One of British Columbia’s longest-running music festivals, and a beloved part of Victoria’s music community, has come to an end.
Organizers announced this morning that Rifflandia Festival will not return in 2026 and there are no plans to bring it back in the years to come.
"We are incredibly proud of what the festival became and deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it possible," said Nick Blasko, Rifflandia’s president and CEO.
"Artists, fans, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, partners, crew members and incredibly dedicated staff have all played a role in building something truly special over nearly two decades."
The difficult decision comes after 18 years and 15 editions of the September event, which was not held in 2019 due to market instability and 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement from Rifflandia notes that the festival has faced increasing challenges in a rapidly-changing live entertainment landscape.
Rising production costs, shifting consumer behaviour and the realities of operating in a smaller market have made it increasingly difficult to sustain the festival.
The choice to close the chapter on Rifflandia Festival was made with expectations in mind, as ticket sales do not support the level of investment and financial risks required to put on the event.
Organizers said they didn’t want to cut corners and make significant compromises to the customer experience, artist programming and production standards that have defined Rifflandia.
Simply put, it was becoming increasingly impossible to deliver the lineups fans had come to expect, which in the past included names like Lorde, Post Malone, Macklemore, Cypress Hill, Girl Talk, Chromeo and Death Cab for Cutie, just to name a few.
"One of Rifflandia Festival’s greatest legacies has been inspiring creativity and community,” Blasko noted.
“As this chapter comes to a close, we look forward to seeing a new generation of creators, promoters, artists and community builders who will shape the next chapter of live music and culture in Victoria."
And while this may be the end for Rifflandia Festival, Rifflandia will continue to exist as a Victoria-based entertainment company.
The company’s statement said Rifflandia “remains focused on creating memorable experiences that connect communities through culture, sport, entertainment and shared celebration.”
