Port Alberni Salmon Derby + Festival
Port Alberni Salmon Festival Returns for Labour Day Weekend 2026
Celebrate Labour Day Weekend on the waterfront at the Port Alberni Salmon Festival, returning to Tyee Landing from September 4 to 7, 2026.
Held on the traditional territories of the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations, this annual gathering brings together fishing, food, live entertainment, local vendors, art, and community. Residents and visitors are welcome to spend the weekend enjoying activities along the harbour and cheering on anglers participating in the Alberni Valley Salmon Derby.
Festival Highlights
Alberni Valley Salmon Derby
The Alberni Valley Salmon Derby is a longstanding Labour Day Weekend tradition. Anglers compete throughout the weekend for daily prizes and the grand prize awarded for the largest qualifying salmon.
During its busiest years, the derby welcomed approximately 4,000 participants. Today, around 1,500 anglers take part each year in waters throughout the Alberni Inlet. The largest salmon recorded in the competition was a 60-pound, 8-ounce Chinook caught by Art Berlinski in 1982.
Live Entertainment
Enjoy live music and performances throughout the festival weekend. The waterfront setting at Tyee Landing offers plenty of room to listen, relax, and spend time with family and friends.
Food and Beverages
Festival food vendors will be serving a range of local favourites and familiar festival fare. It is a chance to enjoy a meal by the harbour while recognizing Port Alberni’s longstanding relationship with fishing and the water.
Artisan and Community Vendors
Browse handmade goods, artwork, locally made products, and displays from businesses and community organizations based in the Alberni Valley and surrounding area.
Family-Friendly Activities
The Port Alberni Salmon Festival welcomes guests of all ages. Families can enjoy entertainment, activities, food, and time together along the waterfront throughout the weekend.
2026 Port Alberni Salmon Festival Details
Dates: September 4ā7, 2026
Location: Tyee Landing, 3300 Harbour Road, Port Alberni, BC
Website: salmonfestival.ca
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Social Media: @PortAlberniSalmonFestival on Facebook and Instagram
Festival Hours
- Friday, September 4: 5:00 PMā10:00 PM
- Saturday, September 5: 10:00 AMā10:00 PM
- Sunday, September 6: 10:00 AMā10:00 PM
- Monday, September 7: 10:00 AMā3:00 PM
Salmon Derby Hours
- Saturday, September 5: 6:00 AMā8:00 PM
- Sunday, September 6: 6:00 AMā8:00 PM
- Monday, September 7: 6:00 AMā3:00 PM
Derby weigh-station locations will be announced closer to the event. Anglers should confirm registration requirements, rules, prize information, fishing boundaries, and final hours through the official festival website before participating.
A Labour Day Weekend Tradition
The Alberni Valley Tyee Club was founded in 1932 by a small group of local businesspeople and anglers. Their goal was to support and promote sport fishing in the waters of the Alberni Inlet.
The club’s Labour Day derby has since become a familiar part of the annual calendar in Port Alberni. Generations of anglers, volunteers, families, and spectators have gathered for the competition and the community events held alongside it.
Tyee Club derby at the dock, circa 1940. Image source: Port Alberni Salmon Festival.
Recent Salmon Derby Winners
| Year | Winner | Winning Catch |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Don Kimura | 30 lb 14 oz Chinook |
| 2024 | Sean Falkenberg | 28 lb 8 oz Chinook |
| 2023 | Dan Sexton | 23 lb 14 oz Chinook |
| 1982 | Art Berlinski | 60 lb 8 oz Chinook |
The Alberni Valley Tyee Club continues to document the derby’s history. Anyone with verified information that may help fill gaps in the list of past winners is encouraged to contact the club.
Plan Your Labour Day Weekend in the Alberni Valley
Visitors staying for the weekend can find accommodations, campgrounds, restaurants, shops, trails, attractions, and other local activities through the Alberni Valley Tourism Plan Your Trip page.
Festival schedules, entertainment announcements, vendor information, derby registration details, and prize updates may change as the event approaches. Check the official Port Alberni Salmon Festival website and social media pages for the latest information.
Come for the fishing and stay for a Labour Day Weekend shaped by food, music, local creativity, and community along the Port Alberni waterfront.