The Kootenay Children’s Festival is a place to play, to learn, to meet old and new friends, to build community, and most of all to celebrate childhood!
38 years of FREE activities for the whole family!

Kootenay Children’s Festival is back better than ever this year!
Dates: May 10 and 11, 2024
Stay tuned for more information about the event!
Please like and follow our Facebook page to get updates about the festival.

Thank you to everyone for making the this year’s children’s festival amazing!

See you all next year!

Our Story

The Kootenay Children’s Festival first welcomed families in 1986 by a committee of volunteers.
By 2014, Key City Theatre was involved to provide live entertainment for the festival. Until in 2019, Key City Theatre has decided to host the festival with a group of volunteers.
The Kootenay Children’s Festival has been providing a free, safe, and accessible space for self-expression for 3 years.

It’s a place to play, to learn, to meet old and new friends, to build community, and most of all to celebrate childhood. From the hands-on activities to the vibrant cultural displays and live performances, the festival brings out the child in all of us, reminding us how important it is to play, and that every child truly does matter.
The activities are live performances, bouncy castles, Face Art, Electric Hair, Chill out area, cookie decorating, plant/flower planting, fish pond, paint the Van, Wishing Trees, Cranbrook Fire Department Firetruck, Cranbrook Search and Rescue, roving performers, and so much more!

Safe Spaces

We are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all children and their families. We strive to create an environment free from any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying, or intimidation. We recognize and respect the rights of all children and their families to be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness. We encourage everyone to be mindful of their language and behaviour, and to respect the beliefs, identities, and perspectives of others. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment, and will take all complaints of such behaviour seriously.

Keep the Fun Going for Years!

Kootenay Children’s Festival is one of the last remaining FREE children’s festivals in British Columbia. Free admission and entertainment is one of the ways Kootenay Children’s Festival makes the event accessible to so many.

To donate to this year’s Kootenay Children’s Festival campaign, click the “Donate” button and ensure that the 2024 Kootenay Children’s Festival campaign is selected.

2022 Kootenay Children’s Festival

What our community has to say about the Kootenay Children’s Festival

  • "We had a fabulous day! Thank you SO much for doing this for all of us!"

    Festival Attendee

  • "Watching my eldest daughter get her face painted inside a teepee while learning about the Ktunaxa Nation. She had so much fun and gained knowledge and respect for this land at a young age."

    Festival Attendee

  • "I enjoyed going to the festival when I was young and I can't believe that I am bringing my kids to the festival each year! This is such a memorable experience to share with my family! Thank you!"

    Festival Attendee