- Comox Festival Weekend (July 31–August 3, 2026) combines two events: the Filberg Festival at Filberg Park and the free Nautical Days at Comox Marina Park, with two days of overlap on August 1–2.
- Accommodation books out fast — the August long weekend (BC Day falls on Monday August 3) is Comox's biggest demand spike. Book by late May for the best room selection.
- Port Augusta Inn on Comox Avenue sits between the two venues, a short drive from Filberg Park and a 14-minute walk to the marina, with free parking, free breakfast, and a pool that's open for the festival period.
- Filberg Festival has no ATM on-site. Most artisan vendors take cards, but bring cash to be safe. Nautical Days is entirely free.
On Comox Avenue between the two venues, with free breakfast and a 14-minute walk to the marina.
Two festivals, one weekend: what Comox Festival Weekend actually is
Most towns manage one summer festival. Comox runs two simultaneously.
The Filberg Festival takes over Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park (61 Filberg Road) from Friday July 31 to Sunday August 2. It's a ticketed event featuring over 140 juried artisans, two live music stages, food trucks from across Vancouver Island, and a site-wide licence serving BC craft beer, wine, and cider. The Enchanted Forest kids' area offers face painting, storytelling, and crafts. Gates open at 10am daily, closing at 8pm Friday and Saturday, 6pm Sunday.
Meanwhile, Comox Nautical Days runs from Saturday August 1 to Monday August 3 at Comox Marina Park — and it's completely free. This is Comox's longest-running community festival, now in its 67th year. The programme includes the Vintage Car Show, the Build Bail & Sail boat race (teams build a boat from scratch in the morning, race it in the afternoon), remote-control sailboat races, 100+ craft booths, the BC Day Parade on Monday, the 4-Mile Foot Race, and the Festival of Lights fireworks on Monday night.
August 1 and 2 are the overlap days. You can spend a morning browsing handmade jewellery and pottery at Filberg, walk down to the marina in about 20 minutes for the sailboat races, and be back at Filberg for the evening music. The two waterfront venues sit roughly 1.6 km apart, connected by streets and pedestrian paths through the heart of town — close enough to do both without a car.
Where to stay for Comox Festival Weekend
The practical question is proximity. Filberg Park sits toward the western edge of Comox, while Marina Park is on the harbour to the north-east. You want somewhere between the two, on or near Comox Avenue — the main road linking both venues.
Port Augusta Inn sits right on Comox Avenue and is the most convenient base for the weekend. Filberg Park is a short drive or roughly a 20-minute walk away. The marina is a 14-minute walk north along the waterfront. The Nautical Days 4-Mile Foot Race actually finishes near the corner of Comox Avenue and Port Augusta Street — essentially the inn's front door.
What makes the inn especially practical for this particular weekend: free continental breakfast (served daily from 7:00 to 10:30am) means you don't lose festival time hunting for a café first thing. Free parking is a genuine advantage when road restrictions and parking closures hit downtown Comox during Nautical Days. The seasonal outdoor pool is open (mid-May to late September), so you've got somewhere to cool off after a full day in the August sun. And the kitchenette and full-kitchen room options mean you can stock up at a farmers' market and skip the food-truck queues for at least a couple of meals.
For families, the two-bedroom suites sleep six and include a sofa bed — far more practical than booking two hotel rooms. Couples should ask about the loft rooms with a king bed and partial ocean view.
The August long weekend is the busiest period of the year in Comox. Rooms at Port Augusta Inn and other local accommodation book out weeks in advance. If you're reading this in April or May 2026, book now — don't wait for the lineup announcement.
How Comox accommodation options compare
| Option | Distance to Filberg | Distance to Marina | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Augusta Inn | ~1.1 mi (short drive / 20-min walk) | 0.8 mi (14-min walk) | Free breakfast, parking and pool — walkable to both venues |
| Self-catering apartments & suites | Varies | Varies | Groups wanting a full kitchen and living space (book very early) |
Getting to Comox and getting around Festival Weekend
Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is the closest option, with flights from Vancouver (roughly 45 minutes in the air), Calgary, and Edmonton. From the airport to Port Augusta Inn, it's a short taxi ride of well under 10 minutes — one of the shortest airport-to-hotel runs you'll find anywhere on the island.
If you're coming from the mainland by ferry, BC Ferries runs the Powell River–Little River route to Comox's ferry terminal, a short drive from town. From Nanaimo (Departure Bay), it's roughly 1 hour 15 minutes north on the Island Highway.
Parking and transport during Festival Weekend
This is where planning matters. Downtown Comox introduces road closures and parking restrictions across the Nautical Days weekend of August 1–3. Street parking near Marina Park fills up early. Filberg Festival runs a Park & Ride from Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy (1475 Noel Avenue) — use it, especially on Saturday when both events peak.
A bike is the best way to move between the two festivals. The Comox Valley Cycling Coalition provides a free, staffed bike valet at Filberg, so you can lock up securely and browse without worrying. The ride between Filberg Park and Marina Park takes only a few minutes on flat roads.
If you're staying at Port Augusta Inn, the walk to Marina Park is flat and takes about 14 minutes along Comox Avenue. Filberg Park is slightly further — around a 20-minute walk, or a short drive using the Park & Ride. Don't try to park near Filberg itself on the Saturday.
What to do beyond the festivals
Festival Weekend runs three days, but Comox earns a longer stay — especially if you've booked one of the Port Augusta Inn's kitchen rooms and can self-cater. Here's what to do with your non-festival hours.
Comox Valley Farmers' Market. The Comox Wednesday market runs mid-afternoon (roughly 3–6pm) at the Comox Community Centre through summer, with a larger Saturday market in the valley. Local produce, baked goods, and small-batch preserves — stock your kitchenette and cut down on food-truck spend. Check cvfm.ca for the current day and hours.
Goose Spit Provincial Park. A sand-spit landform at the edge of Comox harbour — excellent for bird watching and low-key coastal walking. Go early morning before the festivals open. Roadside parking fills up by mid-morning in summer.
40 Knots Winery. On Anderton Road, this estate winery is one of the closest in the world to the ocean. Walk-in “Quick & Knotty” tastings, guided experiences, and a terrace with views across the Strait of Georgia. A short drive from the inn — worth an afternoon if you're extending your stay past the long weekend. It's closed Mondays, so plan around BC Day.
Cumberland Village. Twenty minutes south, Cumberland is a former coal-mining town that's reinvented itself as one of Vancouver Island's mountain-biking hubs. Good coffee shops, a worthwhile museum, and a completely different atmosphere to coastal Comox.
Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre. About a 10-minute drive from the inn in neighbouring Courtenay. Fossil specimens from the local area, including marine reptile finds. Genuinely interesting for families — allow a half-day.
Festival Weekend planning: what you need to know before you go
Book accommodation now. If you're reading this in spring 2026, don't wait. The August long weekend is the single biggest demand weekend in Comox, and the town has limited hotel inventory. Mid-May is typically the last point where you'll have good room selection at Port Augusta Inn.
No ATM at Filberg Festival. The nearest cash machine is about a 15-minute walk into town. Most vendors take cards, but some artisans are cash-only. Withdraw before you arrive. Nautical Days vendors are similarly mixed — bring both.
Weather expectations. Early August in Comox is typically warm and dry — average highs in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius. But mornings can be cool, especially near the harbour. Layers work better than a single heavy jacket. Sunscreen is essential — you'll be outdoors for hours.
Families. Filberg's Enchanted Forest is the dedicated kids' zone — face painting, storytelling, crafts, and games. At Nautical Days, the Rotary Splash Park and Playground is free, and there are family games sessions over the weekend. The BC Day Parade on Monday is a highlight for younger children. The Build Bail & Sail boat race is entertaining to watch regardless of age.
Timing your days. Both festivals open at 10am. Get to Filberg first thing when the crowds are thinnest — you'll have the artisan market largely to yourself. Move to Marina Park for the afternoon activities. Come back to Filberg for the evening music. On Monday, Nautical Days takes centre stage: the 4-Mile Foot Race in the morning, the Parade mid-morning, and the fireworks to close the weekend after dark.
Alcohol. Filberg Festival has a site-wide licence — BC craft beer, local wines, and ciders are available throughout the grounds. Nautical Days has a separate licensed garden area. You cannot bring your own alcohol to either event, and glass containers are not permitted at Filberg.
Early-bird Filberg Festival passes are on sale now through filbergfestival.com, and single-day tickets are available too. Buy direct rather than through third-party resellers charging inflated prices. Nautical Days is entirely free — no tickets needed.
Festival Weekend in Comox runs on a simple formula: two events that complement rather than compete with each other, a small town that's easy to navigate on foot or by bike, and accommodation that's close enough to walk back to when you've had enough sun. Book a room with a kitchenette, arrive early for the farmers' market, and give yourself four or five days. The fireworks on Monday night are worth staying for.
On Comox Avenue between the two venues, with free breakfast and a 14-minute walk to the marina.
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