One of Winnipeg's most popular festivals is finding a way to share traditions with Manitobans for free this year.

Streaming live from the Burton Cummings Theatre for three nights starting August 6, Folklorama is presenting free online programming this year.

"Each night will feature a different region Asia and Africa is on Friday, the Americas are on Saturday, and we wind up with Europe on Sunday," Folklormama Executive Director Theresa Cotroneo says.

Each evening will feature different performers including dancers and musicians.

Cotroneo says they have reimagined how Folklorma will go forward with its 2021 programming, noting that the changing pandemic made it difficult to do.

"Initially, we were hoping to do something in person outdoors and as a third wave hit us very late and we realized that would not be feasible to do. We pivoted to this online event and our team has just been dynamic."

Folklorama has previously presented Folkorama at Home but planning a three-night live festival was a learning process for the team.

Along with the live festivities, popular attractions at Folkorma includes its market vendors and food. While there will be no pavillions this summer, Cotroneo says these traditions are continuing including a virtual ethnocultural marketplace.

"This is really giving local vendors an opportunity to have their hidden treasures online," Cotroneo says. "We wanted to create something where people would be able to go shopping if that was something they were interested in doing."

An ethnocultural food week will begin in the day leading up to Folkorma.

All of these activities come at a cost. Manitoba Liquor Marts is sponsoring this year's festival, and Folklorama is holding a 50/50 for their Cultural Preservation Fund supporting youth-focusses cultural projects.

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