Each year as summer comes to an end, salmon leave the ocean to make their way up rivers and streams to spawn. Throughout the province, there are family-friendly events celebrating local rivers and the return of salmon. These are great opportunities to connect with communities and learn about local Watershed CPR efforts. We will be updating this page throughout spawning season as events get announced, check back often for updates!
If you know of an event celebrating rivers or salmon that isn’t on our list yet, please let us know!
Jump to events in the:
Fraser Headwaters Region | Nechako Region | Cariboo-Chilcotin Region | Thompson Region | Fraser Canyon Region | Lower Fraser Region
Headwaters
Nechako
September 24 – Vanderhoof Rivers Day
More details to be announced.
Cariboo Chilcotin
September 9-10 – Horsefly River Salmon Festival
The Horsefly River Roundtable is inviting you and your family to join their community for the annual Horsefly River Salmon Festival. Come and celebrate the return of sockeye salmon to their spawning grounds on the beautiful Horsefly River. Learn more.
Rivershed is part of this event! We invite you to stop by our booth, meet some of our team, check out our merch and learn about Watershed CPR (Connect. Protect. Restore.)!
Thompson
September 24 – BC River’s Day: McArthur Island River Clean-Up
The McArthur Island River Clean-Up Day is meant to celebrate Kamloops’ Thompson Rivers by cleaning up garbage that may be affecting its ecosystem. Attendees should bring gloves and weather-appropriate clothing. See event page for details.
October 7-9 – Adams River Fall Market
- Come and see the spawning salmon
- Local vendors, food and artisans
- Guided Interpretive Tours available
The Adams River Salmon Society Interpretive Cabin will be open with educational displays and souvenirs.
Fraser Canyon
October 7-9 – Lytton River Festival
The Lytton River Festival is a celebration of two great rivers – the Thompson and Fraser – and their historic and present role in Lytton, B.C. It will be taking place at the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux School and includes music, dancing, crafts, children’s events, a community Thanksgiving feast and more! More information.
Lower Fraser
September 15-17 – stɑl̓əw̓ Pow Wow
The second annual stɑl̓əw̓ pow-wow is happening on September 15th, 16th and 17th, 2023 at the Langley Events Centre, presented by the stɑl̓əw̓ Arts & Cultural Society. Celebrate Indigenous culture, traditions, music, regalia and art. Learn more.
September 16 – Salmon Day
Join Watershed Watch, Resilient Waters and PhD student Zack Sherker from UBC for a fun, family-friendly Salmon Day at ƛ̓éxətəm (Colony Farm) Regional Park. Learn about the work to reconnect waterways to improve salmon’s ability to access their habitats. Learn more about the event.
September 20 – BCIT Guichon Creek Day
As a people -focused organization, BCIT recognizes Guichon Creek as a place of wellness where faculty, staff, students and members of the community connect to nature, peace and tranquility during their busy workday. Efforts to restore the creek to its natural habitat have been ongoing and will continue with future daylighting plans on the north side of campus. The event kicks off with a welcome from Elder Carleen Thomas and special guests at the gazebo behind the Recreation Center. To see the activities happening throughout the day, see event page.
September 9-23 – 21st Annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival: Water’s Wisdom
Still Moon Arts Society proudly presents the 21st annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival! This year’s theme is ‘Water’s Wisdom’. A fusion of art, nature, and community, this month-long festival celebrates the Harvest Moon, Autumn Equinox, Still Creek, local art and the diverse cultural traditions of the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood. Read more.
September 23 – Chilliwack Run for Salmon
The WaterWealth Project’s largest annual event, the Chilliwack River Salmon Run provides valuable funding to power their work. The event offers a fun-run, raffle prizes, and an eco-market with over 20 booths. With the option of 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers, or even a 200-meter kids dash, there’s a fun-run for everyone! Learn more and register.
September 20-24 – RiverFest
A free family-friendly festival that celebrates World Rivers Day and BC Rivers Day, the Fraser River Discovery Centre is planning a weekend of community spirit, captivating performances, and guided walks. It all culminates in a riverside festival on the Quayside boardwalk.
Rivershed is thrilled to be the presenting sponsor on Rivers Day, Sunday, September 24! We invite you to stop by our booth, meet some of our team, check out our merch and join the Watershed Movement for a chance to win a fantastic Rivershed swag package!
September 23-24 – Fish Habitat Stewardship Workshop
The third annual FREE 2-day Fish Habitat Stewardship Workshop, co-sponsored by BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) and Cougar Creek Streamkeepers, takes place in Cory Drive Park, overlooking North Delta’s most productive salmon stream, Cougar Creek. This event Includes both hands-on learning (building spawning weirs, planting a rain garden) and open-air presentations under the BCWF canopy. Participation is limited, and pre-registration is required. See event details here.
September 24 – BC Rivers Day River Cleanup
In celebration of BC Rivers Day, Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Society is hosting their annual river cleanup! Most of the garbage is getting further and further up the Chilliwack River Valley and is found in more remote locations. What this means is we need more experienced volunteers who have the physical ability and resources (vehicles) to access these areas.
You can pre-register for this event by emailing us at info@cleanrivers.ca and include your full name and the names of the people in your group, as well as your phone number and emergency contact and phone number. Learn more about this event.
September 24 – 30th Annual Ridge Meadows Rivers Day
This event celebrates BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day, hosted by the Alouette River Management Society. Ridge Meadows Rivers Day provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Alouette Watershed and its importance within the community. It’s also an excellent way for environmentally-minded organizations to promote themselves while supporting a great cause. This event promises to be filled with lots of fun and interactive environmental displays, live music, face painting, carnival games and live northern spotted owls on site! Learn more about the event.
September 24 – BC River’s Day
Join the Langley Environmental Partners Society at Williams Park in Langley to celebrate the importance of local water resources. This family-friendly event will feature interactive activities and opportunities to learn what residents can do to protect and conserve Langley’s watersheds. Event details.
September 24 – World River’s Day with Burnaby Village Museum
A free, family-friendly event where you can learn about local waterways and restoration efforts to help protect these environments. Activities include demonstrations, displays, tours, activities, crafts and live entertainment. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and contribute to ecosystem restoration of our creeks and streams, sign up to volunteer for an invasive plant pull at Burnaby Village Museum!
More information and/or to sign up to volunteer.
September 24 – World Rivers Day Guided Paddle – Hope to Agassiz
Hope Mountain Centre invites you to paddle with us and a team of river scientists, an Indigenous cultural guide, historians and naturalists who will all share their knowledge and different perspectives of the mighty Fraser River. Bring your own boat or hop aboard one of our large, guided voyager canoes. There is a fee associated with this event. More information.
September 24 – Flow: A Celebration of BC Rivers Day
Immerse yourself in an extraordinary evening hosted by Julie Blue that seamlessly blends the powerful pulse of live music and audience participation with the flowing narratives of literature. Join us for an event that combines the captivating book release of STIKINE ODYSSEY: From Adventure to Activism With The Great River by acclaimed author Peter Rowlands with the exhilarating Flow: A Celebration of BC Rivers Day musical experience featuring Julie Blue and Jose-Cheo. Tickets by donation.
October 20 – Salmon Rainforest
Trees help salmon, but also eat them too? Join a Metro Vancouver Regional Park Interpreter in Aldergrove and Langley to explore the life cycle of salmon and how they provide food for the forest and more than 100 animal species, including us. You’ll see video clips, an interactive presentation and real specimens about this extraordinary web of life.
October 22 – Salmon Come Home
The return is special because the salmon swim back from the ocean to the creek where they were spawned, after living most of their adult lives at sea. They return solely to spawn and then die, completing their lifecycle.
Prime viewing for chum salmon is usually from mid-October through early November.
November 12 – Season of the Wild Weekend
Kilby’s living history site goes “Wild” for a weekend in November. The salmon have arrived. Visit the Kilby Historic Site log cabin to taste salmon, make a bird-friendly craft, and roast your own damper/bannock over an open fire. Family fun for all! Learn more here.
Do you know of a salmon or river event within the Fraser Watershed that we haven’t included here? Please let us know.
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