Fernie Festivals & Events:
Although known for being a peaceful, mountain town offering a quiet escape to city-dwellers, Fernie hosts numerous annual festivals and events as well as weekly scheduled entertainment in the summer!
Whether you are after a more intimate vibe, or want to take in a crowd, Fernie’s vibrant event scene has options for all interests.
1. Wapiti Music Festival – August 5th & 6th, 2022
An annual August long weekend event, Wapiti Festival brings fresh Canadian indie music to the Rocky Mountains! We can’t imagine a more beautiful setting to take in some amazing music, Wapiti is a local legend, a tourist attraction, and a TOTAL VIBE! “Wapiti” means Elk and taking in this festival in James White Park in the Elk Valley cannot possibly disappoint. Complete with a refreshment garden (stocked with local Fernie beer & wine), delectable food vendors, and even bike check services, you’ve got everything you need for a day you won’t soon forget.
Tickets (single day and weekend passes) are on sale now: Products – Wapiti Music Festival
This year’s lineup has Wapiti regulars excited and promises to make a regular out of the 1st timers!
WAPITI LINEUP
The Sheepdogs | The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer | Shred Kelly | My Son The Hurricane | The Free Label | Zaki Ibrahim | John Welsh & Los Valientes | Leather Apron Revival | Mount Rushka | The Steadies | DJ Kona
Schedule: Schedule – Wapiti Music Festival
This year is the 10th anniversary event! Don’t wait to snag your tickets!!
2. Wednesday Socials Outdoor Concert Series
This FREE series, located in Station Square, runs weekly, every Wednesday (530-830 PM), from July 6th to August 31st.
Schedule:
5:30 pm – Food Trucks, DJ on the Deck and Crafts for Kids
5:30 – 8:45 pm – Refreshment Garden Open
6:30 – 8:30 pm – Live Music
Bring the whole family!
3. Mountain Market
Fernie’s Mountain Market runs every Sunday from July through September, in Rotary Park, annually. Rotary Park is easily accessible from downtown Fernie, and has everything from grassy areas, seating areas, and a beautiful gazebo, to Fernie’s premier playground to keep the little ones entertained. It also comes complete with a mountain-peak frame!
Mountain Market’s vendors make up a wide-range, from produce and baked goods, to unique, local art, to jewelry and other hand-made accessories and apparel.
There’s something unique waiting for everyone at Mountain Market, but even just perusing the park and vendors on a beautiful summer day is reason enough to check it out!
4. Weekly Karaoke, Live Music / Jam-Nights & Trivia
What’s more fun than a good jam-night, karaoke, or some friendly trivia competition with friends? All or any of it, while in the mountains. Fernie has got you covered, with weekly events (spaced out, even, so you can hit ‘em all up in a given week if you so desire!)
- Mondays are Jam Nights, starting at 9 PM at the Kodiak Lounge, from May 30th through September 12th, 2022.
- Tuesdays are Karaoke Nights at the Kodiak Lounge, from May 31st through September 20th, 2022.
- Thursdays are Team Trivia Nights, starting at 8 PM at the Park Place Lodge, from June 2nd through September 15th, 2022. Entry is free, but make sure to arrive early!
- Fridays are live music nights at the Loaf. These are very popular, so best to book your table online in advance: Reservations | the loaf
That is just a hint of the festivals and events you can expect to find, or even plan your summer trip to Fernie around!
Often, a children’s festival called Bibbity Bobbity Boo, as well as a Show N’Shine have been held in August, although there is no confirmation yet if those events are going ahead this year. The children’s festival has historically been held in Rotary Park, featuring circus fun, photobooth, bubble dance party, face painting, crafts, games, gold panning, sprinklers & live music! As well, Fernie typically hosts an annual Demolition Derby at the Fernie Rodeo Grounds, historically taking place during September long weekend. This year, The Great Benjamins Family Circus was in town June 7th, 2022.
June 19th, 2022 is summer opening day at Island Lake Lodge, which means the 1st day for hiking guided trails, dining etc. at the iconic Island Lake Lodge. June 25th, 2022 was the opening day for scenic chairlift rides, biking, hiking, dining, and the aerial park at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Great, “GO-TO” places to check on for upcoming Fernie events are easily seen in the Tourism Fernie website: Events, Music, Programs & Festivals in Fernie, BC (tourismfernie.com) and here: Events | (fernie.com)
One thing is for certain – There is no shortage of fun to be had in Fernie!
