BC Musicians Come Together to Celebrate Northern Talent

Prince George, BC— August 3 to 8, 2026 — The city of Prince George will be full of music! Orchestra North, the Prince George Conservatory of Music, and the Prince George Symphony Orchestra bring together a unique variety of northern musicians and concert audiences alike in this year's Festival North. Festival North 2026 focuses on classical and traditional music, and this year will bring events to venues across Prince George. Events range from outdoor market stages to intimate classical recitals, from symphony orchestra and an evening of jazz at the classy Northern Lights Winery to the hilarious Pelletier Boys duo. A highlight is a five-part recital series featuring five different instruments (viola, voice, guitar, harp and violin) that each explore a unique personal approach to concert programming.

The week will include Festival North’s annual family folk dance, joined this year by Métis dancer Alessandra Delaporte; the symphony finale concert for this year’s Orchestra North Summer Program, which brings together over 70 musicians; workshops that develop the  composer” in each of us and immersive learning opportunities, such as Métis music and culture workshops; and the first edition of “Classics in the City,” with 70 musicians into the downtown plaza area celebrating the city and charming passersby with musical fun.

The Prince George section of Festival North will boast 22 events, including concerts, masterclasses, and workshops, in an impressive array of venues, some of which will be open air and free admission. Notable artists performing at this year’s festival include the highly  versatile guitarist Clint Pelletier, trombonist Jeremy Berkman of the award-winning Turning Point Ensemble, worldly Europe-based harpist Sunita Staneslow, and former concertmaster of the Vancouver Island Symphony and current Orchestra North faculty member, violinist Calvin Dyck. That’s not all: Métis dancer Alessandra Delaporte, folk dance caller Marian Rose, and the True North Fiddlers will get toes tapping, the Dadoogie Jazz duo will get fingers snapping, and mezzo-soprano Melanie Nicol will get spirits singing, making this festival  accessible to any music fan.

"Music can express who we are,” said Dr. Roxi Dykstra, founder and artistic director of Festival North. "A festival right here in the north allows all of us to deepen our appreciation for who we are as a community. We’re especially proud to feature performers from our own  region as well as guest musicians with personal or professional connections to northern BC. We love the north!"

Closely partnered with the festival and running during the same dates, the Orchestra North Summer Program invites musicians of all levels—even absolute beginners—to develop their skills under the tutelage of experts in a range of instruments. The faculty members will also perform at Festival North, first in Prince George, then on a tour of Quesnel, Williams Lake, and Mackenzie. This collaboration between Orchestra North, the Prince George Conservatory of Music, and the Prince George Symphony Orchestra makes for a truly inspiring week of music.

“We at the Prince George Symphony are so thrilled to partner with Orchestra North and the Prince George Conservatory of Music to put on this festival. It’s such a wonderful celebration of music, and really showcases the talent and passion right here in the north,” said Ken Hall, Executive Director of the PGSO. “We invite everyone in Prince George to come out and enjoy! They might just experience music in ways they may not have had the chance to before.”

Tickets and Information

• Government of Canada
• Prince George Community Foundation
• Northern Development Initiative Trust
• City of Prince George

Festival North
Held annually since 2016, first in Smithers, and since 2025 in Prince George, Festival North celebrates the diverse musical talent of the north through a series of performances and workshops that value accessibility, inclusion, and excellence.