Sasquatch Days is an annual festival with war canoe races, First Nations cultural performances and other activities in the resort town of Harrison Hot Springs.
In 2025 the event happened on the Saturday and Sunday of June 28th and 29th. It will likely happen again around the same time in 2026, though exact details are to be confirmed.
See the Tourism Harrison website for full details about this event.
TIP: This is a great event, which makes the last weekend of June a fabulous time to be in Harrison Hot Springs. Other events take place at the resort town this time of year too, however. On July 1st, for example, there is a full day of Canada Day Celebrations. A couple of weeks later, there is the Harrison Festival of the Arts.
This article contains the following information about Sasquatch Days:
Sasquatch Days Event Details | Canoe Races | Sasquatch Days Schedule | Tips & Advice | Other Information
Sasquatch Days Festival at Harrison Hot Springs
The festival took place on the Saturday and Sunday of June 28th and 29th in 2025 (so on the weekend after National Indigenous Peoples Day which is on June 21st).
The free two-day family-friendly event includes live entertainment, canoe races, medicine walks and Indigenous artisan vendors.
Hundreds of families and other spectators set up their lawn chairs and canopy awnings during the weekend along the waterfront at Harrison Lake and dozens of war canoes line the beach. Race commentary is broadcast through loudspeakers and a number of vendors sell souvenirs in the market.
Sasquatch Days Event Details
Jointly hosted by the local Sts’ailes First Nations and the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Sasquatch Days runs from about 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on the Saturday and from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on the Sunday.
Sasquatch Days takes place in the resort town of Harrison Hot Springs. It’s about a two-hour drive east of Vancouver.
The primary focus of the event is definitely the canoe races, but there are other activities too.
See the Tourism Harrison website for full details about this event.
Sasquatch Days Canoe Races
War canoe races take place throughout the day, starting at around 10:00 am on both the Saturday and Sunday. The races start slowly, after the rules are announced and racers are introduced. By around 10:30 am or a bit after, the junior racers hit the water. They are followed by increasingly older and more experienced competitors as the day progresses.
Sasquatch Days Schedule
The 2025 schedule of events is below. Exact details were subject to change. The 2026 schedule will likely be comparable, with details to be confirmed.
Saturday, June 28th, 2025
- 8:30 am – Information table and canoe registration opens
- 9:00 am – Procession from St. Alice Street to Civic Centre Plaza
- 9:15 am – Opening Ceremony in the plaza
- 9:30 am – Canoe Skipper’s meeting and VIP Paddle
- 10:00 am – Start of the canoe races and the market
- 11:00 am – The first Medicine Walk takes place
- 12:00 pm – NDN Taco sales
- 1:00 pm – Another Medicine Walk takes place
- 5:00 pm – Canoe races end
- 5:30 pm – Coastal Jam begins in the plaza
- 9:00 pm – Event ends
Sunday, June 29th, 2025
- 9:45 am – Canoe Skipper’s meeting
- 10:00 am – Start of the canoe races and the market
- 11:00 am – First Medicine Walk of the day
- 12:00 pm – NDN Taco sales
- 1:00 pm – Another Medicine Walk takes place
- 3:00 pm – Races end and there’s a closing prayer ceremony
See the Tourism Harrison website for full details about this event.
Tips & Advice
Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your Sasquatch Days experience.
TIP #1: Arrive early (e.g. before 10:00 am) if you hope to find parking anywhere near the waterfront.
TIP #2: Sasquatch Days isn’t a huge event. It’s a nice addition, though, to an already amazing place. Watch the canoe races and other activities, but also plan to enjoy the beach, go for a stroll and explore the area.
TIP #3: The canoe competitions begin with the junior races most years. It’s not until later in the morning, towards noon, that the adults compete.
TIP #4: If you have kids, don’t forget to pack their swimsuits and sand toys.
TIP #5: Be sure to have a salmon for lunch. The fish is delicious, and funds raised benefit kids and their canoeing program.
Other Information
Sasquatch Days is a free cultural event that’s open to the public. See Sasquatch Days for more information.
Check out Lower Mainland First Nations for other places and ways to experience First Nations culture.
Click Harrison Hot Springs or the Fraser Valley to learn about the region and other things to do in the area.
Check out our Canada Day in Harrison Hot Springs article to learn about July 1st celebrations in the resort town.
See the Festivals and Events Calendar for other festivals throughout the year in Metro Vancouver.
Sasquatch Days often take place on or around the Father’s Day weekend. Click Metro Vancouver Father’s Day Activities for a list of other activities to do with dad and the family.
