YUKON RIVERSIDE ARTS FESTIVAL 2025 SCHEDULE
Thursday, June 12 – GALLERY HOP NIGHT!
Gallery Hop – an Art-Crawl Adventure through Dawson City – CLICK HERE FOR MAP
The Gallery Hop is a self-directed, community-wide art walk that kicks off the Festival, transforming local spaces and businesses into temporary exhibition spaces, performance venues, and creative hubs for one night only. This event offers a unique platform for artists to showcase their work, experiment with immersive installations, or engage audiences through live performances and interactive experiences.
EVENING EVENTS – PART OF GALLERY HOP
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Gallery Hop Opening Reception and Festival Kick-Off – at Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre (DZCC)
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM- Opening Reception – Northern Fibres Guild – “Weaving the Midnight Sun” – at the ODD Gallery
9:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Gallery Hop Closing Show – John From Dawson – at The Bunkhouse
Friday, June 13
LIVE MUSIC & EVENTS
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – Summer Concert Series presents Keziah – at the Gazebo
Come soak up the summer vibes with the perfect lunch break concert – Hosted in partnership with our friends at the Klondike Visitors Association
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM – Square Dancing – at Riverside Park (by Picnic Shelter)
Live fiddle music and Dance Caller Tiss Clark invite you to kick up your heels and join the fun!
No experience or partner necessary, this is a free all-ages event that welcomes all skill levels.
Wear your best dancing clothes and bring a water bottle, do-si-don’t miss it!
EXHIBITS
11:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Northern Fibres Guild – “Weaving the Midnight Sun” – at the ODD Gallery
WORKSHOPS & DEMOS
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM – Quillwork on Birch Workshop by Faye Chamberlain – at Dënäkär Zho/KIAC Classroom
The embellishment of birchbark with porcupine quills is one of the most unique and beautiful art forms native to North America. Join Faye Chamberlain and create your own special piece of art with gifts from the land.
Email programs@kiac.ca to sign up – only 10 spots available!
Free to attend
Cost of materials: $20 per participant (pay cash to instructor)
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM – Youth Hip Hop Workshop with John from Dawson and NITPIK – at K’äjit-in Zho Youth Centre
Take a deep dive into the realm of freestyle rapping, lyrical artistry and performance with John from Dawson and Nitpik. This workshop is geared to those who are interested in learning about the art of Hip Hop Rap writing and performance through discussion, hands on activities and personal reflection. During the workshop presenters will share a short history of Hip Hop and rapping, a short overview of their lives and how this genre has offered them a way of expression like no other. Participants will embark on a journey of discovery of the process used to go from inception to completion.
Workshop is free to attend, but spots are limited!
To sign up, contact: thomas.hodgkinson@trondek.ca 867-993-6495
Huge thanks to the Youth Centre team for making this possible!
Hours TBD – Public Painting with Gorellaume – at Dënäkär Zho/KIAC back porch
Saturday, June 14
Riverside Park – SITES OPEN 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
INFO BOOTH
Come and visit us for information on all things YRAF, and check out our amazing merch!
YRAF ARTIST MARKET
Featuring work by local and regional artists, crafters and artisans.
KIDS TENT
Drop-in art activities for Children and Youth
Cyanotype printing, Painting and Theatre arts
Giant bubbles with Matchoo
WORKSHOPS & DEMOS
Community-driven Loom Weaving Demo and Workshop by Janice Brodie and Marilyn Smith – at ODD Gallery (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
Join Northern Fibres Guild members as they demonstrate hands-on loom weaving techniques at the setting of their ODD Gallery exhibit.
Blacksmithing with Jeake Armstrong – Riverside Park
Come on down to watch Jake burn some Pennsylvania real estate on his restored 1800s coal forge and play Jake’s favourite games, “What’s that old rusty piece of metal?” and the timeless classic “Was It Forged ???!”
Live Portrait Drawing with Nico DeRepentigny – Riverside Park
Find Nico with their easel and get your portrait made!
Public Painting with Gorellaume – at Dënäkär Zho/KIAC back porch
Live Music Stage
11:00 – 4:00ish on the Driftwood stage next to the Artist Market – Co-presented by The Dawson City Bunkhouse
11:40 – 12:05 Dieter Weise
12:20 – 12:45 Jules Nominal
1:00 – 1:25 Sam Connolly
1:40 – 2:05 Mad Ran
2:20 – 2:45 Chris Bourque
3:00 – 3:25 Sam Huxley
3:40 – 4:05 River Bends
EVENING EVENTS
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Artist Talk By Melissa Naef – at Peabody’s P.B.G Gallery
“Tailings”, a long-form photography documentation project that explores characteristics of Dawson City, Yukon, by the local artist, and recent NASCAD graduate, Melissa Naef. Join her for a talk about her work, hosted by Peabody’s P.B.G Gallery.
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Artist Meet & Greet Cocktail – at Dënäkär Zho/KIAC Ballroom
Ease into the evening with the Artist Meet & Greet Cocktail from 7–9 PM – Just before our big dance party!
Open to all, this laid-back mixer brings together artists, festival folks, and guests for good conversation, drinks, and food—courtesy of Bonanza Market.
9:00 PM to 1:00 AM – YRAF2K – Our 25th Anniversary Y2K themed Party! – at Dënäkär Zho/KIAC Ballroom
The Yukon Riverside Arts Festival turns 25, and we’re throwing it back to the Y2K era to celebrate like’s it’s the new Millenium! Whether you’re reliving your teen years or finally discovering the strange magic of low-rise jeans, this is your moment.
Dress code: Delia’s catalog-core, Matrix-pilled looks, mesh, metallics, plastic —go off!
Outfits encouraged. Clear electronics, tamagotchis, beepers, an asset. Embarrassing dance moves welcome.
DJs White Bread & Y0B to the 993 will be spinning 90s and early 2000s bangers all night!
Let’s party like it’s 1999—for old times’ sake. Sponsored by Yukon Brewing – Beer worth freezin’ for!
Sunday, June 15
1:00 PM Start – DDY BBQ II – DOG DAY AFTERNOON – A Hot Dog extravaganza at the Gazebo on Riverside Park
Welcome to the 2nd edition of our world famous DDY BBQ, a meat-fuelled farewell to a great Arts Fest weekend!
Come and enjoy a FREE Hot Dog Extravaganza with gourmet toppings bar, courtesy of our friends at the Dawson City General Store and the Dawson City Fire Department!
Musical Stylings by DJ Glizzy MCGuire 🌭