Wake the Giant 2026
The Thunder Bay Waterfront will come alive on September 12th, with your favourite tunes, traditional drums, the smell of bannock tacos in the air, and the ringing of jingle dresses. Check out this year's GIANT lineup!
Wake the Giant 2026
The Thunder Bay Waterfront will come alive on September 12th, with your favourite tunes, traditional drums, the smell of bannock tacos in the air, and the ringing of jingle dresses. Check out this year's GIANT lineup!
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Tickets
Tickets are sold in a supply-based tiered structure, meaning the price goes up per tier (if you snooze you lose). If a tier sells out the next tier of tickets will be available. Children 11 and under are free but still require a KIDS general admission ticket.
More Than Music
Wake the Giant is a festival that actually means something, bringing giant headliners, awesome tunes, yummy eats and culture.You’ll dance, learn, take a selfie with Pineapple Guy and you might just leave seeing things differently (and a new festival hoodie if you’re lucky). The energy is unmatched! One second you’re jumping to one of your fav tunes, and the next you’re in a round dance with people you just met! It’s a whole experience.
What You Can Expect
Where else can you dance to a giant headliner, grab bannock, learn from Indigenous Elders and buy handmade beadwork all in one day?
INDIGENOUS CRAFT MARKET
Take a wander through the Indigenous Craft Market and you’ll find hundreds of one‐of‐a‐kind creations from northern artists and crafters like handmade jewelry, intricate beadwork, crafted moccasins, and more.
You can also check out all the community art activities nearby and find a way to get creative
yourself!
BANNOCK, FRESH & FRYING ONSITE
Have you tried bannock? Local Elders fry it fresh onsite over an open flame. You can watch it happen, try it yourself and obviously eat it.
Made from simple ingredients, bannock can be baked, fried or cooked.
KIDZ ZONE
If you have littles head to the kids zone! Bouncy castles, crafts and art activities equals hours of fun for your fam.
FOOD VENDORS
All that dancing and making new friends means you will definitely be hungry. Nosh on everything from bannock tacos, a bunch of local family recipes with northern ingredients and traditional festival favs.
STAY TUNED FOR A FULL LISTING OF 2026 VENDORS IN AUGUST.
WELLNESS ON THE GROUNDS
Need a breather? The Wake the Giant Wellness Tent and onsite teepee are there for you. Elders will be available for conversation, guidance, or smudging. Youth outreach counsellors are also onsite for mental health support.
It’s a place where you can breathe, reset, and step back into the music feeling good.
KULTURECITY CERTIFIED
Wake the Giant is proud to partner with KultureCity for the Festival year after year. KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive program is designed to help festival goers with sensory needs like PTSD, autism, dementia, and strokes, (just to name a few), feel welcomed. Sensory Bags and ear protection will be available onsite at the Wellness Tent!
ART THAT SOARS ABOVE THE STAGE
Back in 2024 DFC students worked with acclaimed artists Blake Angeconeb, Christian Chapman, and Michah Dowbak (Mad Dog Jones) in a two day creative workshop. Each student created art inspired by Wake the Giant. Those works have been woven into the designs for the festival banners, and the 2025 and 2026 poster and merch! Look up at the stage and you’ll see their vision flying high!
Insider Tips
- Have you really been to a music festival if you don’t buy merch? As soon as you arrive on site, head for the Merch tent to scoop one of the official 2026 WTG Festival tees or hoodies.
- Don’t forget to stay hydrated! Bring a water bottle to fill for free at our water station.
- Arrive early! Check out the earlier acts to avoid the lines (and also experience awesome performances). Yes, you can leave and come back (but you probably won’t want to because you’ll be having such a good time.)
- Establish a meeting place with your family as soon as you arrive on site. Wake the Giant does have an area at the front entrance if anyone does get separated.
- Keep an eye on Wake the Giant socials for surprises and tips on how to have the BEST festival experience!
Past Festival Posters
