FernFest is back on!
After being briefly cancelled due to lack of capacity, FernFest is back on for 2026.
The well-loved event and the operators of the event, Fernwood Neighbourhood House (FNH) received so much feedback that the community did not want to go without FernFest in 2026.
FNH has brought on several community organizations to take the reins on the festival in response to the public outcry.
Victoria councillors Matt Dell and Jeremy Caradonna also stepped up and presented a motion to city council proposing a one-time grant of $20,000 for the festival.
Their motion explained that FernFest had missed the deadline for event and festival applications through normal City channels.
The $20,000 grant they will be receiving will come out of the My Great Neighbourhood funding, which was increased from $140,000 to $200,000 during recent budget talks.
After 2026, FernFest operators will have to return to the normal channels for festival funding.
Dell and Caradonna’s motion was approved during the Thursday, May 7th, committee of the whole meeting, and after it was approved, FernFest put out a media release announcing the festival’s return.
FernFest will take place on June 13th as a one-day celebration of local arts, music, food and neighbourhood connection.
This year, the festival is being led via a community partnership between FNH, City of Victoria, LampPost Social, the Owl Designer Fair, Fernwood Makers Party, CREAM Life + Style, community organizers, local artists and supporters, including Aryze Developments.
“This is exactly what neighbourhood festivals are supposed to be about,” said Jasmine Allard, operations manager of FNH.
“Community members stepped forward with energy, ideas, and a willingness to collaborate. We’re excited to support a transition that keeps the spirit of FernFest alive while creating space for new leadership and new traditions.”
FernFest noted that in addition to the funding provided by the City, Aryze Developments contributed $10,000 toward festival operations, music programming and community activations.
“We believe cities are made livable by the spaces, people and events that bring neighbours together—and Fernfest has been doing that for fifteen years,” Melanie Ransome, director of marketing and partnerships at Aryze.
“When Lamppost [sic] came to us with the opportunity to help keep it going, it was an easy yes. This is exactly the kind of partnership we’re here for.”
The event will feature over 100 local vendors and makers, live music performances from local artists, food trucks, community activations, a licensed beer garden and family-friendly activities throughout the day.
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Assets were ~$3.2 million around 2012
Since then, they've expanded their affordable housing portfolio significantly, now operating 10 three-bedroom units across multiple buildings
They've added business operations (hair salon, yoga studio)
They employ 50+ people
They've been active for over 45 years.
A reasonable rough estimate for their current total assets would be somewhere in the range of $6–10 million, with the affordable housing properties in Victoria's dramatically inflated real estate market being the biggest driver. Victoria property values have roughly doubled or more since 2012, so the real estate component alone would push that 2012 figure up considerably.
