As Kamloops’ Tapestry Festival enters its fourth year, McDonald Park will once again be transformed into a vibrant celebration of global culture, with music, food, art, and performances highlighting both international traditions and Canadian pride.

The Tapestry Festival was originally envisioned as a street fair on Tranquille Road, but when the COVID-19 pandemic halted public events, organizers pivoted. Post-pandemic, the festival found a new home at McDonald Park, a venue that offered more space, better suited for community safety and larger crowds.

“Honestly, I don’t think it would have been able to be as good on the Street Festival,” said Patti Philips, event coordinator. Since then, the festival has flourished, drawing thousands of attendees and expanding its programming each year.

The 2025 edition continues to celebrate multiculturalism with a renewed focus on Canadian culture. A highlight of this year’s entertainment is a main-stage performance by artists whose set pays tribute to iconic Canadian musicians, adding a national flair to the international celebration.

“This year, we really wanted to shine a spotlight on Canadian talent,” Philips said. “Not just to celebrate our own culture, but to show how it fits within the festival.”

In total, 17 performances will span drumming, dancing, and musical acts from a variety of cultural traditions.

The festival grounds will feature several key areas, including the Multicultural Neighbourhood, filled with vendors and cultural pavilions, the Around the World Kids Zone, offering cultural games and activities, and the Art Pavilion, where international artists will display and sell their work.

“The tapestry festival is different than almost any other event,” Philips said. “It’s multicultural, but it’s an experience. You have to be there to experience it. It’s incredible. When you have somebody and everybody gets up and dances from every colour and every colour, every age, it doesn’t matter. We’re all as one.”

The Tapestry Festival has had a significant impact on the Kamloops community by fostering greater cultural awareness and connection. Many attendees leave with a deeper appreciation for the diversity within their own city, often discovering cultures they hadn’t realized were represented locally.

The event creates an inclusive atmosphere where people of all ages and backgrounds come together, learn from one another, and celebrate both their differences and shared humanity.

“[Attendees] learn all about the different cultures and what they do, what they represent, and how they may be similar to their own culture. It’s a really interesting feeling and learning space for everyone,” Philips said.

While the stage and food lineup are now finalized, organizers remain open to adding cultural vendors and experiences in other parts of the festival. Community involvement has played a crucial role in the festival’s success, with strong support from local organizations and international students from Thompson Rivers University.

Looking ahead, the festival is expected to continue expanding, both in size and cultural representation. Its inclusive spirit, hands-on cultural experiences, and engaging performances make it a unique and meaningful event that continues to enrich Kamloops year after year.

More information on this year’s line-up and how to support this event can be found on tapestryfestival.com.