Events

Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race

February
Whitehorse, Dawson City, Fairbanks Alaska

The legendary Yukon Quest challenges mushers and their dog teams to traverse the frozen wilderness between Whitehorse, Yukon and Fairbanks, Alaska each February. Spectators from around the world travel to the Yukon to witness the event live, while thousands follow the race progress online.

Available Light Film Festival

February
Whitehorse

Canada's largest feature film festival north of the 60th parallel is a celebration of Northern, Canadian and international cinema and takes place in the heart of winter in Whitehorse. The festival features fiction and documentary films, multi-disciplinary performances, workshops and a Media Industry Forum with filmmakers and industry delegates.

Yukon Rendezvous

February
Whitehorse

For a week every February, Whitehorse celebrates its frontier spirit and heritage with the Yukon Rendezvous. With quirky “only in the Yukon” events such as chainsaw chucking, axe throwing, flour packing and dog sledding, this is a truly unique event. 

Thaw di Gras Spring Carnival

March
Dawson City

Dawson City’s signature winter event celebrates the return of spring with a Carnival unlike any other. A true community event, Dawson City comes alive with a variety of games - from the serious, to the ridiculous, to the simply outrageous - whether it’s tossing an axe, racing a dog team, or finding a loonie in a haystack.  Best of all, almost every event is free!

For more information visit Thaw di Gras Spring Carnival.

Dawson City International Short Film Festival

March
Dawson City

The Dawson City International Short Film Festival is among the most northern competitive film festivals in the world. This four day celebration of short film presents films of all genres from around the world as well as those made in the Yukon. There are also special events such as panel discussions, meet and greets, workshops, and awards.

A Celebration of Swans

April
Swan Haven (near Whitehorse)

Every spring, migratory birds descend on the Yukon en masse in a beautiful display of nature at its finest. The Celebration of Swans is the territory’s premier bird festival, highly anticipated by locals and visitors alike for the sight of thousands of Trumpeter Swans in their natural habitat. 

Crane and Sheep Viewing Festival

May
Faro

At the beginning of May, Sandhill Cranes migrate to nesting grounds in western Alaska and North-eastern Siberia. Visitors can see the birds funnel through the Yukon's Tintina Trench, swooping, soaring and riding thermals right over the Town of Faro. The festival also showcases Fannin sheep, tours of the area, natural history talks, and family entertainment.

Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival

June
Haines Junction

This world-renowned festival attracts international audiences and world-class performers to Haines Junction for the best bluegrass bands in North America in one of the most spectacular settings in the world. A weekend of fabulous music and Yukon hospitality. 

For more information visit Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival.

Commissioner’s Tea and Klondike Ball

June
Dawson City

Held each year in recognition of the Yukon officially joining the dominion of Canada, the regal Commissioner's Ball is held at Dawson City's Palace Grand Theatre. Dress is formal and many take the opportunity to dress in the styles of 1898. A tea is held during the day at the Commissioner's Residence.

Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay

June
Haines Junction, Haines Alaska

The Kluane Chilkat race is an eight-leg road bike relay from Haines Junction, Yukon to coastal Haines, Alaska, that attracts both joy riders and serious athletes. The course takes participants through alpine passes and past ocean views on a variety of flat stretches, steep descents and long climbs.

National Aboriginal Day

June

National Aboriginal Day is celebrated across the Yukon. In Dawson City the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre celebrates with outdoor events including the Hän Singers, live contemporary music, tours, activities, refreshments and an opportunity to visit their heritage galleries.

The Yukon River Quest Canoe and Kayak Race

June-July
Whitehorse

The world’s longest annual kayak and canoe race, “the race to the midnight sun,” as Yukon River Quest is known, challenges paddlers from around the world to test their endurance on a race from Whitehorse to Dawson City.  The race start is an exciting spectacle that draws large crowds to the banks of the Yukon River in downtown Whitehorse.

Adäka Cultural Festival

July
Whitehorse

A celebration of First Nations culture on the banks of the Yukon River, the Adäka Cultural Festival delivers a world-class, iconic festival that showcases over 150 artists and features a vibrant schedule of traditional and contemporary performances, artist demonstrations, an art market & gallery, workshops, cultural presentations, films, community feast, and more!

 

Dawson City Music Festival

July
Dawson City

The Dawson City Music Festival has been a much-loved cultural event in the heart of the Yukon’s Klondike since 1979. Over the years, it’s grown into a world-class showcase of North American artists of varying genres, and a howling good party to boot. The festival is legendary among performers and music lovers in-the-know across Canada.

Moosehide Gathering

July (biennial – the next Gathering will be 2016)
Moosehide Village (near Dawson City)

The Moosehide Gathering is a celebration of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (Hän) culture at Moosehide village, a traditional village site downriver from Dawson City. The Gathering includes performances, guest speakers, feasts, dancing, drumming, singing, storytelling and artisan crafts. Visitors can learn about honouring the land and ancestors and enjoy dinner feasts. 

Hà Kus Teyea Celebration

July (biennial – the next Celebration will be 2017)
Teslin

The Hà Kus Teyea Celebration is a three day cultural festival that starts with a traditional lake crossing and arrival in a Tlingit canoe, followed by a greeting ceremony and the lighting of the Celebration Fire. The event features public art workshops, cultural demonstrations, storytelling, traditional canoe events, First Nation performers, an artist’s market, and a public feast each evening followed by cultural performances.

Discovery Days Festival

August
Dawson City

The Yukon celebrates our grand gold rush history with this week-long event in Dawson City.  The festival includes family-friendly events such as crafts, face painting and a sampling of the Diamond Tooth Gerties' can-can dancers show, to writing competitions, walking tours, an arts festival and a golf tournament. 

News & Events

Northern Canada, and the Yukon in particular, are fast becoming “hot” destinations in Canada for travellers from around the world. This is your place to stay connected with everything that’s happening in the world of tourism in the Yukon.