Canadiana Fest, In Partnership with Premier Athletics for Youth Development & OutFront Kalamazoo

PRESENTS:

Can-Am Peace Jam 2026 is Takin' It to the Streets...right across from Arcadia Creek!

LOCATION CHANGE: After the City of Kalamazoo announced that remediations were needed for Arcadia Creek Festival Place the Can Am Peace Jam is moving its full-day festival into the heart of downtown, right across the street!

With the City’s support, the festival will now activate a horseshoe of spaces around the Catalyst Building, including Water Street (Edwards St to the Kalamazoo Mall), the municipal parking lot, and Haymarket Plaza - reimagined as a vibrant, street-level celebration under the rallying cry “Takin’ It To the Streets!”

Although we celebrate all Canadian people and emphasize our Indigenous, French and British Commonwealth heritage, this milestone year honors the French‑Canadian diaspora and its lasting influence on North American art, music, food, industry, and culture.

Featured Artists and Special Guests!

Go to our website (Canadiana Fest) for schedule and details soon!

Mélisande [électrotrad] — a blend of traditional Acadian and modern interpretations and styling! From Montreal, this Award‑winning Québécois powerhouse, is one of the most electrifying forces in contemporary folk music today. Their fusion of traditional Québécois roots with modern energy creates a sound that is both deeply authentic and wildly innovative. With powerhouse vocals, masterful musicianship, and a stage presence that captivates audiences of all ages, Mélisande delivers performances that are unforgettable. They don’t just play music — they ignite a cultural experience. This electrifying Acadian quartet will blow your socks off! Mélisande: lead vocals, mandolin, and jaw harp; Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand: flute, bass, synth, and vocals; Émile Garand: accordion, harmonica, and vocals; Gabriel Girouard: fiddle, foot percussion, and vocals

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Henry Sir —Edmontonian turned NY'er, Canadian CBC‑featured comedian, #1 iTunes, Just For Laughs, Comedy Central Get ready to laugh until it hurts! Henry will do a special festival set before Mélisande [électrotrad]. Lauded as one of the sharpest, funniest, and most refreshingly original voices in comedy today. With his fearless punch‑up humor, razor‑smart social commentary, and wildly relatable storytelling, Henry Sir delivers the kind of set that leaves audiences laughing, thinking, and wanting more. Catch him live — this is comedy with brains, heart, and serious bite.

• Local and regional bands spanning Caribbean, Indigenous traditional, Classic rock n’ roll, Celtic, Scottish Pipe, and Acadian folk. Line up includes Zion Lion, Rock RX, Woodland Stream, Full Frontal Cortez, Hen Pecked Dawgs, and The Kalamazoo Scottish Pipe Band. Learn more about these bands here!
• Get a selfie with our PEACE POSSE a division of N.I.C.E ( National Institute for Courtesy Enforcement)- doling out kindness, good advice and hugs!
• Watch the U.S. Premier of "Burd" a Documentary about Canada's Oldest Man, hosted by WMU Ethical Studies
• Meet the Azure Musketeers — 17th‑century French military living‑history troupe.
• Dance with Genot Picor — Returning Voyageur storyteller, dancer, and musician performing traditional songs on the vielle

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS - Bring the family! Activities for everyone!

Check out our food truck lineup!

Here's who's bringing their best poutine!

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!

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

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!

NEW! ZAP ZONE XL JUST JOINED THE PARTY!!!

Zap Zone XL is now a Platinum Sponsor! Every ticket holder who comes through the gate will receive a $10 Zap Zone XL voucher—good for 120,000 sq ft of nonstop fun at their Portage OR Lansing adventure complex!

PLUS!!!!

• Festival Parade and Opening Ceremony - a fest tradition with bands, flags and mascots!!

• ROYAL CANADIAN VIP EXPERIENCE (ticketed) SPONSORED BY: CITY CENTRE EVENTS A posh festival experience with VIP entrance, special stage access seating, meet and greets with artists, Flair bartending demo with Jesse Perez of Bandana Bartending, NA cocktail tastings, noshing on appetizers throughout the day and MORE! Packages Available - Get your special VIP Tickets and help support the festival while having an amazing time!

• World Champion Poutine Competition — Food trucks battle for the Golden Gravy Ladle; ACF led judging for Best in Class & YOU get to vote onsite for your favorite to WIN!

• Butter Tart Competition —Anyone can enter! $25 registration supports Canadian food banks. Enter here!

• Canadian Sports Centre sponsored by Premier Athletics; with WMU Champions, local and Indigenous teams, coaches and athletes— Hockey, The Creator’s Game Bagodowe (LaCrosse), Curling with the Kalamazoo Curling Club, and Basketball with WMU Athletes.

• Children's Activites-- games, fun, and learning for everyone!

• Beer Garden hosted by OutFront Kalamazoo - Featuring Bell’s and Canadian Imports

• Crokinole!! a cross between shuffleboard and curling- this Canadian invented game will be featured- come learn how to play!!

• Presentations Tent - World renown speakers and entertainers, story tellers, and culture bearers from Indigenous Elders and Ph.D’s to authors, living history authorities, genealogy experts, and more. See the schedule of speakers here!

Cultural experiences

• Indigenous ceremony – Nga Zichiige Nibi Onji (We do it for the water) Water Ceremony (Semi private event) led by Tribal Elders for festival staff and special guests special invitation-

• Indigenous artists, musicians, poets, and presenters

• Opening Ceremonies - Round Dance song by Woodland Stream for the whole community to join in

• Cultural Village - Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society, d’Alliance Francaise, The Azure Musketeers, and Genot Picor French Canadian Voyageur 

• Canadian Citizenship by Descent-Bill C3 -hosted by Can/US licensed immigration attorney Emilia Coto of Sisu Legal, this booth will help inform and educate!

VENDOR HIGHLIGHTS

• Indigenous artists and craft persons – Including renowned Canadian Abenaki silver artist Paul-Rene Tamburro and Cherokee artist Andrea Tamburro of Sunrise Drum, Canadian Cree artist Crystal Marshall of Northern Moon Designs, Artisans of the Saginaw/Chippewa, Notawaseppi Huron, Gun Lake and Pokagun Tribes
• Canadian inspired art –  jewelry, pottery and many other goods
• Canadian businesses and producers – Kari Stopelstadt of Good Batch Popcorn, Macal DeNeve Wadsworth of Wraps n’ Signs,and others to be added

OFFICIAL POST FEST PUB!!! When the party at the park is over at 11, and you're not quite ready to call it a night- feel free to take a short walk down the street to The Old Dog Tavern 402 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 who will be carrying on the Canuck inspired fun.Its a laid back vibe, one of Kalamazoo's oldest established venues. It even has a MOOSE in it! Tell em, Channon sent ya!

TICKETS

$12 General | $8 Senior/Vet | $5 Students | Children Always Free/ ROYAL CANADIAN VIP EXPERIENCE $75 (OR GROUP RATES)