A free to attend festival for the whole family
Explore this year’s activities and start planning your festival day.
May 8 and May 9 2026
Rotary Park, Cranbrook / ʔA·KISK̓AQǂIʔIT
The Kootenay Children’s Festival has been providing FREE hands-on activities and live performances for the whole family for 40 years now!
Live on Stage
MCs for the day are Kayla May from REWIND, and Arielle from Wild 104.7!
Cranbrook Arts Toddler Paint
Unleash your toddler’s creativity at Cranbrook Arts’ Toddler Paint Party! A perfect way to start the festival filled with splashes of color and heaps of fun, this event is designed to let little ones explore their artistic side in a playful and safe environment. Join us for a colorful adventure that’s sure to brighten your toddler’s day—and perhaps discover a mini Picasso in the making!
Robin Layne and the Rhythm Makers
Don’t miss Robin Layne on stage! Robin Layne is from Vancouver, BC
Rhythm by Nature
Feel the pulse of the planet with Rhythm By Nature Drums! Join us for an immersive drumming experience that connects you to the heartbeat of the earth. Whether you’re a seasoned percussionist or a curious newcomer, our expert-led sessions will guide you through rhythmic patterns that celebrate the natural world. Unleash your inner rhythm, find your flow, and be part of a community drum circle where every beat enhances your connection to nature. Don’t miss out—let your spirit drum wild with Rhythm By Nature! Based in East Kootenay
Christina the Crazy Hooper
Catch Christina on stage!
Pow Wow Dancers & Drummers
Experience the vibrant tradition of the Pow Wow with breathtaking performances by dancers and drummers! Join us for an extraordinary gathering where community and heritage come alive through the art of dance and drumming. Based in the Kootenay Region
Robin Layne and the Rhythm Makers
Don’t miss Robin Layne on stage! Robin Layne is from Vancouver, BC
Mountain Song
Mountain Song is a comprised of people who love to gather and sing. We offer two choirs: Community and Youth. We are a non-auditioned ensemble joined by a passion for performance, joy and music. We are looking for new members for this fall! Check us out at mountainsong.ca Based in the Kootenay Region
Wildmint Arts Pow Wow Mash Up
Don’t miss this! They are from Cochrane, AB
Beckam Barr
Don’t miss Beckam Barr on stage! He is from Jaffray, BC
Create & Explore
Get creative and try something new at these hands-on festival stations.
Face Painting
Unleash your inner animal with a roaring tiger design, save the day with a superhero mask, or take flight with a butterfly design! Our face painting station is the perfect place to let your creativity run wild. And the best part? Our high-quality paints and materials are safe and gentle on your skin, so you can enjoy your new look all day long without any worries.
Cranbrook & District Arts Council: Creative Arts Station
Cranbrook & District Arts Council are offering their Creative Station again! Come design and create your very own unique button art and colouring. So, head on to their station and colour your heart out.
Britany Shears Hair Salon
The fun and creative stylists from Britany Shears will be installing Hair Bling for those looking to add a little flare into their festival experience! We have several colours available (even some iridescent)! Match your bestie, or stand out! We are available to provide you with this heat-safe, tangle-free alternative to permanent hair color with accenting one of your best features. Make sure to stop by, meet the stylists, and let us spoil you with some Hair Bling!
Youth Ambassadors’ Electric Hair
Get ready to rock some seriously electric hair at the Sweetheart Electric Hair station!! Our skilled stylists will use vibrant hair chalk to create wild and imaginative hairdos that will make you stand out from the crowd. With a rainbow of colors to choose from, you can pick your favorites and let your creativity soar! From bright pink streaks to neon green highlights, the possibilities are endless. Our hair chalk is non-toxic and easily washes out, so you can let your imagination run wild without any worries. The Sweetheart Electric Hair station is the perfect activity to express yourself through your hair. So come join us, and let’s get electric with some hair chalk!
Casey’s Plant-a-Flower
Grow your very own plant! Learn about the process of planting and caring for your plant, teaching you about the importance of nurturing and respecting our environment. You can choose the perfect plant to grow and take home with you. With everything you need provided, including pots, soil, and seedling, it’s easy and fun to get started on your green-thumb journey. The Casey’s Greenhouse activity is a great way to connect with nature and learn about the importance of sustainability. Let’s get our hands dirty while we grow some beautiful plants! Volunteers run by the Garden Club.
COTR Science Station
Endless opportunities for little adventurers to explore the wonderful world of learning about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics!
Inventor’s Lab
Hands-on exploration of science, technology, engineering, art and math for everyone!
Green Fools Circus Base Camp
Ever wish you could run away and join the circus? Well now the circus is coming to you! Performers will be roaming the festival, creating amazing sights for us to enjoy. The base camp will also be a place to explore your own talents, or possibly learn a new one.
Peaceful Rocks
The Interact Club’s youth leadership program will be providing an opportunity for festival goers to come paint their own peace rocks, in hopes of having them placed under the Imagine Peaceful sculpture they created in Idlewild Park. Come have some creative fun and help spread peace in our community.
Van Horne & Far-Brook’s Paint the Van
Come check out our Paint-a-Van where you get to paint a real wrecked car with washable paint! It’s super fun and messy, and you get to use all sorts of brushes and sponges to make your own cool design. Our helpers will be there to guide you and make sure you’re safe while you create your masterpiece. Whether you love painting or just want to get messy, Paint a Van is the perfect activity for you to have a blast and show off your creativity
Play & Move
Climb, bounce, spin, row, and ride your way through the festival.
Tumbler Tumble Zone
A safe, soft play space for toddlers to climb, crawl, and explore at their own pace
Hopper Zone
Come to the Hopper Zone and bounce your heart out! There’s larger round hoppers, as well as some animal themed hoppers for the littles. Must be 3 years or older…
Parachute Fun
Join the Scouts, as they host parachute fun for festival goers.
Fish Pond
A staple of any festival, the fish pond offers an opportunity for every child to have the excitement of the unknown. Each child will receive a free toy to take home with them. What will you catch?
Games Zone
Step into a space built for fun and friendly competition. Kick for the target on the giant inflatable dartboard or aim for a strike with giant bowling. Easy to jump in and play, these larger-than-life games invite all ages to test their skills, share a laugh, and keep the energy going all day.
Roulette Wheel
Come spin the wheel to win free prizes, hosted by Doc Braces.
Row with Me
The Rockies Rowing Club returns with their rowing machines. Give it a try and see how it feels!
We Bike
Come join the Sunrise Rotary team as they encourage festival goers to perfect their bike skills on an obstacle course!
PT the Clown
PT is back! She’s been around since the beginning, and is gracing the festival again with her boisterous energy and funtastic clowning! Come experience a legend of the festival.
Welcome, Explore & Connect
Meet local heroes, discover community resources, and find everything you need for a great festival day.
Welcome Booth
Your home base for the festival. Find schedules, site information, and friendly help throughout the day. First aid and lost child services available.
Paq’mi Nuq’yuk Aboriginal Early Years Services Tipi
Come share in the rich culture and traditions of the Ktunaxa Peoples at the Ktunaxa Tipi, a special feature of the Kootenay Children’s Festival! Inside the Tipi, you’ll be invited to a world of fascinating stories, songs, and crafts, all inspired by the Ktunaxa way of life that will teach you about the Ktunaxa people and their deep connection to the land. Kids will love exploring the Tipi’s cozy interior and learning about the Ktunaxa’s rich cultural heritage in a fun and engaging way.
Save-On-Foods Snack Station
So much to see and so much to do, you will need to keep your energy up! Come and grab a snack from Save-on-Foods Snack Station!
Food Trucks
Come explore the exciting world of our Food trucks! With a wide array of unique and high-quality products, there’s something for everyone. If you’re interested in being a vendor, please reach out to Chloe at chloe@keycitytheatre.com
Non-profit Tables
Make sure to visit the community tables area, which will host several non-profit organizations, offering a wide variety of resources for children and their families.
Explore Cranbrook Station
Come explore what Cranbrook has to offer, and check out their electric bicycle! The Visit Cranbrook team would love to answer your questions, and show you what’s going on in our community.
Meet Cranbrook’s Fire Fighters
Buckle up and get the chance to sit right next to one of our local heroes, our fire fighters! Learn about what they do and how the fire trucks work by visiting their tent!
City Spectacular Vehicles
Get up close with the city’s working vehicles. Explore inside, meet the crews, and see how they keep our community running.
RCMP Child Find
We are so lucky to have the RCMP with us for this event. If you lose your child, they will be the frontline in helping locate them as quickly as possible!
Sensory Chill Out Area
Take a break from all the excitement and step into our sensory chill out tent at the children’s festival! Designed with soothing colors, and textures, our chill out tent is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Inside, you’ll find comfortable seating, and a range of sensory toys and tools to explore, such as soft fabrics, gentle lighting, and calming scents. This safe and quiet space is perfect for festival goers who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the festival, or who may be feeling overwhelmed by all the noise and stimulation.
Memory Lane
To celebrate the festival’s 40th anniversary, we have created a visual memory wall, displaying a timeline, photos, documents, and posters, as well as our HEROs of the festival spotlight series honouring those who have made an incredible impact on our community. Come see how the Children’s Festival has grown and changed throughout the years!
Help Keep the Festival Free
Your support helps keep the festival free and the fun going for future generations.