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 usually takes place in early March. In 2025 it runs from March 4th to 9th.
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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. 2025 marks its 18th season.
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 the 2025 Coastal First Nations Dance Festival has most of the programming back at the MOA! Some performances, however, happen at the Anvil Centre. That venue is located at 777 Columbia Street in New Westminster.
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
To give you an idea of what to expect, check out the following video. It’s a short clip of the Dancers of Damelahamid performing at the festival at the Museum of Anthropology a few years ago.
2025 Performance Schedule
The Coastal First Nations Dance Festival runs from Tuesday, March 4th, to Sunday, March 9th in 2025.
On the first two days of this year’s festival, there are a few matinee performance for families in the late morning and early afternoon, followed by an evening performance, all at the MOA.
Then on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday there are performances at the Anvil Centre. The week-long festival also features some other activities.
Matinee Performances
The 2025 festival kicks off with matinee shows at the MOA on Tuesday, March 4th, and Wednesday, March 5th. On both days the first show begins at 11:00 am and the second at 1:00 pm. They feature performances by Dancers of Damelahamid and Wagana & Raven Spirit Youth Dancers. Admission is included with general admission to the museum (but you must reserve seats in advance).
There is also a matinee show at the Anvil Centre on Friday, March 7th. It begins at 11:00 am and features performances by Dancers of Damelahamid and Nyla Bedard. Tickets are $21 for adults and about half that for students and seniors.
Signature Evening Performances
In 2025 Signature Evening Performances take place on March 4th and 5th at the MOA, and on March 8th at the Anvil Centre. They begin at 7:30 pm and the doors open at 7:00 pm.
Tickets for the Signature Evening Performances shows are about $31 for adults and $21 for students and seniors.
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 take place from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Anvil Centre on Saturday and Sunday. On these days admission is by donation or “pay what you can.”
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 are a few other events taking place at the MOA in addition to the main shows. That includes a collection of Rua I Te physical performances from 1:00 to 5:00 pm each day of the festival. There are 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.
For the full program for the 2025 festival see the Dancers of Damelahamid website.
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.
For information on similar events, check out First Nations Culture in the Lower Mainland or Vancouver’s Festivals & Events Calendar.
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.
