Canadiana Fest

Kalamazoo, get ready for an unforgettable celebration! Canadiana Fest—in partnership with Premier Athletics for Youth Development and OutFront Kalamazoo—is thrilled to present the Can Am Peace Jam 2026. We’re Takin’ It to the Streets in a new location this year, right next to Arcadia Creek Festival Site.

This milestone year places a special spotlight on the French-Canadian diaspora and its lasting influence on North American art, music, food, industry, and culture. While the festival proudly embraces all Canadian people—emphasizing our shared Indigenous, French, and British Commonwealth heritage—this year’s lineup is packed with incredible music, high-energy comedy, and authentic cultural experiences for the whole family.

🎟️ Ticket Info!

• General Admission: $12
• Seniors / Veterans: $8
• Students: $5
• Children: Always Free!
• The Royal Canadian VIP Experience: Want to support the festival in style? Upgrade to our Special VIP Experience Tent for an exclusive, elevated festival vibe, including the Clearly Canadian-inspired zero-proof cocktails, featuring flair bartending by Jesse Perez of Bandana Bartending and custom craft mocktails by Reese Waldon. Find out more here!

Want to get in free?

Come out and volunteer with us! You’ll get in free and get a great t-shirt, a good time, and the knowledge you were part of something fun that helped out the South Michigan Food Bank, Loaves and Fishes and the Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative.

🎵 Headliners & Featured Entertainment

Mélisande [électrotrad] Direct from Montreal, this award-winning Québécois powerhouse is one of the most electrifying forces in contemporary folk music. Blending traditional Acadian roots with modern electronic energy, their performance is a wildly innovative cultural experience. Featuring powerhouse vocals, flute, accordion, fiddle, and hypnotic foot percussion, this quartet is guaranteed to put on an unforgettable show!

Henry Sir Get ready to laugh until it hurts. Before Mélisande takes the stage, Edmonton-turned-New Yorker Henry Sir will deliver a special festival comedy set. Featured on the CBC, Comedy Central, and Just For Laughs, Henry is one of the sharpest, most refreshingly original voices in comedy today. Catch him live for a set with brains, heart, and serious bite!

Local & Regional Music Enjoy a massive lineup of bands spanning Caribbean, Indigenous traditional, Classic Rock, Celtic, Scottish Pipe, and Acadian folk. Catch sets from Zion Lion, Rock RX, Woodland Stream, Full Frontal Cortez, Hen Pecked Dawgs, and The Kalamazoo Scottish Pipe Band.

🇨🇦🍟🧀 Food Trucks Galore!

Best Coast Provisions: Best Coast has been with us from the beginning! They have been voted a fan favorite poutine more than once, so don’t miss them!

Motor Mouth: Motor Mouth returns after their 2025 inaugural visit to the Fest. Their motto is Hot food. Cold drinks. Farm vibes.

Munchie Man: This dynamic duo comes to us for the first time from the southwesternest part of Michigan and we can’t wait to see what they bring.

PJW Creole Cuisine: Another first-timer we have been courting for a while now, and we’re excited to see the Creole spin on poutine!

Ron’s Beans: This local favorite coffeeshop in Portage, MI is bringing their fresh roasts and creative flavors! Stop by their booth for the best coffee around!

Sabor Boricua: Another newcomer, they will be doing a Puerto Rican spin on poutine and Beaver Tails!

The Ice Creamwitch: This woman-owned mobile dessert experience offers made-to-order ice cream sandwiches! Check her out!

Tiki Boiz: The Tiki Boiz are another brand-new truck to the Fest, rolling south from Muskegon and will be doing an island-style poutine!

🛍️ Vendor Highlights & Market

Come ready to shop! Our vendor village features incredible Canadian-inspired art, jewelry, pottery, food, and unique goods.

• Indigenous Artists & Craftspersons: Browse beautiful, authentic creations from renowned Canadian Abenaki silver artist Paul-Rene Tamburro, Shawnee artist Andrea Tamburro of Sunrise Drum, and Canadian Cree artist Crystal Marshall of Northern Moon Designs. You’ll also find incredible work from local artisans of the Saginaw/Chippewa, Notawaseppi Huron, Gun Lake, and Pokégnek Bodéwadmik (Pokagon) Tribes.
• Featured Local Canadian Businesses & Producers: Grab some delicious snacks from Kari Stopelstadt of Good Batch Popcorn, check out the work of Macal DeNeve Wadsworth from Wraps n’ Signs, and explore many more vendors being added daily.

🍁 Festival Highlights: So Much to Do!

• The Festival Parade: A beloved tradition kicking things off with vibrant bands, flags, and mascots!
• World Champion Poutine Competition: Food trucks will battle it out for the coveted Golden Gravy Ladle. Sample the entries and vote on your phone for your favorite!
• Butter Tart Competition: An open-entry baking showdown where registration proceeds directly support local and Canadian food banks.
• The Beer Garden: Grab a drink at the Beer Garden hosted by OutFront Kalamazoo (featuring Bell’s and Canadian imports).
• The Canadian Concession with Canadian snacks, maple cotton candy, soda, water, and Clearly Canadian sparkling water for sale!
• Canadian Sports Centre: Sponsored by Premier Athletics, come hang out with WMU Champions, local coaches, and Indigenous athletes. Try your hand at hockey, curling (with the Kalamazoo Curling Club), basketball, and The Creator’s Game (lacrosse).
• Crokinole: Come learn to play this classic, beloved tabletop game invented in Canada—a fun mix of shuffleboard and curling!
• The Peace Posse: Keep an eye out for Peace Posse agents, who will be walking the grounds doling out kindness, good advice, and free hugs.

🤝 Culture & Community

• The Cultural Village & Presentations Tent: Immerse yourself in history and heritage. The Presentations Tent will host a variety of storytellers, culture bearers, authors, and genealogy experts. Nearby in the Cultural Village, you can connect with the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society, d’Alliance Francaise, Voyageur storyteller Genot Picor, and the Azure Musketeers—a 17th-century French military living-history troupe.
• Indigenous Ceremonies & Art: Join the community for the Opening Ceremonies featuring a beautiful Round Dance song by Woodland Stream.
• Canadian Citizenship Booth: The Canadian Citizenship by Descent-Bill C3 Group (a 30K-member strong Facebook community) will host an info booth and gathering for Canadian citizens by descent.

🦉 The Official Post-Fest Pub Party

When the party at Arcadia Creek wraps up at 11:00 PM, the fun doesn’t stop. Take a short walk down the street to The Old Dog Tavern (402 E Kalamazoo Ave). It’s one of Kalamazoo’s most laid-back venues—complete with a giant moose inside. They’ll be keeping the Canuck-inspired fun going late into the night!

Full schedule and specific details are dropping soon on our website. Lock in those tickets today and we’ll see you at the Peace Jam!