Located at Fraser Lake Camp
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Fraser Lake Camp is a beautiful lakefront property nestled in nature.
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Travelling by car, it is 3h10min from Toronto, 4h20min from Montreal, or 2h20min from Ottawa.
A bunk bed in a shared cabin is included with your ticket. Or if you prefer tenting, this is also an option. You will have access to the same shared facilities with either option.
Learn more about accommodations and meals at the festival.
​​What is Balfolk?
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Balfolk is popular social dancing from Western Europe, a recent revival of traditional, mostly French, folk dances. Some partner dances, some group dances, some long chain dances - they are all fun and easy to learn, you don’t need any partners or prior experience. We’ll show you how!
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We have some amazing programming for you at the festival this year featuring performers from France and Canada, with evening dances (bals), music and dance workshops, lots of jamming, and group singing.
Festival Info
September 11th-13th 2026, from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.
We can't wait to welcome you back to Fraser Lake Camp for Canada's largest Balfolk dance and music festival. Tickets go on sale May 15th!
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Accommodations
A bunk in a shared cabin, or tenting. Whichever you choose, you’ll have access to the same shared amenities (washrooms and showers). There is also a lake for swimming (no lifeguards).
Meals
Add optional meals to your ticket, or bring your own. A meals add-on for $130 gets you all meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch (6 meals total). All meals are vegetarian. Based on feedback, we are excited to invite back our much requested chef, Lizzy, who will be cooking delicious food for us.
As is tradition, we will have a Saturday night cheese and charcuterie board.
Rideshare
Check back here in August for a link to a rideshare board.
Accessibility Information
Fraser Lake contains uneven terrain and grassy areas not ideal for mobility devices. At night in low light there may be areas that are harder to navigate.
As Big Branch is a dance-centred festival, indoor spaces will prioritize dancers. While there may be some benches around, seating is not guaranteed. This is not a sit-down concert event. If you have any additional accessibility questions, please email bigbranchfestival@gmail.com.
Cell Service
There may be no cell service, and there is no WiFi available. Our merch table will only accept cash - on sale will be CDs, t-shirts, stickers, tunebooks, and other merch.
Work-Trade
A limited number of work-trade spots are available. We ask for 8 hours during the festival in exchange for a reduced price ticket. Applications for work-trade spots closed on May 8th 2026. Applicants will be notified before tickets go on sale.
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Sample Schedule (detailed schedule to follow at a later date)
Wednesday September 9
Kick-off concert in Toronto with international bands (ticketed separately)
Friday September 11
Arrival at Fraser Lake Camp from 3:30pm
4:30pm - 6:00pm: Music and dance workshops
6:00pm - 7:30pm: Dinner
7:30pm - Midnight: Bal
Late night: Snacks and jamming
Saturday September 12
8:00am - 9:30am: Breakfast
10:00am - 1:00pm: Dance, music, and singing workshops
1:00pm - 2:30pm: Lunch
2:30pm - 5:30pm: Dance and music workshops
5:30pm: Jam apéro
6:00pm - 7:30pm: Dinner
7:45pm: Parade!
8:00 - Midnight: Bal
Late night: Snacks and jamming
Sunday September 13
8:00am - 9:30am: Breakfast
10:30am - 12:00pm: Workshops
12:00pm - 1:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm - 4:00pm: Closing bal