The Municipality of Cambridge Bay (Department of Healthy Living/Recreation) is hosting its annual Return of the Sun community celebration on Saturday, January 17, 2026, to welcome the sun back after weeks of darkness. The event marks the end of the polar night — a period of roughly six weeks when the sun remains below the horizon for this latitude — and celebrates the transition back to daylight.
Organizers say the town is holding the celebration in partnership with B2Gold and Buffalo Airways. The day will feature traditional Inuit food, music and outdoor games. The festivities are intended to help residents reconnect with local traditions and oral histories — including stories about how ancestors used the stars, sun and moon to predict the seasons and survive on the land.
For the community of approximately 1,800 residents, the gathering is an important way to stay positive and celebrate resilience during the dark months. This year’s celebration also highlights a growing community–industry relationship in the Kitikmeot region, with industrial and logistical partners providing funding and support for local events.
While the sun physically breaks the horizon for Cambridge Bay around Jan. 11–13, the community’s official Return of the Sun celebration is scheduled for the following Saturday so more people can participate. Organizers say key activities will take place in central spaces commonly used for past celebrations — such as Heritage Park, the community hall, or nearby open areas — where the feast and outdoor games will be hosted for everyone in town.
