As the sun rose over Birds Hill Provincial Park, Day 3 of the 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival promised – and delivered – a rich tapestry of music, meaning, and Manitoba magic. With world-class artists, local legends, and unforgettable collaborations, Saturday was a resounding highlight of the weekend. From Canadian legend Bruce Cockburn to the genre-defying energy of The Cat Empire, the day was a celebration of the past, present, and future of folk and roots music.

No trip to the Winnipeg Folk Festival is complete without spending a few sun-drenched hours roaming between the workshop stages, where some of the most surprising and inspiring musical moments take place. Day 3’s workshops brought together a vibrant mix of international and local talent, creating spontaneous collaborations that transcended borders, genres, and generations. These workshops reaffirmed why Folk Fest remains one of the most beloved events on the summer calendar – there’s nothing quite like seeing artists build something beautiful together, right before your eyes.

Beloved hometown heroes The Duhks made a triumphant return to the festival, earning roaring applause before they even struck a chord. Blending bluegrass, soul, folk, and old-timey traditions with infectious rhythm and energy, the band reminded the crowd why they’ve long been considered one of Winnipeg’s finest musical exports. With soaring vocals, dynamic percussion, and joyful fiddle melodies, their set was both a homecoming and a celebration. Fans young and old danced along, and the sense of pride in the audience was palpable. After all, seeing The Duhks at Folk Fest feels like seeing family.

Toronto-based Basia Bulat brought her signature blend of indie-folk elegance and emotional depth to the Big Bluestem stage. Alternating between guitar, autoharp, and piano, Bulat delivered a set that was as intimate as it was grand. Her powerful voice – at once crystalline and raw – cut through the summer air, touching on themes of love, loss, and renewal. Her poetic storytelling and stage presence drew quiet reverence from the audience, who listened intently to each lyric. It was the kind of performance that lingers long after the last note, and Bulat’s artistry shone in every moment.

The most emotional and historic moment of the afternoon belonged to Bruce Cockburn, the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter whose decades of musical activism, poetic insight, and guitar mastery have earned him a permanent place in the nation’s cultural canon.

Cockburn’s set was rich with signature fingerstyle playing and politically conscious lyrics that spoke to the times with unwavering clarity. His voice, weathered but resolute, carried stories of struggle, hope, and resistance. The crowd hung on his every word, aware that they were witnessing a master at work.

But the most stirring moment came when Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham took to the stage to present Bruce Cockburn with the Key to the City of Winnipeg. The audience erupted in a standing ovation as Cockburn accepted the honour with humility and grace. He expressed his deep appreciation for Winnipeg’s long-standing support of artists and the importance of community in building a more just world. It was a milestone moment – one that elevated an already powerful performance into something unforgettable.

As the afternoon faded into evening and the festival grounds filled with thousands of eager fans, the mainstage lineup brought a dynamic blend of cultural richness, folk tradition, and danceable joy to the festival. Kicking off the evening was Leyla McCalla, the Haitian-American singer, cellist, and multi-instrumentalist whose music blends Creole, jazz, folk, and classical traditions. Her set was a deeply moving meditation on identity, ancestry, and resilience.

Singing in English, French, and Haitian Creole, McCalla transported the crowd with layered rhythms and haunting melodies. Her cello playing – alternately delicate and thunderous – added a cinematic quality to the performance, while her lyrical depth brought historical narratives into the present. It was a soul-stirring start to the night that reminded everyone of folk music’s power to tell the stories that matter most.

Next up was Hurray for the Riff Raff, the project led by New Orleans-based Alynda Segarra. With a sound that fuses punk roots, Americana, and protest folk, their set was an urgent call to action and a celebration of resistance. Sugar’s raw, expressive vocals cut through with power and purpose, exploring themes of justice, displacement, queerness, and survival. Backed by a fiercely talented band, the group had the audience clapping, chanting, and even shedding a few tears. It was music that didn’t just entertain—it challenged, affirmed, and uplifted.

As twilight bathed the stage in soft amber, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings took their place at the microphones and delivered a masterclass in stripped-down folk perfection. With just two voices and two acoustic guitars, the duo created a spellbinding atmosphere that silenced the massive crowd in awe. Their harmonies—aching, eerie, and impossibly tight—sounded as though they were plucked from the American past. Their chemistry on stage is a marvel of subtlety and precision, honed by decades of playing together. It was a breathtaking set that showcased the beauty of minimalism and the enduring power of song.

Closing out Day 3 with a bang was Australian juggernaut The Cat Empire, whose fusion of ska, funk, jazz, and Latin grooves turned the mainstage into a wild, joyous dance party. Horns blared, drums pounded, and thousands of festivalgoers—many barefoot and beaming—swayed and jumped to the infectious rhythms. Their high-energy set was a carnival of sound and movement, a complete departure from the quiet reflection of the previous acts, but the perfect way to wrap up a day of emotional highs and musical variety. From conga lines to crowd singalongs, The Cat Empire made sure Saturday ended not just with applause, but with full-on celebration.

Day 3 of the 2025 Winnipeg Folk Festival was a stunning showcase of everything that makes this event so beloved: genre diversity, meaningful storytelling, spontaneous creativity, and a sense of true community. From the afternoon’s heartfelt workshops and Bruce Cockburn’s emotional honour to the dance-fueled frenzy of The Cat Empire, Saturday gave attendees a day—and night—they’ll never forget. As campers returned to their tents and buses hummed down the highway, one thing was clear: the music didn’t just fill the air—it filled hearts.