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Feeling summer festival FOMO? Check out these festivals in Alberta, BC this August
Between tour dates stretching from Ontario to British Columbia, I've found myself back on my brother's couch in Calgary (our landing pad between tour dates) wondering how summer is nearly halfway over.
This weekend I head to Kelowna to play Red Bird Brewing (one of my favourite venues), followed by Billy Barker Days in Quesnel, BC, a fantastic celebration of community.
Around this point every summer, I find myself reflecting on all the incredible memories and experiences so far while looking ahead to August festivals in Alberta and BC with equal parts excitement and disbelief.
It reminds me to soak in every experience and appreciate every moment of these events that so many people have poured their hearts and souls into creating.
Milltown Philosophers, one of the headlining acts for Billy Barker Days in 2025.
Local festivals just have a special vibe. They are breeding grounds for new artists, for one. In our early days as a band, we were fortunate to have Wapiti Music Festival in Fernie, BC just five minutes from home. We had the pleasure of playing there multiple times over the years.
There's nothing quite like performing for a hometown crowd, watching the kids you've known since they were babies go from being carried on their parents' shoulders to running around the festival with their own friends just a few years later.
Wapiti Music Festival in Fernie, BC, thrives on a volunteer base of over 200 people, consistently bringing great shows to the region.
Your doctor, your coworkers, your neighbours, and your friends are all there together putting on wristbands, selling merch, MCing the stage, parking bikes, serving drinks, and doing whatever needs to be done to make the weekend happen.
It's a beautiful reminder of what a community can create when everyone pitches in.
I chatted with Brad Parsell, artistic director for Wapiti, about what makes it so special and why he and so many others continue to dedicate their time to it. He said:
"One of the things that makes Wapiti Music Festival special is that it is organized and run by a 100% volunteer team. A core team of ~20 folks work on it year round and the event itself takes ~200 volunteers to run."
"Every single one of them is super passionate about bringing this event to the community of Fernie every year and it's become this huge family."
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"It is not easy to run a multi-day music festival in a small town," he pointed out. "This crew takes on this seemingly impossible task every year and somehow the festival just gets better and better. It's so cool to be a small part of that."
If you're feeling a little FOMO but money is tight, volunteering is one of the best ways to experience a festival. You become part of the community, meet incredible people, and often earn a festival pass in return for helping make the magic happen. Festivals like Wapiti, and so many others across the country simply wouldn't exist without people willing to give their time and energy.
August and September are packed with opportunities to get out, discover new festivals, meet new friends and create moments to become core memories.If you've been waiting for the right weekend, this is your sign.
Buy the ticket. Volunteer for the shift. Take the road trip. You won’t regret it!
DISCOVER YOUR NEW FAVOURITE ARTIST
Field Guide at Wapiti Music Festival
Indie Folk From Winnipeg, BC
Last year, Field Guide released a song called "Life I Wanted," and it quickly became the most-played song in my playlist.
I connected with it immediately, the songwriting is so honest. I saw him and his band play at Folk Music Ontario, and it reminded me a lot of The Weakerthans. Same heart, same energy. Field Guide is touring across Western Canada throughout August, so make sure to catch a show if you can!
Mia Kelly at Canmore Folk Festival and Edmonton Folk Festival
Folk Rock & Blues from Gatineau, QC
Mia Kelly’s live shows completely draw you in. She is one of Canada’s greatest up and coming songwriters and she radiates joy throughout her performances while drawing audiences in with her storytelling, quick wit, and warm energy that makes you instantly feel like an old friend.
You’ll want to see her over and over again. And in August you can! Two of my favourite of her new songs, “Big Time Roller Coaster Feeling” and “Coin in the Cake” will have you singing and clapping along!
Hyaenas at Sooke Music and Art Festival
Indie Alt Pop band known for their fierce energy and bona fide connection from Vancouver, BC
Hyaenas put on an incredible live show with music that is catchy and danceable and the perfect soundtrack for a festival stage.
I have had the pleasure of touring with Hyaenas twice, and their shows are always incredible from start to finish. If you love dancing, positivity, and incredible musicianship, Hyaenas are for you!
FESTIVAL ROUND UP
Aug 1 - Sep 5 Golden Skybridge / Golden, BC
Saturdays through until September, the Golden Skybridge features a rotating lineup of Canadian touring and local artists performing on an outdoor stage, surrounded by a natural amphitheater of trees.
Aug 2 - 4 Canmore Folk Fest / Canmore, AB
The three-day event brings in over 5,000 attendees daily to experience roots, world, blues, and folk music across multiple outdoor stages against a stunning mountain backdrop.
Aug 2-4 Filberg Festival / Comox, BC
A truly unique event. Festival attendees enjoy art, music and nature surrounded by beautiful gardens, heritage buildings and magnificent views of Comox Harbour and the Beaufort Range.
Aug 6-9 Edmonton Folk Fest / Edmonton, AB
Held every August, the event features international headliners, unique daytime music workshops, a craft market, and diverse food vendors.The festival has grown to become one of the premier folk and roots events globally.
Aug 7-8 Wapiti Music Festival / Fernie, BC
Experience the family-friendly Wapiti Music Festival in Fernie BC with Canadian artists, scenic views, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Aug 7-8 Heartland Country Festival / Sun Peaks, BC
Set down some roots in at Sun Peaks, your basecamp for a weekend festival in the fresh alpine air. Featuring headliners Tyler Joe Miller and George Canyon.
August 7-9 Edge of the World Festival / Haida Gwaii, BC
A singular west coast festival experience. Three days of quality music, both local and off island talent, up and coming, as well as top notch performers on beautiful Haida Gwaii, the territory of the Haida Nation.
Aug 8 Sp’akw’us Feather Shakedown / Squamish, BC
An annual, free, community arts and culture festival held at Sp'akw'us Feather Park in Squamish, BC.
Aug 6-9 Electric Love / Pritchard, BC
Four stages of immaculately curated music — blending groovy old-school vibes with cutting-edge sounds and camping on the South Thompson River
Aug 6-9 Nanaimo Blues Festival / Nanaimo, BC
An annual open-air music event held at Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo, BC. It features a diverse mix of blues, R&B, soul, and gospel music, along with food trucks, vendor stalls, and scenic views of the Inner Harbour.
Aug 7-8 Sooke Music and Art Festival / Sooke, BC
A family-friendly celebration of music, art, and community held annually in the heart of Sooke, BC.
Aug 5, 12, 19 Wednesday Socials / Fernie, BC
Mid-week Live Music in Historic Downtown Fernie! This free community event welcomes everyone to Station Square to enjoy live music and be social!
Aug 6, 13, 20, 27 Upside Downtown / Lethbridge, AB
A FREE summer concert series organized by the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge.
Aug 15 Soberfest / Victoria, BC
SoberFest Victoria is proud to be one of Canada's most unique live music events, drawing thousands of attendees and raising millions to help people recover.
Aug 5, 12, 19 Summer Kicks / Golden, BC
Showcasing some of Golden's favourite musicians and bands – free concerts for all ages every Wednesday evening at Keith Memorial Park:
Aug 20-23 The Womp Festival / Evansburg, AB
Electronic Music Festival. A world of magical people celebrating music, art, and community.
And don't miss these festivals on September Long Weekend!
Sept 4-6 Into the Trees / Rossland, BC
Taking place over the September Long Weekend at the scenic Ram's Head Inn, the festival blends live indie-folk and roots music with the natural beauty of the Kootenays
Sept 4-6 Waynestock / Wayne, AB
A three-day celebration of music, camping, and unforgettable moments.
Sept 4-7 Wicked Woods Music Festival / Fairmont Hot Springs, BC
An annual community-driven celebration for all forms of artistic expression. Nestled in the Kootenay Rockies.
Connect with festivals & friends
Help us celebrate community! Be sure to tag us @festivalseekers and your favourite festivals, and tell us where you're finding your best moments of the summer festival season.
And above all, sign up for the FestivalSeekers community newsletter to stay up on all the awesome experiences across Alberta and BC year-round.