A free to attend festival for the whole family

May 8 and May 9 2026

Rotary Park, Cranbrook / ʔA·KISK̓AQǂIʔIT

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The Kootenay Children’s Festival has been providing FREE hands-on activities and live performances for the whole family for 40 years now!
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*These will be updated soon!

Cranbrook Arts Toddler Paint @ 3:15 pm

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!

Rhythm by Nature @ 4:30 pm & 5:30 pm

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!

Aux Music Festival @ 6:00 pm

Join us Friday @6:00pm for the Aux Music Festival, comprised of local bands from young adults, such as Charity Standing Orders, Lined with Velvet and Caught in the Landslide!

Rhythm by Nature @ 10:05 am

The Merry Marching Band @ 10:30 am

Underpantsburg is home to a band, or fanfare unlike any other. Under the guidance of a pompous band leader by turns bossy and bird-brained, this merry band sets out to see the world. With plenty of humour, no small amount of eccentricity and a touch of poetry, the band of music-makers makes its merry way—with a honk and a toot and a rat-a-tat-tat—from Quebec to Brazil to Ukraine and back, with a stopover on Planet Mars!

Pow Wow Dancers & Drummers @ 12 pm

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.

Mountain Song @ 1:10 pm

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

Bonnie Harvey @ 2 pm

Enjoy captivating stories with Bonnie Harvey! Through rich storytelling and vivid narration, Bonnie brings tales to life, weaving culture, wisdom, and imagination into every word. Don't miss this enchanting experience!

Cranbrook Arts Toddler Paint

Sandor Bouncy Castle - Available on Saturday

Get ready for some high-flying, bouncing fun at the Sandor Bouncy Castle,! Our giant inflatable castle is the perfect place for kids to burn off some energy and jump to your heart's content. The castle has lots of twists and turns for you to explore, and you can bounce as high as you want! The Sandor Bouncy Castle is the perfect place for you to let loose and have some fun with your friends.

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.

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.

Tumbler Tumble Zone

Have fun at the Toddler Tumble Zone!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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?

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

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.

COTR Science Station

Endless opportunities for little adventurers to explore the wonderful world of learning about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics!

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.

Pow Wow Dancers & Drummers

Catch the Pow Wow Dancers & Drummers live!

Farmers Market

Come explore the exciting world of our vendors market!
With a wide array of unique and high-quality products, there's something for everyone. Discover handmade toys, stylish clothing, delicious treats, and so much more. Our vendors are passionate about bringing joy to children and families alike, so you can be sure you'll find something special that your little ones will love. Don't miss out on this amazing shopping experience, and join us at the vendors market!

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.

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

Explore the city's spectacular vehicles!

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!

Lacrosse Ball Shooting

Join Cranbrook’s Jr. Black Wolves Lacrosse team, who are excited to give back to their community. They will have a team onsite to share their love of Lacrosse, and will be setting up a net with some pockets for the kids to try and score on. They’ll also be bringing a speed gun so festival goers can see how hard they can throw the ball.

Mud Puddle Production’s Poetry Party @11:45am, 2:45pm and 3:15pm

Mud Puddle Productions will be hosting a playful Poetry Party happening 3X's on the Saturday. This will be a gentle huddle to share, poetry, stories and songs together. Barbara Phillips will be facilitating. Come expecting to enjoy and participate. There is an opportunity to bring your own poetry choices to share- it's a potluck of fun. 11:45am (Christopher Robin’s World), 2:45pm (Some History in Rhyme), 3:15pm (Poetry Potluck Participation)

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!