Tickets on sale now at stanfest.com
(Canso, NS) – The Stan Rogers Folk Festival, affectionately known as Stanfest, marks a major milestone this summer, celebrating its 30th anniversary and three decades of music, friendship, and community, in Canso, Nova Scotia, July 20-26, 2026.
Once a weekend camping event, the Stan Rogers Folk Festival has grown to a seven-day, county-wide music extravaganza, presenting over 50 artists from a rich diversity of genres and musical styles and offering something for everyone.
“Over the last couple of years Stanfest has grown into a massive musical event while somehow keeping the charm of the original weekend. We’re very proud of that,” says Artistic Director Steve MacIntyre. “This means more for families, more for music lovers, and more for the surrounding communities. Our 30-year celebrations will be the ultimate nod to songwriters from around the globe, and a huge tip of the hat to Stan himself.”
Starting on July 20, the third annual Stanfest Roadshow series, presented by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough, will present 10 concerts and visit seven communities across Guysborough County and give music fans the perfect reason to ‘come earlier and stay longer’. Performers include Beth Rogers, Chuck Brodsky, Daniel James McFadyen, Darren McMullen, Dave Gunning, Garrett Mason, Jake Lauzon, J.P. Cormier, Kim Dunn, Kristen Martell, Mark Lang, Shane Pendergast, Terra Spencer, The Irish Descendants, The Lee Boys, and The McMillan’s Camp Boys.
The Stanfest Roadshow was created to continue growth by engaging more Eastern Nova Scotia residents and communities in the festival, expanding our geographic footprint, extending our event to seven days and increasing our economic impact. It also improved our climate resiliency, with all the new shows being hosted in community facilities,” shares Troy Greencorn, Stanfest founder and producer. “We are extremely proud to see the quick adoption of this new series, resulting in multiple sell outs last year. This year’s concerts are all winners, so we are expecting full houses again this year!”
Tickets and the full schedule for the Stanfest Roadshow are available now at: stanfest.com
After three fantastic evenings of music in some special community venues, the Stanfest Roadshow culminates with an artist packed Kickoff Concert on the festival main stage in Canso on Thursday, July 23.
“While we considered several ideas for Thursday’s Kickoff Concert, it became clear that the best way to honour 30 years of Stanfest was to celebrate Stan himself,” says MacIntyre. “His life and the spirit of his music have guided this festival since the beginning, and we’re proud to recognize and honour that legacy.”
On July 23, the festival’s mainstage will come alive in a powerful tribute to Stan Rogers by Ariel Rogers (Stan’s wife), Nathan Rogers (Stan’s son), Dave Gunning, Connie Kaldor, Lennie Gallant, The Irish Descendants, Dry Bones, Carl Bond, Evans and Doherty, Blue Engine String Quartet, Lisa Richard, The Barra MacNeils, and Matt Andersen, all backed by a stellar house band led by Kim Dunn and featuring Allie Bennett, Rose Morrison, Cathy Porter, and Malcolm MacNeil. The concert will be co-hosted by CBC personalities Wendy Bergfeldt and Tom Power.
Tickets for the Kickoff Concert are available now at: stanfest.com
On Friday, July 24 through to Sunday, July 26, a full weekend of music and fun will unfold on the festival grounds and in nearby community venues. Stanfest main festival performers include: Aaron MacDonald, Adrian Sutherland, Beth Rogers, Braden Lam, Carl Bond, Cassie and Maggie, Chuck Brodsky, Colrain, Connie Kaldor, Daniel James McFadyen, Dave Gunning, Dry Bones, Duane Andrews and the Hot Club, Freya Milliken, Garrett Mason, Hawksley Workman, Jing Xia, J.P. Cormier, Kristen Martell, La Famille Leblanc, Lennie Gallant, Lloyd Spiegel, Mark Lang, Matt Andersen, Mae Rivers, Nick Earle and the Reckless Hearts, Shane Pendergast, Tamar Ilana & Ventanas, Tennyson King, The Harpoonist, The Irish Descendants, The Lee Boys, The Quilter’s Guild, The Swinging Belles and more to be announced soon.
For information on performing artists, visit: stanfest.com/artists
Tickets and weekend passes for Stanfest are available now at: stanfest.com. Special pricing is available for volunteers and children 12 and under are FREE.
To volunteer, visit: stanfest.com/volunteer
Campsites are available now by contacting the festival office, toll free at 1-888-554-7826 or by emailing: info@stanfest.com. RV sites and tent sites available. For more information on accommodations, visit: stanfest.com.
About Stan Rogers Folk Festival
The Stan Rogers Folk Festival is a celebration of songwriters honouring one of Canada’s most prolific songwriters, Stan Rogers. The week-long musical adventure features a variety of genres, including folk, country, blues, soul, gospel, pop, rock, bluegrass, and world music. For more information, visit: stanfest.com
Follow #stanfest2026 socially:
Instagram: stanrogersfolkfestival
Facebook: stanrogersfolkfestival
X: StanFest