Whatever the problem, community is the answer

FernFest will return on June 13, 2026 as a one-day, community-led celebration of local arts, music, food, and neighbourhood connection.

Earlier this year, Fernwood Neighbourhood House (formally Fernwood NRG) announced that it would not be able to directly produce FernFest in 2026 due to organizational capacity constraints. The response from the community was immediate with artists, organizers, vendors, and longtime attendees expressing a strong desire to see the festival continue.

In response, Fernwood Neighbourhood House hosted conversations with community members and local event organizers to explore what a new model for FernFest could look like. From those conversations, a collaborative organizing team emerged to carry the festival forward.

The 2026 festival is being coordinated through a community partnership between Fernwood Neighbourhood House, City of Victoria, LampPost Social, the Owl Designer Fair, Fernwood Makers Party, CREAM Life + Style, community organizers, local artists, and supporters including Aryze Developments.

“This is exactly what neighbourhood festivals are supposed to be about,” said Jasmine Allard, Operations Manager of Fernwood Neighbourhood House. “Community members stepped forward with energy, ideas, and a willingness to collaborate. We’re excited to support a transition that keeps the spirit of FernFest alive while creating space for new leadership and new traditions.”

The City of Victoria has approved a $20,000 grant through an alternative arts funding stream after the new organizing team missed the standard festival grant application window during the transition process.

Additional support for Fernwood Neighbourhood House’s community programming and neighbourhood initiatives is also provided through funding from the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.

The festival will return as a scaled, one-day event centred around the Fernwood Community Centre and Fernwood Square. Organizers say the more intimate format reflects both the short planning timeline and a desire to reconnect with the community-rooted spirit that shaped the festival in its early years.

The event will feature:

• over 100 local vendors and makers
• live music performances from local artists
• food trucks and community activations
• a licensed beer garden in partnership with the Victoria Beer Society
• family-friendly activities throughout the day

Aryze Developments is also contributing $10,000 toward festival operations, music programming, and community activations.

“We believe cities are made livable by the spaces, people and events that bring neighbours together—and Fernfest has been doing that for fifteen years. When Lamppost came to us with the opportunity to help keep it going, it was an easy yes. This is exactly the kind of partnership we’re here for.” — Melanie Ransome, Director of Marketing & Partnerships at Aryze.

Market programming is being led collaboratively by organizers from Fernwood Makers Party, Owl Designer Fair, and CREAM Life + Style, all longtime contributors to Victoria’s local arts and maker community. Food truck coordination, activations, sponsors, and the beer garden are being organized by LampPost Social, with music programming by Kady Savard.

Community-Led FernFest 2026 takes place Saturday, June 13.

Media Contacts: 

Fernfest26@fernwoodnrg.ca

Backgrounder: FernFest 2026

About FernFest

FernFest is one of Victoria’s largest and longest-running neighbourhood festivals, bringing together local artists, musicians, food vendors, community organizations, and residents in celebration of arts, culture, and community connection in the Fernwood neighbourhood.

Originally launched and stewarded by Fernwood Neighbourhood House, the festival has grown over nearly three decades into a major community event that regularly draws thousands of attendees from across Greater Victoria. Last year’s festival welcomed more than 17,000 attendees.

FernFest 2026 will return as a one-day event centred around the Fernwood Community Centre, Fernwood Square, and surrounding area.

About the Organizing Team

Fernwood Neighbourhood House

Fernwood Neighbourhood House is a community-based organization located in Victoria, BC that provides community programs, child care, food programming, arts initiatives, and neighbourhood-based services and events. Fernwood Neighbourhood House has coordinated FernFest for nearly 30 years and has supported the transition to a new organizing structure for the 2026 festival.

Artisan Market:  Marcy – Fernwood Makers Party, Stephanie Keroack – Owl Designer Fair, Stacey – CREAM Life & Style

Marcy Ross from the Fernwood Makers Party, Stephanie Keroack from the Owl Designer Fair and Stacey from CREAM Life + Style, who are some of Victoria’s most respected market organizers and previous FernFest participants, are joining forces as the lead market organizers for the festival.

Marcy Ross  has been organizing the FernFest Artisan Market for the past 4 years with Mila, as well as creating beloved markets with friends, including the Winter Bazaar, Hanami Blossom Market, Ichigo Strawberry Market, ArtisTREE Festival and the Bunny Moon Market, events that regularly draw thousands of attendees. Marcy’s love for curating unique and talented artists shines at FernFest where she able to coordinate a dream market of vendors ranging from nail art to ice-dyed clothing, handmade Monsters to a flash tattoo pop-up, locally sought after chefs to seasonally crafted treats and bring them altogether in celebration of community and diversity in this bright fun neighbourhood we call Fernwood.

Stephanie Keroack, the maker behind Dottie Handmade and organizer of the Owl Designer Fair brings deep roots in both the handmade industry and the Fernwood neighbourhood itself, living in Fernwood for the last 15 years. The Owl Designer Fair is a fixture of Victoria’s craft scene, celebrated for its commitment to local artisans and musicians, food trucks, free workshops and community fundraising.

Stacey Nowak  is the owner of CREAM Life + Style, a thoughtfully curated vintage shop in the heart of Fernwood. Alongside its ever-evolving selection of vintage finds, CREAM features locally made, intentionally sourced pieces. For over five years, Stacey has grown the business into more than just a shop—hosting workshops and community events like the annual CREAM Bazaar, which brings together hundreds of local vendors, performers, and neighbors. For FernFest, Fernwood Square and Gladstone at Fernwood Road will transform into a lively market corridor, extending the energy of the celebration down the street with local makers, music, and community connection.

Together, Marcy, Steph and Stacey are bringing together hundreds of local vendors, a genuine love for handmade goods, food creatives, workshops, kids activities, music and more to stay true to the Fernfest history.

Food Trucks, Music Programming & Beer Garden: LampPost Social

Taking the reins on food truck curation, music programming, and the beer garden is LampPost Social, a local event discovery platform built by former UVIC Grads Jared Leary, Simon Larocque, and Pierre-Olivier McGeough, a trio of young community builders who know firsthand what it feels like to arrive somewhere new and not know where to go.

After graduating from university and struggling to find events and connect with people in Victoria, the three founded LampPost Social and grew it from scratch into a platform with over 11,000 local followers. Along the way, they’ve hosted and co-organized an impressive range of community events, including Giant Picnics, Polar Dip Festivals, Pottery Pop-Ups, Pub Crawls, and collaborative events with a wide range of community partners.

About Aryze Developments

Aryze Developments is contributing $10,000 toward festival operations, music programming, permitting, and community activations for FernFest 2026.

Founded in 2006, Aryze is a Victoria-based, B Corp-certified development and construction company focused on housing, urban infill, and community-oriented city building initiatives across Greater Victoria.

FernFest 2026 Event Details

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 

Location: Fernwood Community Centre, Fernwood Square, and surrounding area

Festival Features

• Local artisan and maker market
• Live music performances
• Food trucks and local food vendors
• Licensed beer garden
• Family-friendly activities and programming
• Community activations and workshops

Donations to Fernwood Neighbourhood House support our role in bringing people together and creating the conditions for community‑led events and programs, including FernFest.

Ways to get involved:

Donate to FNH


Volunteer @ Community-Led FernFest


Event Page Here

The South Island Powwow honours and recognizes survivors of Indian Residential and Day Schools and their families, the Sixties Scoop and the children who never made it home from these institutions. A special honouring ceremony is held to recognize survivors and the children who never came home. 

“Our South Island Powwow has become a powerful gathering for our communities to celebrate culture, strengthen relationships, and welcome people from all backgrounds to learn and share in the traditions of the Coast Salish peoples,” said Chief Ron Sam. “As we prepare for the fifth annual Powwow, we are proud to continue creating a space where drumming, dancing, and storytelling bring generations together. We look forward to welcoming friends, families, and visitors to Songhees territory to celebrate with us.” 

The Powwow will feature the traditional grand entry of Nations, Indigenous song and dance, along with guest speakers, cultural performances and more than 90 vendors including Songhees Events & Catering, food trucks and 72 Indigenous merchants.  
“The City is honoured to continue its partnership with the Songhees Nation and to financially support this significant celebration and recognition of Indigenous resiliency and culture,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. “Royal Athletic Park offers a space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to come together in honour, healing and unity. We encourage residents to join us on September 30 to gain knowledge and understanding.” 

The fifth annual South Island Powwow is free and open to the public, welcoming families, schools and visitors of all ages to learn, reflect and participate in the celebration of Indigenous strength, culture and identity. Gates will open at 10 a.m., with the grand entry at noon and the event concluding at 7 p.m. 

For information on how to sponsor the fifth annual South Island Powwow, visit songheesnation.ca/south-island-powwow.