The largest festivals and events in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region take place in the summer and winter.
The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast is ranching country, and popular summer events include stampedes and rodeos in Williams Lake and Quesnel.
Those favouring arts and culture head to Wells for ArtsWells, voted one of the "Top 10 Music Festivals in Canada" by listeners of CBC Radio 3.
In winter, check out the horse-drawn sleigh and carollers at Barkerville Historic Town's Old-Fashioned Christmas or watch the speedy mushers delivering Canada Post packages on the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run.
Summer Festivals and Events (June - August)
Williams Lake Stampede (June/July): At the Williams Lake Stampede, North America's top cowboys and cowgirls thrill more than 15,000 fans for four days. Watch chuckwagon races, calf roping, steer wrestling and bull riding competitions, listen to live music, and don't miss the barn dance. Order tickets early; it sells out every year.
Billy Barker Days/Quesnel Rodeo (July): These two events are held concurrently in Quesnel. During Billy Barker Days, celebrate the Cariboo's rich gold rush history with more than 100 events over four days. Popular events include a car race, the midway and fireworks. The Quesnel Rodeo features 12 categories of roping and wrangling fun.
ArtsWells (July/August): An eclectic mix of more than 150 musicians perform everything from folk to electronica on nine stages over four days at ArtsWells in Wells and Barkerville. This is more than just a music festival - attend a film or theatre production, enter the One-Minute Play Festival, or take in one of 30 workshops to learn how to walk on stilts, rap, build a geodesic dome and more!
Winter Festivals and Events (December - February)
Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run (December): On this three-day, 85km/53mi dogsled race event, mushers follow the original gold rush trail. Looking for a special way to send a package? The mushers carry more than 2,000 envelopes from Quesnel to Barkerville, where they are collected by Canada Post, stamped with a unique commemorative logo and delivered to more than 25 countries.
Barkerville Old-Fashioned Christmas (December): In Barkerville Historic Town, ride in a horse-drawn sleigh, attend church services or listen to carollers at the church or shop for classic Victorian Christmas gifts. The entire town is adorned with interpretive displays and Christmas decorations.
Show Less