Did you know that Whistler has an art museum that contains one of the world’s finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations masks and a large collection of works by Emily Carr? That there are over 130 Sea to Sky artists and artisans who are regularly featured in revolving exhibits at Arts Whistler? That you can connect with a Cultural Ambassador at the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh and L̓il̓wat7úl Cultural Centre and revel in the stories of the land you’re visiting? That you can see Olympic memorabilia at the Whistler Museum and join an artist-run workshop in a historic building on the shores of Alta Lake?

Below is a sample of what’s happening in Whistler’s arts and culture this fall and winter. You can also take a look at our events calendar and search by arts, culture and entertainment.

Audain Art Museum

Right in the heart of Whistler Village, the Audain Art Museum melds seamlessly with its environs thanks to internationally renowned Patkau Architects. Look for the six-metre-tall bronze sculpture, The Three Watchmen, by revered Indigenous artists James Hart (7idansuu), Xwalacktun and Levi Nelson (Svpyan), that connects the building with the Village Stroll.

The Audain’s Permanent Collection

A visit offers a diverse journey through the history of art from coastal British Columbia, featuring 300+ works in its Permanent Collection. Spanning the 18th century to the present day, the Collection contains one of the world’s finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations masks, a large collection of works by Emily Carr, hereditary Haida Chief James Hart’s The Dance Screen (The Scream Too), as well as pieces by post-war modernists and key works from Vancouver’s photo-conceptualism movement.

Current Exhibitions at the Audain

Takao Tanabe

The Audain brings unique and evolving exhibitions from Canada and around the world to Whistler. On display until September 21, 2026 is the stunning Vistas: From Takao Tanabe’s Travels. Tanabe’s fascination with landscapes comes vividly to life through his travels across British Columbia, North America, the Arctic and Europe. Tanabe captured their geographical features and unique atmosphere, translating his photos into paintings that balance careful observation with poetic reflection. His works invite quiet contemplation, as if he listens intently to the land itself and invites you to do the same.

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Tanabe has a second exhibition at the Audain celebrating his 100th birthday and his extraordinary contributions to Canadian art. Takao Tanabe 100: Inside Passage features over fifty paintings spanning more than six decades, offering a comprehensive look at his evolving visual language and the remarkable breadth of Tanabe’s artistic practice. This exhibit is on until October 19, 2026.

Solstice: Through Storm and Stillness: October 2, 2026 to April 12, 2027

Solstice: Through Storm and Stillness brings together works from the Audain’s Permanent Collection that reflect on endurance, resilience and the quiet momentum of moving through difficult seasons. Through painting, sculpture, and photography, the exhibition invites viewers to consider winter not only as a time of hardship, but as a necessary season of pause, persistence, and eventual transformation. The featured artists, Andrew Dadson, Gathie Falk, Gordon Smith, Karin Bubaš, Kim Dorland and Landon Mackenzie explore weather as both a literal and metaphorical force.

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Eleven Painters Start a War: November 21, 2026 to May 3, 2027

Eleven Painters Start a War tells the story of Painters Eleven, a group of trailblazing abstract artists whose ethos was defined by creative freedom, diversity of approach, and a refusal to accept aesthetic complacency. Through their perseverance, they reshaped the Canadian art landscape, pushing abstract painting into galleries, critical discourse, and public awareness, even as they faced significant opposition from the established art world.

Audain Art Museum Events

The Audain hosts innovative and exciting events throughout the year, so make sure you check their events page. Here’s a selection of what’s happening at the Audain this fall.

Sunday Scribbles, Family Art-Making Sessions

Bring the kiddos to the Audain on Sundays from 1 to 3 PM for hands-on art activities for the whole family. Explore different materials and techniques while learning about some of the artworks on display at the Museum in a relaxed and welcoming session that encourages creativity, curiosity and connection. This drop-in experience is included with the cost of admission and is free with AAM Membership; no registration is required, and all art supplies are included.

The Art of the Cocktail

These fun and popular mixology events include gallery admission, cocktail instruction and a tasting; however, they all have a different art-connected theme. In September, the event celebrates the winner of the Audain’s Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Visual Arts; in November, it’s combined with Whistler Cornucopia, and the December event will celebrate Emily Carr’s birthday.

Must be 19+ to attend. Limited tickets available.

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Yoga at the Audain Art Museum

Revel in the stunning architecture of the Audain as you work through a calming, one-hour practice on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Classes emphasize breathing, alignment and ease as you stretch and strengthen your body and mind. Registration includes access to the Museum galleries on the day of the yoga session.

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

The resort town of Whistler is located on the shared, unceded territory of the Lil’wat Nation, known in their language as L̓il̓wat7úl, and the Squamish Nation, known in their language as Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is a place where both distinct cultures meet, grow and are shared.

Museum admission includes a “What We Treasure” guided tour. Every tour is unique as each Cultural Ambassador draws on their personal stories and experiences to bring the artifacts to life, and includes a welcome song and an inspiring short film. Some regalia clothing and canoes on display are still in use, and the spacious, light-filled building allows visitors to feel the connection between the living cultures of the Squamish and Lil’wat nations and their home territory.

Current Exhibit – Wisdom of the Animal People

Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh & Líl̓wat7ul Ways of Knowing

Animals play important roles in Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Úxwumixw and Líl̓wat7úl cultures. They wear their hides as clothing, feature them in artwork, stories, songs and dances, and use them as an important educational tool to share history, morals and values with their children. Learn about the animal-based legends from both distinct Nations; how humans are known as the younger siblings and about the belief that animals, birds, people and land are one and the same.

The SLCC is hosting a Wisdom of the Animal People: Cultural Sharing event on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3, complementing the exhibit and featuring Chinook Song Catchers, Alex Wells Native Thunder, Proud Little Warriors, Yex̱wela7 Cht, Spo7ez Cultural Sharing, with storytelling from Holly Bikadi, Sík Sík Josh Anderson and more. Find more information on slcc.ca/events.

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Fall Events at the SLCC

National Truth and Reconciliation Day: Sept 30

Heading to the SLCC on Wednesday, September 30, gives you a powerful opportunity for reflection, education and connection through storytelling, cultural sharing, immersive experiences, and thought-provoking guest speakers. These include author and filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat, author Carolyn Roberts, and a special feature presentation from the Whistler Film Festival, including the short film “distance” by Lil’wat filmmaker Sydney Pascal and “I am Gitxsan”.

The programming is supported by proud partners, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Tourism Whistler, enabling free admission for all guests on September 30, 2026. For more details, visit the SLCC’s website.

Arts Whistler

Capitalizing on the season between sports, Arts Whistler has an action-packed calendar of live music and local art offerings. We’ve picked out just a few events below.

The Gallery Exhibits

Teeny Tiny Show: July 31 to October 2

The Gallery, located upstairs in the Maury Young Arts Centre, is hosting the Teeny Tiny Show from July 31 to October 2. This local favourite is back for its 8th year, proving that great things indeed come in small packages. Over 85 Sea to Sky artists have poured their creativity into 200 original works, each measuring 3″ x 3″ or smaller. This is your chance to discover and purchase affordable, original and irresistibly tiny works of art.

Join the Arts Whistler and mingle with local artists for the show’s free Art Party on September 10, 2026, from 6 to 8 PM (free appies!).

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We Heart Local Art: October 21 to December 19

This upcoming Gallery exhibit will feature artwork from all your favourite local artists. It’s the perfect place to find original local artwork for yourself or to give as a gift this holiday season.

The People’s Film

Since Whistler lost its cinema, Arts Whistler has been filling the film gap by asking its members and the general public what they want to see on the big screen with their The People’s Film series.  The September 23 theme is “Books on Film”, celebrating the Whistler Public Library’s 40^th Anniversary, with a screening of The Martian. For Halloween, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, it’s the classic slasher film Scream. And on October 29, step into the madness of the ultimate cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The theme isn’t set for their November film just yet, but we know you’ll need to don your ugliest Christmas sweater for a holiday classic on December 16.

Arts Whistler Live! presents: MAGIC!: September 19, 2026

Three performers. Three approaches to magic. For one night only, the Maury Young Theatre transforms into an evening of astonishing sleight of hand, impossible illusions, and laugh-out-loud comedy as three of Canada’s acclaimed magicians take the stage for MAGIC! From Travis’s award-winning sleight of hand and mind-bending magic, to Nayana’s genre-bending blend of clown, physical theatre and illusion, to Ben’s highly technical card work, this event is for anyone who likes to ask – how did they do that?!

Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF): October 8 and 16

The Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival World Tour is back for another evening of thought-provoking outdoor adventure and mountain culture films. From the thrill of skiing and snowboarding to the challenges of climbing and biking, these films represent the pinnacle of independent storytelling in the world of extreme sports. The All Ages screening is on October 8, and the 19+ on October 16.

Arts Whistler Live! presents: The Boo Revue!: October 20, 2026

The Boo Revue! is a blacklight musical puppet show set in a ghostly graveyard. Get ready to shiver and shake along to spine-tingling musical numbers and supernatural sights! Presented by the Spine-Tingling Puppet Society, whose work has been seen on numerous film and television projects, including Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (currently streaming on Apple TV+), this event is recommended for ages 4+, but is fun for the whole family. Approximate run time is 50 minutes, plus a 15-minute meet ‘n’ greet with the puppets afterwards!

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Arts Whistler Holiday Market: November 28 and 29

The Arts Whistler Holiday Market is two days of handmade goodness at the Whistler Conference Centre. With 100+ curated vendors from the Sea to Sky region and across BC, along with the young entrepreneurs of Bratz Biz, Whistler’s largest artisan market draws visitors from far and wide. Get your Christmas shopping sorted on Saturday, November 28 (11 AM to 7 PM) and Sunday, November 30 (10 AM – 6 PM).

Holiday Events

A cherished annual tradition, Holiday Singapalooza spreads holiday cheer with a lively set of festive pop songs – perfect for a sing-along on December 9! Barbed Choir will guide you through your favourite holiday tunes and even teach the audience harmonies for a classic holiday hit. All proceeds go to Whistler Community Services Society.

Looking to do some Christmas shopping but missed the market? On December 17, visit Art Whistler’s store, Arthentic, home to the largest collection of local artisan-made goods in Whistler, for exclusive discounts storewide.

These are just a few of the Arts Whistler events happening in the fall and winter. For more, take a look at their events calendar.

Whistler Wine Walk: Fridays in October

Whistler Wine Walk is happening every Friday in the month of October, combining an art gallery visit with a glass of wine. Six of Whistler’s art galleries are taking part, with the tours culminating at the Audain Art Museum for more wine, canapés and music. Read more in our blog on the Wine Walk.

Whistler Outdoor Festival: October 9 – 11, 2026

Whistler’s newest fall event, the Whistler Outdoor Festival, is a three-day celebration of outdoor adventure. From film premieres to paddleboard sessions, ski boot fittings to cold plunges, speaking panels to guided runs, yoga sessions to adventure writing workshops, the festival is designed for adventure seekers, sports enthusiasts, industry leaders and anyone who wants to explore more of the outdoors (that’s you).

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Read more about the fesitval’s inception in our dedicated blog, and for the full schedule, check the event page.

Whistler Institute: Global Perspectives Speaker Series

The Whistler Institute is a registered Canadian charity committed to bringing thought leadership and education to Whistler through its Global Perspectives Speaker Series and educational programs, which are open to all.

This year’s lineup dives into leadership, healthy aging and brain health. These global discussions have real implications for Whistler’s mountain community, helping us reflect, adapt and thrive together, but these events also welcome visitors to join in on the learning. Check out the full lineup on their website.

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Whistler Writers Festival: November 5 to 8, 2026

This year’s Whistler Writers Festival is a very special 25th-anniversary edition. This festival welcomes readers and writers in a gathering of storytellers, authors, musicians, books and ideas. The festival showcases award-winning authors from across Canada and local rising stars in performance readings, masterclass writing workshops and industry events. Find your new favourite author this fall.

For 2026, their feature guests include: Tara Gereaux (Wild People Quiet), Michelle Good (Five Little Indians), Stella Leventoyannis Harvey (Finding Callidora), Olympian Clara Hughes (Learning to Breathe), Zak Jones (Fancy Gap), Eve Joseph (Dismantling), Robyn Harding (Strangers in the Villa), Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas (The Lost Haida Manga), Loghan Paylor (The Cure for Drowning), Anakana Schofield (Library of Brothel), Kim Spencer (Werid Rules to Follow), A.D. Sui (Our Infinte and Inevitable Ends), Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho (The Astronaut Children of Dunbar Street) and more. Follow them on social media to see who else is coming.
 
Tickets go on sale September 16.

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Whistler Comedy: Laugh Out LIVE!

Laugh Out LIVE! is Whistler’s go-to comedy institution and training centre, blending the best of improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy into live shows, corporate workshops and event programming dedicated to bringing laughter and learning through comedy. This season, they’ll have shows running from November through April, with seasonal improv workshops launching in September for both kids and adults.

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Whistler’s Exclusive Dinner Theatre Experience – Every Saturday ALL Winter!

This winter, Laugh Out LIVE! is bringing dinner theatre to Whistler every Saturday from December through March in partnership with the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa.

Settle in for an elegant three-course dinner, Whistler-themed and full of comedy chaos, as performers bring the room to life around you, weaving characters, audience interaction and plenty of surprises into the experience. This season’s production, A Whistler Wedding, puts guests in the middle of a wonderfully dysfunctional Whistler-themed wedding that spirals hilariously out of control.

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The Stand-Up Standoff: Launching in Late November

The night kicks off with a stand-up comedy showdown like no other, as six finalists hit the stage, each delivering their tightest five-minute sets in pursuit of cash and prizes. Once the dust settles and the standoff is done, a touring headlining act steps up to close out the night with a knockout set. It’s a bare-knuckle comedy brawl where the only thing hitting harder than the competition is the punchlines!

Welcome to Whistler’s ultimate stand-up comedy competition and show! The night kicks off with “The Standoff”, as six finalists hit the stage, each delivering their tightest five-minute sets in pursuit of cash, prizes and your vote. Once the dust settles on the competition, a touring headlining act steps up to close out the night with a knockout feature set. It’s a bare-knuckle comedy brawl where the only thing hitting harder than the competition is the punchlines!

Visit Laugh Out LIVE! for the full schedule.

Whistler Cornucopia: November 5 to 15, 2026

Whistler’s festival of food and drink, Cornucopia, is celebrating 30 years! Happening from November 5 to 15, 2026, with over 100 events including drink seminars, culinary stages, tasting parties and multi-course dinners. Cornucopia is a symbol of plenty, and the festival certainly lives up to its name. Take a read of our dedicated post about this festival that celebrates the epicurious: How to Plan for Cornucopia.

Whistler Film Festival: December 2 to 6, 2026

The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) is where creativity meets community. You’ll find ski bums and storytellers, dealmakers and dealbreakers, burgeoning filmmakers and award-winning directors/producers all rubbing elbows at industry galas and on the chairlift.

Prepare for an action-packed lineup of events, including exclusive film premieres, insightful industry sessions, engaging talent programs, intimate meet-and-greets, glitzy parties, and much-anticipated appearances by critically acclaimed actors and directors. Where else in the world can you ski straight off the mountain and onto a red carpet event?

Sign up for their e-news (newsletter sign-up is in the footer of their website – bottom right) or follow their socials for details on films, industry passes and ticket packages.

Winter Carnival at The Point Artist-Run Centre: February

The Winter Carnival is celebrated in mid-February on the shores of Alta Lake at The Point Artist-Run Centre. It is a grassroots, feel-good, community celebration featuring a host of free afternoon activities that celebrate winter through the lens of the arts. Activities include snow and ice dancing, a snow sculpting competition, curling and shinny, hot drinks and food, live painting, music and more!

An evening concert in the heritage lodge features top musical and comedic talent from Whistler and across BC. Find out more on The Point’s website a bit closer to the time.

Go Whistler Tours: Self-Guided Tours

Consider downloading the free Go Whistler Tours app to explore Whistler’s hidden nooks and crannies. The app showcases several self-guided routes you can take to delve into Whistler’s natural and resort history as well as the art and storytelling of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. It also includes an in-museum tour for the Audain Art Museum.

This is just a sampling of the arts and culture events happening in Whistler this fall and winter. With more events being announced all the time, be sure to take a look at Whistler.com’s event calendar for the most up-to-date listings and information. Let the energy of this wildly creative community spark your imagination.

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“We wanted Cornucopia’s 30th edition to have a festival lineup that feels worthy of the milestone,” says Jasmine Robinson, Event Director of Cornucopia. “We’ve woven special touches throughout the program, including new experiences created specifically for the 30th and fresh takes on signature events and festival favourites. We’re excited to make this milestone edition one to remember.”

The Four Categories of Whistler Cornucopia

The events are split into four categories: Cornucopia’s Signature Events, Food + Drink Seminars, Culinary Stage Series and Restaurant + Bar events, with tickets starting at $32 (early bird). Although there is always something delicious and fun happening throughout the festival, the larger events are on Thursdays and over the weekend (go on, extend that weekend), with mid-week a great option for the more intimate events, and good value on accommodation.

Most of the events happen at the Whistler Conference Centre in the heart of Whistler Village, a central location with lots of accommodation options nearby.

Tickets sell out fast for the key events, so let’s dive into each of these Cornucopia categories and see what’s on the menu at Whistler’s festival of food + drink.

What’s New at Whistler Cornucopia for 2026

On Tuesday, November 10, renowned plant-forward Chef Wolfgang Sterr will lead a new environmentally conscious dinner highlighting the best of vegetarian cuisine paired with organic wines.

Also joining the program is Brunch League on Sunday, November 15, a lively, new karaoke brunch inspired by Belfast Brunch, a viral social brunch concept that has made its way to Canada from the UK and Ireland.

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The festival is expanding its programming throughout the week, with additional midweek dinners and drink seminars, creating more ways to experience Cornucopia beyond its signature weekend events (read on for more details on those).

Cornucopia Signature Events

Thursday, November 5

The festival kicks off with the BC House Party, a mix of live music, local cuisine and wine, spirits, beers and alcohol-free options from British Columbia. Indulge in a dinner buffet inspired by the West Coast, offering up coastal flavours and comforting favourites alongside fresh, innovative creations. Meet the makers and taste the ingenuity that has helped establish the West Coast as one of Canada’s most exciting food and beverage destinations. This perennial sellout event is the perfect way to start your weekend early.

Friday, November 6

SPECIAL FOR 2026: The 30th Dinner with Reception honours three decades of remarkable chefs and the people who helped transform a grassroots Whistler celebration into one of Canada’s most anticipated food and drink festivals. The evening begins with a premium wine tasting reception, with a curated selection of wines from British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest and renowned wine regions around the world.

Then it’s an inspired multi-course menu, with curated wines and beverages, celebrating Cornucopia’s past, present and future. Each course tells part of the festival’s story, revisiting the ingredients, ideas and personalities that have shaped its history while introducing fresh perspectives on what comes next. Expect exceptional food, meaningful storytelling, genuine hospitality and a few memorable surprises along the way.

Saturday, November 7

The flagship event of Cornucopia, CRUSH Grand Tasting, invites you to sip, sample and savour your way through a variety of BC, Canadian and International wines. These exceptional wines are complemented by delicious culinary bites from talented chefs and food producers, adding another layer of flavour to the evening. Live entertainment and the energy of fellow food and wine enthusiasts create a lively, celebratory atmosphere worthy of Cornucopia’s 30th anniversary.

Sunday, November 8

We’re all donning headphones and choosing our own DJ adventure at With a Twist: Silent Disco. Flick between three different DJs (dance anthems, throwback favourites and party classics) and dance the night away while sampling cocktails and spirits from featured bartenders and beverage partners (alcohol-free options available).

Do you like a good whodunnit? Savour a sumptuous dinner with paired wines served with a side of suspense at the Murder Mystery Dinner. Hosted at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler this year, it’s usually themed, so get your tickle trunk out for a night of entertaining drama.

Thursday, November 12

At the Comedy Kitchen, award-winning comedian Damonde Tschritter is leading a lineup of nationally acclaimed comedians serving their best material in a classic comedy-club setting. The first Canadian to win the Seattle International Comedy Competition, Damonde has appeared at Just For Laughs, the Chicago Comedy Festival and New York Comedy Festival, as well as on CBC, CTV and HBO. 

Expect sharp observations, great storytelling and the kind of candid comedy best enjoyed with friends and a drink in hand. Your ticket includes one drink, but there are more on offer to purchase.

Friday, November 13

Nightmarket: legends & Next Gen brings established culinary icons together with a new wave of emerging chefs educated at BC’s own LaSalle College. Move through a bustling market-inspired setting filled with tasting stations, live culinary energy and an exciting mix of flavours. Celebrated chefs and producers will share dishes and drinks that reflect their experience, traditions and signature styles, while rising talents bring fresh perspectives, techniques and ideas inspired by the evolving landscape of Canadian cuisine.

Saturday, November 14

For this milestone year, the festival pays homage to its namesake: the cornucopia, or Horn of Plenty. Rooted in Greek mythology and long associated with abundance, harvest and feasting, the Cornucopia Gala: 30th Edition is a celebration worthy of the gods. Don your finest toga and get ready to mix and mingle at this non-seated, party-forward gala. Sip from an impressive selection of wines, sparkling pours, cocktails, spirits and creative alcohol-free options, and dine on delicious bites, and celebrate three decades of Cornucopia in spectacular Greek-inspired style.

Sunday, November 15

NEW for 2026 is the Brunch League on Sunday, November 15. This is where weekend brunch meets your favourite singalong, with an irresistible combination of brunch bites, music, singing and dancing.

Cornucopia Food + Drink Seminars

There are 40 seminars on offer featuring wine, spirits, beers and more, done in an intimate setting with world-class experts. These seminars are all about deepening your knowledge and refining your palate with experts to guide you. You could be intrigued by a certain country, region or varietal, a particular libation or want some drink suggestions for the upcoming festive table.

You can take a deep dive into wines from different places like Italy, France, Spain, South America and Canada, of course. You can focus on a varietal like Chianti, White Burgundy, and Syrah or go for a session that showcases a few, like Classic vs Contemporary, Legends + Next Generation and Around the World in 90 Minutes.

It’s also not all wine, with sessions delving into Great Scotch Whisky, Caviar and Spirits with Copperpenny Distilling Co., and Japanese alcohol. There’s also a seminar, Free Spirit Whistler!, that’s dedicated to non-alcoholic options.

We also like the food-paired seminars like Wine + Dumplings Around the World, French Wine + Charcuterie with Oyama Sausage Co. and Sake, Shochu + Snack Attack!. We also noted the British Columbia events highlighting areas like Naramata in the Okanagan and Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.

The seminars are your chance to learn something new while sipping on something fun, so make sure you take a look at the drink seminar event page and pick some that stand out to you.

Culinary Stage Series – The Hidden Gem at the Festival

If you’ve ever watched a cooking show and wished you were one of the judges testing the delectable outcomes, the Culinary Stage events are for you (minus the stress of actual judging). Set in the airy and light foyer of the Whistler Conference Centre, you get to absorb tips and tricks from national chefs, producers and beverage professionals as you sample what they make.

What you can expect is a delicious, multi-course meal with drink pairings, as you watch the demonstrations for $55. Each Culinary Stage has a different spin, as it depends heavily on the expert on the stage, who often brings you something they’re passionate about, whether that be the latest in sustainable eating, bold takes on traditional dishes or something completely unexpected.

Chopped Canada winner Chef Alana Mass is back on the stage, as is Chef Quang Dang, a champion of West Coast cuisine. The Gusto TV’s “The Latin Kitchen” Chef, Luis Valenzuela, and Chef Julian Bond of BC’s Restaurant Hall of Fame are also firm Culinary Stage favourites. These events are the festival’s hidden gems, combining food, drink and entertainment – a triple threat.

Restaurant + Bar Events

Whistler has a world-class, award-winning dining scene, and Cornucopia is a time for them to experiment, push boundaries and really wow diners. Some restaurants partner with wineries for winemaker dinners, whereas some lean into a theme or region – it’s exciting to see what they create.

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We spotted that Bearfoot Bistro is hosting Lightning Rock Winery in their incredible cellar; Mekong is being inspired by the variety of cultures that define their kitchen; Il Caminetto is offering a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with one of Italy’s most legendary estates: Tenuta dell’Ornellaia; and Wild Blue is offering a late-night experience, bringing the listening bars of Japan to the mountains.

For some of the popular establishments, tickets go quickly, but another strategy is to pick somewhere you’ve never been to before so you can uncover a new gem. Take a look through the Restaurant + Bar schedule.

Save With Signature Event Packages and Early Bird Tickets

Cornucopia Signature Event Packages combine discounted tickets to the signature events with accommodation, a great way to sort out two planning items in one go and snag a discount (packages start at $90 per person, per night). There’s a finite number of these packages, so book now before they go! Staying through midweek is another way to grab a deal with lower rates away from the weekends. If you stay three nights or more, you also receive a free $100 Dining Credit.

There are also Early Bird Tickets for some of the Signature Events, but there are a limited number of these tickets, so get yours before they go!

6 Whistler Cornucopia Tips

1.    Schedule Food Events

Between alcohol seminars and tastings, slot in one of the culinary demonstrations or take a stroll in Whistler Village to find a nearby eatery. For Signature Events like CRUSH, although there are delicious canapés being served, you’re going to want to have dinner beforehand. Take a look at Whistler.com’s dining guide and book an early dinner.

2.    Move Your Body

Fall in Whistler is a beautiful time to be in the mountains with its changing colours. Get outside for some fresh mountain air. Schedule windows of time for activities like a short hike (try Lost Lake), biking on the Valley Trail, or rejuvenating at a spa. You’ll go longer and harder and feel less guilty when you have to get up and do it all over again the next day.

3.    Stay in Town

Even Whistler locals take advantage of the Cornucopia accommodation pairings because, after three or more days of food and drink, a good night’s sleep in a king-size bed with high thread-count bedding and housekeeping service is very nice to come home to.

4.    Experiment

Adopt an open mindset. Cornucopia is the ultimate celebration of bold tastes, where you can experiment with your palate, expand your knowledge, and celebrate your foodie passions as you explore Whistler’s world-class food and drink scene. Don’t be afraid to try something new.

5. Dress for Success

Try sweaters and skinny jeans for craft beer and scotch tastings, and fancy and festive attire for socials and galas. As a rule of thumb, dress up rather than down, as you never know who you might meet. We also suggest bringing a waterproof jacket and winter shoes for when you’re not inside!

Cornucopia is an amazing place to learn about and sample new food, wine and spirits. It’s all about feeling good, making friends and enjoying the cornucopia!

Bundle your Signature Event tickets with lodging for unbeatable value with Whistler.com, and if you stay more than three nights, you also receive a free $100 Whistler Dining Credit. Cheers to that!

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“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and mind alike.” John Muir.

Art is synonymous with the mountains, a place that provides an abundance of natural beauty for inspiration, but also a calmness and peace that help the mind wander.

Whistler is home to several art galleries, displaying work from local talent to the wider Canadian art pool and international artists whose work resonates with curators. One way to explore these galleries is to join the Whistler Wine Walk, which is happening on Friday, October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2026. Not only do you get to connect with gallery owners, curators and artists, but you also get to do so with a glass of wine in hand.

Whistler Wine Walk Details

Included in the ticket price is access to the galleries, three four-ounce glasses of wine, interactive art experiences and a curatorial tour of the Special Exhibitions at Audain Art Museum (more on that below), along with live music and canapés. There’s a choice of British Columbian white and red wine at each stop, with one wine pour per guest, per location.

The experience lasts around two hours (6 to 8:15 PM), with walking time considered. It’s the perfect evening activity after an early dinner, or perhaps before a late one, depending on how you like to dine. There are four tour options, each starting at a different gallery but all culminating at the Audain.

Date: Every Friday in October, 2026

Time: 6 to 8:15 PM

Where: Art galleries around Whistler Village – four walking routes to choose from

What: Visit to three art galleries with a glass of BC wine at each one

NEW: Chocolate pairings and non-alcoholic wine options

Six galleries are taking part this year, with four different tour options taking you to three stops, all culminating at the Audain Art Museum. The distances range from 900 metres to 2.2 kilometres, depending on your starting point.

Guests receive an email after purchasing tickets with detailed instructions, including their schedule, map and walking directions for each location (a Wine Walk Group Leader will be on-site to make sure the tour is flowing on time).

British Columbia Wines

Featured wineries are all BC-based and include Fort Berens Estate Winery, Kismet Estate Winery, 8th Generation Vineyard and Lightning Rock Winery, with Nk’Mip Cellars featured exclusively at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre on October 9.

The Galleries

• Adele Campbell Fine Art
• Audain Art Museum
• Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont
• The Plaza Galleries
• Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (October 9 only)
• Whistler Contemporary Gallery at the Hilton

Adele Campbell Fine Art

Adele Campbell Fine Art, located in the Westin Resort & Spa, proudly represents a broad spectrum of Canadian artists in an array of original paintings and sculptures. The pieces reflect the artists’ passion for their beautiful surroundings and contemporary influences, and you’ll be struck by the variety, power and boldness of the art when you visit.

For over a century, Canadian landscape art has been inspired by the Group of Seven, who bucked the trends of the time and painted with a bold palette and style they felt represented the mass scale of Canada. This has evolved and morphed into the contemporary art of today, which revels in the wildness and freedom of the country they’re depicting.

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Featuring over 50 established and emerging Canadian artists, you’ll find an ever-revolving comprehensive collection of uniquely Canadian art at Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery. During the Whistler Wine Walk, the gallery will have live painting with some of its featured artists, and a canvas for you to leave your own mark on.

Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont

The focus at Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is on post-war Canadian landscape art. Mountain vistas, lush forests and winding rivers pepper the walls. The gallery is also home to some incredible pieces of sculpture with serpentine stone bears, bronze eagles and intriguing wood and resin furniture.

It’s really a treasure trove of Canadian art that takes time to explore. During Wine Walk, the gallery will have some of its featured artists doing some live painting.

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The Plaza Galleries

The Plaza Galleries brings a bold, contemporary take on mountain art to Whistler Village. Its colourful collection features work by established and emerging artists, with everything from paintings and mixed-media pieces to sculpture, often inspired by wildlife, mountain landscapes, skiing and the energy of the outdoors.

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Expect vibrant, playful and sometimes unexpected interpretations of mountain culture, alongside work influenced by pop culture and urban life.

Whistler Contemporary Gallery at the Hilton

The white walls of the Whistler Contemporary Gallery are adorned with a diverse range of styles, including figurative, abstract and landscape. Featuring Canadian and international contemporary fine art, the gallery is home to some unique pieces, including paintings, multimedia, glass and sculpture. Some of the art is inspired by the mountain scenes and wildlife Whistler is known for, whereas others evoke a sense of pop culture and urbanity.

It’s also good to note that they have a second location at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler if you want to connect with more of their artists.

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Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (October 9 only)

New to the Wine Walk for 2026, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is a celebration of culture, history, traditions and art. Located in Whistler’s Upper Village, the centre sits on the shared territory of two First Nation communities, the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh (Squamish) and Li̓l̓wat7ul (Lil’wat), who have coexisted respectfully as neighbours in this area since time immemorial.

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Visiting them on the Wine Walk gives you the opportunity to understand and connect with the original stewards of the land. Indigenous wine producers, Nk’Mip, will be featured at this stop on the Wine Walk.

Audain Art Museum

For the final stop at the Audain Art Museum, guests will be treated to something special in addition to the delicious canapés and live music. They’ll head into the museum to explore one of their special exhibit, Solstice: Through Storm & Stillness.

This exhibit brings together works from the Audain Art Museum’s Permanent Collection that reflect on endurance, resilience, and the quiet momentum of moving through difficult seasons. The featured artists, Andrew Dadson, Gathie Falk, Gordon Smith, Karin Bubaš, Kim Dorland and Landon Mackenzie explore weather as both a literal and metaphorical force. Through painting, sculpture, and photography, the exhibition invites viewers to consider winter not only as a time of hardship, but as a necessary season of pause, persistence and eventual transformation.

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If you’ve not visited the Audain before, this will definitely make you want to come back and explore. Its permanent collection is a visual journey through the history of art from coastal British Columbia. It spans the late 18th century to the present day, and features one of the world’s finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations masks; a large collection of works by Emily Carr, and art by important post-war modernists such as E.J. Hughes, Gordon Smith and Jack Shadbolt.

In addition to these historical works, it showcases art by internationally renowned, contemporary British Columbia artists, including Jeff Wall, Dana Claxton, Marianne Nicolson, Rodney Graham and Stan Douglas, among others.

For more information on what a trip to this museum is like, read Culture Up: How to Get the Most From a Visit to the Audain Art Museum in Whistler.

Whistler Wine Walk Tickets

Wine Walk tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Ticket holders will receive an email preceding the walk with detailed instructions for their route, including a schedule, map and walking directions for each location (there’s also a Wine Walk Guide on-site to help guide guests between galleries).

The Whistler Wine Walk is a chance to engage with gallery curators and artists, learn more about Canadian art and perhaps find something for above the fireplace back home.

There are other events happening in October, including yoga at the Audain Art Museum, Fairmont Fridays, the Whistler Farmers’ Market and the Whistler Writers Festival, to name a few. Check out the events calendar for a full list of what’s happening in Whistler this October.

For more ideas about what to do in the mountains in the fall, take a look at 21 Things to Do in Whistler in the Fall.

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The Valley of Dreams Walking Tour, presented by the Whistler Museum, brings these stories to life during an approximately one-hour walk through Whistler Village. Led by local guides, the tour explores the people, places, and ideas behind Whistler’s transformation from a remote summer destination into an internationally recognized mountain destination.

When: From June through September

Time: 11 AM – 60-minute tour

Cost: By donation

Meeting Place: Whistler Visitor Centre (no need to book, just turn up)

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Along the way, new, or familiar places take on deeper meaning.

• Why does the Village Stroll wind instead of following a straight line?
• What brought the first tourists to Alta Lake?
• Why was Whistler Mountain developed in the first place?
• Why is the town named Whistler?
• And just how long did Whistler pursue its Olympic dream before finally welcoming the world in 2010?

The answers can be found in the landscape, and in the stories of the people who helped shape it. We’re giving you a sneak preview of some of the stories covered on the tour; however, nothing beats a tour in-person.

A Valley with a Much Longer History

Whistler’s story did not begin with tourism or skiing.

The Valley of Dreams Walking Tour begins by acknowledging that Whistler is located within the shared, unceded territory of the Líl̓wat7úl Nation and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation, whose peoples have travelled through and used the region for thousands of years.

The valley served as a trade and transportation corridor and supported fishing, hunting, and other activities long before the development of the modern resort and the arrival of tourism. This history extends far beyond the scope of a walking tour focused primarily on the development of tourism in Whistler.

Visitors wishing to learn more about the histories, cultures, and contemporary communities of the Líl̓wat7úl Nation and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation are strongly encouraged to visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler’s Upper Village.

A Dream on the Shores of Alta Lake

Long before chairlifts carried skiers up Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, visitors were drawn to the valley for a very different kind of vacation.

In 1911, Myrtle and Alex Philip travelled from Vancouver to visit the area after hearing stories of its lakes, mountains, and fishing. The journey took three days, but what they found inspired them to return. In 1913, they purchased land on the shores of Alta Lake and began building Rainbow Lodge.

Their timing proved fortunate. The Pacific Great Eastern Railway reached Alta Lake in 1914, reducing the journey from Vancouver from several days to about nine hours. The railway and Rainbow Lodge soon offered a $6 “Fishermen’s Excursion,” including train travel and a weekend at the lodge.

The first excursion brought 24 fishermen and helped launch a new era of tourism in the valley. By the 1930s, Rainbow Lodge had expanded to include dozens of buildings and offered fishing, hiking, boating, horseback riding and other activities. Whistler, then known as Alta Lake, had become a popular summer destination.

Dreaming of a Mountain Resort

The next big dream would transform the valley from a quaint summer destination into a popular international winter ski destination. Following the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in California, a group of Vancouver businessmen began considering whether British Columbia could host the Games.

The Garibaldi Olympic Development Association was formed in 1962, led by Franz Wilhelmsen, and eventually selected London Mountain, today’s Whistler Mountain, as the location for a proposed ski area.

Their first bid – to host the 1968 Olympic Winter Games – was unsuccessful. At the time, the valley had no proper road access, power, running water or ski lifts. But the larger idea survived. Garibaldi Lifts Ltd. was formed to develop the mountain, and on January 15, 1966, Whistler Mountain officially opened with a gondola, chairlift and two T-bars.

The Olympic dream would have to wait, but the dream of creating a major mountain resort was underway.

Building a Village from the Ground Up

Whistler Mountain’s success brought rapid growth, and in 1975 the Resort Municipality of Whistler was established as Canada’s first resort municipality. One of the new municipality’s greatest challenges was creating a town centre for the growing community and resort.

The Whistler Village visitor experience today owes much to landscape architect Eldon Beck. With direction from the newly formed council to create a pedestrian-focused village, Beck envisioned a village that flowed through the landscape.

The Village Stroll was designed to meander, encouraging people to slow down, wander, and discover new spaces. Plazas created gathering places, while delivery areas, parking entrances, and much of the infrastructure needed to operate the resort were tucked behind the buildings.

The design also created a strong sense of place, with carefully considered viewpoints connecting the Village Stroll to the surrounding mountains. Construction began in 1978, with the first phase completed in 1980, the same year Blackcomb Mountain opened for skiing.

As you walk through the Village today, the tour reveals how many features that now seem natural were the result of deliberate, and sometimes unconventional, ideas for the time in North America.

The Olympic Dream Becomes Reality

Through the 1980s and 1990s, Whistler continued its transformation from a regional ski destination into an international one. During this period, Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain operated as competitors, and their rivalry helped push both mountains to greater heights as they added new lifts, terrain and better amenities.

By 1992, Whistler’s growing international reputation was recognized when Snow Country Magazine named Whistler Resort the Number One Ski Resort in North America, the first of many similar accolades. The two mountains’ operations eventually merged in 1997.

All the while, Whistler’s Olympic ambitions remained.

There were multiple attempts over the decades, but it was not until July 2, 2003, that Vancouver and Whistler were awarded the opportunity to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Seven years of preparation followed.

Then, in February and March 2010, Whistler welcomed athletes and visitors from around the world as an Olympic and Paralympic host community. The Games themselves were held on the territories of four Host First Nations: Líl̓wat7úl Nation, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Nation, Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Nation, and səlilwətaɬ Nation.

The Valley of Dreams Walking Tour concludes around Olympic Plaza, connecting one of Whistler’s earliest ambitions with the international mountain destination it had become.

Nearly 40 Years of Sharing Whistler’s Stories

The Valley of Dreams Walking Tour is presented by the Whistler Museum & Archives Society, which has spent nearly 40 years collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Whistler. Through photographs, artefacts, documents, oral histories, exhibitions, and community programs, the Museum preserves the stories of the people and events that have shaped the valley.

The walking tours take those stories beyond the Museum walls and into the places where much of that history happened.

Tours are led by local guides, each bringing their own knowledge and experiences to Whistler’s story. Whether you are visiting Whistler for the first time, working here for a season, or have been coming for years, the tour offers a chance to look at familiar places from a different perspective.

After all, Whistler as we know it today began with people looking at this valley and dreaming of what might be possible. The Valley of Dreams Walking Tour departs from the Whistler Visitor Centre at 11 AM daily from June through the end of September. Tours take approximately one hour and are offered by donation (private tours are available upon request).

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Let’s take a deeper dive into the itinerary items below.

Five Fall Days in Whistler

The clash of the seasons is pronounced in the Coast Mountains as leaves turn gold and red against a backdrop of evergreens, with a white snow line that makes its way steadily down over the season. There’s still so much to do and explore during the autumn, so we thought we’d show you what your days could look like on a fall trip to Whistler.

Day 1: Find Fall Colours, Coffee and Art

When you arrive, check in at your accommodation and then stretch your legs by taking a walk down the Whistler Village Stroll. This will allow you to get the lay of the land, take note of a few potential places to dine and pick up any gear you might need (or want) for the rest of your getaway.

We suggest stopping in at a local coffee shop for something cinnamon-sprinkled, be that a latte, bun, or both! Our top java picks include Moguls Coffee House, Mount Currie Coffee Co. and Artigiano Whistler. Have your treat while enjoying the golds and reds of the trees that line the Village Stroll.

Just off the Village Stroll, you’ll find a stunning piece of contemporary architecture that houses the impressive art collections of the Audain Art Museum. Spend a couple of hours exploring the permanent collection, which has one of Canada’s strongest Emily Carr collections, as well as art by notable post-war modernists such as E.J. Hughes, Gordon Smith and Jack Shadbolt.

Spending time around art specifically from British Columbia can give you a new perspective when out meandering, enjoying some of the same vistas and landscapes that influenced some of the artists featured.

You will likely have worked up an appetite by now and had some time to contemplate the places you saw on your earlier walk. For a casual dinner that’s close to the Audain, we suggest Hunter Gather on  Main Street, Caramba! along the Village Stroll (opposite The Gap), or Earls Kitchen + Bar.

If you’re not ready for the night to end just yet, you could see if there’s any live music on at the Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub or FireRock Lounge, both located close to the base of Whistler Mountain.

Day 2: E-Biking the Whistler Valley Trail

Get ready to utilize one of Whistler’s gems – the 50-kilometre Whistler Valley Trail. This car-free trail weaves its way in and out of Whistler’s neighbourhoods, parks and lakes, and today we suggest you tackle it via e-bike.

The free Go Whistler Tours app includes a half-day self-guided fall bike route from Whistler Village to Creekside and around Alta Lake for a 12-kilometre loop. However, we suggest that as you have that additional pedal power, you can venture a bit further – to Whistler’s funky Function Junction.

You’ll find two breweries, coffee shops and bakeries, galleries and design-based shops, all well worth the extra kilometres (and ideal for a fall getaway when it’s not too hot to bike there!). You could opt to make a lunch stop in Creekside on the way or when you’re in Function Junction. If you’re into craft beer, visit Whistler Brewing Co. and Coast Mountain Brewing, both in Function.

When you get back, we suggest relaxing in the pool or hot tub at your accommodation or booking a spa appointment after your day in the saddle. If your accommodation didn’t come with a hot tub, then it’s good to know that if you book a spa appointment at Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler Day Spa (located inside the Pan Pacific Village Centre), or the Vida Spa at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, you get to use the facilities (conditions apply).

You might want to stay in your robe once you’ve got it on, so why not opt for room service or delivery from your favourite restaurant this evening? Take-out is another option, and Main Street is where to go as it has a plethora of grab-and-go options from Aussie pies to Thai noodles.

There’s nothing like dining in with a view of the mountains, the fireplace going and perhaps a glass of something locally produced.

Day 3: Mud, Mountains and a Spa Day

Whistler is located in a lush, temperate rainforest, which means that any fall getaway will typically be on the wetter side of things. But don’t let the H2O deter you; as long as you have the right clothing, you can certainly have fun in the rain.

That’s why they like to dress you in head-to-toe wet-weather gear when you head out on a guided ATV, Mountain Buggy / Side-by-Side, or Jeep 4X4 adventure. This experience is all about finding muddy puddles and splashing through them!

After your adventurous morning, we suggest slowing the pace by heading to an outdoor spa. Scandinave Spa Whistler is an outdoor hydrotherapy spa near Lost Lake, a few minutes north of Whistler Village.

The idea is to cycle through a process of heating and cooling the body, at least three times, using the cold plunge pools, hot baths, saunas and steam rooms, not to mention just relaxing in the solariums or on the deck next to a crackling fire.

After you feel refreshed from the spa, we think it’s time for one of Whistler’s fine dining experiences. During the fall, a lot of local restaurants have special deals, but make sure to reserve in advance if there’s a place that takes your fancy, as even in the fall, popular days and times can book out. Some of our favourites include Hy’s Steakhouse, Bearfoot Bistro, Balam, Araxi, Trattoria di Como and Il Caminetto, all found in Whistler Village, and the Rimrock Cafe and Red Door Bistro in Creekside.

Day 4: Ancient Cedars & Cultural Connections

Located just north of Whistler Village in the Soo Valley is the Ancient Cedars Trail. This hike is a mellow five-kilometre trip that is beautiful in the fall. You do need a vehicle to access it (4×4 recommended), so if you’re looking for another option that’s within walking distance of the Village, then opt for the trails around Lost Lake Park.

After a morning of hiking, head to the Thunderbird Cafe inside the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) for a warming bowl of salmon chowder or venison chilli served with bannock bread (a must-try). Once you’re refuelled, join one of the hourly tours, which includes a hand drum welcome song, a guided tour with a Cultural Ambassador and a 15-minute video. We’d also suggest leaving time to peruse the gift shop as it’s full of beautiful keepsakes.

You are close to the Upper Village when you’re at the SLCC, so if you fancy an afternoon tipple, we suggest heading to the Braidwood Tavern inside the Four Seasons, which has an impressive array of local craft beers, or The Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for a cocktail. If you’d rather head back into Whistler Village, then our choices for an afternoon libation are Brickworks, which has an array of gins and Bar Oso, which serves some of the most innovative cocktails in the mountains.

After you’ve had a shower and changed out of your hiking boots, we have a challenge for you before dinner. Did you know there’s a pirate ship in Whistler? A fun way to start the evening is to puzzle your way out of one of five imaginatively designed escape rooms. Then you could challenge your taste buds and opt for one of Whistler’s restaurants serving global cuisine like The Mexican Corner, Teppan Village, Ohyama Ramen, Mongolie Grill, or Sushi Village.

Whistler’s art scene tends to ramp up this season, so make sure you check our events calendar. You might find paint and comedy nights, wine walks, ski movie premieres, art exhibitions and speaker series are happening while you’re visiting. Whistler also has three key festivals which happen in the fall and early winter: the Whistler Writers Festival (October/November), Cornucopia (November) and Whistler Film Festival (December). All three are events you could base a trip around.

Day 5: Fall Fishing in Whistler

It’s been an active few days, so maybe it’s time for a lie-in. You could opt for breakfast in bed through in-room dining (check out the photo from the decadent in-room breakfast at Four Seasons Whistler), send a willing party out to scout down fresh cinnamon buns and coffee or head out for brunch.

If you’re located in Whistler Village, we suggest trying the cinnamon buns or flaky pastries from Hot Buns Bakery and purebread, whereas if you’re in Creekside, go to BReD or Fix Cafe, and in the Upper Village, Portobello. For a sit-down brunch experience, we’d go for Crepe Montagne (check for seasonal closures) and Hunter Gather, both on Main Street, or Stonesedge Kitchen, which is closer to the centre of Whistler Village.

Now that you’ve had breakfast, let’s talk about what you’re going to catch for dinner. Coho and Chum salmon are what anglers are after in October until the end of November, explains Matthew Prosdocimi, owner and fishing guide at Whistler Year-Round Fishing. Trout follow the salmon, so the fall is an active time in the waters around Whistler.

We’d suggest a half or full day of fishing with a guide, followed by dinner at a restaurant that really knows how to showcase BC fish. Wild Blue, Araxi, Il Caminetto and Alta Bistro all pride themselves on using locally-sourced ingredients and produce that are in season.

Whistler in Fall: What to Know Before You Go

Come prepared for changing weather.
Fall in Whistler can bring everything from crisp, sunny afternoons to rain and the first snow at higher elevations — sometimes all in the same trip.

Pack layers and waterproof gear.
A waterproof jacket, warm mid-layer and comfortable waterproof footwear will make it much easier to enjoy Whistler whatever the weather is doing. If you’re planning to bike, hike or head out on an ATV adventure, bring clothing you don’t mind getting a little muddy. A toque and gloves can also come in handy later in the season.

Check seasonal hours before you set out.
Fall is Whistler’s quieter season, which means some attractions, tours, restaurants and businesses may operate on reduced schedules or close temporarily between the summer and winter seasons. Check opening hours and activity availability before building your day around a particular experience.

You don’t need a car.
Whistler Village is pedestrian-friendly, and the Valley Trail connects many neighbourhoods, parks and lakes. Local buses, taxis and bike rentals can also help you get around. However, some experiences farther from the Village, including the Ancient Cedars Trail, require vehicle access unless you go on a guided tour that includes transportation (possibly cheaper than parking fees and gas).

Check out Whistler’s Fall Events.
The Whistler Writers Festival happens in late October and is for readers, writers and storytellers of all kinds. Hosted at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, it’s a welcoming space with a variety of different literary events. Whistler celebrates food and wine in November with its Cornucopia festival, offering drink seminars, parties, culinary demonstrations, tastings, winemaker dinners and galas.

Book key experiences ahead of time.
Fall might be quieter than peak winter and summer, but popular restaurants, spas, guided adventures and special events can still fill up, particularly on weekends like Thanksgiving, and during festivals such as Whistler Cornucopia and the Whistler Writers Festival. It’s worth booking the experiences you don’t want to miss in advance.

This five-day fall getaway itinerary only scratches the surface of what’s on offer in Whistler during the fall. The team at Whistler.com is all locally based, right in Whistler, so if you’d like help crafting your own fall getaway, then give them a call. We hope to see you in the mountains before the snow starts to fly!

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Evolving from a living room gathering with one invited author to an annual four-day event with school programs that attract an average of 1,800 guests and 60 presenting authors and publishers, the Whistler Writers Festival has developed to become both a literary destination and integral expression of one community’s many voices.

This year the festival takes place November 5 to 8, 2026. 

Once Upon a Time…

Stella Harvey moved to Whistler 26 years ago with her husband. He was the skier; she was the one seeking a writing community. Harvey tells how she asked Whistler’s beloved first librarian, Joan Richoz, if there was a local writing group. Richoz, unaware of any, turned to Harvey and said, “Why don’t you start one?”

Harvey took up the challenge and placed an advertisement in the local newspaper. In response, 20 people showed up at her house for the first gathering of what would be the inaugural meeting of a writers group that continues to this day.

“There were people who were in my living room that first meeting that are still here and have gone on to publish, and are still part of the group.”

Facilitating the group, Harvey became inspired to host developmental craft sessions for the group of Whistler writers. In 2002, Harvey invited poet and novelist Andreas Schroeder to lead a workshop. “The first festival was in my house,” relays Harvey. Twelve writers attended, 25 years ago. “And then from there, it grew.” 

The Next Chapters: Growing Gains

The first incarnation of the Whistler Writers Festival was divided between Harvey’s house and The Point Artist-Run Centre. “As the first few years started, we wanted to attract more than writers,” Harvey reflects. The offerings were expanded not just to include writing workshops but also readings by invited authors: enlarging the audience to writers and readers.

And the community was behind this growing initiative, from the beginning. Support from sponsors and venues, in addition to grant funding, was beginning to come in from local to national sources. The Whistler Writers Festival grew and so began to move around town. It has been held at Base II on Blackcomb, the Ski Patrol Cabin in Creekside, the Spruce Grove community buildings, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Aava Hotel, the Maury Young Art Centre and its most recent home: the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Hundreds of authors, 99% of whom have been Canadian, from international bestsellers and prestigious award winners to local voices, have been included in an eclectic and often experimental range of programming, including Richard Wagamese, Lawrence Hill, Julian Brave NoiseCat, Maude Barlow, Vincent Lam, Lorna Crozier, Robert Bringhurst, Russell Wangersky, Miriam Toews, Patrick DeWitt, Darrel J. McLeod and Omar El Akkad to name a few. 

The Page Turner

As much as the Whistler Writers Festival has grown, it has remained bespoke and intimate. Harvey headed up the annual event for 20 years, handing over the reins of Artistic and Executive Director to Rebecca Wood Barrett five years ago.

Wood Barrett happened to be one of the initial people who first showed up to Harvey’s newspaper appeal for a writers group. Wood Barrett has been a part of the festival from the beginning and is continuing the legacy that Harvey established, founded on Harvey’s repeated utterance, and evidenced in the programming: “inclusivity is really important to me.”

Wood Barrett, an award-winning author herself, maintains, “We always want every audience member, every guest author, every storyteller, volunteer, and staff member to feel like they’re in the right place.” With her genuine spirit of generosity, Harvey says of Wood Barrett’s festival vision: “I’m so appreciative that Becky is putting her own mark on it. Changing it as she sees fit.”

Wood Barrett displays such admiration for her mentor and the legacy she has inherited:

“And I think today we are still doing the same thing. The festival is a place where people can meet new friends and experience new ideas and perspectives. A friend last year brought her mother, and she said she’d never met a trans person before and she’d never heard an Indigenous storyteller before. And I thought that was wonderful.” Wood Barrett continues, “Some of those stories will also be very familiar for some people. They’ll say, ‘I feel like I have been seen or my struggles are not only my own.’”

The Whistler Writers Festival offers an opportunity to be touched by words, by ideas, by innovation and imagination. As Wood Barrett encapsulates, “vulnerability can happen because it’s a safe space.”

The Programme

This year the festival celebrates 25 Years of Stories!

The lineup includes the following new events and interactive workshops: Celebrating Sea to Sky Stories; Duelling Editors; The Body Writes: Exploring Rhythm in Storytelling; Closing Doors: How Using Generative AI Can Impact Your Book, and The Literary Salon: A Cure for Drowning.

Audience demographics are evenly split between the regional Sea to Sky area and literary-destination visitors. There are several book groups from Vancouver and Seattle who have established yearly rituals of attendance.

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The Whistler Writers Festival has long been aware of cultural and accessibility barriers to both attendance and comfort and has intentionally offered free events, used a diversity of venues and partnered with different groups to broaden accessibility.

“I think that is part of how we’ve been able to reach out to different audiences. And especially the last couple of years, our team has very much tried to sort of figure out who the different groups are, or what the different interests might be, and try to reach out to those groups.”

The Whistler Writers Festival is committed to fostering relationships with many communities and continues to support the reciprocal building of trust. 

Authors in the Schools

“We have quite a large school audience, which isn’t really in the public eye. So the program is not always well known. But we involve students in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, and Mount Currie, grades 4 to 12,” comments Wood Barrett.

Each year, 420 books by three selected authors are delivered to 20 schools throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor. The delivery of books is followed up by the authors visiting the schools.

In 2013, the first Authors in School Program began, and the late Richard Wagamese was the renowned writer to inaugurate the initiative. Harvey, with tears in her eyes, reflects on a presentation by Wagamese, author of Indian Horse, to a group of Grade 12 students.

“I was abused in every possible way you could imagine,” the author began in the inaugural session. He proceeded to outline some of those ways, and I worried that perhaps this was too much for the students.

“At 16, a friend told me I didn’t have to take it anymore. I left foster care and headed for the big city, the streets of Toronto.” The students, who upon arrival at the SLCC had pushed, shoved and joked with each other, were now spellbound.

“You’re further ahead than I am,” the author said. “You’re in grade 12. You’ll graduate this year. You know where I got my education?” They shook their heads. “I was cold and hungry, and I saw a building that I might go into for a few hours to warm up. Do you know what that building was?” Again, silence.

“It was a library,” the author said. “A librarian noticed me and suggested books I might like. Every day, she brought me others to read. This is how I began to write and tell my stories. One librarian, one person, took an interest.“

And taking an interest and supporting the sharing of stories is what has earmarked the Whistler Writers Festival from the beginning.

Writer-in-Residence Program

The festival also started a Writer-in-Residence Program in 2007, where, for the process of several months, a small cohort of writers works with an esteemed writer who mentors them through the process of writing their own manuscripts.

This year, for the 25th anniversary of the Whistler Writers Festival, Stella Harvey is the celebrated author stepping into this role. Part of the Festival programming this year also involves a book launch of Harvey’s fourth novel, Disruption, published by Signature Editions.

It feels fitting that Harvey should be honoured so, in this celebratory year for the festival. Along with spearheading the festival as a volunteer for 20 years and facilitating the still-ongoing local writers group, she won the Whistler Champion of Arts and Culture award (2015) and the Whistler Citizen of the Year Award (2022) for her efforts to promote the literary arts in Whistler, and the Rotary Foundation’s Paul Harris Fellow award. She has also mentored students in The Writers Studio at Simon Fraser University for the past nine years.

Harvey planted the seeds, let them flower and continues to be part of the blooming of a local event of literary stature and significance. Harvey, however, remains one of the most humble people one could ever meet, and quickly points out: “I don’t think anyone succeeds alone.” Harvey embodies and epitomizes what community is and can be.

The Plot in Present Tense

“We’re holding steadfast to bringing people together, along with trying to stay relevant and bring authors, books, storytellers that are exciting and have diverse thoughts, diverse stories to tell,” says Wood Barrett.

The Artistic and Executive Director is joined by another part-time employee, the Program and Project Coordinator, and a short-term contracted Marketing Specialist to execute the annual event. An enthusiastic Board of Directors and 50 volunteers all come together to make it happen.

As much as the festival has grown over the years, so too has it seen its struggles: as artistic funding has been cut back significantly in this country. The festival has been faced with cutting certain aspects of its programming (including the beloved Literary Cabaret, a signature offering for over a decade) and changing up its offerings.

Not only has the festival necessarily needed to steadfastly apply itself to diversifying its revenue, but it has also had to stay at the forefront of changing trends and challenges to the literary world when it comes to AI and trying to understand its potential impacts.

The Whistler Writers Festival remains relevant because it has always been, and continues to be, part of valuable conversations. It’s a festival that values words and their impact, and the ability to bring people together through the sharing of stories.

Add your voice, your ears and your heart to the conversation this fall.

The post The Whistler Writers Festival Celebrates 25 Years appeared first on The Whistler Insider.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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The full artist and performer line-up will be available soon on the Arts Whistler website. Check back for updates.

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“It’s such a privilege for me to be involved with this festival,” says Dave Francis, Programs and Events Manager at Arts Whistler. “Going into its 43rd year the Children’s Festival has evolved many times, and this year feels like the beginning of a new era.

We’re focused on delivering a festival that has space for everyone to participate, that fills the streets with joy and wonder and delivers world class theatre shows and workshops. We know the creative thinkers and performers of the future are there with us, so our job is just to light the spark of imagination and see what they’ll do next.”

Whistler Children’s Festival 2026:
Dates: May 15 to 17, 2026
Location: Whistler, BC
Events: 8 shows, 13 workshops and free entertainment
Price: Shows tickets $20 and workshop tickets $15, family packs of 4 tickets are discounted to $70
Best for: Kids aged 3 to 12 who love to have fun!

Let’s Dive In

I’m a Whistler-based mom of three (current ages 7 and 9), who has been going to the Whistler Children’s Festival for four years. I’m going to walk you through what I’ve learned over the years, as well as dive into what’s happening this year.

The schedule has been carefully curated so that your little ones can get pumped at a performance and then have a go themselves with a workshop (all around 45 minutes long). Kids love the impromptu roving entertainment and the chance to show off their moves with free activities like the beloved kids’ karaoke, the Ta Da Lady, dance parties, Stories on Wheels and more (the free activities schedule launches in early May).

So, let the Whistler Children’s Festival take care of the weekend entertainment – all you’ve got to do is bring the kids! 

What You Need to Know

• Get your tickets in advance! As someone who has attempted to “wing” this festival in the past, I’d advise getting your tickets in advance as some of these shows and workshops sell out ahead of time (the science events tend to go first). And if you’ve already promised a rocket launch and don’t deliver, it’s gonna take a lot of ice cream to come back from that. Workshop tickets are $15 and theatre shows are $20 per ticket, with the option of a four-ticket show bundle for $70 ($10 in savings).
• Most of the theatre shows are good for all ages (three to 12). There must be an adult (19+) in attendance to supervise during the shows (what a great excuse)!
• Double-check the suggested age for the workshops. Some of them are split into older and younger groups. If your kiddo’s on the cusp of the age group, email the event organizers. For the younger kiddos in workshops, parents are welcome to stay and help (no need to buy an extra ticket), but for the older ones, you can go grab a coffee!
• The theatre performances (40 minutes) and workshops (45 minutes) are all happening at the Maury Young Arts Centre (MYAC), which is located in the heart of Whistler Village. There are also activations in and around Olympic Plaza and over at Florence Petersen Park, which is a lovely, shaded green space behind the Whistler Public Library. This is a very walkable section of ground to cover, even with little legs, and there are moments of surprise around each corner during the festival!
• NEW for this year is the kids’ market, run by Bratz Biz, which empowers young entrepreneurs. Find them on the Whistler Village Stroll close to Whistler Olympic Plaza (and purebread) and peruse the young artisan and knick-knacks on offer.

Whistler Children’s Festival at a Glance

Free Festival Street Party on Friday

Face painting, you say? Sidewalk chalk extravaganza? Popping bubbles to sing-along tunes? We’re in. The Children’s Festival kicks off on Friday at MYAC with the free Festival Street Party. You can take a look at the program of events and book some more things right there, but remember, if there’s a key thing your child is interested in, it’s best to book in advance.

Pyjama and Popcorn Movie Night

After you’ve partied, it’s time to get the PJs on and join rookie cops Judy Hoops and Nick Wilde in Zootopia 2 on the big screen at MYAC. Kiddos must be accompanied by an adult, so this is a family movie night!

Whistler Children’s Festival – Itineraries

I don’t have to tell you that kids don’t (and shouldn’t) fit neatly into boxes, and one of the fun ways of exploring the festival is to dip into all the different genres like a kid with a pick ‘n’ mix. However, to give you an idea of a few possible itineraries, I’ve devised three by event-type below.

For Those Kiddos Who Want to Join the Circus

Comedy Magic Workshop

Think your kid would love to master a good card trick, explore the secrets of mentalism and build stage confidence? Rod Boss’s Comedy Magic Workshop makes magic accessible, exciting and fun, so your kiddo can amaze family and friends! Get your tickets here.

Learn to Stiltwalk and Juggle Workshop

Perhaps your kiddo is more into physical exploits? Kids create their own balls and then learn the basics of juggling, as well as having a go on actual stilts! Note that this workshop is on at the same time and place on both Saturday and Sunday. Get your tickets here.

Fool’s Proof: A Clowning Workshop

Do you have a little comedian who needs an outlet? This is a fun-filled workshop that dives into the world of clowning, exploring character, performance style, movement, storytelling, dance, music, and costume. It’s interactive and confidence-building, learning creative ways to communicate and think outside the box. Get your tickets here.

Object Balancing Workshop

Kids get to learn how to keep things from falling with award-winning juggler, Yuki. This is a hands-on workshop that develops coordination and control, and some interesting ways to stack stuff! We’ve heard from the Arts Whistler team that the objects being balanced get harder with age! Get your tickets here.

The Comedy Magic of Rod Boss – Performance

Join the Children’s Magician of the Year in an interactive magic show that’s wowed audiences across the globe. This is an event the whole family will enjoy. Get your tickets here.

Yuki the Juggler: All the Way From Japan

Ancient Japanese traditions collide with jaw-dropping circus tricks, samurai swords, and sparkling crystal balls in this all-ages show with award-winning Japanese Canadian, Yuki. He blends the rhythm, skill and spectacle of a 400-year-old Japanese performance art with modern juggling and hilarious audience fun. Get your tickets here.

Sunday: Kendama Workshop

A kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy consisting of a handle (usually made of wood) and a ball with a string connecting the two. It may look simple, but this toy can pull off some serious tricks, which your kids can learn alongside Yuki. Get your tickets here.

How Your Children’s Festival Could Look

Saturday, May 16: A workshop in magic, juggling and stilts, or clowning (only time for one of these), followed by balancing objects and then a magic show.

Sunday, May 17: Inspired by yesterday’s workshop, you head to Yuki’s juggling show, then to the stilts and juggling workshop, followed by kendama.

For the Little Scientists & Budding Astronauts

Saturday & Sunday: Orbaz and Pepper Do Science

Kicking off the performances at this year’s festival is the enigmatic team of Orbax and Pepper with the Do Science Show. This show is all about weird science that’s messy and loud, featuring interactive experiments and crowd participation. Get your Saturday tickets here and Sunday tickets here.

Rocket Science Workshop with Orbax and Pepper

Calling all space cadets! Junior scientists use baking soda, vinegar and a soda bottle to create their own rocket for blast-off in this hands-on workshop happening Saturday, May 16, from 4 to 4:45 PM at MYAC, good for ages six plus.

Get your tickets here.

Martian Landing Workshop

What goes up must come down. Kids take on the challenge of designing a safe landing system, made out of everyday materials, that can be dropped from as high as possible! Get your tickets here.

For the Budding Artists, Performers & Musicians

Songs and Rattle Workshop

Does your little one love music? This interactive workshop is a joyful way to connect with Indigenous culture, music, and creativity. Led by Indigenous musician Virginia Sparvier-Wells, festival goers are treated to beautiful flute music and learn a rattle song composed especially for young children. Get your tickets here.

Penny Pompom and Fae the Garden Fairy

Mixing music and magic, Penny Pom Pom and Fae the Garden Fairy lead kiddos in singing and dancing. With fan favourites like “A Hug from Mother Earth” and “The Pom Pom Song,” this show is a joyful, engaging experience for children of all ages that will have kiddos on their feet. Get your tickets here.

Acting Out! An Improv Acting Workshop

This session blends equal parts learning and laughter through theatre and improv games designed to build confidence, hone listening skills, and nurture creativity—while also developing character through storytelling. Note that there are two workshops, one for ages seven to nine and the other for 10+. Get your tickets for the younger age group here and the older age group here.

Laugh Out LIVE! The Joke Jamboree

This is a fast-paced comedy variety show for families, packed with big laughs from start to finish. Featuring improv inspired by audience suggestions, larger-than-life characters, and prize giveaways, this lively show gets both kids and parents playing and giggling together. Get your tickets here.

Creative Movement Workshop

Dance to powwow music, kids’ pop, and other lively tunes while exploring rhythm, energy, and joy through movement with Indigenous musician Virginia Sparvier-Wells. Get your tickets here.

Magic Art with Jess: Watercolours Workshop

Who doesn’t love a sloth? Young artists will learn basic sketching and watercolour techniques to create their very own sloth painting. Taught by professional artist Jessica Mai, this is a step-by-step watercolour creation that you get to take home with you! Get tickets here.

Glamily – Dance & Dress-Up Party

This is a joyful gender-creative dress-up and dance party with local drag performers. Part drag show, part lip-sync open mic, and part dress-up party, Glamily is 100% fun. Dance, celebrate, laugh, and show off your most glamorous self in a welcoming and inclusive space. Get tickets here.

Powwow Mash-Up

Powwow Mash-UP! brings the excitement, skill, and creativity of Indigenous dance from the Plains to life with hoop dances, flute music and stories. Dancers from the Cree, Blackfoot, Stoney Nakoda, and Tahltan/Kaska communities of Wild Mint Arts share the meaning behind each dance, giving children a chance to celebrate, learn and ask questions about this rich cultural treasure. Get tickets here.

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Whistler Children’s Festival Top Picks By Age

After reading through the descriptions, I put a few of my top picks below.

Younger Kid Top Picks

1. Penny Pompom and Fae the Garden Fairy
2. Songs and Rattle Workshop
3. Glamily

Tween Kid Top Picks

1. Acting Out! An Improv Acting Workshop
2. Comedy Magic Workshop
3. Fool’s Proof: A Clowning Workshop
4. Kendama Workshop
5. Powwow Mash-Up

All-Family Top Picks

1. Powwow Mash-Up
2. The Comedy Magic of Rod Boss
3. Yuki the Juggler: All the Way From Japan

Phew! That’s quite the festival! From science to dancing, acting and painting, the Whistler Children’s Festival covers a lot of creative ground. Remember to factor in the free events, time for snacks and that letting your hair down alongside your kiddo is what this festival is all about.

8 Top Whistler Children’s Festival Tips

1. Note that the doors open half an hour before the start time of the theatre performances. We all know kiddos can take their sweet time getting out the door, so aim for the doors open time so you have time to settle in before the show starts! The decals from the Anonymous Art Show will be on display in the free gallery, which you walk through to get to the theatre – a fun feast for the eyes!
2. The majority of the workshops only have the capacity for 15 kiddos, so booking early is recommended. These small group sizes allow children to fully engage independently, which is perfect for parents who want to grab a coffee or explore nearby. For workshops geared toward ages 4 to 6, parents are welcome to stay if their child needs extra support (you don’t have to buy another ticket). Come five to 10 minutes before the start time for these.
3. Bring snacks and a refillable water bottle (there are water stations at MYAC and Olympic Plaza), creativity is thirsty work! Note that noisy packaging or crunchy snacks should be avoided during shows and workshops. Check out our blog on family dining in Whistler for suggestions for dinner.
4. If your child falls outside of a workshop’s listed age range, parents are encouraged to email Arts Whistler at moc.reltsihwstraobfsctd-66194b@ofni to discuss if the workshop is a good fit.
5. In between performances and workshops, you could head to the children’s play area (opposite Blenz), a short walk away from the Maury Young Arts Centre. There are coffee shops and bakeries all around this area if anyone is peckish!
6. Book your accommodation ahead of time to make things easier, and think about choosing somewhere in Whistler Village to reduce walk time on little legs. Booking earlier typically means you save money, especially on hotel packages. With Whistler.com, if you stay three nights or longer, you get a free $150 activity voucher.
7. Bring family and friends. As Whistler has so much to do, you can bring your in-laws, parents or other friends and family so you can sneak out for a date night!
8. Know that you and your family are welcome at the festival. We’re all in the same boat; kids have meltdowns (as do parents). The Whistler Children’s Festival is an open and understanding place for your child to explore the magic of performance. With each show and workshop being around 45 minutes long, it’s an accessible introduction to this world, which I hope will lead to a lifetime of cultural fun.

Stay 3+ Nights and Receive a Free Activity Voucher

Stay longer than the weekend and enjoy more of Whistler. Receive a free $150 CAD Activity Voucher on stays of 3+ nights if you book before April 30 with promo code SUMMER2026 or call 1.800.944.7853 and mention the offer to one of our Travel Consultants when booking. This offer is only at Whistler.com while quantities last!

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Born out of a love of all that is mountain culture, WSSF has been the ultimate après of the winter season since 1996. It brings together ski and snowboard competitions with pro athletes, music headliners, art, photography, filmmaking and nightlife, plus some of the best skiing and après sessions of the season. Trust us – you’ll need more than the weekend to appreciate this vibe.

Whether it’s your first year or you’re a festival pro, here’s all the intel you need to make the most of this favourite Whistler festival.

What to Expect at WSSF 2026

The World Ski & Snowboard Festival returns for its 30th anniversary with a bold, reimagined format. This year’s lineup brings more ways than ever to dive into the thrill – from snow sport showcases to art, film, music and nightlife, all set against Whistler’s iconic alpine backdrop.

Here’s what’s on tap for 2026:

• High-energy ski and snowboard events like The Grind, The Pipe, Rail Jams and the always epic Slush Cup
• Boundary-pushing creativity at the 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown, Pro Photo Showcase (new format for this year) and Intersection
• Free outdoor concerts and live performances in Whistler Village
• Après-ski and late-night events across Whistler’s legendary venues
• Community-led art installations, workshops and immersive activations happening throughout the week

NEW! The Pipe Powered by Rockstar

New for 2026, this high-energy event is happening on a purpose-built Mini Pipe on Blackcomb Mountain, Thursday, April 9, from noon to 2:30 PM. There’s spring snow vibes and live DJs pumping out the tunes as park regulars and invited standouts show off their flair on the pipe.

You can ride (it’s not a formal competition), or come and watch! It’s yet another sporting event centred on being outside, in the snow, having fun.

NEW! Safety Shred Days Presented by Arc’teryx & The Adventure Group

Designed for backcountry riders of all levels, Safety Shred Days on Monday, April 6, is a full-day mountain safety event created for riders who are pushing their limits the smart way. It focuses on avalanche awareness, risk management and real-world decision-making. The layout is small-group sessions with accredited mountain guides and safety professionals, combining practical theory, dryland learning and hands-on practice.

Safety Shred Days was founded in France by professional snowboarder Victor Daviet in response to real avalanche experiences and close calls in the mountains. The focus isn’t on a certification, but building confidence, sharper judgment, and better habits to carry with you in the mountains.

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The Grind

The grand finale of The Grind, a premier, street-style ski and board competition, is happening above the Catskinner Chair on Blackcomb Mountain (new location due to snow conditions lower down) on Friday, April 10 (ski) and Saturday, April 11 (snowboard). Expect jaw-dropping tricks and an electric atmosphere as some of the most progressive riders from around the world descend on Whistler to show their stuff.

The Grind Series has a goal of pushing the boundaries of street-style snowboarding, to challenge athletes, ignite creativity and then give that skill and dedication a platform. The result is an event with heart and personality – you gotta be there to experience it. Follow The Grind Series on Instagram for more news on who’s competing as it drops.

Slush Cup Presented by Corona and Supported by Celsius Energy

This event is a LOT of fun. Contestants attempt to make their way across an icy, slushy pool on their skis or board, typically sporting some kind of outfit (or the lack of one). I’m not sure what’s more thrilling, watching or taking part! Prizes are given out for Best Costume, Best Trick, Best Wipe-Out, and more.

See if you’ve got what it takes to brave the slush or simply cheer on the contestants on Sunday, April 12, 2026, right outside the Glacier Creek Lodge area on Blackcomb Mountain.

NEW! The Powder Puck Classic – Ski vs Snowboard Charity Hockey Matchup

We all know there’s a “friendly” rivalry between skiers and snowboarders, so WSSF is taking that to the ice (flat ice to be precise) to raise money for charity on April 6 at Meadow Park Sports Centre. The event features a live DJ, in-game announcers, liquor service, giveaways and prizing throughout the night, creating a lively spectator experience for athletes, locals and fans alike.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the McMorris Foundation. Learn more on the WSSF website.

Culture Events at WSSF

Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Perfected over years and years of festivals, some core culture events have stood the test of time to return for this year’s festival, like the 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the Pro Photo Showcase (new format this year), and Intersection on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Tickets sell out fast for these events, so make sure you get yours asap!

The Whistler Conference Centre is the off-the-slopes WSSF Base Camp, and Whistler Village will also be buzzing with the Village Expo, running April 9 to 12, featuring activations and demo tents (typically with some fun freebies). Lavazza, Volvo, Rockstar, Salomon, Nikwax, No Days Wasted, and Duer are among the brands you’ll find on the stroll from 10 AM to 4 PM.

WSSF Culture Events Overview:

• 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown presented by YETI (April 7) challenges teams to shoot, edit and produce a three to five-minute film captured within 100 kilometres of Whistler in just 72 hours.
• Intersection, presented by Arc’teryx (April 8), pushes artistic snow sports crews to their limits. Five invited crews have 12 days within a four-week window to shoot, edit and submit a five to seven-minute cinematic, winter action sports film. This is an adrenaline-filled night!
• Pro Photo Showcase is the new format for the beloved Pro Photographer Showdown. This year, they’re celebrating 30 years of incredible photography by exhibiting photos from over the decades in the grand foyer of the Whistler Conference Centre during the festival (free to enter).

WSSF’s Live Outdoor Music Series

The live music lineup for WSSF is legendary, bringing in world-class acts and epic party vibes every year to the base of Whistler Mountain, all for free. This year, Skiers Plaza delivers the beats, with the lineup including Juno-winning artists across a range of genres, including EDM, reggae and hip hop.

Thursday, April 9: ZADA & Surf Hat

Opening the stage on Thursday, April 9, is Whistler-based artist ZADA, a rising voice in Canada’s alternative R&B scene whose soulful sound bridges cultures and genres.

She’s followed by Squamish-based psych-surf duo Surf Hat, fresh off an Australian tour. Known for their electric live performances, catchy hooks, and reverb-soaked guitars, Surf Hat will bring a high-energy set to kick off the Outdoor Live Music Series.

Friday, April 10: The Funk Hunters & DJ Vandelux

On Friday, April 10, the energy shifts to electronic as the decks are taken over by iconic DJs, with Canadian duo The Funk Hunters hitting the stage at 3 PM. The Funk Hunters, who have reached #1 on the Billboard Dance Club Chart and performed at major festivals including Red Rocks, Coachella, Burning Man, and Shambhala.

Vancouver-born producer and DJ Vandelux, a.k.a. Evan White, will keep the party going with a dynamic DJ set. Spinning a kaleidoscope of emotion into pulsating beats, glistening keys and iridescent melodies, Vandelux delivers a sound that moves seamlessly between introspective and euphoric.

In addition to his Friday performance, he returns Sunday for a special Slush Cup DJ set on Blackcomb Mountain, bringing his signature sound to one of WSSF’s most iconic spring traditions.

Saturday, April 11: Maestro Fresh Wes & Snotty Nose Rez Kids

Saturday, April 11, is a celebration of Canadian hip-hop, led by the Godfather of Canadian Hip-Hop, Maestro Fresh Wes (Wes Williams). The Toronto-born trailblazer will take the stage with a legacy defined by historic firsts, including becoming the first Black Canadian artist to achieve gold and platinum status in Canada.

Snotty Nose Rez Kids (Yung Trybez and Young D), originally from Kitamaat Village, British Columbia, will bring their powerful presence to the WSSF stage. As one of the most recognized hip-hop acts in the country, they are known for sharp lyricism and fearless storytelling delivered through a high-voltage live show.

Sunday, April 12: Jah Cutta & Bedouin Soundclash

The series wraps Sunday, April 12, with a celebration of reggae and global sounds. Known as Canada’s King of Reggae, the Jamaica-born, Montreal-based artist Jah Cutta brings his uplifting, roots-driven sound and over four decades of performance experience to the stage.

Closing out the Outdoor Live Music Series are Canadian indie rock and reggae mainstays Bedouin Soundclash, whose genre-defying career has earned them JUNO Awards, Top 10 radio hits, and international tours alongside No Doubt, Ben Harper, The Interrupters, and Thievery Corporation.

After Dark Series

The After Dark Music Series features popular guest DJs, live performances and themed dance parties across Whistler’s bars and clubs. Get ready for stacked lineups, high-energy beats, and unforgettable nights. Check out the 2026 lineup in the Insta post below.

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WSSF Base Camp

Head to the Whistler Conference Centre on April 7 and 8 to check out the WSSF Base Camp. There’s a mini skateboard ramp (check the schedule for skate times), the Arc’teryx ReBIRD program (gear trade-ins), the Pro Photo Showcase gallery, arcade games and more free fun. Base Camp can be accessed for free from 10 AM to 5 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday, with access from 6 to 7 PM exclusive to event ticket holders (Intersection and 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown).

Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada is running an online silent auction (April 1 to 12, 2026) of all the images in the Pro Photo Showcase gallery, which spans 30 years of outstanding photography. Bid on your favourite image and if you’re lucky enough to take it home, know that with 100% of the proceeds go directly to POW.

6 WSSF Festival Tips

1. Book early – The combination of killer spring weather and tons of entertainment means WSSF draws big crowds. For the best rate and the most options, I recommend locking down your accommodation early. Extend your stay during WSSF and for every third night booked, receive a free $75 CAD Whistler Après Voucher.
2. Get your event tickets early – In the same vein, tickets for the WSSF culture events, like the Filmmaker Showdown and Intersection, get snapped up like hotcakes. Buy your tickets online long before the show to save disappointment.
3. Sunscreen – After a long winter of hiding from the cold, your winter skin is primed for the roasting of a lifetime. Slap on plenty of sunscreen before venturing outdoors to save the scorch.
4. Pack costumes – Dust off that neon onesie or animal outfit! Wearing crazy outfits during WSSF is not just allowed, it’s encouraged. To see some real outfit creativity, you won’t want to miss out on the Slush Cup. Not everyone makes it across the pond, but at least they look good doing it.
5. Hydrate – Between skiing in the hot sun all day and dancing your face off all night, it can be easy to get dehydrated. Remember to pack a refillable water bottle and use it often to keep your fluids up.
6. Hearing protection for little ones – When the concert jams get pumping in Skier’s Plaza, it can be a bit loud for little ears. Pack some hearing protection for them so you can get amongst the action.

Free $75 Après Voucher for Every Third Night Booked

Get your goggle tan on with some sunny, soft, spring skiing alongside the WSSF action. Extend your stay during WSSF and for every third night booked, receive a free $75 CAD Whistler Après Voucher. Enter promo code SPRINGAPRES at check-out when booking online or call 1.800.944.7853 and mention the offer to one of our Travel Consultants.

Check out last year’s festival wrap for what it’s like to be part of WSSF!

The post Insider’s Guide to the World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) appeared first on The Whistler Insider.

Winter days in Whistler are pretty easy to get right. Wake up early, choose a mountain to upload, ski or snowboard until you’re hungry, aprés, hot tub, sleep, repeat. Days in Whistler are easily filled, but what about the evenings? Even the earliest of early birds doesn’t need to go to bed with the winter sun!

Whether you want to work up a sweat or let someone else do the work, here are some of my favourite Whistler evening activities.

1. Ice skating – Whistler Olympic Plaza and Meadow Park Sports Centre

Energy Required – 4/5 beans

Ok, so this might be a controversial activity to put second on my high-energy list, but if you’re like me and didn’t grow up with ice, or skating, or snow, then ice skating can be a fun, but also a physically and mentally taxing, activity.

Whistler Olympic Plaza

Located in the heart of the village, skating at Olympic Plaza is both beginner-friendly and photogenic. The rink features multi-coloured hanging icicles, is set against a picturesque mountain backdrop and is surrounded by Dr. Seuss-esque LED wrapped trees. Admission includes skate hire, skating aids and helmets (you can bring your own too). The rink is partially undercover, and strollers are welcome on the ice.

Meadow Park Sports Centre

Located on Highway 99 and easily accessible by public transit, the NHL-sized ice rink at Meadow Park Sports Centre is a good option for skaters who need more space. Skate rentals are available, and entry is half-price on Tuesday and Thursday nights. A skate sharpening service is also available.

2. Vallea Lumina

Energy Required – 3/5 beans

More gentle cardio than ice skating, Vallea Lumina is a stunning, multimedia, night walk. Lanterns guide the way along a twisting forest path, and into camp where thousands of coloured lights reflect off every snowy surface.

As you move deeper into the forest, intricate LED displays start to respond to your movement, until it feels as though the forest really is watching you. Most people spend about an hour moving through the trail, and costumed employees discreetly follow participants to ensure everybody’s safety.

Take a read of Magic in the Mountains: Winter Vallea Lumina for more information on this experience.

3. bubly Tube Park

Required Energy – 3/5 beans

I’ll be honest, I was initially skeptical about the bubly Tube Park. Located up at Base 2 on Blackcomb Mountain, I’d snowboarded past the popular park many times and always wondered about its appeal. Just how exciting could supervised tobogganing be?

The answer, it turns out, is very.

Flying down the thrill lane, having received a very generous push from the staff at the top, I knew I wasn’t going to fly off the course. I knew it, but I couldn’t feel it. All I could feel was the wind whipping my face, and my knuckles gripped tight on the handles. I was glad when multiple sets of bumpy rubber braking mats finally brought me to a stop, and then, having survived, I couldn’t wait to do it again! The magic carpet is a leg-saver and a half, and there’s also a chill lane for small humans.

To get to the tube park, you take the Excalibur Gondola from Skier’s Plaza at the base of Whistler Mountain (free for tube park users), and then there’s a steep, but short, wooden staircase from the gondola to the welcome area. Shoes with a good grip are recommended as you’ll be walking on snow, and warm clothes and waterproof pants are a good idea.

I realize now that comparing the bubly Tube Park to tobogganing is like comparing a waterpark to a backyard slip’n’slide. You might want to do this one before dinner!

4. Escape! Whistler

Required Energy – 3/5 beans – inside, but your brain will burn a lot of energy

With six different escape rooms at Escape! Whistler, this is an activity you’ll want to do more than once. It’s also one of the best Whistler evening activities if you’d prefer not to drink, but still want to be indoors. Open seven days a week into the evening, each experience is an hour long, with up to 45 minutes trapped in your chosen puzzle room.

I found the beginner-level Pirate Ship suitably challenging and enjoyed the temporary transportation to a warmer climate. At one point, I managed to escape the ocean, only to flop belly-first onto a sandy beach! The rooms are all lovingly designed by the local owners, and the Yukon Gold room is wheelchair accessible.

5. Festive Light Walks

Required Energy – 3/5 beans

Free and open all night, up to 350,000 individual LED bulbs on 6,500 strands of lights span Whistler Village from end to end and beyond. A lot of the best light displays are en route to the activities mentioned in this post, particularly around Olympic Plaza; however, the lights of the Fitzsimmons Creek Bridge and Rebagliati Park are worth seeking out. They’re part of the 1.2-kilometre Upper Village Festive Lights Tour, which is one of multiple self-guided walking tours available on Tourism Whistler’s new, free app – Go Whistler Tours.

The Upper Village Festive Lights Tour starts at Rebagliati Park, between Day Lots 1 and 2, on the Valley Trail towards the Upper Village (Blackcomb Base). You’ll know you’ve arrived when giant, sparkling woodland creatures are towering over you and an illuminated glacial creek gushes below.

Take a look at all of Whistler’s Festive Light Tours in Walking in a Winter Wonderland.

6. Audain Art Museum

Required Energy – 1/5 beans

A great option for an early, evening activity, the Audain Art Museum boasts an impressive permanent collection of British Columbian art, including several commissioned sculptures by contemporary First Nations artists and a large space for their rotating Special Exhibitions.

The art is top-notch, but as a member, it is the building itself that continually draws me in. Hidden in plain sight between the day parking lots, an elevated walkway takes you up and through the forest to an unassuming entrance. Once inside, a long, straight walkway with floor-to-ceiling glass connects the two gallery spaces and makes you feel like you’re outside, walking through the trees. One day, I even watched a black bear graze on the grass below, unaware and undisturbed by my presence.

A word of warning: the gift shop has many lovely, local pieces that you’ll want to take home with you. For more on the Audain, read Culture Up: How to Get the Most From a Visit to the Audain.

7. Fathom Stone Art Gallery

Required Energy – 3/5 beans

Carve your very own Whistler keepsake at the Fathom Stone Art Gallery. No experience is necessary as an instructor leads you through the whole process from sketching, to carving, sanding and polishing. It’s good for ages 3+, so family-friendly, and you can choose what you make, which dictates how long you craft for.

The gallery is open until 9 PM, so this is a fun activity for after a day on the hill, or even after dinner (they will also take just the kids if you’d prefer a cocktail at a nearby bar)! What’s great is that you leave the same day with a memento of your time in Whistler.

8. Fire & Ice Show

Fireworks and fire dancers spark up Sundays and special occasions through winter for the iconic Fire & Ice Show, creating a light display where skiers and snowboarders leap through flaming hoops to music.

Insider Info: Winter only (this event is weather dependent). Wear warm clothes!

Required Energy – 1/5 beans

Show up, watch, enjoy.

9. Throw Some Axes

There’s something decidedly therapeutic about tossing around some axes. And it’s even better when you hear the satisfying thud of the axe sinking into its target.

Forged Axe Throwing is open nightly, making it one of the best Whistler evening activities, whether there’s just one or two of you or an entire group. It’s very easy to try, and your session will include demonstrations, tips, and safety protocols. Plus, the guides are always happy to help you nail some trick shots.

Insider info: Open year-round. Situated right next to Coast Mountain Brewing, so you can head next door for a drink after your session.

Required Energy – 3/5 beans

It’s not quite the workout of cross-country skiing, but things can get pretty heated as you chuck axes at a wall. Fortunately, you can relax and watch others in between turns, so it’s a great balance of activity and atmosphere.

10. Hit up the Whistler Racket Club

The Whistler Racket Club is something of a hidden gem. It is multi-purpose, with sporting activities such as indoor and outdoor tennis, pickleball, corn hole, axe-throwing, and snowball fight zones at various times of the year.

Not to mention, the cafe and patio serve tasty snack foods and all your favourite drinks, making it a great place to spend an evening trying your hand at different activities and grabbing a bite with a few friends. It’s into the night and is an easy, quick walk from the Village for an extra convenient night out.

Required Energy – 4/5 beans

You could work up a sweat on the indoor courts, or you could take it easy, relaxing by the fire with snacks and a beverage. This is a case of choosing your adventure and deciding if you’d prefer to burn some pent-up energy or rest after a long day on the mountain.

11. Relax at the Spa

A night out doesn’t have to be a drain on your resources. Many of Whistler’s spas and wellness venues are open into the night, so you can spa, float or stretch out at a restorative yoga class and go to bed early for the best sleep of your life. You’ll be first in line the next day and have an excuse to laugh at the hungover strugglers.

Insider Info: Year-round. Combine with time in nature to really find your balance. Check out our DIY Retreat Guide or Learn More about Wellness options

Required Energy – -1/5 beans

You don’t need energy to relax at a spa. In fact, you can arrive with less than zero energy and walk out feeling much more relaxed and rejuvenated.

12. Cross-Country Skiing

Energy Required – 5/5 beans

If night falls and you find yourself with energy to burn, Lost Lake Park has you covered. Just a short walk from the village, this network of cross-country ski trails is open into the evening (they have snowshoeing trails too, but they’re only open until dusk). Rentals are available on-site, and if you get there early enough, you can watch the alpenglow from Lost Lake beach.

Be sure to bring warm layers – full zips are a good option as you will definitely heat up! A head torch is highly recommended; the trails are well signed and colour-coded, but you’ll need a personal source of light to see them! Phone torches are okay in a pinch, but remember that phone batteries deplete quickly in cold conditions.

13. Go Climbing at The Core

Energy Required – 5/5 beans

The Core gym is in the heart of Whistler Village and is typically open until 9/10 PM, which makes it perfect for an evening scale. You can rent shoes and a harness, and guided sessions are available. This is also a good option for active kids and youth; there’s even a Climb & Dine session for kids aged 7 to 14 from 6:30 to 8 PM, which includes their dinner, so parents can have theirs in peace!

14. Play Golf at The Sim

Energy Required – 4/5 beans

Whether you’re looking to keep your swing sharp over winter or want the play some of the world’s best courses, head to Whistler Golf Club clubhouse and try their state-of-the-art golf simulator with Trackman technology.

Multi-hour sessions can accommodate up to six golfers, with times from 10 AM to 9 PM (club rental is complimentary).  For bookings after 4 PM, it’s best to call the golf shop at 604-932-3280.

 

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Whistler is definitely a high-energy kind of place, but no matter how many beans you’re left with at the end of the day, there are plenty of Whistler evening activities to choose from.

The post 14 Things to Do in Whistler in the Evening in Winter appeared first on The Whistler Insider.