BC Culture Days Returns for 17th Edition

September 14, 2026

Issamba at BC Culture Days

For the past 17 years, BC Culture Days has brought arts and culture to communities across our province.

This year, enjoy hundreds of free and pay-what-you-can events from September 18 to October 4, 2026, with a special focus on rural and remote communities. Think farm-inspired painting workshops and pumpkin carvings, harvest fairs, and herbal crafting.

According to Nazanin Shoja, BC Culture Days Program Director, “Many remote and rural areas don’t have access to the same kinds of arts facilities as in urban cities, often leading to more creative ways of connecting to community members through arts and cultural activities inspired by the land.”

To further highlight this theme, the BC Culture Days launch event will take place on September 20 in Delta’s Hawthorne Grove Park, featuring the historic Kirkland House and Harris Barn.

[Photo courtesy of African Friendship Society]

Each year, BC Culture Days appoints emerging artists from communities across the province as arts and culture ambassadors in their local communities. In addition to pursuing mentorships with established Canadian artists, the ambassadors present events for Culture Days. This year, Métis artist Michelle Bucholtz will act as 2026 BC Culture Days Ambassador, presenting Spirit Dots: A Métis Nature & Dot Art Experience at Langley’s Locality Brewing farm.

Participants will be invited to join a guided 30-minute walk through the property’s scenic forest trails, observe local plant life and discover Métis teachings and our connection to the land. After the walk, create a Turtle Water dot painting inspired by Métis beadwork traditions, with opportunities for reflection, storytelling, laughter, and meaningful conversations.

No artistic experience is required! Each participant will receive a pre-printed Turtle Water canvas to design a work of art in an accessible and welcoming space where everyone can confidently explore their creative talents.

[Community Art Classes; photo courtesy of the City of Delta]

FEATURED EVENTS

– Bookbinding for Beginners: Roedde House Museum | Sundays, 1pm to 4pm
– Word Vancouver: UBC Robson Square | Saturday, Sept. 19, 11am to 5pm
– ROLL (Read Out Loud Love) 2026 Edition at FUNK Coffee: Mara Alvarez | Saturday, Sept. 19, noon to 1:30pm
– Stand Up Comedy for Mental Health: SMH Comedy Society/Enabling Arts Vancouver | Saturday, Sept. 19 and Monday, Sept. 21, 7pm to 9pm
– Vancouver Flamenco Festival 2026, Aficionado Stage: Flamenco Rosario | Ocean ArtWorks Pavilion, Granville Island | Saturday, Sept. 19, 2pm to 6pm; Sunday, Sept. 20, 10am to 6pm
– One hundred more: Opening Celebration: Or Gallery | Thursday, Sept. 24, 5pm to 8pm
– Celebrating 15 Years of Places That Matter: Vancouver Heritage Foundation | Museum of Vancouver | Thursday, Sept. 24, 7pm to 8pm
– African Cultural Dancing Festival: Centre for Human Care, Community, and Community Development Association | Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House | Saturday, Sept. 26, 2:10pm to 5:45pm

Build a custom itinerary from hundreds of activities, from a downtown café crawl and African cultural dancing festival to a traditional Persian marbling workshop, open symphony rehearsals, a newcomer knitting and stitching circle, and film screenings.

For those wanting to jump in the action, there’s classical singer and poetry open mic nights, a Jazz Jam, Tap Dancing Amongst the Trees, a Babka-making workshop, and Drink & Draw Art Social for adults. Culture Days offers something for every experience level and interest!

[Photo courtesy of the City of Kelowna, Cultural Services]