Salish Coast Music Festival Announces September Lineup Across Vancouver Island
The third annual Salish Coast Music Festival will run from September 3 to September 7, 2026, over the Labour Day weekend. The event will feature a mix of roots, folk and world music performed by local Vancouver Island artists at three community arts venues: the Parksville Museum, Errington War Memorial Hall and Knox United Church.
The festival opens on Thursday night with Andalusian folk dance and music collective Flamenco Tablao performing at Errington War Memorial Hall. The event closes on the Labour Day matinee with Western Canadian roots group The Bills at Knox United Church. Between the opening and closing acts, the festival offers a variety of performances that showcase the region’s musical diversity.
Friday night’s double‑header at the Parksville Museum church will host The Raven and the Duke, a group that blends North American folk with world‑music influences, followed by String Fever, an acoustic ensemble rooted in swing and gypsy jazz. Saturday afternoon features the BC Song Project in the museum courtyard, a celebration of songs drawn from British Columbia and Canadian history. Island songwriters Katrina Kadoski, Allen Dobb, Claire Coupland and Kerri Coombs will perform, with the project’s creator Kerri Coombs noting, “We’re so excited to partner with the Parksville Museum this year.” The evening concludes with Claire Coupland’s trio performing an intimate concert in the museum church.
Sunday afternoon at the museum will see Axé Capoeira Victoria deliver an acrobatic presentation of Brazilian dance and martial arts. Later that evening, the Juno‑nominated Southern Residents will perform bluegrass and indie folk at Errington War Memorial Hall.
The festival, established in 2024, is dedicated to presenting exceptional Vancouver Island talent, promoting community connection and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest. Tickets are priced at $35 per show, while a full festival pass costs $99. Because the venues are heritage sites with limited capacity, only 40 festival passes are available.
Festival organizers encourage interested attendees to view the full schedule and purchase tickets through the official website, sclas.ca. The event’s lineup underscores the region’s commitment to showcasing a wide spectrum of musical traditions, from Andalusian flamenco to Canadian folk history, and highlights the collaborative spirit that defines the Salish Coast Music Festival.
The Parksville Museum, located in the city of Parksville on Vancouver Island, has long hosted community events and cultural programs. Errington War Memorial Hall, situated in the nearby community of Errington, serves as a hub for local arts and community gatherings. Knox United Church, a historic venue in Parksville, provides a venue for musical performances and community events.
The festival’s schedule demonstrates a clear focus on local talent and heritage. By featuring artists such as The Raven and the Duke, String Fever, and the Southern Residents, the festival offers audiences a diverse listening experience. The inclusion of the BC Song Project and the performances by Katrina Kadoski, Allen Dobb, Claire Coupland and Kerri Coombs further emphasizes the festival’s dedication to celebrating British Columbia’s musical history.
With the opening and closing acts bookending the event, the festival provides a cohesive narrative that highlights the breadth of musical styles represented on Vancouver Island. The limited availability of festival passes adds a sense of exclusivity, encouraging early ticket purchases.
In summary, the Salish Coast Music Festival’s September lineup showcases a range of roots, folk and world music acts across three venues on Vancouver Island. The event’s focus on local talent, heritage venues and community connection positions it as a key cultural event for the Pacific Northwest during the Labour Day weekend.
