Tragically Hip Fans! It’s almost GEDfest time again.
GEDfest is an annual event that’s held on the weekend closest to the day we lost Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip. The event, which features Hip fans, Hip tribute acts, and a ton of volunteers, raises money for cancer charities, with more than $723,000 donated since its creation in 2018, all inspired by Gordon Edgar Downie and the courage of Terry Fox.
What began as a one-city, one-venue event will stretch across 12 cities in Canada and one in the US between October 16 and 24. Here’s a list of the venues, tribute acts, and opening artists for 2026.
October 16 Calgary, AB @ The Arrowhead (Velvet Sons, Trickle Down)
October 17 Calgary, AB @ The Arrowhead (Trickle Down)
October 17 Edmonton, AB @ Pawn Shop (Radio Tragedy, Hipnautical)
October 17 Saskatoon, SK @ The Capital (Don Law Band, Phantom Power)
October 17 Winnipeg, MB @ The Met (Main Street Exiles, Kates Outlaw)
October 17 Ottawa, ON @ Overflow Brewing Company (Ragged Rust, Little Bones)
October 17 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern (40 Hours Over, Grace2)
October 17 St. John’s, NL @ The Rockhouse (Judith Morrissey, Music @ Work)
October 21 Buffalo, NY @ The CAZ (The Strictly Hip)
October 24 Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret (Gift Shop)
October 24 Kelowna, BC @ Revelry Food+Music Hub (Bush Party, The Hip Replacements)
October 24 Cochrane, AB @ The Venue Music Sportsbar & Grill (Wyman, Wheat Kings)
October 24 Regina, SK @ The Exchange (Chris Henderson, Trickle Down)
If you can come out to any of these shows, great. (I’ll be at the Horseshoe again; the energy is always amazing.) If you would like to know more or donate directly, go here.
