About The Festival

30 Years of music in one of the most spectacular venues on earth.

This intimate and laid-back world-class music festival has been hosting big names and newly discovered gems of the music business since 1992.

This year, the Kaslo Jazz Etc Festival will once again make use of the astounding acoustics of Kaslo Bay Park to showcase an array of blues, jazz, latin, folk, world music and much more. Our unique floating stage transforms Kaslo Bay Park into a natural green amphitheater and sends live music reverberating out over Kootenay Lake. All weekend long, world-class musicians perform against our breathtaking backdrop of mountains and sky.

Selected as one of the “Top ten places to get out doors and be in tune,” by USA Today, and one of the “Top 10 places to enjoy outdoor summer music” by REUTERS, the Kaslo Bay floating stage has been recognized as one of the premier outdoor music venues in the world.

Festival goers dance in the sand, swim around the stage, or relax in the grass and enjoy the delicious offerings of local food and drink vendors. The intimate, laid-back vibe of this festival seduces audiences and performers alike. So come discover the magic of the Kaslo Jazz Etc Festival, and the culture of the Kootenay’s in the summer!

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the tabs below to find the answers to commonly asked questions! Don’t see your question here? Contact Us!

• What is your Covid-19 / Vaccine Passport Policy?

In accordance with the Province of BC’s health orders, the Kaslo Jazz Etc Festival will follow all government guidelines relating to Covid-19 at the time of the event. Current government guidelines can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions#pho-order

KJEF will adhere to it’s Covid-19 safety plan as required. As government information changes regularly, we are constantly monitoring all updates and awaiting clarification on what will be necessary for all KJEF attendees. We pledge to keep all attendees updated as we learn more. We want to assure you that we are doing our best to produce a safe and exciting Kaslo Jazz Etc Festival. We appreciate your understanding and support look forward to seeing you again in Kaslo Bay Park!

• Where can we stay in Kaslo?

Camping and other accommodations are available throughout the village of Kaslo and surrounding areas. Accommodation is limited though and fills up fast! Please visit our Camping & Accommodations page for a comprehensive list of local options!

• Are single day passes available?

If you are unable to enjoy the entire music filled August Long Weekend but still want to come for just one day, we can hook you up! Very limited Single Day tickets are released with our daily performer schedule each Spring. Single Day tickets include one whole day/night of the Festival. There are no half day tickets available. Please visit our Buy Tickets page and visit our Ticket FAQ for all ticketing information.

• I have a question about my ticket order!

We’re here to help. Most of the common ticket questions can be answered in our extensive Ticket FAQ. If your question is not answered there, please Contact Us

• Is the festival wheelchair accessible?

The Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival is working to be accessible to all patrons. The Festival is wheelchair accessible, however it is on uneven terrain including a sandy beach. We are a small Festival and parking is very limited. See below for Parking and Shuttle Information. Please Contact Us for our Accessibility Program Application or for further information.

• How do I become a vendor?

The Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival aims to provide a well-rounded balance of local options and a diverse array of both goods and food vendors for everyone to enjoy. Visit our Vendors Page for further information.

• How do I become a volunteer?

The magic that is Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival wouldn’t be possible without the incredible help and support of our amazing volunteers! If you would like to be part of that magic visit our Volunteer Page.

• How can I get involved with the festival?

Besides volunteers and vendors, we also wouldn’t be able to create the magic without our paid staff, billet hosts, sponsors, advertisers, and so many other people! To see how else you can get involved with the Kaslo Jazz Etc Festival – visit our Get Involved! Page

• Is there alcohol available?

The Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival is licensed throughout the entire Grounds for those 19 and older (government issued ID always required). We provide an array of local beers, ciders and wine on tap to quench your thirst while dancing on the beach. Beer/Cider/Wine tickets are bought onsite and are CASH ONLY. There is an ATM provided onsite.

• Can you book Neil Young?

As much as we would love to welcome Neil Young to the floating stage, we have not booked him for the festival. Be sure to sign up to the Mailing List and we’ll let you know if that changes. If you happen to know Neil – please tell him we’d love to make it happen!

• Are animals permitted in the Festival?

No. For the safety of everyone in attendance, we do not allow any animals (except certified service dogs) to enter the festival site.

Certified service dogs must be pre-registered ahead of time and relevant documents must also be presented at the Box Office upon arrival to the festival. To pre-register your service dog, please Contact Us to fill out our Accessibility Application.

• What can I bring or not bring?

For an outline of what you can bring and what you can’t bring to both the festival site and the campgrounds, please visit the What to Bring/Not to Bring Page. Items not listed on this outline may still be prohibited, so Contact Us if you have any questions.

The weather in the Kootenays can change quite quickly! Lawn chairs, sunscreen and other sun protection, bathing suits, towels, blankets, refillable water bottles, floatation devices, umbrellas, ponchos are a great start!

No animals*, outside alcohol or glass are permitted on the Festival Grounds at any time. You are welcome to pack in your own picnic but don’t try to hide your German Shepherd in your cooler! All coolers/backpacks/bags will be searched by Security.

*Pre-registered certified service dogs permitted

• Zero Waste Policy (and how you can help)

The Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival is working hard to make as little waste as possible. Our Zero Waste Stations are a key part! They are provided throughout the Festival Grounds for your convenience (look for the signs!) with Volunteers ready to help direct you on how to dispose of your waste and give further information. We have stainless steel mugs for sale at our Beer Tickets Booth that can be reused all weekend and in future years! All our Vendors provide recyclable and/or compostable supplies to help in our initiative. Please do your part and don’t bring plastic to the Festival and recycle responsibly. We thank you for your participation!

A copy of our Zero Waste Policy can be found here: Kaslo Jazz Etc Festival Zero Waste Policy

• Where can I charge my electric vehicle?

There are two free Tesla charging stations located at the parking lot behind the Kaslo Hotel at the North end of Water Street. There is one Flo charging station located at the South end of Water Street, and one on A Avenue. The Flo charging station requires a subscription in order to use it. For more information click HERE

• Is the Festival kid friendly?

Yes! We encourage all families to enjoy the variety of entertainment that is provided for both young and old all weekend long! Children 7 & under accompanied by a parent or guardian are free. Youth 8 – 12 are half the adult price. Please read our Youth Policy for full details.

The Kaslo Jazz Kids Tent provides children’s entertainment, music and activities during daytime hours. Crafts, face painting, bubbles, jugglers, puppets shows are just a few examples of what children can enjoy. Kids can play at the beach or enjoy the expanse of lawn in Kaslo Bay Park. Please note there is no lifeguard on duty, so swimming is at your own risk.

• Is there Festival parking?

No. We have a Parking Attendant at the top of Kaslo Bay Park Rd to stop traffic and answer your questions about parking. Please note that there is NO parking along Kaslo Bay Park Road and violators will be towed. If you require Accessibility parking, see above for further information.

• Is there a Festival shuttle?

Yes. Kaslo Bay Road from the cenotaph to the Festival grounds is closed off to parking. We do provide a shuttle that picks up and drops off patrons from the Festival Grounds, throughout Kaslo and to all our campgrounds. Please scroll down for further information, map and schedule.

• How do I get to Kaslo?

The village of Kaslo is nestled on the Western shore of magnificent Kootenay Lake and sheltered between the spectacular Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges. Visit our Getting to Kaslo Page for directions and further information on our tiny town.

Festival Information

30th Annual Kaslo Jazz Etc Summer Music Festival

Dates: August 4 – 6, 2023

Location: Kaslo Bay Park, Kaslo BC

Times: Gates open at 2pm all three days.

Festival Guidelines

These Guidelines are designed to ensure everyone’s safe enjoyment of the Festival site at Kaslo Bay Park:

No Glass
No Outside Alcohol
No Animals (Service Dogs permitted)
No Illegal Substances
No Vehicles on-site
Swim At Own Risk – no lifeguard on duty
No Cliff Jumping
You cannot take alcohol outside the festival grounds
The Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival is a non-smoking event. There is No Smoking allowed in the park.
Please Respect the Zero Waste Stations Rules. Help us keep the site clean and beautiful!

Festival Archive

We’ve been compiling all the information we can find from past years and creating a FESTIVAL ARCHIVE for your enjoyment. Keep checking back as we are updating regularly!