Fernwood Neighbourhood House to replace weekend festival with more regular community events this summer
Photo via @FernFest on Facebook.
For the first time in 28 years, the FernFest community arts festival and market will not take place this summer.
On March 9, non-profit group Fernwood Neighbourhood House (FNH) announced the local street festival would not be occurring in June.
“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,” the statement reads.
“This year, Fernwood Neighbourhood House is focusing more on supporting smaller neighbourhood-level events and welcoming new neighbours moving into the community, rather than coordinating a large festival.”
Each summer, locals and visitors flock to Fernwood Square to listen to live bands, watch performers, and check out artisan vendors that extend around William Stevenson park, located behind Fernwood Community Centre and Daycare at 1240 Gladstone Avenue.
The 2025 edition of FernFest featured over 40 musicians across three stages and included more than 85 vendors in its market.
In a statement to the Martlet, Bryden Amos, a local musician and performer, said the festival showcased a unique local energy and that it was “a highlight for the start of the summer.”
Amos performed at FernFest in previous years with bands The Smokestacks and Poppa Don Gernie.
“[Both] years were very energetic and the crowd was really feeling it too,” he said. “One thing with those bands is that it feels like we’re sharing our energy with the crowd.”
The announced cancellation of FernFest was posted in the r/VictoriaBC subreddit and drew dozens of responses.
“It’s a really big hit to the economy and community, lots of small businesses and vendors rely on it,” said one user. “But I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision.”
Another comment said, “This was a highlight day of my summer 2025…. It was a great opportunity to connect with friends and family in public and mingle with the community. I spoke with strangers and made connections with people I never would have met.”
Following the announcement, FNH released a follow up statement on their website.
“Over time FernFest has grown into a very large and very expensive undertaking,” the statement reads. “Even for a dedicated organization like ours, we simply can’t do everything.”
FernFest weekend was made possible by city and provincial grants, community sponsors as well as the non-profit group coordinating a team of volunteers in the hundreds.
“What we care most about is the spirit of community celebration that FernFest represents. Fernwood has always been a neighbourhood where people step forward with ideas, creativity, and energy to make things happen together.”
In an emailed statement to the Martlet, Chantille Viaud, executive director of Fernwood Neighbourhood House, said the decision was “not taken lightly,” and cited rising costs and staffing issues. “Stepping back this year allows us to focus on our core work and avoid overextending our team,” she said.
In addition to hosting events like FernFest, Fernwood Neighbourhood House serves as a community hub for childcare, youth and family programs, as well as food initiatives such as the weekly community meal and public access gardens.
It is unknown if FernFest will return in the future. However, Viaud said FNH understands “that a community-led group is now organizing something for that same weekend, whether that be under the name FernFest or something new. We’re encouraged by that energy and will continue to support in ways that make sense!”
“This summer, we will see a series of smaller, community-led events in place of a single large festival,” said Viaud, “While different in form, they carry the same spirit of connection, creativity, and neighbourhood pride.”
A Hand Cut Fashion Market is featured on April 18 and the Strawberry Ichigo Market at the end of May features over 130 artists, vendors, and chefs. The Play Streets 2026 series includes events for children and families one Sunday a month until November.
“[Cancellation] would be very sad for the Victoria community,” said Amos. “It’s a festival most people I know get excited for, and the artists really seem to draw in a big crowd every time.”
Community feedback is currently being gathered by an online feedback form. FNH also accepts donations to support regular programming.
“We see this as a pause, but also as an opportunity to reimagine what FernFest can become,” Viaud said.
