10440 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 1Z3
Celebrate Indigenous arts, culture, storytelling and community during the Rubaboo Indigenous Arts Festival, presented by Dreamspeakers Festival Society.
The 2026 festival theme, You Are Loved: wêsihcikêw, brings together musicians, comedians, visual artists, playwrights, designers and Knowledge Keepers for nearly two weeks of performances, exhibitions, artist talks and cultural experiences across downtown Edmonton.
Named after the traditional Métis stew filled with nourishing ingredients, Rubaboo reflects a philosophy of feeding the spirit through art, connection and shared experiences.
Festival Schedule
You Are Loved: Celebrate It! Opening
Kick off the festival with live music, art installations and community celebration featuring Celeigh Cardinal, Northside Baby, Jay Gilday and Donita Large.
Date: Sept. 30
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Beaver Hills House Park (10440 Jasper Ave.)
Admission: Free
Indigenous RPM
An evening celebrating the revolutions of Indigenous music, politics, fashion and art through the vinyl listening experience. Guests are encouraged to bring albums and share stories.
Date: Oct. 1
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: CKUA (9804 Jasper Ave.)
Admission: Free with donation to the Saddle Lake Treaty Health Legal Defense Fund
Must Be Nice Comedy Showcase
Featuring a new lineup of Indigenous comedians and headliners from across Treaty territories.
Date: Oct. 2 and 3
Time: 7 p.m.
Locations:
• Oct. 2: CO*LAB (9641 102A Ave.)
• Oct. 3: Dolly’s Cocktail Bar | 18+ event (9902 109 St.)
Admission: $20 to $45
Dance, Heal, Vibe Party
Spend the evening dancing, connecting and enjoying performances from DJ Kookum, Chief Joe and more.
Date: Oct. 3
Time: 10 p.m.
Location: Dolly’s Cocktail Bar (9902 109 St.)
Admission: $20
Bow Making Artist Talk
Learn about the traditions, teachings and stories of nêhiyawi bow making with maskwacis Elder Jerry Saddleback.
Date: Oct. 4
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: CO*LAB (9641 102A Ave.)
Admission: Pay What You Wish
Imagining Indigenous Art Exhibit
Explore the pop-culture-inspired work of JCat, photography by Tom Baril, and THORN, an immersive Indigenous storytelling horror experience created by Oshki Games Ltd.
Dates: Oct. 6 to 9
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: CO*LAB (9641 102A Ave.)
Admission: Pay What You Wish
Cabaret Hoka Hey
An evening of music, burlesque, poetry and performance featuring Donita Large & The Small Band and other artists.
Date: Oct. 9
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: CO*LAB (9641 102A Ave.)
Admission: $15
Elon Muskrat
An award-winning satirical production by Anishinaabe playwright Josh Languedoc that blends comedy, dance and storytelling to examine power, colonialism and contemporary society.
Date: Oct. 10
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: CO*LAB (9641 102A Ave.)
Admission: $20
Deadly Fashion Show & Festival Wrap Party
The festival concludes with a fashion showcase featuring designs by Rhonda Johnson of Acahkos Design, Heather Bouchier Design and Little Feather Couture, followed by the official wrap party.
Date: Oct. 11
Time: 6 p.m. fashion show, 8 p.m. wrap party
Location:CKUA (9804 Jasper Ave.)
Admission: $20 for the fashion show; wrap party admission is $10 or free with fashion show admission
More information
Visit the Dreamspeakers Festival Society for tickets, event details and the full festival schedule.