FAQ
Below are answers to some of the more commonly asked questions about the festival and Dawson City. If the information you need isn’t here, then just give us a call or send us an email.
How do I get to Dawson City?
By Air: Air North offers direct service to Dawson City from Whitehorse, Inuvik, Old Crow, and Fairbanks plus direct flights to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Air Canada also offers direct flights to Whitehorse from Vancouver, while First Air offers flights to Whitehorse from Yellowknife and Fort Simpson.
By Road: There are three different routes to Dawson City: the Klondike Highway (from Whitehorse), the Dempster Highway (from Inuvik, NWT), and the Top of the World Highway (from Tok, Alaska). Click here for current road conditions.
By River: Every year, a handful of adventurous festival goers make their way to Dawson on the Yukon River. Check out the Tourism Yukon website for information on this exciting trip and lots of other great Yukon travel ideas.
Where should I stay?
Accommodations in Dawson City are at a premium during Music Festival weekend. People wishing to rent rooms in hotels and B&Bs should do so well in advance, as there is little hope of getting one without a reservation on festival weekend.
There are also a number of commercial and government campgrounds located both in and around Dawson City that offer space for tents, campers, and motorhomes.
Information on Yukon Government campgrounds can be found here while information on commercial campgrounds, RV Parks, hotels and B&Bs in and around Dawson City is available from the Klondike Visitors Association. You can also check out our sponsors section for direct links to some of our favorite places to stay and a whole bunch of other great businesses and organizations who make the festival possible.
NOTE: Please be advised that the Yukon Government campground in West Dawson is designated a QUIET camping area and a liquor ban will be in effect throughout the weekend.
How do I get to the festival site from Dawson City?
The festival takes place at five separate venues smack dab in the middle of Dawson City. All of our venues are in easy walking distance of one another – and of Dawson’s many hotels, B&Bs, campgrounds, RV Parks, restaurants, shops, tourist attractions and other amenities.
Where can I park?
We encourage festival goers to leave their cars wherever they’re staying for the weekend and walk between venues and around town – especially if you’re planning to enjoy a few cold ones in the festival Beer Gardens!
When do evening concerts start and end?
Mainstage concerts start at 7:30pm and go until 2:00am on Friday and Saturday and until midnight on Sunday. (Please leave the park quietly so as not to disturb our neighbours!)
Concerts at the Palace Grand Theatre begin at 7:30pm on Saturday and go until 11:00pm, while on Sunday the music starts at 7:00pm and goes until 10:30pm.
There will also be a free Kick-Off Concert at the Gazebo on Front Street on Friday from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. This event is generously sponsored by CBC North.
When do daytime events begin?
We get things started at the mainstage at 11:00am on Saturday and Sunday with children’s and family concerts. Workshops and concerts at our other venues begin at approximately 1:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Except for the above-mentioned Kick-Off Concert, there are no events or activities during the day on Friday.
Can I buy food at the festival?
Yep! Our concession at Minto Park serves a variety of tasty treats, including sandwiches, chili, bannock, burritos, hot dogs, pizza and assorted snacks and drinks. The concession is located in the blue building at the southeast end of the park. (And don't forget, there's also a variety of great local restaurants located just a few blocks from the main festival site!)
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, by all means. You cannot, however, bring your own alcohol onto the festival grounds, and illegal drugs are of course also prohibited.
Can I bring my dog?
Sorry, but pets of any kind are not allowed on the festival site with the exception of seeing eye dogs. For reasons of health and safety, we also ask that you do not tie your dog anywhere in Minto Park during festival weekend.
Are there any ATM machines on the Festival site?
No – the nearest ATM is located at the corner of 2nd & Queen.
Where are the public telephones located?
There is a payphone on the deck behind the Dawson City Museum.
Can I bring my camera?
Festival patrons are welcome to take amateur photos. However, it is important that you respect other audience members and the artists by using discretion while shooting and photos must be for personal use only. If an artist has requested that no photos be taken of them, security volunteers may alert you.
Artists have expressed concerns over the intrusiveness of festival photographers, and we have agreements with them about their images being distributed for professional use. Due to these concerns, we have a photography policy in place for professional photographers. Security and/or festival staff will ask patrons who appear to be taking professional photos to refrain from doing so. Patrons are forbidden from shooting with professional gear (i.e. large format cameras and lenses).
When will the Festival take place in 2008?
The festival takes place annually on the second to last weekend in July. Our 2008 festival will take place from July 18-20, while our 2009 festival will take place from July 17-19.
