The 48th annual Dawson City Music Festival is returning to the Yukon from July 21-22, 2026. While residents and visitors prepare for the upcoming summer event, the organization behind the festival is currently working through a leadership transition and has yet to announce this year’s performing artists.
The non-profit charitable organization, which operates on the traditional territory of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, is actively searching for a new Executive Director. This follows the departure of Corbin Murdoch, who left the position in December 2025. Currently, the festival is led by its volunteer Board of Directors, which is seeking a new leader to oversee the operations of what is often described as Canada’s tiny, perfect festival.
Despite the ongoing search for leadership, preparations for the three-day festival remain underway. Early bird tickets for the weekend are currently available for $205 CAD, and the organization has confirmed that the official artist lineup will be shared with the public later this spring. Information regarding the 2026 program, including ticket availability and camping passes, is hosted on the festival booking platform.
Established in 1979 following a local summer gathering, the festival has a long history in the community. After facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the event’s first cancellation in over 40 years in 2020 and subsequent smaller formats in following years, the organization has continued to invest in local infrastructure. In 2022, the festival opened a new two-story headquarters, which includes the Goldensides Studio, a professional recording facility developed to support the local arts community.
