Festivals & Events
Photo Credit: Robert Colasanto
The City of Powell River is fortunate to have a vibrant line up of festivals and events that happen throughout the year. From local community gatherings such as the Community Easter Egg Hunt, to the high profile festivals of PRISMA, Kathaumixw, Logger Sports, and Canada Day, there usually isn’t a weekend that goes by without something happening within our community.
Annual Events
These events take place annually in the City of Powell River and showcase some of the great talent and performances:
Powell River Festival of the Performing Arts – February & March
For many participating performers and audience members, the Powell River Festival of Performing Arts has become one of the brightest calendar days of the entire year. No matter what kind of performing arts discipline, young and young at heart CAN participate in the Festival and make a unique impact in this performance art cultured community.
Sunshine Coast Marathon Shuffle – April
An annual rite of spring for many, the Marathon Shuffle takes place on the last Sunday of every April. Hosted by PAWS (Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society), Club Fat Ass, the Powell River Hikers and the BOMB (Bloody Old Men’s Brigade) Squad the Marathon Shuffle is held to to promote the beauty of the Sunshine Coast Trail. The Shuffle is fun, low key “shuffle” (hike or run) on a 29-km section of the Sunshine Coast Trail.
Townsite Jazz Festival – April
Founded in 2017, Townsite Jazz Festival aims to attract some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians to Powell River, on a mission to entertain a coastal community and inspire a new generation of young talent. Intimate venues throughout Powell River’s historic Townsite serve as the perfect backdrop[ for a genre that only gets better with age.
PRISMA
The Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA) brings an epic symphonic spectacle to Powell River every June, when international music students converge on the community to study with principal players from top orchestras around the globe. The fruits of their labour can be enjoyed by all during the annual PRISMA Festival, which offers two weeks of indoor concerts and ticketed events, as well as the free and family-friendly PRISMA on the Beach celebration.
Music in the Park Series
Enjoy this free family fun event at Willingdon Beach. Shows start at 7:00pm at the Rotary Pavilion.
June 27th: Dawson Jaxn & Renelle
July 25th: The Blues Busters
August 8th: Walter Martella & Friends
August 29th: Madam Mayhem
Kathaumixw – July (every 2nd year) – 2025
The International Choral Kathaumixw is a 5-day choral festival filled with concerts, common song singing, choral & vocal solo competitions, conductor’s seminars and social events. Occurring every 2 years, the festival is a place where all can learn from each other and from world renowned choral personalities. Join us in bringing the world to Powell River… you won’t want to miss a note!
Celebrate Canada Day
Monday – JULY 1st – at Willingdon Beach
Each year, the City of Powell River hosts its Community Canada Day Celebrations at Willingdon Beach Park. Come down for an afternoon and evening of fun and mingle with your family and friends while enjoying various musical and theatrical celebrations on stage at the Rotary pavilion with a fireworks finale! There are lots of games and activities available for all ages!
Powell River Logger Sports – July
Powell River Loggers Sports showcases some of top logger sports competitors from around the world. This annual event is held mid July at Willingdon Beach Park and features various competitions over 3 days. The newly constructed Loggers Memorial Bowls provides the perfect backdrop for this amazing event that is rich in culture, history, and heritage. Be sure to check out the chainsaw carving competition too.
Blackberry Festival – August
The blackberry is one of BC’s favourite fruits and is set to be celebrated big-time at the Powell River Blackberry Festival, a spectacular jubilee of local colours and flavours guaranteed to put a smile on that dial. Powell River has it all, when it comes to blackberry flavours, wine, cheese, pizza and the most mouth watering desserts this side of the sunshine coast.
Winter Wonderland – December
Everyone looks forward to Winter Wonderland each holiday season at the Recreation Complex. Enjoy an afternoon or evening of skating fun on the Winter Wonderland themed rink that is decorated with hundreds of trees and thousands of Christmas lights. There’s even a small section of the rink dedicated to pond hockey! Its always a favorite stop for Santa each year.
