Hit ‘Reset’ and Harvest Some Community Spirit, at the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival

September is a reset button. The air is cooling, the trees are starting to show off, and Renfrew Ravine is priming to stage one of the city’s coolest festivals: the 2025 Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival.

This year’s edition – themed “Wetlands” – builds slowly, with a program featuring workshops, walks, and gatherings beginning on Friday, September 12th; and culminating under flattering, ominous lantern light on Saturday, October 4th. Here’s a brief rundown of some highlights happening along the way:

Workshops

Make & Mend (Fri, Sept. 12th & Tues, Sept. 23rd, 4-6pm, Slocan Community Hall) – Pitch in to build and repair the lanterns and decorations that bring the festival to life. All skill levels are welcome, whether you’re a hot-glue pro or just here for the glitter.

Wetland Lantern Workshop (Wed, Sept. 17th, 4-6pm, Renfrew Collingwood Seniors’ Centre) – Artist Yoko Tomita leads a session making lanterns inspired by wetland plants and animals, perfect for kids, grandparents, and anyone keen to carry their own creation in the procession.

Nature & Story

Ravine Scavenger Hunt (Sat, Sept. 13th, 2-4pm, Renfrew Ravine Park) – An all-ages wander through Still Creek, spotting birds, bugs, and native plants. Compete for natural treasures while learning about the ecosystem right under your nose.

Nature & History Tour (Sat, Sept. 13th, 2-4pm, Renfrew Ravine Park) – Artist Carmen Rosen and Albert Lee guide a walk through one of Vancouver’s last urban forests, weaving in stories of lost streams, plants, and community history.

Art & Celebration

Salmon Creek Mosaic Mural Celebration (Sat, Sept. 13th, 4-6pm, Renfrew Community Park) – A new mural by artists Yoko Tomita and Carmen Rosen, built with over 100 volunteers, honours the salmon that returned to Still Creek after 80 years. Expect music from Eagles Inspirit, Thistle Hart, Tiddley Cove Morris, and Los Cabros.

Voices in the Garden (Sat, Sept. 20th, 3-7pm, Colour-Me-Local Dye Garden) – An afternoon of music, poetry, and hands-on art. Musicians Mina Chan, Company, Stanza Lune, Vostok, and Norine Braun set the soundtrack, while Kick Off the Truck collective leads nature-inspired needle-felting workshops.

Reflection

Full Moon Labyrinth Walk (Mon, Sept. 22nd, 6-8pm, Renfrew Ravine Labryinth) – A slow, mindful meditation under the Harvest Moon, guided by the voices of Gracenote Choir.

Harvest Fair (4:00–6:45pm, Slocan Park) – Music, food, artisans, giant puppets, and the last chance to make or buy a lantern before nightfall.

Twilight Lantern Procession (6:45–7:05pm, leaves from Slocan Park) – Walk with puppets, musicians and neighbours carrying lanterns down into the ravine.

Streamside Lanterns (7:05–9:00pm, Renfrew Community Park) – The heart of the festival: illuminated art, soundscapes and Still Creek all glowing under the night sky.

Bonus: Theatre of the Moon (6:00–8:00pm, Renfrew Ravine Labyrinth) – Teapot in the Tuba and actor Annie Lefebvre perform a surreal, playful song cycle under the trees.

Full 2025 Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival schedule, including all of the salient details and links to registration, can be found here.

WHY WE CARE

A festival that brings people together not just to watch, but to build, walk, sing and make art side-by-side is cool in our books. These events pull neighbours into a place of wonder, curiosity, and collaboration. They remind us that when people connect—to each other and to the environment—the community grows stronger, and the place feels more alive.