The Dancers of Damelahamid’s Coastal Dance Festival is an Indigenous cultural event at Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology and New Westminster‘s Anvil Centre.
The festival takes place in early March.
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Coastal Dance Festival Location | The Dance Festival | Coastal Dance Festival Video | Performance Schedule | Tips & Advice | Other Information
Dancers of Damelahamid First Nations Dance Festival in New Westminster
The Dancers of Damelahamid First Nations Dance Festival happens in the early spring each year. 2026 marks its 19th season. This year it runs from March 3rd to 8th.
The festival is always a remarkable series of cultural performances. In typical years, in addition to afternoon shows, there are also special evening performances that usually sell out.
It’s a cultural experience that’s highly recommended and you won’t want to miss it.
Coastal Dance Festival Location
The Coastal First Nations Dance Festival mainly happens at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) on the University of British Columbia‘s campus. In recent years, many of the festivities took place instead at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster, as the MOA was undergoing renovations on its Great Hall.
Those renovations are now done, and last year’s Coastal First Nations Dance Festival had most of the programming back at the MOA. Some performances, however, happened at the Anvil Centre. That venue is located at 777 Columbia Street in New Westminster.
In 2026 the first day of performances, on March 3rd, are at the Anvil Centre. All other days, from March 4th to 8th, are at the Museum of Anthropology.
The Dance Festival
The annual Coastal First Nations Dance Festival showcases Canadian Indigenous artists from BC, Western Canada and the Yukon, as well as out-of-country groups from places like Alaska, Hawaii and further abroad.
There are usually over a dozen featured artists performing during the festival. There are both groups and individuals to see. Some are musicians, while others are dancers.
Coastal Dance Festival Video
Check out the following video to give you an idea of what to expect if you want to attend this year’s festival. The video is a short clip of the Dancers of Damelahamid performing at the festival at the Museum of Anthropology a few years ago.
Performance Schedule
The Coastal First Nations Dance Festival runs from Tuesday, March 3rd to Sunday, March 8th in 2026.
On the first three days of the festival, there are a few matinee performance for families in the late morning and early afternoon, followed by an evening performance. The first day is at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster and the rest are at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.
Then on the Friday and Saturday there are both afternoon and evening performances as well as afternoon performances on the Sunday, all once again at the venue at UBC. The afternoon performances are included with general admission to the museum. The evening ones, however, are ticketed.
Matinee Performances
The festival this year kicks off with matinee shows at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster on Tuesday, March 3rd. Th first performance begins at 11:00 am and the second at 1:00 pm. They feature performances by Dancers of Damelahamid as well as one or two other groups. The same happens again on the Wednesday and Thursday of March 4th and 5th, but at the Museum of Anthropology. Admission is included with general admission to the museum on the second two days, but ticketed for the event at the Anvil Centre on the Tuesday.
Signature Evening Performances
In 2026 ticketed Signature Evening Performances take place on March 6th and 7th at the MOA at UBC. They begin at 7:30 pm and the doors opened at around 7:00 pm.
Tickets for the Signature Evening Performances shows are about $40 for adults and $30 for students and seniors.
Below is the schedule of performers from 2025. The lineup in 2026 will be comparable, but with exact details to be confirmed.
Tuesday (March 4th, 2025) Performances at the MOA
- Dancers of Damelahamid
- Wagana Dancers
- Xwelmexw Shxwexwo:s
Wednesday (March 5th, 2025) Performances at the MOA
- Dancers of Damelahamid
- Laura Grizzlypaws
- Spakwus Slolem
Saturday (March 8th, 2025) Performances at the Anvil Centre
- Dancers of Damelahamid
- Git Hoan Dancers
- Yisya’winuxw Dancers
Festival Stage Performances
Festival Stage shows took place from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on the Saturday and Sunday last year. On these days admission was by donation or “pay what you can.” The lineup in 2026 will likely be comparable.
Saturday (March 8th, 2025) Performances
- Chinook Song Catchers
- Dakhá Khwáan Dancers
- Dancers of Damelahamid
- Git Hoan Dancers
- Yisya’winuxw Dancers
Sunday (March 9th, 2025) Performances
- Chesha7 iy lha mens
- Dakhá Khwáan Dancers
- Dancers of Damelahamid
- Git Hayetsk
- Rainbow Creek Dancers
Other Events
There were a few other events that took place at the MOA in addition to the main shows last year. That included a collection of Rua I Te physical performances from 1:00 until 5:00 pm each day of the festival. There were also Artist Sharing events on the Tuesday and Wednesday at 3:00 pm, and a Wolverine dance performance by Raven Grenier at 7:00 pm.
See the Dancers of Damelahamid website for the full program for last year’s festival.
Tips & Advice
Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your experience at the dance festival.
TIP #1: The Coastal First Nations Dance Festival is a popular event. If you go to a free show, arrive early to make sure you can get in. Also, for all shows, arrive early to find a good seat.
TIP #2: Book your seats to the ticketed evening shows well in advance as they almost always sell out.
TIP #3: Don’t forget your camera! The regalia and dancing are impressive! Note, though, that photography might not be permitted at the Signature Evening Performances. Also, if wanting to take photos of performers when not on stage, ask for permission.
Other Information
Check out First Nations Dance Festival for more information on the event.
Click Museum of Anthropology for more details about the venue where the event used to take place in previous years. There’s also an Indigenous Sport Gallery at the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Check out First Nations Culture in the Lower Mainland or Vancouver’s Festivals & Events Calendar for more information on similar events.
Other Indigenous events taking place around February and/or March include the following:
- Hoobiyee – Nisga’a Nation New Year celebrations at the PNE Forum. Free admission.
- Talking Stick Festival – an Indigenous festival in Yaletown at the Roundhouse Community Centre as well as at other venues.
