About the Festival
Festival Afloat is a paddle-powered music festival and educational offering that brings together allied businesses and impassioned community members. Our goal? To raise funds and awareness for Indigenous Nations who are in court to protect the ocean and keep our coast clean!
Festival Afloat is back — grab a paddle for Indigenous Justice!
This summer, RAVEN is back with our unique on-the-water fundraising concert to raise money for access to justice for Indigenous communities. All floating shows are viewable from shore, or paddle up to the sailboat stage by canoe, kayak or SUP. Spread a blanket or throw down a boat in support of Indigenous-led environmental justice! Festival Afloat 2024 is fundraising for Heiltsuk Nation.
June 30, 2024 — Desirée Dawson with Jody Okabe
Vancouver — Jericho Beach
Accessibility info: We strive to make our floating concerts inclusive and accessible to all attendess. As we encourage attendees to join us on the water with a proper PFD, all Festival Afloat shows are accessible via land. For wheelchair users and individuals with mobility aids there will be a designated area which you can enjoy the show. If you require specific assistance or have questions please reach out to Caitlyn at organizer@raventrust.com
Join RAVEN and The Providence for sailings departing from Vancouver Heritage Harbour (July 1) or Salt Spring Ganges Harbour (July 17 & 18). RAVEN staff will be aboard to host an in depth conversation into the work we do; The Providence staff and the history of the ship while sailing out into the waters. *Sailing is not guaranteed and is dependent on the wind. Please note that The Providence crew do their best to catch the wind and have the sails up during a portion of this sailing.
July 1, 2024 — 11:30am - 3pm
Vancouver — Heritage Harbour Museum
July 1, 2024 — 3:30pm - 7pm
Vancouver — Heritage Harbour Museum
July 18, 2024 — 11:30am - 3pm
Salt Spring Island — Ganges Harbour
July 18, 2024 — 3:30pm - 7pm
Salt Spring Island — Ganges Harbour
Accessibility info: Although we strive to make FAF accessible, we recognize that we've partnered with The Providence which was built in 1903. Mobility aids and wheelchairs are unable to board The Providence. We will also like attendees to know that to access the 'head' (bathroom) you are required to go down a ladder. If you require specific assistance or have questions, please reach out to Caitlyn at organizer@raventrust.com or at (250)410-4397.
Festival Afloat 2024 is supporting:
Heiltsuk Nation's Step Up for Coast Heroes
Heiltsuk Nation is taking Kirby — an oil shipping company — Canada, and British Columbia to court. In the wake of the catastrophic Nathan E. Stewart spill that spilled toxic fuels into Heiltsuk's marine harvesting areas, this Title case aims to enshrine Indigenous stewardship practices into law to toughen regulations about fossil fuel transport and protect marine ecosystems for future generations.
By attending Festival Afloat, you’re supporting Heiltsuk Nation to make sure that orcas, salmon, otters — and the coastal communities who care for them — continue to thrive.
Our first year started with just one show, but it planted a seed that has continued to blossom! That seed burst open and from 2021 to 2023 Festival Afloat has raised $200k with concerts happening all over!
Join us this summer to keep the dream afloat!
Thank you for making Festival Afloat 2024 so Magic
It’s always a bit surreal to wrap up Festival Afloat each year. We know we’ve created something so unique and special that brings together lovers of being at sea, with advocates for Indigenous rights, top…
Peach and Quiet: A last minute addition to Festival Afloat, and it was a beautiful thing
On the sixth and final day of RAVEN’s Festival Afloat 2023, due to unforeseen circumstances, we found ourselves without a musician to perform on Pender Island. Luckily, our brilliant crew and new friends aboard the…
Festival Afloat 2023 Spotlight: a conversation with Hip Hop artist, Higher Knowledge
If you happened to catch us at Festival Afloat Vancouver on July 9, you’ll know that the show was opened by an incredible hip hop artist, HK aka Higher Knowledge! With a crowd of nearly…