Canada's Premier Camping Music Festival

Boots and Hearts Music Festival is Canada's largest camping and music festival, drawing thousands of attendees annually to Burl's Creek, Ontario. The festival operates as a full-weekend experience over August 7-9, 2026, with a dual-festival model that now includes Boots and Hearts West, a companion event held August 28-29, 2026 at Fan Park @ Ice District in downtown Edmonton, Alberta.

The festival's core mission centers on community and connection through live music. As stated on the site, "Our mission is to unite people through live music by empowering artists and producing unforgettable experiences rooted in community, connection, and heart." This philosophy shapes the experience across multiple stages, most notably the Main Stage and Front Porch Stage at the Ontario location.

Festival Experiences and Amenities

Boots and Hearts offers tiered admission options to suit different preferences. General Admission weekend and single-day passes provide access to the entertainment area, free water refill stations, and a variety of food and drink vendors. All admission passes include a wristband and access to exclusive festival merchandise. For attendees seeking premium perks, VIP passes unlock front-of-stage viewing at both main stages, private VIP entrances, access to the SiriusXM Barn with elevated viewing areas, private comfort washrooms, premium food and beverage options, and daily VIP after-parties.

The festival's camping component distinguishes it from many North American music festivals, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in a multi-day camping experience alongside the performances. Children 12 and under attend free when accompanied by an adult with a general admission weekend pass. The festival welcomes all ages and emphasizes inclusivity through its accessibility initiatives.

Boots and Hearts West: An Expanding Vision

Boots and Hearts West represents the festival's expansion into Alberta. Held at Fan Park @ Ice District in downtown Edmonton with gates opening at 3 PM and events running until 11 PM on both Friday and Saturday, this edition maintains the core festival identity while adapting to an urban, outdoor venue. West edition attendees can choose between 2-day and single-day general admission or VIP passes. VIP at the West edition includes expedited entrance, exclusive viewing decks and suites, private washrooms, curated food options, and shaded exclusive bars.

The West edition partners with Days Inn as the official hotel partner, offering bundled hotel-and-ticket packages for attendees traveling to Edmonton. A robust set times schedule released pre-event helps attendees plan their weekend, with performances from artists including Shaboozey, Russell Dickerson, Midland, and Max McNown.

Accessibility and Community Values

Both editions prioritize accessibility. The main festival at Burl's Creek offers an accessibility guide, dedicated accessibility ticketing, and designated viewing areas. Boots and Hearts West operates with accessible entrances, washrooms, and viewing spaces (with limited exceptions in some VIP decks). The festival explicitly welcomes service animals with proper documentation.

The festival operates under a clear community-first framework, with prohibited items policies, designated smoking areas, and explicit bans on third-party ticket resales to protect attendee safety and prevent counterfeiting.