SASKATOON — An annual summer event, now in its 46th year, will celebrate culture and community Aug. 15–16.
Ten pavilions will be showcased at Saskatoon’s Prairieland Park as part of Saskatoon’s Folkfest. The annual event has always championed diversity and uplifts multiculturalism.
The organization’s website says, “For this year’s theme, we chose a kaleidoscope to represent our growing community best. Kaleidoscopes are ever-shifting, full of beauty due to the many different parts that make up the whole. A kaleidoscope’s interconnectivity is what global communities are; each part is beautiful and unique, and complements the others. Therefore, for our 46th festival, we are embodying this dynamic and fluid art form.”
Folkfest returned to an in-person festival in 2022 following pandemic restrictions. However, like many other events in the province, the rebuild after COVID-19 wasn’t immediate.
The 2025 Folkfest at Prairieland Park will host 10 pavilions uniting culture and community.
Pavilions offer guests delicious food, fascinating cultural entertainment, eye-catching displays and engaging activities.
The long-standing Folkfest tradition is one of the city’s flagship summer events, inviting local and visiting guests to experience new food, music and traditions, blended for a rich multicultural experience.
Prior to COVID-19, Folkfest featured up to 25 pavilions. Post-pandemic, the event saw a significant drop in numbers. Scotland took a year off in 2024 but returns for 2025. The popular Ukrainian pavilion will be absent for a second straight year, while the Philippines will pause participation.
The event’s goal is to bring together people from various cultural backgrounds to share their traditions and heritage with the community. Cultural dishes are a major draw, with musical and dance performances also attracting visitors.
While moving to Prairieland Park from multiple venues across the city, the core of Folkfest remains the same: celebrating global culture, food and traditions under this year’s theme, “Kaleidoscope of Culture.”
Pavilions featured in 2025 are Bangladesh, China, Ghana, India, Iran, Latino, Norway, Pakistan, Vietnam and the returning Scotland pavilion.
