Artists from Around the World
14 artists · 12 countries · 3 unforgettable days
3 Days of World Music
Meet the Artists
Click on any artist to see their full bio · Hover to preview
Interactive Activities
Dance, drums, puppets, music, family parades, and surprise activities across the festival fields. These activities invite people of all ages to participate, learn, and celebrate together.
Come and be surprised!
hosted by Alison
hosted by Canmexicanus
Led by Chinchineros del Centro
Festival Sounds
Listen to the Kultrun 2026 Playlist
Explore the sounds of this year's festival and discover the artists bringing music, culture, and energy to Kultrun World Music Festival.
Featuring artists from Canada, Latin America, Africa, Europe, and beyond, this playlist offers a preview of the incredible musical journey awaiting festival audiences.
Start listening before the festival and get ready for an unforgettable weekend of live performances, cultural exchange, and community celebration.
Open Playlist on SpotifyExplore the Food Village
Discover international flavours, local favourites, craft beer, desserts, coffee, and the World Cup Viewing Area at the heart of Kultrun World Music Festival.
View Food Village →Join Our Team
Help Bring Kultrun to Life
Volunteers are at the heart of Kultrun World Music Festival. Join a welcoming community of people who help create an unforgettable experience for artists, families, and festival guests.
- ✓ Meet new people and build connections
- ✓ Support arts, culture, and community
- ✓ Gain valuable event experience
- ✓ Community service hours available
Kultrun World Music Festival is made possible by the generous support of our funders and partners.
Interested in sponsoring? Let's talk →
The Festival That Brought the World to Waterloo
What started as a grassroots celebration in 2008 grew into one of the most beloved multicultural events in Canada — drawing 22,000 people from 52 countries to a single park, a single weekend, free for everyone.
Named after the sacred ceremonial drum of the Mapuche people, Kultrun honours the belief that music is the universal language that connects us all.
Music is the universal language that can connect any community — regardless of background, language, or origin.
From a Dream to a Movement
Over two decades of free music, community, and culture — the story of how a festival changed a city forever.
LatinFest Takes Over Waterloo Square
The first annual LatinFest brought a colourful celebration of South American culture to Waterloo Square. The energy was electric. The community showed up. Something bigger than anyone expected had begun.
Kultrun World Music Festival is Born
LatinFest had outgrown its venue. With a vision to expand beyond Latin America and include music from the entire globe, Kultrun World Music Festival was born — bigger, bolder, and truly global. Victoria Park became the new home.
International Artists, A Growing Family
Year after year, Kultrun brought world-class artists from every corner of the globe to Waterloo. A volunteer community was forming too — people who returned every year not just as helpers, but as family.
The Heartbeat of World Music
Kultrun had become a fixture in the Waterloo Region cultural calendar. The banner read “The Heartbeat of World Music” — and it wasn't just a tagline anymore. It was the truth.
Culture in Action
Kultrun expanded beyond the stage — Indigenous hoop dancers, powwow performers, interactive gamelan workshops, cultural markets, and activities for all ages. Every visitor became a participant, not just a spectator.
22,000 People. One Park. One Weekend.
Kultrun reached its greatest moment. A record-breaking crowd from 52 countries and 67 languages gathered at Victoria Park for a single weekend of free music, culture, and community. That same year, Neruda Arts introduced Feel the Music, a concert for the deaf and hard of hearing using vibrotactile technology.
When the World Went Silent
COVID-19 changed everything. Kultrun went virtual — keeping artists working and communities connected through screens. The stage fell silent. But the dream didn't.
Waterloo Park. We're Back.
The community had spoken. Kultrun returned — joyful and unstoppable — to Waterloo Park. The crowds came back. The energy was undeniable. The dream was alive again.
The Best Is Yet to Come
Kultrun continues to grow — rebuilding its audience, deepening its roots, and looking ahead to 2026. The music plays on. The community gathers. And every year, it gets better.
