5th Annual Ignite the Arts Festival Returns to snpintktn (Penticton) Three days of music, art, and community take over downtown March 27–29

The 5th Annual Ignite the Arts Festival returns March 27–29, 2026,  bringing three days of music, art, performance, and community celebration to downtown  snpintktn (Penticton). Now firmly established as one of the region’s most dynamic cultural  events, the festival will feature more than 60 musical and performing acts across 10+ vibrant  venues throughout the city’s walkable downtown core. 

Ignite transforms the city each spring into a hub of creativity, connection, and discovery.  Festival venues include the Penticton Art Gallery, Penticton Elks Lodge, Cannery  Brewing, Legacy Den Creative Collective, Tempest Theatre, Highway 97 Brewing  Company, Britbar, The Hub on Martin, The Be Hive, Still Food Bistro, and the Ooknakane  Friendship Centre, among others. 

Festivalgoers can expect an eclectic and inclusive lineup spanning folk, electronic, hip hop,  spoken word, world, roots, theatre, dance, and visual arts, along with workshops and family friendly programming. Ignite invites audiences to explore multiple venues, discover new artists,  and experience the vibrant creative energy that makes the Okanagan such a unique cultural  hub. 

Parade for No Reason Opens the Festival 

Ignite kicks off on Friday evening with the beloved Parade for No Reason, led this year by  Parade Marshal Yanti and featuring the 12-piece brass band Balkan Shmalkan alongside  Penticton’s own Puppet Brigade. 

Participants are invited to gather at the Penticton Elks Lodge on Ellis Street at 6:00 PM. Dress  up, bring your friends, or simply come as you are—everyone is welcome and no festival pass is  required to join the parade. The non-motorized procession will wind through downtown past  several festival venues before returning to the Elks for an outdoor light display. After the  parade, venues across downtown will come alive with live music and performances late into the  night.

Artist Announcements

The festival artists include an exciting mix of nationally recognized performers and emerging  talent, including Fred Penner, Shane Koyczan, 3 Jack Generation Hand Drummers, Balkan  Shmalkan, Blackberry Wood, Carolyn Mark, Corwin Fox, Freeze the Fall, Jack Garton, Rae  Spoon, Tennyson King, and The Melawmen Collective, along with more artists still to be  announced in the coming weeks. 

Additional performers confirmed so far include Beau Wheeler, CLout gAMe, Drag King Bingo!,  Daryl Oneill, Freshwater Jukebox, High Society, Sarah Orton Band, Kansas-Lee Band, Kiki the Eco  Elf, Kitty & The Rooster, Chopping Spree!, Kiva MH, Leo D.E Johnson, Levi Bent, nightshades,  Orchid Orchestra, Spencer Jo, Tanya Lipscomb, The Barrel Maker, The ReViberators, Vincent  DeCowans, Windmills, and more. 

Join the Celebration 

Tickets are already selling quickly, with early sales nearing last year’s record numbers.  Organizers encourage audiences to secure their passes soon and help make this year’s festival  the largest yet. 

To learn more about the festival, explore the artist lineup, or purchase passes, visit: www.ignitethearts.ca 

• Purchase Tickets 

• View Festival & Artist Information 

• Sign Up to Volunteer 

More artists and schedule details will be announced in the coming weeks. 

In the Week Leading Up to the Festival, March 20 – 27 

In the lead up to Ignite, take in a number of exciting music and art workshops and activities.

• We Create Penticton, March 20 – 26 

• Spring ArtWalk Saturday, March 21 

• 5th Annual Youth Songwriting Spring Camp with Corwin Fox and Naomi Shore, March 23  - 27 

• Songwriting with the Legendary Fred Penner, March 25 – 27