Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival draws thousands for free weekend

The ninth‑annual Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival opened on July 23, 2026 in the historic village of Fort Langley, British Columbia. The four‑day event runs through July 26 and offers two fully free days on Saturday and Sunday, with organizers expecting thousands of visitors from the Lower Mainland.

The free programme features an all‑Canadian lineup of nine bands on two outdoor stages, covering genres from gypsy jazz and Indigenous contemporary music to soulful grooves and a Joni Mitchell tribute. A youth and emerging‑artist stage in the Heritage CNR Station showcases the festival’s 2026 Rising Stars, Bea Lagrisola and Rowan, alongside other emerging Canadian musicians. Festival artistic director Dave Quinn said, "Supporting up‑and‑coming artists is a core part of the festival’s mission."

In addition to music, the weekend includes family‑friendly activities such as face‑painting, a colouring station, an art show by the Fort Langley Artists Group, and paid workshops in acrylic painting, Salish weaving and Mehndi. Ticketed headline concerts run across all four days, opening with the Daniel Hersog Orchestra and vocalist Joanna Wallfisch. Executive director Karen Zukas warned that the free days are "at risk" if the current funding model does not improve.