The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC and Musqueam present the 5th annual 
Come Toward the Fire Festival, a celebration of Indigenous cultures, creativity, and community. Running September 18 to 20 at the Chan Centre and venues across the UBC campus, on the unceded Musqueam territory
Named BC Live’s 2025 Festival of the Year, this year’s festival is the most expansive edition yet — for the first time, spanning three days and adding a dedicated Day of Knowledge Sharing to a weekend program of live music, dance, film, storytelling, and an Indigenous artisan market. Presented with support from the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), and programmed by the Chan Centre’s Head Curator Jarrett Martineau, the 2026 edition welcomes the Vancouver debuts of rising Indigenous performers LOV, Siibii, and Kalyn Fay, alongside a headlining concert hosted by acclaimed actor, comedian, and activist Dallas Goldtooth, star of the hit series Reservation Dogs.
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– Come Toward the Fire is a gathering place — a space where Indigenous Peoples, families, and performers come together in a spirit of deep sharing with the many communities that call this place home,” says Martineau. “This year, that spirit grows. The addition of a Day of Knowledge Sharing reflects what this festival has always believed: that joy, learning, and cultural vitality are inseparable.”
First held in 2022, the festival’s name was gifted by Musqueam elder and language keeper Larry Grant, with special thanks to Musqueam artist Christie Lee Charles. With an aim to amplify Indigenous voices and create a vibrant space to celebrate Indigenous creativity, brilliance, and culture, the name suggests a movement of returning Indigenous voices to the forefront, back to the heart of the community.
Friday, September 18, the festival begins with a free Day of Knowledge Sharing from 12:30-4:30pm. Beginning with an opening welcome from Musqueam Councillor and host Alec Guerin, special performances from Coastal Wolf Pack and Cree/Métis folk trio Burnstick, the day progresses with workshops, cultural tours, film screenings, video art, an Indigenous artisan market, artist roundtables and learning discussions at venues across the UBC campus. Participating venues include the Chan Centre, Museum of Anthropology, Belkin Gallery, UBC First Nations House of Learning, and the UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. Local DWF legacy schools will be joining in the day and all members of the public are invited to attend.
Saturday, September 19, from Noon – 6pm, a full day of family-friendly programming is offered at outdoor and indoor venuesat the Chan Centre, featuring live music, dance, DJs, film screenings, including a screening of Gord Downie’s The Secret Path, hands-on workshops, storytellers and authors, food trucks, an Indigenous artisan market, skateboarding, live mural painting, and more. Admission by donation / pay what you can with wristband purchase.
Saturday, September 19, in addition to the workshops and hands-on learning and listening,a roster of daytime performances are lined upfeaturing the Vancouver debuts of Cree neosoul/R&B artist and rising TikTok star LOV, who recently released her debut album, Iskwew, and Cherokee/Muscogee folk/Americana artist Kayln Fay, who will be performing from their recently released third album, Garden. Other performers includes Burnstick, Francis Baptiste, Caley Watts, G?a?mksimoon, Curtis Clear Sky and the Constellationz, Joey Stylez, Semiah, and Eagle Ex Machina.
Sunday, September 20, from 6pm – 9pm, the festival closes with a marquee mainstage concert at the Chan Centre, hosted by Dakota/Diné actor, comedian, and activist Dallas Goldtooth, widely known for his role in Reservation Dogs, and headlined by two-time JUNO Award-winning Oji-Cree singer-songwriter Aysanabee. The ticketed concert will also feature Boslen, Logan Staats, Miss Christie Lee, Coastal Wolf Pack, and the Vancouver debut of Cree pop singer Siibii. Before the concert, take in the Indigenous Marketplace and Food Trucks starting at 5pm.
“Musqueam is honoured to continue our partnership with The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts as we welcome the return of – Come Toward the Fire,” says Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow. “As the host Nation, it is deeply meaningful for us to support a gathering that celebrates Indigenous creativity, storytelling, and the living cultures of Indigenous Peoples from across these lands. This festival creates space for Indigenous voices to be seen, heard, and celebrated. We thank the Chan Centre for their continued commitment to this partnership and for helping create opportunities for cultural exchange, learning, and connection for all who attend.”
runs September 18-20, 2026 at The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and other venues at the University of British Columbia campus on the Musqueam Territory. For tickets and full programming details, including venue locations, please visit: cometowardthefire.com