Halifax Urban Folk Festival

The Halifax Urban Folk Festival (HUFF) returns for its 17th edition from September 27 to October 3, 2026, filling downtown Halifax venues with a week of intimate songwriter showcases. Founded in 2010 by Mike Campbell — programmer of The Carleton, long regarded as the best live music room east of Montreal — HUFF has grown from a one-club showcase into one of Atlantic Canada's signature music events, featuring hundreds of artists from Canada, the United States, Australia, and Europe over its history.

The festival's signature format is the songwriter-in-the-round: three or four artists on stage together, trading songs and the stories behind them. Headliners over the years have included Joel Plaskett, Rose Cousins, Matt Mays, Steve Poltz, Lloyd Cole, Robyn Hitchcock, Chuck Prophet, Alejandro Escovedo, Lilly Hiatt, John K. Samson, Tim Baker, Lindi Ortega, and Tom Wilson, many making their first-ever Halifax appearances. The 'Urban' in the name is deliberate — the festival happens in city clubs and halls rather than a field, so weather never cancels a show and the rooms stay intimate.

The 2026 lineup mixes international names with the best of the local scene: Ontario rocker Billy Raffoul, Halifax pop star Ria Mae, Sloan's Chris Murphy, Vancouver songwriter Skye Wallace, and reggae-soul artist Jah'Mila headline a roster that also includes Lloyd Spiegel, True Mountain Laurel, Coyote, Elyse Aeryn, Mick Davis, and dozens of emerging Nova Scotia acts. Shows run across multiple downtown venues, with the festival's All Star band concept backing many headliners with a fully-rehearsed crew of Halifax's finest players. Single-show tickets and festival passes are sold through the official festival website.

Make the most of your time in Halifax Metro - pair Halifax Urban Folk Festival with our Halifax Dining Guide, fall foliage guide, and Best Day Trips from Halifax. They're each packed with itinerary ideas, local tips, and everything you need to extend your stay.