Summerland’s Ryga Arts Festival Rises to Support Community Following Bald Range Fire
Words. Music. Performing Arts. Community.
Summerland’s Ryga Arts Festival
2026
September 15 to September 20, 2026
Following the recent devastation of the Bald Range Fire, the Summerland community is beginning the long process of recovery. In solidarity with our neighbours, Summerland’s Ryga Arts Festival is proud to announce a revised 2026 festival schedule running from September 15 to September 20, dedicated to providing a space for gathering, dedicated to providing a space for gathering, connecting, and experiencing the arts together.
Rather than cancel, we chose to present a more intimate selection of events and keep them completely free or by donation. We know this has been a difficult time for many, and we did not want cost to be a barrier. We are deeply grateful to the artists, partners, volunteers, and community members who helped make this reimagined festival possible.
Highlights of the 2026 Revised Schedule:
- A Haida Wedding: Authors Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson and Robert Davidson (CM) share an inspiring exploration of Haida culture and tradition through the lens of their own wedding ceremony – the first traditional Haida marriage recognized under Haida law in a century.
- Norman Foote & The Summerland Elementary Children’s Choir: Juno Award-winning entertainer Norman Foote brings his signature musical comedy and storytelling to the stage with local youth performers.
- Nineteen Eighty-Eight: A workshopped reading by Deaf playwright/performer, Chris Dodd (CM). A deeply personal and humorous story about loss, memory, and finding your groove in the face of life-changing adversity.
- Blue Taffeta Party Dress and Other Stories: Dennis Hawkins-Bogle presents a graceful, poignant portrayal of coming of age as a gay man in rural BC during the 70s and 80s.
- Outspoken: A new format for our popular spoken word event, featuring a spotlight on South Okanagan authors.
In addition to our featured highlights, we are proud to host a variety of community-focused events, including workshops on character writing and physical expression, a valley-wide evening of music, and a special tribute to the Summerland Community Centre on its 50th anniversary.
Event Details
We invite you to join us for these moments of connection from September 15 to September 20, 2026. The full, updated schedule and ticket information for these free and donation-based events are available at www.rygafest.ca.
Media Contact
For media inquiries, interview requests, or high-resolution images, please contact: Douglas Paton, Media Relations, at doug@patoncontent.com