The County’s tourism department and the Haliburton County Folk Society have announced the 2026 February Folk Festival, a community celebration of culture, live music and local talent, taking place throughout the Highlands from Feb. 1–28.
The month-long festival brings together a lineup of performances, from folk and acoustic to pop, blues, rock and opera, spread across a variety of local venues, including the Haliburton Legion, Dominion Hotel, Minden Curling Club, Brooksong Retreat Centre, Boshkung Social, and others.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible musical talent of the Highlands and offer visitors and residents meaningful experiences throughout February,” said County of Haliburton tourism manager, Angelica Ingram.
She added, “February Folk Fest is about community spirit, artistic expression, and enjoying great music together in the heart of winter.”
She said festival highlights include live performances every week across multiple venues showcasing both local and touring artists; special events, including open jam nights, songwriter circles, winter square-dancing, pop-up performances and family-friendly afternoons of music and community, as well as free and ticketed shows, making live music affordable and available for all.
She thanked CanoeFM, Haliburton Rotary Club, the Haliburton County Development Corporation and Apple Tree Recording Studio for its support.
Old-time winter square dance
Dance Happens Here Haliburton (DH3) ispartnering with Hike Haliburton, Winter Edition and February Folk Festival to host an Old Time Winter Square Dance Feb. 7 at the Haliburton Legion.
Hannah Shira Naiman will be teaching the steps and calling the dances while bluegrass musicians Nathan Smith, Kyle Kirkpatrick and Tim O’Reilly will provide the tunes.
The evening will include instruction and a chance for all to participate. When askedto describe the type of dance she will lead, Shira Naiman said, “the one thing I can guarantee is that everyone will have fun.” Participants will have a chance to try out square dances, contra dances (in lines) and circle dances.
The evening will also include aperformance by a local group of Haliburton Scottish Country Dancers.
Dance Happens Here chair, Jim Blake said, “it will be a lively way for the community to come together – an old-fashioned square dance – the kind of dancing that everyone can do, whether you’re experienced or an absolute beginner.”
Go to dancehappenshere.com for more information.
For full event listings for the entire month, including performer details and venue information, go to https://
myhaliburtonhighlands.com/february-folkfest/
Hike Haliburton
Registration is open for Hike Haliburton Winter Edition 2026, being held Feb. 7-8 this year. Established in 2020, the snowy version
of the popular Hike Haliburton is on snowshoes.
Over the February weekend, the County’s tourism department and its partners invite people to discover the snow-covered trails, frozen lakes, and quiet forests of the Haliburton Highlands through a wide variety of guided winter hikes and snowshoe adventures led by knowledgeable hike leaders.
Beyond the hikes, people can experience local arts and culture, warm up with live music and entertainment at community venues, and enjoy winter celebrations happening throughout the region. Go to hikehaliburton.com to register
