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Events & Festivals

North Thompson Valley Events and Festivals

Make yourself at home at one of our events and festivals. The communities of the North Thompson Valley love to bring people together to celebrate. There’s something in every season. Have fun in the North Thompson Valley, where wilderness is just a step away.

Barriere

The Lower North Thompson and Barriere celebrate Tod Mountain Days in the spring. In the summer, bring the whole family to Barriere’s Music in the Park on Friday nights. When the air begins to cool, put on your boots and head over to the Fall Fair and Rodeo.

Clearwater / Wells Gray

In the warmer months at Clearwater / Wells Gray stock up on local goodness at their weekly Saturday Farmers’ Market and Elks breakfast. Come party in the great outdoors in the fall and celebrate the return of the salmon and experience First Nations’ traditions during the Simpcw First Fish Ceremony.

Blue River

Over at Blue River they have their Blue River Blues Slo-pitch tournament in August. There are also dances and dinners almost every month of the year! Don’t miss their welcome to summer community BBQ in June.

Valemount

Let the mountains move you in Valemount during Valemountain Days every summer. There’s also the vALEmount Craft Beer Experience. Every August you can let loose in Valemount and can dance like no one is watching at the annual Robson Valley Music Festival in Dunster. Hit the trail running in September, for the Mount Robson Marathon.

There’s also fun for those who love to fish. Grab your gear and try your luck at the Valemount Marina Fishing Derby at Kinbasket Lake on the Labour Day long weekend. Maybe you’ll catch a winner!

Month-By-Month List of More Events and Festivals

Check with the local Visitor Centres for exact dates and times of events.

January

  • Winter Festival (Valemount)
  • Clearwater Winter Festival (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Ice Man Fishing Derby (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Nordic Festival  (Sun Peaks)

February

  • Birch Leg Cross Country Ski Race (Clearwater/Wells Gray)

April

  • True Grit Big Four Rodeo and Dance (Barriere)
  • BC Team Cattle Penning Double Header (Barriere)
  • Honouring Young Women Pow Wow (Chu Chua)

May

  • May Day Parade (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • High School Rodeo (Valemount)
  • Saturday Farmers Market (Clearwater/Wells Gray)

June

  • Second Annual Big Barriere Block Party (Barriere)
  • Welcome to Summer Community BBQ (Blue River)
  • BC High School Rodeo (Barriere)
  • Valemount Craft Beer Experience (Valemount)
  • North Thompson Fish & Game Father’s Day Fishing Derby (Barriere)
  • Summer Solstice Disc Golf Tournament (Clearwater)
  • Valemountain Days (Valemount 3 days)
  • Thursday Farmers Market (Valemount)
  • Friday Night Bandshell Music in the Park (Barriere)
  • Saturday Farmers Market (Clearwater/Wells Gray)

July

  • Celebrate Canada’s birthday
  • Bull In The Woods Regional Logging Competition (Barriere)
  • Valemountain Days (Valemount)
  • Canoe Mountain Rodeo (Valemount)
  • Canadian Blue Moon Elvis Festival (Barriere)
  • Canada Parks Day (Mount Robson)
  • Clearwater Kayak Festival (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Thursday Night Concert Series (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Thursday Farmers Market (Valemount)
  • Friday night Bandshell Music in the Park (Barriere)
  • Saturday Farmers Market (Clearwater/Wells Gray)

August

  • Kamloopa Pow Wow (Lower North Thompson)
  • Clearwater Children’s Arts Festival (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Blue River Blues Slo-Pitch Tournament (Blue River)
  • North West Mud Racing (Valemount)
  • Robson Valley Music Festival (Dunster)
  • First Fish Ceremony (Simpcw First Nation – north of Clearwater)
  • The Blueberry Tea (Valemount)
  • Star Gazing Festival (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Thursday Night Concert Series (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Thursday Farmers Market (Valemount)
  • Friday night Bandshell Music in the Park (Barriere)
  • Saturday Farmers Market (Clearwater/Wells Gray)

September

  • Valemount Marina Fishing Derby (Valemount)
  • North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo (Barriere)
  • Chu Chua Men’s Softball Tournament (Barriere)
  • Serenity Harvest Music Festival (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Canoe Regatta (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Mount Robson Marathon Run (Mount Robson)
  • Little Britches Rodeo (Barriere)
  • Provincial Winter Fair (Barriere)
  • Wells Gray Wilderness Race (Clearwater/Wells Gray)
  • Thursday Farmers Market (Valemount)
  • Saturday Farmers Market (Clearwater/Wells Gray)

October

  • Coho Day at Dunn Creek Hatchery (north of Barriere)
  • Annual Community Harvest Dinner (Blue River)
  • Kid’s Halloween Party (Blue River)

November

  • Remembrance Day (Blue River and Clearwater/Wells Gray)

December

  • Welcome to Winter Dance (Blue River)
  • New Year’s Eve Professional Bull Riding and Dance (Barriere)
  • Christmas Craft Fair (Blue River)
  • Christmas Light Up and Market (Clearwater/Wells Gray)