Starting this Saturday, the Benchlands Folk Festival at Benchlands Lookout Park will extend its hours and add a late-night dance set to welcome final weekend crowds. City staff made the change to accommodate strong ticket demand for the event’s closing day.
“We are thrilled by the community’s response to the Benchlands Folk Festival,” says Fiona Gallagher, General Manager of Community Services. “Extending the evening hours gives everyone more time to enjoy the music, local food vendors, and the stunning views over the Tamsin River. We want the final weekend to be as memorable as the first.”
Attendees arriving for the extended Saturday hours should note a few changes. Main gate entry will remain open until 8:00 p.m., with a final sweep of the grounds at 11:15 p.m. Parking will be managed along Benchlands Drive and the overflow lot off Corvid Way. Free shuttle buses will run every twenty minutes from the Downtown Transit Terminal to the park throughout the evening. Riders can use the regular transit fare or a festival wristband.
The late-night dance set will take place on the main stage from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Food trucks will stay open until 10:30 p.m., and the children’s play area will close at 9:00 p.m. for a quiet wind-down. If weather turns severe, the City’s emergency management team will follow the public safety plan for outdoor events, which includes shelter-in-place protocols in the nearby Northgate Aquatic Centre and Tamsin Valley Leisure Centre for ticket holders.
Anyone planning to stay for the extended hours is encouraged to review the updated schedule and shuttle map before heading out. All event updates, parking maps, and vendor lists are available on the News & Events page. For more information about the festival and the park facilities, visit the Arts & Heritage section.
