HerringFest
A community festival on Hornby Island celebrating Pacific herring conservation through art, film, music, and Indigenous teachings — timed to the spring spawning in Lambert Channel.
About the festival
HerringFest is an interdisciplinary community festival organized by Conservancy Hornby Island (CHI) to celebrate and protect Pacific herring in the Salish Sea. The 2026 edition is the 10th anniversary — a month-long program of visual art, film, performance, dance, and education held at the Hornby Community Hall and Hornby Arts Centre.
Over 200 artwork submissions were received for the festival art show. The programming blends grassroots community creativity with serious conservation science and Indigenous stewardship of Lambert Channel — one of the most ecologically important herring spawning corridors in the Strait of Georgia.
What to expect
Opening night with multi-generational Hornby talent. Documentary screening with live Q&A with Indigenous leaders and conservationists. Community art show open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM (free entry, 50/50 fundraiser). Spring Equinox soundbath. Evening dance with live band Power Tools and DJ Jean Mescaline.
Educational talks on herring biology and Indigenous stewardship. “Taste of the West Coast” concessions throughout. The festival draws visitors from across BC as well as the permanent communities of Hornby and Denman Islands.
Ticket pricing
- Opening Performance — By donation
- Film Night — $20
- Herring Ball dance — $25 advance / $30 door
- Spring Equinox Soundbath — Ticketed (see website for pricing)
- Art Show — Free entry