Columbia Basin Culture Tour offers free weekend at 85 venues across British Columbia

The 18th annual Columbia Basin Culture Tour will open 85 arts, museum, gallery and heritage venues to the public for free on Saturday and Sunday, August 8‑9, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The self‑guided weekend event spans communities throughout the Columbia Basin in British Columbia, including Nelson, Castlegar, Rossland, Trail and many smaller towns.

The tour is organized by the Kootenay Regional Arts Council, whose executive director Kallee Lins said the event provides “a huge range of options—something to appeal to everyone.” It is supported by the Columbia Basin Trust, Nelson, and Kootenay Lake Tourism. The program features exhibitions, artwork displays, creative‑process demonstrations and performances suitable for all ages. Participants from the 2025 tour praised the opportunity to meet local artists and experience the region’s cultural talent.

More information, venue maps and printed directories are available on the tour’s website (cbculturetour.com) and at local visitor centres.