The Dawson City Music Festival, christened “Canada’s tiny, perfect festival” by Vancouver’s Georgia Straight, has been successfully run by volunteers since its inception in 1979.
Although it takes a little longer to get here, many are drawn by the festival’s vibrant atmosphere and sheer uniqueness. Every year the best names in Canadian music perform for an appreciative and spirited audience.
Over the years some of country’s best established and brightest up-and-coming acts have shared stages performers from across the globe in what is truly one of the most anticipated cultural events in the Yukon. Artists as varied as Tuvan throat-singing masters Chirgilchin, doe-eyed violin wizard Final Fantasy, sultry blues mistress Ndidi Onukwulu and earnest hard-rockers the Constantines have played our stages, joining the ranks of such Canadian music luminaries as Bruce Cockburn, The Sadies, Joel Plaskett, The Artist Formerly Known as Jane Siberry and the Barenaked Ladies.
The festival is held each year on the 2nd to last weekend in July, right at the height of the community’s visitor season. Tickets consistently sell out to an audience made up mostly of Yukoners, but many come from the U.S., and as far away as Europe and Australia.
Daytime events include concerts and workshops at intimate venues throughout the community, as well as a full slate of children’s and family entertainment, games, and crafts. When night comes, the tent becomes the biggest dance party north of 60, while the historic Palace Grand Theatre plays host to beautiful sit-down concerts.
No matter if you’re into rock, folk, jazz, blues, world beat, or traditional music, the festival has something for everyone.
How do I get to Dawson City?
By Air: Air North offers direct service to Dawson City from Whitehorse, Inuvik, Old Crow, and Fairbanks plus direct flights to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Air Canada also offers direct flights to Whitehorse from Vancouver, while First Air offers flights to Whitehorse from Yellowknife and Fort Simpson.
By Road: There are three different routes to Dawson City: the Klondike Highway (from Whitehorse), the Dempster Highway (from Inuvik, NWT), and the Top of the World Highway (from Tok, Alaska). Click here for current road conditions.
By River: Every year, a handful of adventurous festival-goers make their way to Dawson on the Yukon River. Check out the Tourism Yukon website for information on this exciting trip and lots of other great Yukon travel ideas.
Where should I stay?
There is NO OVERFLOW CAMPING at the DCMF. Camping is expressly prohibited at Crocus Bluff to the south, and the Moosehide Slide to the north.
Accommodations in Dawson City are at a premium during Music Festival weekend. People wishing to rent rooms in hotels and B&Bs should do so well in advance, as there is little hope of getting one without a reservation on festival weekend.
There are also a number of commercial and government campgrounds located both in and around Dawson City that offer space for tents, campers, and motorhomes. Information on commercial campgrounds, RV Parks, hotels and B&Bs in and around Dawson City is available from the Klondike Visitors Association.
You can also check out our sponsors section for direct links to some of our favourite places to stay and a whole bunch of other great businesses and organizations who make the festival possible.
NOTE: Please be advised that the Yukon Government campground in West Dawson is designated a QUIET camping area and a liquor ban will be in effect throughout the weekend.
How do I get to the festival site from Dawson City?
The festival takes place at five separate venues in downtown Dawson City. All of our venues are in easy walking distance of one another – and of Dawson’s many hotels, B&Bs, campgrounds, RV Parks, restaurants, shops, tourist attractions and other amenities.
Where can I park?
We encourage festival-goers to leave their cars wherever they’re staying for the weekend and walk between venues and around town – especially if you’re planning to enjoy a few cold ones in the festival Beer Gardens!
When do evening concerts start and end?
Mainstage concerts start at approximately 7:30pm and go until 2:00am on Friday and Saturday and until midnight on Sunday. (Please leave the park quietly so as not to disturb our neighbours!)
Concerts at the Palace Grand Theatre begin at 7:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. They end just before 11:00 PM, leaving lots of time to get to the mainstage.
There will also be a free Kick-Off Concert at the Gazebo on Front Street on Friday from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. This event is generously sponsored by CBC North.
When do daytime events begin?
We get things started at the mainstage at 11:00am on Saturday with our famous KidsFEST. Workshops and concerts at our other venues begin at approximately 1:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Except for the above-mentioned Kick-Off Concert, there are no events or activities during the day on Friday.
Can I buy food at the festival?
Food will be served by five fabulous food vendors, serving a wide variety of carnivorous and vegetarian fare. (And don’t forget, there’s also a variety of great local restaurants located just a few blocks from the main festival site!)
Can I bring my own food and drink?
Feel free to pack food and unopened water bottles; however, no outside alcohol is permitted on site.
Can I bring my dog?
Sorry, but pets of any kind are not allowed on the festival site with the exception of seeing eye dogs. For reasons of health and safety, we also ask that you do not tie your dog anywhere in Minto Park during festival weekend.
Are there any ATM machines on the Festival site?
No – the nearest ATM is located at the corner of 2nd & Queen.
Where are the public telephones located?
There is a payphone on the deck behind the Dawson City Museum.
Can I bring my camera?
Festival patrons are welcome to take amateur photos. However, it is important that you respect other audience members and the artists by using discretion while shooting. Photos must be for personal use only. If an artist has requested that no photos be taken of them, security volunteers may alert you.
Artists have expressed concerns over the intrusiveness of festival photographers, and we have agreements with them about their images being distributed for professional use. Due to these concerns, we have a photography policy in place for professional photographers. Security and/or festival staff will ask patrons who appear to be taking professional photos to refrain from doing so.
Contact Us
By Phone
867 993 5584
By Fax
867 993 5510
By Mail
Dawson City Music Festival
Box 456
Dawson City, Yukon
Y0B 1G0
By email
info@dcmf.com