Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, is gearing up for a busy summer as the hamlet’s recreation department has released a full schedule of family-friendly events running from July 9 through early August 2026.
The celebrations kick off with Nunavut Day on July 9, a public holiday marking the 1993 passage of the Nunavut Act. According to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., festivities will begin with a parade leaving the Hamlet office at noon, followed by a concert, barbecue, kids’ activities, and door prizes outside the AEM Arena from 1 to 4 p.m.
On July 11, the AEM Arena will host an AEM Family Fun Day, sponsored by Agnico Eagle Mines, which operates the Meliadine Gold Mine north of the community.
Youth baseball will start on July 14 at the Justin Merritt Ball Park, the only artificial-turf baseball diamond in Nunavut. The diamond was renamed in 2025 to honour Justin Merritt, a former senior administrative officer and dedicated sports volunteer who passed away in 2022. A local and midget baseball tournament is set for July 31 through August 2, and the U16 Kivalliq Softball Tournament will run from August 4 to 6.
The recreation department’s summer day camps are already underway across local venues. In total, the hamlet can welcome up to 70 children in regular day camps, along with additional spaces in specialized programs like youth softball, science camps, and Mining Matters.
Residents can find the full event calendar and updates in the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet Facebook group.
