Salmon Sessions Is Back

(Image courtesy of Penmar Community Arts Society)

Every once in a while, an event comes along that perfectly captures what makes a community special. For South Surrey, that event is the Salmon Sessions Music Festival.

I'm excited to share that Salmon Sessions is returning for its 4th year — and if you haven't been before, this is the year to go.

What Is Salmon Sessions?

Salmon Sessions is a one-day outdoor music festival held right on the banks of the Little Campbell River, at the Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club (1284 184 St., South Surrey). This year's event takes place on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 3–9 PM.

It's the kind of event that reminds you why you chose to live here. Live music from local and regional artists, fresh food from local vendors, an artisan market, family-friendly activities, and hatchery tours — all set against one of the most beautiful natural backdrops South Surrey has to offer.

A Cause Worth Supporting

The festival raises funds for the Little Campbell River Hatchery — one of B.C.'s oldest entirely volunteer-run salmon hatcheries. Every year, this remarkable operation releases more than 100,000 salmonids into the Little Campbell River. Over the past 40 years, that adds up to more than four million salmon returned to the wild.

After the hatchery suffered significant flood damage in 2021, the community has rallied to help rebuild. This year, funds raised at Salmon Sessions will go directly toward infrastructure upgrades and site improvements to make the hatchery more resilient for the future.

As hatchery president Diana Barkley put it: "People don't always realize how fragile this hatchery is. One bad flood, one broken pump — and thousands of fish might be lost. Salmon Sessions is our way of asking the community to help us keep going, and they've shown up, year after year."

What to Expect on August 22

Here's what's on the agenda:

• Live music from a lineup to be announced May 1 (past years have featured a great mix of locally and regionally known acts)

• Local food trucks and fresh eats

• Artisan vendor market (vendor applications are currently open!)

• Hatchery tours — genuinely cool, especially if you've got kids

• Community organization and sponsor booths

• And just good old-fashioned time outside with your neighbours

The festival runs 3–9 PM, so it's a perfect late-afternoon-into-evening outing. Bring the family, grab some food, and stay for the music as the sun goes down over the river.

Want to Get Involved?

If you're a local business owner, this is a great opportunity. Salmon Sessions is actively looking for sponsors and vendors — from financial contributions to in-kind support like products, services, and volunteer teams. Sponsorship packages include brand visibility, on-site engagement, and digital promotion.

For everything you need to know about getting involved — whether as a visitor, vendor, or sponsor — head over to penmar.ca.

This Is South Surrey

I talk to a lot of people who are weighing their options when it comes to South Surrey real estate — what neighbourhood to buy in, what kind of community they want to raise their family in. And honestly, events like Salmon Sessions are a big part of the answer.

This is a neighbourhood where people show up. Where volunteers quietly release millions of salmon into a river year after year, and then throw a party to keep it going. Where families can spend a Saturday afternoon listening to live music, touring a hatchery, and buying handmade goods from local artisans.

That's the lifestyle South Surrey offers — and it's one of the things that makes this such a special place to call home.

Thinking about calling South Surrey home? I'd love to help you find your place in a community like this. Reach out anytime — I'm always happy to chat.