FernFest, one of Victoria’s favourite community events, will not happen in 2026.
Fernwood Neighbourhood House officially announced the cancellation on the FernFest page of the Fernwood NRG website.
“We have decided not to host FernFest in 2026 as we explore new ways of celebrating and welcoming neighbours from across the street and throughout our community.”
In the short statement Fernwood Neighbourhood house went on to say that this year they will focus on supporting smaller neighbourhood-level events and welcoming new neighbours into the community.
“As an organization, we did not make the decision to not host FernFest this year lightly,” said Director of Community Development Mila Czernerys in an email to Victoria Music Scene. “We are not a large non-profit and coordinating events take a lot of time, resources, and energy. Stay tuned for other ways we will be bringing community together with celebration and joy.”
They have also launched public survey asking for input for ideas and seeking those who would like to get involved.
The two day festival that took place in the heart of Fernwood Square began in 1995. In recent years it had expanded adding stages at the Paul Phillips Hall across the street from the square and Steveson Memorial Park behind the Fernwood Community Centre to spread out the growing number of attendees to the free family friendly event.
Music largely kept a local focus giving a platform for both new and established Vancouver Island artists.
Word of the cancellation had been spreading through the music community online over the weekend after one person who had applied to be a vendor for FernFest received an email from organizers informing them of the cancellation. At the time of publishing, FernFest has not shared the announcement on social media.
It’s not known if the festival will return in 2027.
