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A Different Kind of Nightlife

For one weekend every September, the streets of Revelstoke come alive. The LUNA Festival takes over, turning downtown into an open-air gallery with installations, performances, and music. Over three days, the event highlights local and visiting artists, musicians, and performers, offering an experience unlike anything else in the region. It is not a typical festival confined to a single venue; it moves through alleyways, public spaces, and unconventional locations, making the entire town part of the experience.

LUNA Sound: A Multi-Venue Music Experience

LUNA Sound launches the weekend with a mix of live music, and DJ sets spread across multiple venues. Each location has a different atmosphere, allowing festivalgoers to move between spaces that feature indie bands, electronic acts, and experimental performances.

The lineup features Canadian artists across a range of genres. Past events have included electronic producers, folk singers, and alternative rock bands, creating a mix that appeals to a broad audience. A standout element of LUNA Sound is the Mountain Archives Vinyl Lounge, which offers a listening experience that contrasts the high-energy performances of the other venues. Instead of loudspeakers and packed crowds, visitors can browse and play vinyl records in a quieter, more intimate setting.

LUNA Sound is a ticketed event restricted to attendees 19 and older. The setup encourages movement between venues, creating a festival atmosphere throughout downtown rather than concentrating crowds in one location.

LUNA Arts: Installations and Performance in Public Spaces

LUNA Arts is the centrepiece of the festival. For one night, streets, alleys, and buildings become the backdrop for large-scale installations and performances. The event runs from early evening until late, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace.

The installations vary each year but always include a mix of light-based art, interactive pieces, and performances that blend movement, music, and visual elements. Some projects encourage participation, drawing the audience into the experience. In past years, dancers in patterned bodysuits have engaged audiences in spontaneous movement, while musicians have integrated projection mapping into their performances to create layered visual effects.

Art Alleries, a recurring feature, transforms alleyways into pop-up galleries. Instead of traditional framed works, these spaces feature mixed-media displays, sculptures, and temporary murals. Visitors can walk through these spaces, seeing how each artist has used the urban environment as part of their work.

LUNA Arts is not a ticketed event, though donations are encouraged. The goal is accessibility, ensuring anyone can participate in the experience.

LUNAversity: Interactive Learning and Workshops

LUNAversity adds an educational element to the weekend. The day is focused on hands-on workshops, artist talks, and interactive activities designed to engage attendees in different aspects of the creative process.

The schedule varies each year but typically includes sessions on visual arts, music, and performance. Some workshops are geared toward children and families, while others focus on professional development for artists. Attendees might learn about projection mapping, experiment with sound design, or try a new visual medium under the guidance of a professional artist.

LUNAversity is structured to be informal and engaging. It is not a conference or lecture series but an extension of the festival’s interactive nature.

LUNA Rail: Art and Music at the Railway Museum

LUNA Rail merges the festival’s contemporary art approach with Revelstoke’s railway heritage. The event is hosted at the Revelstoke Railway Museum and includes music performances, visual installations, and family-friendly activities. The museum’s historical exhibits provide the setting, creating an unusual contrast between the past and the present.

Visitors can explore the museum’s collection while taking in performances and displays explicitly created for the space. The event is designed to appeal to a broad audience, including those who may not typically attend contemporary art festivals. It provides an additional entry point for visitors interested in the historical aspects of Revelstoke, but may not be familiar with the LUNA Festival’s broader programming.

How to Attend and What to Expect

LUNA Festival draws a large crowd, and those planning to attend should consider booking accommodations early. Revelstoke offers a mix of hotels, lodges, and short-term rentals, but availability becomes limited as the event approaches.

The festival encourages attendees to walk or bike between locations. Parking in the downtown core is limited, and street closures may be in place for parts of the event. Bike parking is available, and many festivalgoers take advantage of the town’s compact layout to move between venues easily.

LUNA Sound requires tickets, while LUNA Arts and LUNAversity operate on a pay-what-you-may basis. This model ensures that the festival remains financially accessible while still supporting artists and event organizers.

Experience the Festival in 2025

LUNA Festival is not a traditional music or arts event. It is a citywide transformation that brings together visual art, sound, and interactive experiences in a way that changes how people experience downtown Revelstoke. Whether attending for the live music, large-scale installations, or creative workshops, visitors will find an event that breaks from conventional festival formats and makes art and performance part of the everyday environment.

For those planning to visit in 2025, the festival runs from September 20th to 22nd, with LUNA Sound on Friday night, LUNA Arts on Saturday, and LUNAversity (LUNA Rail) on Sunday. Early planning is recommended for accommodations, and attendees should prepare for an event that moves beyond traditional venues and into the streets of Revelstoke.