Solstice Festival 2009

Where Music and Culture Meet Community Spirit…

Once again the glorious days that blend into 24 hours of brilliant sunshine are upon us..the awakening of the north…the celebration of summer. A time to reflect and enjoy music, culture and community spirit..we bring you the Summer Solstice Festival.

Looking back 10 years…

...on a drizzly September afternoon, 1000 wonderful knifers joined us. The line up included Lila Gilday, Wide Mouth Mason and an eclectic mix of talented northern musicians. The skies parted for the six hour show (our guardian angel must be a musician!)

Baby, We’ve Come a Long Way…

...from a 6 hour show to a five day multicultural celebration with over 15,000 people in attendance! This year, after receiving accolades in national papers such as the Globe and Mail and a variety of national and international magazines, we have been launched loud and clear across the country!

Held each June in Yellowknife, the diamond capital of North America, the Summer Solstice Festival is enjoyed by residents and travellers who crave a unique cultural experience in the heart of Canada’s wilderness.

This year we are excited to announce that all events are free for all to attend, thus not restricting income specific audience participation. We will have more singing, more dancing, more family fun and more community spirit as dozens of great performers from the North, South, East and West have travelled to Yellowknife for an entire week of celebration under our magnificent sunny skies.

The Summer Solstice Festival acts as a catalyst for other not-for-profit organisations and school groups to showcase themselves and experience the cultural diversity the North has to offer. Last year the Solstice Festival enabled not-for-profit groups to raise over 145,000.00….shine on!!! The festival also provides an opportunity for people of varying ages and culturally diverse backgrounds to become more aware of each other through workshops and interactive educational activities and entertainment. We are proud to present over 120 performers a variety of exciting interative workshops and over 58 vendors and side shows.

The Summer Solstice Festival relys heavily on community, local government and national business support, both dollar-wise and in in-kind services. Over 2,000 voluntary hours are put into the production of the Solstice Festival. The City of Yellowknife as a whole benefits economically from this event — 85% of hotels and campgrounds are full during this week. The Solstice Festival once again acts as a catalyst for local retail and service industry businesses to generate over $250,000 in revenue. The more revenue generated for our economy results in the Solstice Festival receiving more funding, thus being able to provide a celebration for you, for free, for all to see.