All the arts and culture festivals in the Southern Gulf Islands
No matter when you visit the Southern Gulf Islands, you’re sure to hit at least one of our local festivals. Whatever the season, you’ll find our arts, culture, and music proudly on display throughout the year. Whether it’s a mid-winter film festival on Mayne, a trans-island music extravaganza in June, or an apple-driven experience in the fall, we know how to celebrate our thriving arts community.
Not sure what’s happening this year? Here is your definitive roundup of all the notable annual arts and cultural events spanning the Southern Gulf Islands.
February
Dates TBA
The annual Galiano Island Literary Festival brings their island to life in the dark depths of winter. The festival regularly features cozy literary gatherings, educational workshops, and mentorship opportunities that connect emerging and established artists.
March
February 28 to March 2, 2025
Now entering its 25th year, the Salt Spring Film Festival is a beloved annual gathering for film connoisseurs from across the region. Hosted by the Salt Spring Film Festival Society, this event focuses on films covering social justice, arts, culture, politics, food security, and more.
Made on Mayne Spring Studio Tour
Easter Long Weekend
Made on Mayne is a festival celebrating the island’s incredible arts community. It’s a Mayne-wide self-guided tour where all the island’s artists are encouraged to open their studios, galleries, shops, and food carts to visitors. A collective show is also held at the Mayne Island Community Center.
May
May 16 to May 18, 2025
This epic event is held not on an island — but around one. This is the Salt Spring Sailing Club’s annual two-day race around Salt Spring, which you can watch from any oceanside location around the island. It’s open to all classes and all human-powered sailboats. But what if you are not sailing? There are a number of social events where you can still get in on the race-day action.
Date TBA
For anyone looking to experience a bit of what makes the Southern Gulf Islands so magical, you’ll want to put May Day on your calendar. May Day on Mayne is a celebration of spring, with ample time for face painting, wand making, and hat decorating. The crescendo of activity is a wild procession featuring the Green Man, May Queens, the Maiden, the Crone, a gaggle of fairies, and a troop of musicians.
June
Campbell Bay Music Festival on Mayne
Paused in 2025
A small island festival with a big heart, the Campbell Bay Music Fest highlights emerging artists from around the region and, often, from around the world. With the festival grounds overlooking the water, art installations sprinkled throughout, and the island’s favorite food and drink vendors open for business, the stage is set for a great weekend of dancing and vibing on Mayne.
June 21 to 22, 2025
Why celebrate on one island when you can spread the fun to all five? The Tours de Iles does just that, taking the musical festivities across all the Southern Gulf Islands for two days in June. Hop between the islands by booking tickets on the supporting transit boats and enjoy music, activities, and local attractions at the centralized local hubs.
July
July 1
One of the islands’ longest-running cultural events, the annual Canada Day BBQ has been going strong since 1950. Book a water taxi or bring your boat and visit one of Canada’s most wholesome family events. The piece de resistance is a slice of Saturna’s local BBQ lamb, roasted whole on-site. Just remember, get your ticket early to ensure you get a slice.
Thursday evenings, July 17 to August 21, 2025
The annual Summer Outdoor Concert Series (SOCS) presented by Salt Spring Arts is a collection of weekly concerts in the heart of Ganges (SYOW̱T) on Salt Spring Island (ĆUÁN). Thursday evenings at 6pm, bring a blanket, a picnic and your dancing shoes to Centennial Park to enjoy exceptional live music in the beautiful setting of Ganges Harbour. Featuring touring and local performers, SOCS invites the community to gather together in celebration of the season and in support of vibrant arts on Salt Spring Island.
Date TBA
Art in the Orchard will take place on July 22 at Corbett House this year. During the festivities, you can expect an incredible gathering of more than 35 artists from around the region. It’s a big day of art, music, kids’ activities, tea and cookies. Arts in the Orchard is free for all.
Dates TBA
This year, the Salt Spring Pride Festival is an epic four-day celebration featuring the Pride Dance with Queer As Funk, local musicians, DJs, popup open mics, workshops, art installations, and DAISSI-led activities. Most events and festival camping are held at the Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute grounds. This is a weekend to celebrate diversity and inclusivity for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
August
Mosaic Arts & Culture Festival on Pender
Dates TBA
Head to Pender Island in August for the Mosaic Arts & Culture Festival. Produced by Ptarmigan Arts, it’s an art-filled long weekend with live music, workshops, classes, and family-friendly activities.
Dates TBA
The collective Art Saturna has created an annually organized studio tour at the peak of summer. Held in August, the island’s artists open their studios to visitors. Check back closer to August for dates.
Date TBA
The first of the Southern Gulf Island’s fall fairs is not one to miss. The Mayne Island Agricultural Societies Fair is now in its 98th year. Don’t miss the fair’s pinnacle: the Fair Parade. Watch decorated floats, bikes, and animals (with their humans) make their way along Campbell Bay Rd. to Village Bay Rd. Throughout the day, there are a host of other events and a lineup of local musicians performing until the fair concludes at 3 pm.
August 23, 2025
Celebrating 125 years, the Pender Island Fall Fair has all the classics you’d expect: sheep shearing, a livestock showcase, corn shucking, live music, and prize-winning vegetables. The Fair also hosts the legendary Berry Pie Contest. Bring the entire family out to Pender to celebrate the island’s bounty.
September
September 6 and 7, 2025
One of the largest events in the Southern Gulf Islands, the Salt Spring Fall Fair regularly draws thousands to celebrate the region’s deep agricultural roots. The Salt Spring Fair, one of the province’s oldest, focuses specifically on its local agricultural traditions. Outside the exhibit hall full of vegetables, jams, and baking entries, there’s a long list of daily events, including sheepdog demonstrations with Ruckle Farm sheep, a blacksmithing demo, and a barn featuring a flock of truly exceptional poultry.
Sage-Hayward Vineyards Harvest Festival
Dates TBA
Grab a ticket to Harvest Fest this year on Saturna and become one of the lucky few who experience a day filled with gourmet food, exceptional wines, and a breathtaking landscape. Check back closer to the event for more information and tickets.
Paper Covers Rock on Salt Spring
Dates TBA
One of the region’s few literary festivals, Paper Covers Rock aims to celebrate and support readers, writers, artists, and storytellers with a weekend packed with workshops, socials, readings, and more. Tickets are available for individual events and workshops, with the 2024 schedule coming soon.
Fall Crawl Studio Tour on Pender
Dates TBA
Yet another great arts weekend on Pender hosted by none other than Ptarmigan Arts, the 7th annual Fall Crawl Studio Tour will allow visitors and locals alike to explore the island’s artists’ studios, with maps available at Talisman Books and the Community Hall during the tour. If you’re on Pender for the weekend, there is no better way to support local makers.
October
Dates TBA
Celebrate all things apples at the annual Salt Spring Apple Festival. For this event, apple connoisseurs from around the world come to experience the rare and heirloom varieties of apples tucked away on farms across the island. Spend the day checking out a dozen or more farms offering tours, apple tastings, and an epic display of local apple varieties at Fulford Hall.
October 3 and 4, 2025
Get more apple-related good times at Pender Island’s newly founded arts festival, The Crisp. The festival, hosted by the Southern Gulf Islands Community Resource Center, revolves around its mandate for food and farming security. The Crisp features music, arts, storytelling, poetry, and activities inspired by, of course, apples.
November
Made on Mayne Fall Studio Tour
Remembrance Day Long Weekend
Did you miss the Made on Mayne spring studio tour? You can hop on the fall tour held in a similar style every November. It’s an inspiring weekend to be on an island as roadside stands, studios, galleries, and food vendors open their spaces to visitors. Check back closer to November for tour dates and special weekend events.
Artcraft Winter on Salt Spring
Late November to December 24, 2025
Just as the dreary winter rains settle in, Salt Spring artists carve out a warm, cozy space at historic Mahon Hall for a two-month seasonal exhibition and sale. Presented by Salt Spring Arts and its members, this is the perfect place to do a little holiday shopping and show your support for the island’s incredible artists.
December
Salt Spring Farm Stand Light Up Tour
Weekends TBA
Spanning two weekends in December, this pandemic-inspired event has grown into an annual tradition. Dozens of stands across the island go all-out to decorate their little shop for the holidays. Grab a map online and spend a few leisurely hours driving around Salt Spring to grab any last-minute gifts (and maybe a few for yourself).
December 31, 2025
The Magic Lake Lantern Festival is a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration at Magic Lake on Pender Island. This annual event is for young and old, built around a gathering of light and community warmth during the dark Pacific Northwest winter. The festival’s highlight is the lantern procession and a multimedia spectacle, marking the year’s end and welcoming the new.
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Spring, summer, winter, and fall, you’ll find something to celebrate on the Southern Gulf Islands. There’s no better way to experience a slice of our unique cultural landscape than at one of our family-friendly events. Join us this year to celebrate the arts community of the Salish Sea.
Written by Jessica McKeil
