Painting the walls of Downtown Chilliwack once again is the Chilliwack Mural Festival! This free annual festival is returning in 2025 with expanded dates from August 7 – 17. Art, music, and community collide to create a celebration offering free workshops, mural tours, alley parties, plus a two-day street party on August 15 & 16 featuring live music, a mural cube, food trucks, community murals, kids crafts, and entertainment.
Blending Local and International Talent
Confirmed to paint at the Chilliwack Mural Festival are ten talented muralists, hailing from Chilliwack, Agassiz, Vancouver, Toronto, France, and California. The artists were selected out of over 1100 applicants by festival curators Carrielynn Victor and Amber Price:
- Andrew Hem (California): Andrew’s vibrant, otherworldly pieces combine surrealism with introspection. His work includes themes of identity, memory, and cultural connection.
- AÉRO (France): AÉRO’s art draws inspiration from his wanderings. He aims to provoke emotion and gain attention of passersby through using open environments, giving public space meaning.
- TEMPONOK (France): TEMPONOK’s technical mastery meets a dreamlike aesthetic in his pieces. A Parisian graffiti artist, his signature motif is a soap bubble.
Local artists include:
- Anaïs Lera (Vancouver): Visual artist Anaïs creates lush and intricate compositions that blend terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems.
- Connor Kouwenhoven (Chilliwack): A self-taught artist who paints realistic natural landscapes, Connor is inspired by daily life, nature, and animals.
- Corey Moraes (Chilliwack (Tsimshian)): Corey is known for his innovative approaches to Northwest Coast Art. He brings modern sensibilities to Indigenous Art.
- Jack Hendsbee (Chilliwack): An outdoor enthusiast, Jack creates unique and surreal landscapes and portraiture.
- Kayla Neufeld Gowans (Agassiz): Kayla’s artwork is inspired by her motherhood journey, creating surreal and figurative pieces.
- Megan Oldhues (Toronto): Megan’s work utilizes unique colour palettes to amplify her art. Her traditional realism is inspired by the beauty of everyday life,
- Tallest Cree (Vancouver): Caleb adds his own spin to a Northern Cree style. He draws on traditional forms as an exercise in modelling Indigenous agency.
Festival Highlights
August 15 to 16 is when the Chilliwack Mural Festival comes together for its annual street party – now with extended hours on Friday and Saturday! Expect to be impressed by talented performers and entertainers as they delight audiences, fantastic food, and interactive art. Everything will be taking place in Downtown Chilliwack at District 1881 and on Mill Street.
“We’re excited to bring an eclectic mix of performers to this year’s Chilliwack Mural Festival—spanning country, Afrobeats, pop, R&B, and Latin genres, plus dance, magic, street performers, and more,” says Lise Oakley, Executive Director of the Chilliwack Arts Council. “With artists from across Chilliwack, the Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver, and the Okanagan, the festival offers something for everyone. We look forward to welcoming the community for a vibrant weekend of free entertainment, creativity, and connection in the heart of Downtown Chilliwack.”
Two Days Of Art, Fun, And Community
There’s going to be a lot going on on August 15 and 16. So, what can you expect out of these two days, and what are the highlights? Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Friday, August 15: For the first night of the Street Party, the festivities start at 4:00pm. Both the Sasquatch and Thunderbird Stages will be filled with performances of all kinds–from music to dance, there’s a bit of everything there. There will also be live art at both locations, as well as interactive art and food trucks on Mill Street. Headliners include Mark Ledlin and Black Pontiac.
- Saturday, August 16: For the second and final day, the party kicks off at 12:00pm. Check out the Thunderbird Stage with performances from Travis Bernhardt the Magician, and the Sasquatch Stage for the della kit and BAWAH! There will also be more interactive art, food trucks, exhibitors, and live art at the Mill Street location.
Live Music and Performances
This year’s performer lineup is nothing short of amazing. From country to pop, dance to magic and circus performances, there’s something for everyone at the Chilliwack Mural Festival Street Party.
There are two different stages at the party, one located in each venue. You can expect a diverse display of talent at both locations:
- Sasquatch Stage: The Sasquatch Stage will bring country, rock, indie bands such as Mark Ledlin, Black Pontiac, The Hausplants, Tayos on Friday. Stick around on Saturday to see vibrant performances from BAWAH, the della kit, Nette, and more!
- Thunderbird Stage: The Thunderbird Stage will showcase talents like the amazing yo-yo champion Terrance Wang, a sideshow performance by Burns the Dragon, as well as the brass band Cookin’ with Brass on Friday. Saturday’s lineup includes artists Bloco Energia, Higher Ground Dance, The Leading Ladies, and many more!
The Sasquatch Stage will be covered with a 1500 sq. ft. tent that will provide shade for everyone, and can be found on Mill Street. The Thunderbird Stage is located in District 1881, a neighbourhood of distinctive architecture and historic buildings crisscrossed by pedestrian alleys filled with loft-style apartments, unique office spaces, and locally owned restaurants, breweries and retail shops.
Good Eats And Beautiful Murals
Festival-goers can also find live and interactive art throughout the celebrations, including a live painting of a new Mural Cube in the Mill Street parking lot by the Chilliwack Visual Arts Association, Wesley Dunlop, Laura Klassen, and Nicole Larson. Don’t forget to hit up the 40-ft. community graffiti wall, the community mural wall, and the community LEGO mural, too!
There will also be all the deliciously mouthwatering food trucks lining the festival, the super fun kids’ craft zone, and the Chilliwack Farmers Market in Chilliwack Community Park on Saturday. The Chilliwack Mural Festival Street Party is all about having a good time while interacting directly with art, and the welcoming, family-friendly vibe invites all festival-goers to have a fun, mural-filled weekend.
Bringing Together Art and Community
The Chilliwack Mural Festival is a celebration of the vibrant arts scene in Chilliwack, bringing together talent from all over to showcase the beauty of muralism. No matter if you’re a local or an out-of-towner, this festival has something for everybody. You’ll definitely gain an appreciation for the artform like nowhere else can evoke.
For more information on the muralists and performers, visit the Chilliwack Mural Festival schedule.
EVENT DETAILS:
📅 Date: August 7 – 17, 2025
📍 Location: Downtown Chilliwack (Mill Street and District 1881)
