Fred Fest music event to return to Fort St. John in 2026

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local music festival will return in 2026, driven by the need to help others in the community.

Started by local resident Fred McRae, Fred Fest is a festival which takes place on his property in Fort St. John and features regional acts.

The concert festival will take place over one weekend in late August, with attendees setting up campers in the day leading up to the event.

While he started the event as a musical festival, McRae told Energeticcity.ca about why he felt compelled to raise funds for a charitable donation.

“I’ll have 70 years under my belt here in a couple months,” said McRae, who has been a resident of Fort St. John all his life. “It was time to give back.”

Since fundraising began in 2023, promotion for the event suggests over $50,000 in total has been raised toward charitable causes. 

Last year, funds went towards the Fort St. John Hospital Auxiliary. However, McCrae, owner of McRae Powder Coating, says he’s unsure about where fundraising efforts will go this year.

“I haven’t made that decision,” said McRae.

The 2026 lineup will include food trucks, camp sites and performances by Kyle McKearney, Jake Vaadeland, The Prairie States, Brandon Lorenzo and more.

Fred Fest 2026 will take place on Friday, August 21st and Saturday, August 22nd at 6786 285 Road in Fort St. John.

There will be camping on-site for $40. McRae says 200 campsites will be available throughout the event and people allowed to come on-site on Thursday, August 20th.

Tickets are $80 for a single day, with a weekend pass for $150. Seniors’ weekend passes are priced at $100, while youth single-day tickets are $20 for ages 13-17. Youth 12 and under are free of charge. 

Tickets can be purchased by calling McRae at 250-262-1926 or the event’s ticket site.