32nd Annual Ontario Folk Music Awards

Folk Canada is pleased to announce the 2026 Estelle Klein Award Recipients, Ontario Folk Music Awards host, and performers for the 32nd annual Ontario Folk Music Awards. Chris White and Coco Love Alcorn will receive the 2026 Estelle Klein Award, with Logan Staats named as the Culture in Climate honouree. Two-time JUNO nominee Terra Lightfoot will host the awards, which will feature performances by Tanika Charles, Vicki Brittle, Jonathan Nvita, Kazdoura, and Logan Staats.

The Estelle Klein Award honours the work of an individual or group that has made significant contributions to Ontario’s folk music community, and is named after advocate and festival pioneer, Estelle Klein. The honours are divided into two areas of recognition: The Community Builder Award and The Lifetime Achievement Award. Past recipients include Ian Tamblyn, Erin Benjamin, and Jackie Washington. The Culture in Climate Award, introduced in 2025, recognizes an individual, organization, or company in Canada's Folk music sector that demonstrates outstanding commitment to climate action and environmental responsibility.

In recognition of the outstanding work and contributions of Folk artists and music industry from across the province of Ontario. The 32nd annual Ontario Folk Music Awards will take place during the Folk Canada Conference at The Studio in Hamilton, Ontario, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Established in 1987 and now in its 39th year, the Folk Canada Conference (previously the Folk Music Ontario Conference and Ontario Council of Folk Festivals) will take place October 14-18 in Hamilton, Ontario and welcomes attendees from across the country to the event.

Website - www.folkcanada.com