Four Days of Music Concerts and Blues Under the Summer Sky

With a Mardi Gras parade marching down a historic village street, live jazz spilling out of a ballroom, free concerts on the lawn and a two-night blues show under the summer sky, Fort Langley in late July is something else entirely.

In 2026 the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival runs from July 23 to 26. The series of events draws up to 20,000 people over four days, with a mix of free and ticketed events spread across the parks and venues of one of the most charming towns in the Metro Vancouver area.

One of the things that makes the festival stand out is how much of it costs nothing at all. There are free outdoor stages and a Mardi Gras parade. The ticketed events, anchored by the two-night Cool Blues Show and a couple of other concerts, are the headline draws, and are very highly recommended. You can have an exceptional weekend here, however, without spending a cent on admission. It’s so worth checking out!

For the festival’s official website, visit fortlangleyjazzfest.com.

Festival Locations

The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is centred around Fort Langley’s Community Hall at 9167 Glover Road. There are also events at Fort Langley Community Park, the old CNR Station, St. Andrew’s Chapel and Chief Sepass Theatre.

The Cool Blues Show takes place at Fort Langley Community Park, just a short walk from the community hall..

Fort Langley sits on the Fraser River about 40 minutes east of Vancouver in the Township of Langley. If you have never been, the Jazz Festival is as good a reason as any to make the trip. Fort Langley is a beautiful place!

The Free Weekend | July 25 & 26

This is the part of the festival that surprises people the most. Much of the weekend programming on the Saturday and Sunday is free and open to everyone. The main stage in front of Fort Langley Community Hall features headlining local and visiting acts. The Youth Stage at the CNR Station, meanwhile, showcases up-and-coming performers.

Alongside the music there is art on display and for sale. You can drift between stages, wander admire the art, grab something from a food truck, and realize two hours have passed without you noticing.

Tip: Saturday morning brings one of the festival’s most joyful traditions: the Mardi Gras Strolling Parade. Starting at St. Andrew’s United Church near the Farmers Market and making its way down Glover Road to the Community Hall, the procession is a proper costumed street parade with musicians and people dancing. The parade kicks off at 9:00 am, which is a good reason to arrive early and get your bearings before the stages open.

For more information, visit the official Fort Langley Jazz Festival website.

The Cool Blues Show | July 24, 25

The ticketed anchor of the festival, the Cool Blues Show runs across two evenings at Fort Langley Community Park. The event on the Friday runs from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. On Saturday it opens earlier, at 4:00 pm, and runs until 10:00 pm. Eight artists perform across the two nights. Also at the Cool Blues Show there are food trucks, drink stations, artisan vendors, whisky tasting and wine tasting.

In 2026 single-day tickets start at $75 for guests ages 12 and over. Children under 12 enter for free. Weekend passes start at around $160. VIP options are available too.

As with most festivals, prices increase as the date approaches. Buying early is the smarter move.

2026 Cool Blues Show lineup

Below is the lineup for the Cool Blues Show this year.

Friday, July 24, 2026

Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar
Honeybear, The Band
Blackburn Brothers

Saturday, July 25, 2026

The Hogtown Allstars
Jack de Keyzer
Chambers and DesLauriers
Big Dave McLean
Them Ordinary Things

Other Ticketed Events

Beyond the Cool Blues Show, the festival includes a handful of additional ticketed concerts and experiences spread across the four days.

In 2026 there’s a Big Band Jazz Concert, The Passion of Amy Winehouse Tribute Concert, a Laila Biali show featuring rising talent, and a closing Sunday concert at St. Andrew’s Chapel with admission by donation.

The whisky tasting experience, introduced last year and returning in 2026, offers a guided flight of Canadian whiskies with a commemorative glass for an additional fee. The new wine tasting is a similar add-on.

For full details about what to expect, visit the official Fort Langley Jazz Festival website.

The Youth Concert Series

One of the more distinctive elements of the festival is its investment in emerging talent. In previous years, during the weeks leading up to the main festival, the Youth Concert Series Showcase ran on Sunday afternoons outside the Fort Langley CNR Station. In 2026, however, the concerts featuring young jazz musicians take place on just the main festival weekend.

The youth aspect gives the festival a genuine sense of community rather than just an imported lineup. There is something happening here that is actually rooted in the place.

A Good Reason to Stay Overnight

Fort Camping at Brae Island

Rather than commuting back and forth each day, consider staying at Fort Camping at Brae Island Regional Park, just minutes from the festival. For a different experience, oTENTiks are also available to rent at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. Waking up in Fort Langley on a festival morning is a considerably better start to the day than a 40-minute drive.

Good to Know

Below are a few practical things worth having in mind before you go.

Parking: Free street parking is available throughout Fort Langley, but it fills up quickly on busy days. Arrive early. Additional parking is normally available at 8870 Glover Road (Fort Langley Evangelical Free Church) and 9095 Glover Road (Living Waters Church).

Dogs: Leashed dogs are welcome at the festival, one of the few events where this is actually the case. You are also welcome to bring your own food and drinks, though food trucks are on site across all four days.

What to bring: A blanket or low chair, sunscreen and a hat for the outdoor stages, and a water bottle. Bug spray can also be good as some years there have been mosquitos in the evenings. The festival is smoke-free, including vaping.

For more information, visit the official Fort Langley Jazz Festival website.

The Fort Langley National Historic Site

While you are in town, Fort Langley National Historic Site is a short walk from the festival grounds and well worth an hour or more of your time. It’s a faithfully recreated 1827 Hudson’s Bay Company trading post with costumed interpreters and hands-on activities. The site is the kind of place that earns its reputation. If you are bringing kids, it pairs well with the free weekend festival programming.

Official website: fortlangleyjazzfest.com
Cool Blues Show tickets: fortlangleyjazzfest.com/2026-cool-blues-show
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