If you’ve ever wanted to sip coffee beside a muralist at work, stumble across a pop-up jazz set in a mountain park, or take home one-of-a-kind artisan prints, August in Squamish is your moment. The town’s creative heart beats loud and proud at the Squamish Arts Festival, and there’s no better place to stay near all the colour, creativity, and culture than August Jack Motel — your cozy canvas between the mountains.
This year’s festival runs from July 28 to August 16, and whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning art lover, the 2025 edition is bolder, brighter, and more immersive than ever.
🌟 A Town Transformed by Art
Now in its 12th year, the Squamish Arts Festival has grown from a quiet celebration of local makers into a full-scale, multi-week arts takeover of downtown Squamish. Murals bloom on blank walls, pop-up installations spring up on sidewalks, and live performances fill the air day and night.
This year’s theme — “Threads of the Wild” — invites artists and audiences alike to explore the intersection of wilderness and imagination, with works inspired by forests, rivers, animals, and ancestral stories.
“The best part is watching people slow down, look up, and engage with art in unexpected places,” says Festival Director Kaelin M.. “It turns the whole town into a living gallery.”
🎭 What to Experience
Whether you’re here for a day or making it a weeklong stay, the festival is designed for wanderers, creators, and curious souls of all ages.
🎨 Mural Painting in Progress
Artists from BC and beyond are painting large-scale public murals live throughout the festival. Stroll past Junction Park, Cleveland Avenue, or Main Street and see the magic unfold in real time.
🧵 Workshops & Pop-Up Studios
Try your hand at block printing, watercolour journaling, kids’ clay classes, or even a forest-based sound mapping session. Many workshops are donation-based or free.
🎵 Live Performances & Music
Evenings bring jazz, folk, spoken word, and DJ sets to the parks. Highlights include:
- August 8 – Sunset Folk Session at Sp’akw’us Feather Park
- August 12 – Spoken Word Slam at the Adventure Centre Amphitheatre
- August 16 – Finale Night featuring Fort Knox Five and Astrocolor under the stars
🛍️ Artisan Market (August 9–10)
Locally made ceramics, textiles, jewelry, candles, and visual art line the vendor booths in Junction Park. Great for souvenir seekers and unique gift hunters.
🏨 Make Art Your Backdrop — Stay at August Jack Motel
Located just steps from Junction Park and Cleveland Avenue, August Jack Motel offers the ideal location for festival-goers who want to be immersed, not overwhelmed.
🎨 Why artists, art-lovers, and festival wanderers choose us:
- 🛏 Quiet, clean rooms with mountain views and original local art on the walls
- 🚶♀️ Walking distance to murals, markets, and music venues
- 🅿️ Free parking so you can ditch your car and explore on foot
- 🌼 On-site garden space perfect for morning sketching or a sunset wind-down
- 📶 Free Wi-Fi for uploading your favourite art finds and mural selfies
- ☕️ Friendly local tips on where to eat, drink, and find hidden pieces
📸 Insider Festival Tips from Our Front Desk
- Look Up: Many of the murals are high up and easy to miss if you’re only watching your feet.
- Arrive Before 7 PM for Finale Night: The closing DJ set on August 16 will fill the park fast — get your picnic blanket down early.
- Bring a Tote: You’ll thank us when you’re carrying home handmade prints, soap, or driftwood mobiles.
- Tag Us: Share your art journey with us on Instagram @augustjackinn — we love seeing what our guests discover!
🗓 Key Festival Dates
| Date | Event | Location |
| Now–Aug 16 | Mural Painting in Progress | Downtown Squamish |
| August 8 | Sunset Folk Session | Sp’akw’us Feather Park |
| August 9–10 | Artisan Market | Junction Park |
| August 12 | Spoken Word Slam | Adventure Centre Amphitheatre |
| August 16 | 🎉 Festival Finale w/ Fort Knox Five & Astrocolor | Junction Park Main Stage |
📍 Book Your August Art Escape
Art is everywhere this month — from the walls to the parks to the sidewalks — and August Jack offers a front-row seat to the creativity.
📞 Call us at (604) 892-3504
🌐 Reserve your stay at augustjack.com
This August, come for the views — stay for the murals, the music, and the magic. Let August Jack Motel be your home between every brushstroke.
