The Canadian Folk Music Awards have unveiled their 2026 nominees, celebrating 105 artists across 21 categories from coast to coast. Set to take place April 9–12, 2026 in Calgary, the 21st edition of the CFMAs continues its legacy of spotlighting Canada’s folk brilliance, honoring the artists who weave stories of tradition, truth, and timeless sound.
Leading the nominations are Toronto singer-songwriter AHI and Nova Scotia’s beloved duo Cassie and Maggie, with five nods each. AHI’s The Light Behind The Sun shines in Contemporary Album, Contemporary Singer, Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries, English Songwriter, and Single of the Year, while Cassie and Maggie’s Gold and Coal sweeps nominations for Traditional Album, Traditional Singer, Vocal Group, Ensemble, and Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries. With returning favorites and new faces, this year’s lineup celebrates the full spectrum of folk innovation.
Other multi-nominated artists include Max Francis, Boreal, Claire Morrison, Jessica Pearson & The East Wind, and The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger). Two-time nominees such as Aysanabee, Irish Millie, and Terra Spencer join the mix, proving that Canadian folk continues to evolve while staying rooted in its authentic storytelling spirit.
Here’s the complete list of 2026 CFMA categories and nominees:
Young Performer(s) of the Year / Jeune artiste(s) de l’année
- Ella Gunning Parker – Look Alive
- Irish Millie – Between Then and Now
- Luka Hall – To Be Honest
- Max Francis – Home
- Salt Beef Junkies – Unnamed Demo
New Artist(s) of the Year / Découverte(s) de l’année
- Claire Morrison – Where Do You Go at Night?
- Jessica Pearson and the East Wind – LIVE from Motel Chelsea
- Kazdoura – Ghoyoum (Clouds)
- Robert Thomas and the sessionmen – The Way We Roll
- Wyatt C. Louis – Chandler
Contemporary Album of the Year / Album contemporain de l’année
- AHI – The Light Behind The Sun
- Boreal – Winterbirds
- Claire Morrison – Where Do You Go at Night?
- Sacred Wolf Singers X Simon Walls – L’nu’k Mawiejik
- The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger) – Glasswing
Contemporary Singer of the Year / Chanteur contemporain de l’année
- AHI – The Light Behind The Sun
- Julian Taylor – Pathways
- Kyle McKearney – To The River
- Mia Kelly – To Be Clear
- Stephen Fearing – The Empathist
Global Roots Album of the Year / Album traditions du monde de l’année
- Ahmed Moneka – Kanzafula
- Amir Amiri Ensemble – Ajdad – Ancestors, Echoes of Persia
- Joaquin Nunez & Habana Safari – Ruta de la Clave
- Kazdoura – Ghoyoum (Clouds)
- Selcuk Suna – The Space Between
Stan Rogers Traditional Singer of the Year / Prix Stan Rogers Chanter traditionnel de l’année
- Sam Allison (Lotus Wight) – Original Works for Voice and Banjo
- Maggie MacDonald (Cassie and Maggie) – Gold and Coal
- Mathieu Baillargeon (La Déferlance) – Âmes des bois
- Matthew Byrne – Stealing Time
- Michael Darcy (Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps) – Homemade
Traditional Album of the Year / Album traditionnel de l’année
- Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
- Matthew Byrne – Stealing Time
- Max Francis – Home
- Richard Wood – Richard Wood Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
- The Barrel Boys – Chicken In The Window
French Songwriter(s) of the Year / Auteur-compositeur(s) francophone de l’année
- Fred Dionne – Eldorado
- Guillaume Arsenault – Les plantes continuent de pousser même quand tu dors – Face B
- Maude Carrier – Les journées grises
- Sandie Valiquette – Forêt Marine
- Yves Marchand – Tellement naturel
English Songwriter(s) of the Year / Auteur compositeur(s) anglophone de l’année
- AHI – The Light Behind The Sun
- Mia Kelly – To Be Clear
- Shane Pendergast – Winter Grace
- Suzie Ungerleider – Among the Evergreens
- Terra Spencer – Sunset
Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year / Auteur compositeur(s) autochtone de l’année
- Amanda Rheaume – The Truth We Hold
- Asiah Holm – The Mask That You Made
- Aysanabee – Edge Of The Earth
- Inuksuk Mackay, Tiffany Ayailk (PIQSIQ) – Legends
- Wyatt C. Louis – Chandler
Instrumental Composer of the Year / Compositeur(s) ou compositrice(s) de l’année
- Anne Lindsay – SOLOWORKS 2
- Dane George – Spring Buds
- Eric Abramovitz, Rebekah Wolkstein, Drew Jurecka (Schmaltz & Pepper) – Schmaltz & Pepper
- Max Francis – Home
- Trent Freeman, Karrnnel Sawitsky, Eric Wright, Ben Plotnick (The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger)) – Glasswing
Children’s Album of the Year / Album jeunesse de l’année
- Ginalina – All the Earth Speaks
- Heather Feather – Together
- James Culleton – Superfolk
- Marky Weinstock & Friends (a.k.a. Dr. Marky) – “Here for you!”
- Oh Clementine – One Thousand Mornings
Instrumental Group of the Year / Groupe instrumental de l’année
- Amir Amiri Ensemble – Ajdad – Ancestors, Echoes of Persia
- Amir Eslami – Multicultural Wind Ensemble
- Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira – Here To Stay
- Ladom Ensemble – Sofreh Tisch
- The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger) – Glasswing
Ensemble of the Year / Groupe de l’année
- Boreal – Winterbirds
- Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
- Garçons à Marier – La Dot
- Jessica Pearson and the East Wind – LIVE from Motel Chelsea
- The Southern Residents – Folk Signals
Vocal Group of the Year / Groupe vocal de l’année
- Boreal – Winterbirds
- Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
- Jessica Pearson and the East Wind – LIVE from Motel Chelsea
- PIQSIQ – Legends
- The Barrel Boys – Chicken In The Window
Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries Award / Prix Innovation musicale Oliver Schroer
- AHI – The Light Behind The Sun
- Calgaréal – Vanishing Points
- Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
- Oktoecho – Saimaniq Sivumut
- Payadora – Legend of Carau
Producer(s) of the Year / Réalisateur(s) de l’année
- Ben Plotnick (Loud in the Pines) – Every Colour Left
- Colin Buchanan & Davy Gallant (Lennie Gallant) – Shelter From the Storms
- Jim Bowskill (Brooks & Bowskill) – Blissful State of Mind
- Liam Duncan (Boy Golden) – For Eden
- Rayannah (Claire Morrison) – Where Do You Go at Night?
Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year / Instrumentiste solo de l’année
- Max Francis – Home
- Olivia Barrett – Elsewhere
- Rachel Therrien – Mi Hogar II
- Scott Duncan – Grandpa & Me
- Yves Cloutier – Fleuve
Solo Artist of the Year / Artiste solo de l’année
- Duane Andrews – Duane Andrews And The Hot Club Of Conception Bay
- Heather MacIsaac – The Moon’s Daughter
- Lennie Gallant – Shelter From the Storms
- Mallory Chipman – Songs to a Wild
- Terra Spencer – Sunset
Single of the Year / Monoplage de l’année
- Edge Of The Earth – Aysanabee
- Human Kind – AHI
- Lost and Found – Sultans of String feat. Shannon Thunderbird
- To Fail – Rachel Cousins
- You Were There – Irish Millie
Album Artwork of the Year / Pochette de l’année
- Kevin Hutchings – Halcyon Days
- Nastasia Y – Kyiv Soul
- Oktoecho – Saimaniq Sivumut
- Ru Rose – Revival
- The Arrogant Worms – Canadian Famous
The 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards promise four days of performances, community, and creativity, shining a light on the incredible diversity of Canada’s folk scene. From rising artists to established icons, this year’s nominees reflect a nation of storytellers who continue to shape the sound of Canadian culture.