Public parking is not available at the RA Centre.
There will also be a free, supervised bike park on-site. Bike park hours and location information will be added to the website closer to the festival.
How much does CityFolk cost?
A full festival pass starts at $189 and a general admission, single-day pass at $65.
Another option is the Pick-3 general admission pass, which includes access to three festival dates, priced at $49.66 per day.
VIP single-day passes start at $125 while VIP full festival passes start at $329.
CityFolk is completely cashless for all onsite purchases, including drinks, food and merchandise. This year, the organization is partnering with 613flea to present The Vintage Village and is featuring vendors such as Happy Dad and Dominion City Brewing Co.
Accessibility Information
Patrons with a disability who require an attendant can bring one support person with no extra cost. The daily accessibility wristband will be available at the accessibility gate (Gate 2).
If you have a visible disability, organizers say no proof is required for admittance of a support person. However, for non-visible disabilities/accessibility needs, CityFolk requires an Access 2 Card, a CNIB card or a note from a medical professional stating you require a support person.
There will also be A-Team volunteers offering “light support” for accessibility issues at a tent near the information booth in the main bowl.
According to organizers, the VIP zone is not wheelchair accessible, so organizers recommend patrons in a wheelchair purchase GA and use the separate accessible viewing platform.
What to bring and what to leave at home
Officials say all bags will be searched at the gates and must be no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches. Bag check is not available onsite.
Alcohol cannot be brought onto or removed from the grounds, but can be bought from vendors.
Empty water bottles or factory-sealed non-glass water bottles are permitted, with water-filling stations available on site.
Food in non-glass containers and small, portable/collapsible lawn chairs are allowed.
A full list of prohibited and allowed items can be found here.
