Art on the Lake returns to Lost Lake for its seventh year from July 9 to 10, 2026. From floating DJ sets and back-to-back local bands, to art demonstrations, paddleboard Polaroid portraits, and an open-air gallery, the shores and waters of Lost Lake become a vibrant art hub for two days in July.
This year’s Art on the Lake will feature…
- Fourteen live musical performances
- Thirteen visual artists
- A local artisan market
- An open-air gallery, showcasing a curated selection of Sea to Sky artwork
- Interactive art experiences
…and a host of creative, community engagement opportunities.
The work of local Sea to Sky visual artists will be on display, amounting to a true showcase of local talent for both visitors and locals to partake in and enjoy, with the option to paddle, swim or stay put on trail and shore to sample the eclectic offerings.
Art on the Lake’s Floating History
With its first incarnation back in August of 2020, Art on the Lake…Literally, as it was known for the first three years, was born out of both a need and a want. Whistler was in the throes of the pandemic. Social distancing regulations and indoor gathering limits had been imposed, and the effects of isolation on the notably social, mountain town were beginning to take hold.
Art on the Lake was devised as a way to celebrate Whistler’s arts community, an antidote to the loneliness settling in – a creatively ingenious way to gather together, outdoors, while abiding by the six-foot-apart ordinance (being in a canoe or kayak, naturally facilitated this adherence).
Mo Douglas, executive director of Arts Whistler, recalls how “the community lost their minds,” so grateful were they for the opportunity to gather again in a safe environment. Douglas speaks of the “joy of the lake” and that many “people were in tears.” The first Alta Lake-based event, staged entirely on the water, so as to prevent any shoreline huddles, was such a success that it inspired both a demand and a desire for further iterations.
Alta Lake housed the event for the first five years, where art was hung from trees in Lakeside and Wayside parks, easels were partially submerged within the water, beckoning people to swim out to view the art on display, and musical groups roved around in canoes.
Everything from dancing flash mobs to floating music performances have been part of the extravaganza. This year, further innovations and invitations for creative immersion (pun intended!) await attendees.
Why the Change to Lost Lake?
Last year’s move to Lost Lake Park was guided by thoughtful consideration by the Arts Whistler team, who want to preserve the spirit of the festival while making it sustainable for years to come.
When Art on the Lake began six years ago, Arts Whistler had a team of 18 full-time staff to support the ambitious, on-the-water production. Today, that number has dropped to 11, a reflection of ongoing challenges in the arts and non-profit sector post-COVID.
Producing a floating event on Alta Lake required extensive staff hours, specialized equipment, and careful safety measures. As the event grew in popularity, so too did the complexity and risk, particularly with the increase in boat traffic and crowds.
Alongside this, sponsorship and volunteer numbers also dropped. So, with fewer hands on deck, continuing the event on a large lake became unsustainable.
Despite the shift in setting last year, the heart of Art on the Lake remains: a joyful celebration of art, community, and creativity in one of Whistler’s most beautiful natural spaces. Lost Lake offers the perfect canvas, with trails, food vendors, free shuttle service, and built-in infrastructure to support performers, artists, and attendees alike.
How to Get to Lost Lake for Art on the Lake
Lost Lake is within walking distance of Whistler Village. Depending on where you are in the village, it’s approximately a two to three kilometre walk, which would take you around 45 minutes.
However, if you’re lugging a paddleboard, that’s not ideal. That’s where the free shuttle service comes in. For those coming with boats or inflatables of their own, it will be easy to drop off your floating mode of transportation in the secure staff-monitored drop-off zone at the lakeside parking lot, then go park your vehicle and make the quick return trip on foot or by shuttle.
Art on the Lake takes place over two days, July 9 and 10, intentionally on a Thursday and Friday, to avoid weekend traffic bottlenecks. The fun in Lost Lake Park runs from 12 PM to 6 PM, while programming on the docks of Lost Lake runs from 2 PM to 7 PM, allowing people to enjoy Art on the Lake after work.
The Park Eats program is running throughout the event, with Lucia Gelato, The Warming Hut and The Gypsy Mule food trucks located in the park, so that you can stay caffeinated with a coffee, fueled with a fresh summer salad or cooled down with an ice cream.
It’s also worth noting that the Summer Concert Series will be in full swing at this time, meaning lake revellers can continue to Whistler Olympic Plaza to enjoy the reggae beats of Dirtwire with special guest Mark Woodyard on Thursday and Canadian artist Washboard Union on Friday.
Art Alive and Awash
For all the fun that is soon to be had and all the wonderment that has taken place over the past handful of years, there is no denying that producing and executing Art on the Lake is not without its own set of very unique challenges.
With its mid-July dates, the event will precede the annual Western Toad Migration that will begin to take over the park towards the end of the month. Being both site-specific and site-sensitive, producers must navigate a slew of environmental factors. Considerations range from sand to preventing the loss of equipment by sinking, from weather exposure to the range of water-travelling sound.
Arts Whistler staff have been seen ferrying piles of gear stacked atop kayaks, whilst navigating the lap of wind-shaped waves. Displays have blown over and floated off, only to be salvaged by an adept, suddenly swimming employee; another was treed by a bear in their attempt to set up an exhibit.
Musicians have been soaked as the barge they were being motored about on, funnelled the splash back on them (unbeknownst to the rear-navigating captains) – but none of this has dampened spirits. If anything, it has spurred on the enthusiasm and the offerings, upping the ante every year.
Come with your swimsuit or shorts, sandals or flippers, with a dinghy or your dog. Whether you choose to get wet or not, you will be buoyed up by the local, creative vibrancy on display. Art on the Lake is free, and everybody is welcome. See you there!
The full artist and performer line-up will be available soon on the Arts Whistler website. Check back for updates.
