2026 Guide

When & Where:

• August 7-9, 2026 in Duncan, BC (Cowichan Valley)
• Providence Farm: 1843 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan, BC
• Google Map

Arrival & Departure:

• Friday Arrival: Gates open at 4:30pm (check-in begins then)
• Sunday Departure: Attendee pack-up is 5pm – 7pm. We must all be off-site by 10:30pm, so please plan accordingly 🙏🏼

‼️ GATES HOURS ‼️

Friday 4:30PM – 10PM
Saturday 9AM – 3PM
Sunday 9AM – 12PM

Full Schedule: The 2026 schedule is now live! VIEW SCHEDULE HERE >>

Map of Gathering Site: VIEW MAP HERE >> 

The Weekend Experience

At Dance Temple Gathering, we’re not just throwing an event—we’re cultivating a container. This is a full weekend journey, designed for depth, connection, and community. Though we are offering single-day passes, to truly drop in we ask you to consider being with us for the whole experience. It’s in the shared rhythm over time that the real magic happens.

REVIEW THE DANCE TEMPLE AGREEMENTS HERE >>

• Community kitchen facilities and covered eating area
• All workshops, dances, and performances
• Complete Kids Camp programming with live music, storytelling, and Boxtown!
• Opening and closing ceremonies
• All outdoor sacred spaces and Care Zone
• FULL WEEKEND PASSES: Camping in beautiful tent only forest spaces and vehicle / tent field camping areas (lots of space, no reservations needed)
• ALL PASSES: Parking is free

To view all of the amazing people curating dances, facilitations, workshops and more please visit our Instagram or Facebook – we’ve been sharing them on there as we have complete info. Don’t forget to like and comment on the facilitators and offerings you are looking forward to so they can feel the love and others can feel the excitement!

Last year, the Rainbow Dance celebrated our Dance Temple communities through collective colours. This year, we’re weaving something new: each of us will wear the colour of our birth month, bringing our individual selves into one greater community rainbow.

Birth Month Colours (suggested):

❤️ January-February: Red

🧡 March-April: Orange

💛 May-June: Yellow/Gold

💚 July-August: Green

💙 September-October: Blue/Turquoise/Indigo

💜 November-December: Purple

That said, these are suggestions! If children want to dress in the same colour as their parents, or partners want to match, or you simply want to show up in the colour that represents you best—do that. The magic is in all of us coming together as ourselves, in whatever way feels true to who you are.

Reunion Dance is Saturday at 10:30am – that’s when we paint the dance floor as a living rainbow of our community! This shift from community colours to birth month colours weaves our smaller Dance Temple communities into the one greater community we all belong to.

We recommend joining for the Opening Ceremony w/ Tzinquaw Dancers & friends at 10am already wearing your colour so you don’t miss a moment!

If you intend to stay onsite (we hope most people will!) you will need to provide your own tent / vehicle. Tent camping is available in the woods and tent / vehicle camping is available in the fields near the official entry. There are various areas available for tents, car camping, tent trailer, camper vans and RVs – no reservations required. No hookups available for RVs/Campers. No showers available. Cell service available.

Is permitted but we hope you mostly stay!

Camping Essentials:

• Tent, sleeping bag, camping chair, pillow
• Tarps/groundsheets (weather protection)
• Headlamp/flashlight for nighttime navigation (full moon expected!)

Food & Kitchen:

• All your meals, snacks, and beverages
• Plates, bowls, cups, utensils for eating
• Pots, pans, knives for food prep
• Cooler for food storage
• Water containers for your campsite (potable water available but bring your own to avoid hauling)
• Bring your own camp stove and fuel – to be used in the community kitchen ONLY (no flames anywhere else on the site 🙏🏼)
• Please bring food that is quick to heat as there will be a limited amount of space
• Do your best to eliminate food packaging prior to coming, placing food in reusable containers where possible, leave wrappers/bags on produce at home before coming etc. Any packaging that comes in with you must go out with you at the end 🙏

Dance & Workshop Gear:

• Yoga mat, blanket, sheepskin, bolster/pillow – whatever you need to be comfortable
• Journal and pen for workshops
• Comfortable clothes for movement and weather layers
• Your community colour clothing/accessories!
• Costumes for fun!

For Families with Kids:

• Kids Camp snacks and drinks to keep with them during programming
• Costume or dress-up clothes for the final dance celebration (optional but fun!)
• Comfort items – favourite blanket, stuffed animal, or anything to help them feel at home and have the most fun!
• See more about Kids Camp and items they might want to bring along below in 👶 Children & Kids Camp.

Personal Care:

• Towels, toiletries, biodegradable soap
• No public showers on-site (Cowichan Aquatic Centre nearby has day passes available)
• Sun protection – it’s mid-August so bring what you need for sun protection
• Rain protection – also, it’s mid-August and we never know what weather will show up!

Money & Miscellaneous:

• Reusable water bottle + hot beverage mug for use at the community coffee station
• Cash for vendors (no ATM on-site, but several nearby)

No open flames 🔥 ⛔️ including propane stoves, jetboils, firebowls/rings, regular candles, propane heaters, etc. in the forest or field areas (Battery operated candles recommended)

Camp stoves will be permitted in the community kitchen ONLY

No dogs (except service/support animals – please email us at hello@dancetemplegathering.com in advance for approval)

No smoking on grounds (one designated area available)

Sober environment – no alcohol or substances

No recreational drugs, vapes, glass containers, feathers, glitter

No generators on site

No fireworks or sparklers

No single-use items – bring reusable containers and dishware

There will be a variety of food, drink, merchandise and wellness vendors at the Gathering. (See next sections for confirmed vendors.)

Facilities:

• Tea Lounge for connection and rest
• Community Coffee Station
• Community kitchen with hot water for tea / coffee and dish washing stations (available first come, first serve) and space to use your camp stove safely (🔥 ⛔️ no camp stoves outside of the community kitchen)
• Large covered eating area for communal meals (collaborative meals highly encouraged!)
• Potable water for cooking & drinking (bring containers for filling)
• Accessible washrooms (24/7 access to port-a-potties)
• Cell service available
• Info tent for questions
• First Aid for medical support
• Care Zone a quiet and reflective area
• No showers onsite for guests 🚫 (showers for public use at Cowichan Aquatic Centre for around $6, 8 mins away by car)
• Groceries all within 10 mins away in Duncan (Save-on, Superstore, Thrifty’s, Pomme) as well as several restaurants and cafes

Currently Confirmed Food & Drink Vendors (please visit links for menu / food types):

✨ TheGoodFoodEmporium (Fresh food made with high quality, often local sourced ingredients, organic where possible, healing spices, vegan / vegetarian / pescatarian w/ gluten-free + keto options. Rotating menus for breakfast / lunch / dinner.)

✨ Pele’s Kitchen (Fully vegan and gluten-free grab-and-go options including hand-held pizzas with cashew cheeze, artisan European bread, breakfast bowls, pastries, and specialty drinks)

✨ The Dragon Bowl (Organic, locally-sourced Dragon Bowls with tofu or chicken, Moroccan Iced Tea, and Chocolate Decadence. Full vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free menu available.)

✨ Mizu Real Fruit Ice Cream (New Zealand-style real fruit ice cream, made fresh to order. You taste the fruit, not the sugar. Dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free options.)

✨ The Chai Project (Freshly and traditionally brewed Masala Chai crafted with dairy and vegan milk options. Available in caffeinated + non-caffeinated.)

✨ Flor & Canto Popsicles (Real fruit popsicles (vegan & dairy) with organic cane sugar and local ingredients. Gluten-free.)

Apothecary Lounge hosted by Yarrow Willard | Brought to us by:

🍄‍🟫 Harmonic Arts

🥥 Cha’s Organics

🌝 Moonshine Mama’s

Currently Confirmed Artisan Vendors:

✨ Nadbrad Designs (Multi-wear / convertible clothing perfect for dancing, designed + handmade in Comox using sustainable eucalyptus.)

✨ Ancient Futures (Slow fashion clothing, made in the Cowichan from bamboo + merino – also perfect for dancing.)

✨ Paloma Joy (Medicine jackets for the soul – created by hand with love + deep intention.)

✨ Golden Heart Cacao (Reiki infused ceremonial cacao from Guatemala.)

✨ IndiArts Collective (Indigenous-made/grown cultural accessories, statement jewellery, ceremonial tools + organic edibles from Colombia / Peru / Mexico.)

✨ Astrobloom (astrology readings, handcrafted ritual tools, upcycled + handmade goods from earth, clay + textiles)

✨ Lola’s Heart Center (Handmade jewelry & accessories from upcycled + nature gifted materials, healing stones + more.)

✨ Collections by Estelle (Elegant, whimsical fusion of textiles, metal, and stone that playfully expresses the dynamic balance between nature and creative artistry.)

✨ Polaris Apothic (Intentional healing art infused with earth magic, plant medicine, animal spirits, and ancient archetypes. Each piece carries medicine for the soul.)

✨ FanWoman (Silk dance fans roaming the dance floor – meet her with gorgeous fans ready to elevate your movement and flow.)

✨ Far Out Imports (Global artisan treasures: handmade jewellery, crystals, wellness products, and fashion ethically sourced from Nepal, Thailand, and India. Fair trade, eco-conscious, beautifully curated.)

Stay tuned – more may be announced!

Currently Confirmed Wellness Pracitioners & Vendors:

✨ Healing Art Collective – Connie Quayle (herbal remedies, rpiritual realing sessions – spirit animal retrieval, cord cutting, divination, curse unravelling etc)

✨ Healing Art Collective – Anastasia (handmade glass art, Reiki, bodywork)

✨ Healing Art Collective – Val Langer (Craniosacral Therapy, Ayurvedic and hot stone bodywork, Myofascial Release)

✨ Anima Soma (metaphysical bodywork, energy healing sessions + flower essences)

✨ Astrobloom (Astrology, embodied alchemy, and ritual tools supporting nervous system healing, feminine embodiment, and soul-aligned living through wisdom of Earth & Sky.)

✨ Raven’s Breath (Breathwork, Reiki, Zen Thai Massage)

Stay tuned – more may be announced!

Friday: 7:30PM to 10:30PM (music will quiet down by 10PM)

Saturday: 8AM to 12:30AM (quiet time/silent disco begins around 10PM)

Sunday: 8AM to 5PM

Our biggest challenge is getting everyone landed onsite before the opening ceremony on Friday evening as the venue can’t open to the public before 4:30pm.

What will help: Carpool! Check Google Maps before arriving! Travel light!

Carpooling:

Option 1 Use our community rideshare spreadsheet to connect with fellow dancers heading your way: Access the Rideshare Doc

Option 2 Post in your regional Dance Temple Facebook group seeking rides – many communities have active rideshare threads.

Questions about the rideshare doc? Email hello@dancetemplegathering.com and we’re happy to help.

Parking:

In the field on Donnay Drive – friendly volunteers will direct you to park, then assist you to load gear onto the main festival grounds. Camping is in the woods and field near entry. Parking is included with your pass. Camping & parking is included with all weekend passes.

Arrival / Departure Details:

• Arrival begins Friday, August 7th at 4:30pm
• Departure by 10:30pm Sunday – we must all be off-site by then, so aim to depart long before then 🙏
• Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan, BC
• Google Map Link

Please review our Code of Conduct before arrival.

Sacred Space Ethics:

• Honour Indigenous protocols and land acknowledgment
• Practice consent and awareness with fellow dancers
• Respect the no-talking dance floor tradition
• Support the family-friendly, inclusive environment we’re co-creating

Environmental Care – Leave No Trace:

• Pack in, pack out – minimize festival waste
• Respect the beautiful land we’re gathering on
• Leave any MOOP (Matter Out of Place) items at home – we are always guests in this sensitive environment
• No glitter, synthetic feathers, glass, non-biodegradable soaps & lotions

We’re so excited to be providing Kids Camp! Stay tuned for updated info about Kids Camp guidelines and the full schedule.

🚨 PARENTS: FILL OUT THIS WAIVER BEFORE ARRIVING IF POSSIBLE >>

What to Pack for Kids:

• A costume or dress-up clothes for the final dance celebration (optional but fun!)
• One or more stuffies that are ready for a new adventure – these will be part of our Mutant Stuffies offering!
• Snacks & drinks to keep them energised while at Kids Camp
• Swimsuit + towel (we’ll have sprinklers!)

About Mutant Stuffies:
Stuffies brought for Mutant Stuffies will be reconstructed into something entirely new. Please only send stuffies your child is truly okay with being cut up or altered. Don’t send anything that will create sadness if it’s transformed or “destroyed” – this is meant to be joyful!

Will be used for some workshops as well as for late-night dancers on Saturday night. It is of utmost importance that headsets be returned after use.

Please stay aware of your belongings while at the gathering. There will be a designated lost & found area onsite. All lost items can be brought to INFO. After the event, we will have a system for lost items and will provide information via emails and social media for how to claim your items.

• Fire extinguisher located by the outdoor kitchen
• HARM prevention/First Aid space available onsite
• Multiple chill zones for relaxation
• Designated question answerers from each regional Dance Temple – likely someone you already know!
• Radio system for contacting organizers if needed