Great Northern Arts Festival 2026

Each July, the town of Inuvik, Northwest Territories becomes a vibrant gathering place for artists, performers, and culture lovers from across the North and beyond. The Great Northern Arts Festival (GNAF) is one of Canada’s most respected and beloved celebrations of Indigenous and circumpolar art, offering ten days of creativity, connection, and cultural expression in the heart of the Arctic.

For over 30 years, GNAF has welcomed established and emerging artists from across the territories and the circumpolar world — from the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut to Alaska, Greenland, and Scandinavia. The festival transforms Inuvik into a living gallery filled with vibrant artwork, interactive workshops, and unforgettable performances that celebrate the land, the people, and the stories of the North.

What is the Great Northern Arts Festival?

Founded in 1989, the Great Northern Arts Festival was created to support, preserve, and promote the rich artistic traditions of Canada’s North while providing a platform for innovation and exchange. Today, it continues to thrive as a dynamic multi-disciplinary festival where artists not only showcase their work, but also teach, learn, and inspire.

Visitors can experience a unique blend of fine art and cultural expression through gallery exhibitions, live demonstrations, and hands-on workshops. GNAF is also a space for dialogue, where artists and attendees from different regions and backgrounds come together to share techniques, stories, and experiences that reflect the diversity and creativity of life in the North.

Festival Highlights

Gallery Exhibitions

The GNAF gallery is the heart of the festival, featuring hundreds of original works by northern and Indigenous artists. From intricate beadwork and soapstone carvings to contemporary paintings and textiles, the exhibition showcases the depth and diversity of northern artistry. All works are available for purchase, offering collectors and supporters a rare opportunity to acquire original pieces directly from the artists.

Live Demonstrations and Artist Talks

Throughout the festival, artists demonstrate their techniques in real time — allowing visitors to watch carvings take shape, moose hide get tanned, or intricate designs emerge through beadwork or brush. These demonstrations are often paired with artist talks, giving deeper insight into the stories, materials, and cultural meanings behind the creations.

Workshops for All Ages

GNAF offers an inclusive program of hands-on workshops in beading, carving, painting, sewing, drumming, and more. Designed for beginners and experienced participants alike, workshops are led by festival artists and provide a rare opportunity to learn traditional and contemporary skills directly from masters of the craft. Youth programs and community drop-ins ensure that everyone can participate in the creative process.

Cultural Performances and Evening Events

Evenings at GNAF come alive with music, storytelling, and traditional performances. Drum dances, throat singing, fiddling, spoken word, and contemporary music acts reflect the diversity of Northern cultures and the evolving creative scene. Many performances take place outdoors or in the festival tent, where the midnight sun creates a magical backdrop for shared celebration.

Festival Venues

• Chief Jim Koe Park: Outdoor stage, evening events, workshops
• Midnight Sun Complex: Gallery exhibitions, artist talks, indoor workshops
• Community venues and schools: Pop-up studios and special programming

Visitor Information

When: Mid-July (dates vary slightly each year)
Where: Inuvik, NT – accessible by air from Yellowknife or via the Dempster Highway
What to Bring: Curiosity, notebook, camera, and comfortable clothes for both indoor and outdoor events

Workshops may require pre-registration — check the festival website for full programming details and artist lineup.

Why You Should Attend

• Meet and learn directly from artists representing Indigenous and Northern cultures
• Experience a unique blend of traditional and contemporary Arctic art forms
• Support artists by purchasing one-of-a-kind creations directly from the source

Celebrate Art in the Arctic

The Great Northern Arts Festival is more than a showcase — it is a community, a legacy, and a living expression of Northern creativity. Whether you're an artist, a collector, a learner, or an admirer, GNAF invites you to explore the power of art to connect people across cultures, languages, and landscapes. Join us in Inuvik for one of the most inspiring festivals in Canada’s North.