Bass Coast Festival is a thoughtfully curated boutique music and art festival that is held on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx people. Moving into its 17th year, Bass Coast has garnered a global reputation for showcasing innovative international talent and providing a springboard for Canadian artists. After twice taking home the DJ Mag award for ‘Best Boutique Festival in North America’ and broadcasting live sets on preeminent streaming platforms Boiler Room, Keep Hush, and Subtle Radio, Bass Coast continues to cement its position within the vanguard of immersive arts and music festivals.

You’re invited to collaborate on the 17th edition of Bass Coast Festival, July 11-14, 2025.

The 2025 edition of Bass Coast Festival takes place July 11-14, in Merritt, British Columbia, Canada. Early Admission is available beginning July 9 & 10.  

Bass Coast Festival Directions & Map.

The music ends at 6AM on Mon. July 14. We ask all guests to leave the festival site by 6PM on Mon. July 14. Please plan ahead to ensure that your driver is well rested for the departure.

THIS IS IMPORTANT:

• Do not camp on Midday Valley Road before gates open. Those obstructing local traffic will be forced to move and lose their position in the queue.
• Do not leave any waste on site. This is a leave no trace event. Pack it in and pack it out.
• Do not expect to buy a Thursday entry pass at the gate. Thursday entry tickets are available in advance sales only.
• No Fires. BBQ’s and Camp stoves are allowed, but no open flames and no propane fire pits. Fire spinning is not permitted at Bass Coast. 
• Do not go into restricted areas, closed bridges, or private property next to the festival. 
• Do not build dams or rock walls which obstruct the flow of the Coldwater River. It's a natural salmon spawning area and any rock pools or walls are damaging to their environment
• Do not dump waste water on the ground. Please only dump in water drains - shower drains.
• Do not use soap, shampoo, and conditioner in the river. Soaps and sunscreens contaminate the water and affect endangered species. 
• Do not bring two-way radio’s or walkie-talkies that may interfere with production / first aid communications on site.  

DON'T BRING ANY OF THESE PROHIBITED ITEMS ON SITE:

• Glass (especially bottles & mirrors)
• Alcohol (drinks will be available at our on site bars)
• Illegal substances
• Weapons
• Laser pointers
• Unauthorised/unlicensed vendors
• Unauthorised solicitations (handbills, sampling, giveaways, etc.)
• Fireworks or Flares
• Fire dancing equipment
• Bouncy castles
• Speakers and sound systems (no renegade stages please)
• Stand-alone generators are not permitted. RV’s with built-in generators are permitted. Please be respectful of your neighbours. Run the generator sparingly and do not run it at night.
• Animals. Service animals must be registered in advance. See Accessibility.
• Aerial drones. Drones are not permitted on or in the air above the festival site.
• Body glitter / feathers that may fall on the ground. If you must use glitter, only use biodegradable glitter.
• Glow sticks
• War bonnet style headdresses. Learn why.
• Any items that are culturally inappropriate. General Rule: If the item or look in question is traditionally used by a community or culture other than your own to express religious beliefs, political statements, or respected status within that culture, leave it alone.

Enjoy full bar service at Bass Coast Festival. Our licensed bars carry a wide selection of premium beers, ciders and spirits. Alcohol can only be purchased and consumed in licensed areas. 

VEHICLES WILL BE SEARCHED upon entry to the festival site for alcohol and other banned items.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Bass Coast.

Bass Coast prides itself in being an inclusive gathering that brings together people from diverse backgrounds and inspires participation and creativity. Volunteering is an opportunity to foster connections, learn new skills and be a valuable part of a creative community. We are excited to collaborate with you. Please visit our Volunteer Application page for more information.

Music applications will open from October 1-7, 2024.

We highly recommend signing up for the Bass Coast Newsletter and following our socials for the latest announcements:

FB:   @BassCoastFestival
IG: @BassCoastFest
TikTok: @BassCoastFestival
Twitter: @BassCoastFest

Due to the high volume of inquiries, we are unable to respond to individual inquires regarding music submissions.

AMENITIES

Washrooms:  Wheelchair-accessible all gender porta-potties are located at 4 locations throughout the site. View their locations on the Bass Coast Festival Map. 

GROUNDS & SEATING 

Terrain: The festival grounds consist of: flat grassy fields, gravel roads, and dirt pathways. All the stages, workshop areas, bars, and first aid are accessible by wheelchair, however it is bumpy in places. There are gravel roads in the forest..

Seating: There is limited seating located throughout the downtown festival site, at stages, and at various art installations. 

Stages: All stages are accessible for mobility devices.

The Main Stage, Cabin Stage, and Slay Bay Stage have elevated stage viewing platforms.

The Slowtempo Stage and Cantina Stage are both under 12” high, and currently, they do not have accessibility stage viewing platforms. The Cantina dancefloor and Slowtempo dancefloor are wheelchair accessible. The dancefloors are turf over flat ground.

The Brain Stage is wheelchair-accessible and seated, with packed gravel in the viewing area. Attendees with accessibility needs can be accommodated at the front.

Viewing Platforms: Elevated stage viewing platforms for attendees with mobility needs and their companion who may need to see above the crowd will be made available at designated stages. 

Rules:

• Companions may be asked to stand at the back of the viewing area if capacity is reached.
• Viewing areas are non-smoking and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Do not block the view of those at the back of the platform.

Bars: All bars are accessible for mobility devices except for The Sky Bar which is only accessible by two stories of stairs.

Camp B Store and Showers: is located across the river from the festival grounds and accessible camping. There is a bridge to cross the river. The grade will be determined upon building the bridge in June. The grade of the bridge varies from year to year depending on the land and river height. 

ACCESSIBLE CAMPING & PARKING

Entrance: If you have applied and approved for an Accessible Camping pass. Please check in at the A Gate where you will receive an Accessible Camping pass and directions to the Accessible Camping area.

Accessible Camping: Accessible Camping is located near the Cantina Stage in the main festival field. 

Accessibility Camping area is available to those with the following eligibility:

• Cannot walk without a brace, cane, crutch, lower limb prosthetic device or similar assistive device. 
• Requires the assistance of a wheelchair or the assistance of another individual. 
• Suffers from lung disease to such an extent that his or her forced expiratory volume in one second is less than one litre. 
• Holds a SPARC (Parking Permits for People with Disabilities), permit or license plate. 

The accessible camping area has power for battery charging and a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty.

Bring Shade: The accessibility camping area offers minimal to no natural shade. Bringing a shade structure or other suitable solutions can help create a comfortable and shaded space. Preparing in advance will help support a more enjoyable experience.

If you are eligible, please complete the Accessibility form and provide details by June 15.

MOBILITY DEVICES

We encourage all guests with mobility disabilities to utilise personal forms of transportation, including wheelchairs and scooters.

If you need to recharge your motorised wheelchair, you may do so at the Accessibility Camping area. Patrons should bring all cords and accessories needed to charge their devices. Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit.

Please register via the Accessibility form if you require power.

SERVICE ANIMALS

All service animals must meet the criteria listed below and register in advance by filling out the Accessibility form.

Guide and service dogs (certified by the BC Registrar's office) are welcome on site and must be registered in advance. They should have legally required up-to-date vaccinations (documentation may be requested).   

Companion, emotional support, or therapy animals are not permitted. 

Only certified guide and service dogs that are under proper care of their owners will be granted accreditation. The service animal must remain leashed or harnessed by their handler's side at all times. If a harness or leash impede the service animal’s work, the owner must be able to control the service animal through other methods.

It is recommended appropriate animal protective gear (ear, foot, and/or eye protection) is worn during the event, as long as it does not impede the guide or service dog's work. High decibel levels near or at stages may cause permanent hearing damage to the animal.

Please be mindful of animal waste and dispose of it in refuse areas. 

Individuals with a guide or service dog are responsible for and liable for any injury or damage caused by the animal.

SENSORY EXPERIENCES

Each stage will have loud bass forward music. During the nighttime sets there will be moderate - heavy use of strobe lighting, lasers and flashing lights.

The Slowtempo Stage will feature mellow lighting and there will be no use of strobe lights.

The Brain Workshop stage will have moderate volume levels. 

PAYMENT SYSTEMS

All Bass Coast Bars, ICE, Showers, and The General Store are now CASHLESS.

Accepted payment methods include Interac Debit Cards, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Independent food and artisan vendors will continue to accept cash or cards.

Bass Coast Festival is a LEAVE NO TRACE event.

Attendees are responsible for keeping their campsites clean and packing out all waste at the end of the event. Please keep this in mind as you prepare for the event. Buy quality camping equipment that will last and remove packaging from equipment and food before you come on site.

Learn more through our Sustainability Educational Series.

Enviro Vehicle passes are required for each vehicle entering the 2025 festival*. To purchase an Enviro Vehicle pass, please visit the Bass Coast Tickets page.

$5 from every pass will be donated to a Merritt-based non-profit organization. Thank you for carpooling and supporting environmental sustainability.  

*motorcycles are excluded.

DOES AN ENVIRO VEHICLE PASS INCLUDE A RESERVED CAMPING SPOT? 

No, an Enviro Vehicle Pass does not provide reserved camping. It is required for each vehicle entering the festival, regardless of where you camp. 

If you haven't purchased a reserved campsite, you can camp with your vehicle in Campgrounds B + C, which are first-come, first-served. To purchase a Reserved Campsite or Bell Tent, please visit the Bass Coast Tickets page.

Part of the fun of Bass Coast Festival is camping on site. Your festival ticket includes access to spacious camping areas in Campgrounds B + C. Most attendees camp in tents. In most areas you can camp with your vehicle and RVs are permitted, however, there are no RV hookups on site. RVs rental companies cannot drop off rentals prior to guests arrival or at all. Guests must accompany RV rentals through ticket scanning and security search at the gates.

Please be fair when planning your campsite and reasonable with your spacing. Saving space for joiners is allowed, however should be done within reason. 

Free potable water is available at multiple locations, so make sure you bring refillable containers.

DIRECTIONS 

Access to Campground B + C is via Midday Valley Road. Check in at Main Gate.

Enjoy convenience and comfort by reserving a bell tent that is prepared with comfortable bedding.  The bell tents are located close to the festival grounds, a short walk from all the action. Nothing beats arriving at the festival to find a cozy canvas tent waiting for you. Sleep under the stars and be at one with nature without all the hard work.

Parking is available close to the Bell Tent Glamping area for one vehicle per Bell tent. Our Bell Tent team will be in contact with the tent purchaser for arrival and bedding details in early May 2025.

Each tent rental and all attendees staying in the tent require a General Admission 2025 ticket. General Admission tickets are not included in the tent rental price.

All bell tents include:

• Heavy-duty sealed and zipped groundsheet
• Waterproof canvas design keeps you dry in any weather
• Screened vents and windows for ventilation while keeping the bugs out
• Clean and comfortable bedding, including sheets, duvets and pillows
• Carpets, small table, doormat, lantern and outdoor fairy lights and lantern
• Staff available throughout the festival to assist you with any tent questions or issues
• One (1) Enviro Vehicle Pass for regular-size vehicle included

Not included: 

• General Admission ticket(s)

BELL TENT OPTIONS

BELL TENT: SMALL (4M) W/ AIR MATTRESS

• 4-meter diameter
• 1 queen bed or 2 single beds
• Accommodates 2 people
• Air mattress, fitted sheets, linen, duvets and pillows
• Carpets, doormats, outdoor fairy lights, table and light

BELL TENT: SMALL (4M) W/ QUEEN FOAM MATTRESS

• 4-meter diameter
• 1 Queen Bed w/ Queen Foam Mattress
• Accommodates 2 people
• Queen Foam Mattress, fitted sheets, duvet, linen and pillows
• Carpets, doormats, outdoor fairy lights, table and light

BELL TENT: LARGE (5M) W/ AIR MATTRESS(ES)

• 5 meter diameter
• 4 Singles or 2 Queens
• Max 4 people
• Air mattresses, fitted sheets, linen, duvets, and pillows
• Carpets, doormats, outdoor fairy lights table and light

BELL TENT: LARGE (5M) WITH 2 QUEEN FOAM MATTRESSES

• 5 meter diameter
• 2 queen beds
• Max 4 people
• Upgraded Memory Foam Mattress and wooden bed frame, fitted sheets, linen, duvets and pillows
• Carpets, doormats, outdoor fairy lights table and light

BELL TENT: GRAND (6M) W/ AIR MATTRESS(ES)

• 6 x 4 meter diameter
• 3 Queen beds or 6 Single beds or mixture of styles
• Max 6 people
• Air mattress, fitted sheets, linen, duvets and pillows
• Carpets, doormats, outdoor fairy lights table and light

DIRECTIONS

Access to the Bell Tents is via Neilson Rd. Check in at A Gate. 

WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY ENTRY

Reserved Bell Tents are open beginning Wed. July 9 at 12PM. Anyone accessing the Bell Tents on Wednesday or Thursday must have both a General Admission ticket and the appropriate early entry ticket(s).

RESERVATION MANAGEMENT

The Bell Tent ticket must be in the name of the first person to arrive. To manage your reservation, you can transfer the ticket to another person through the User Portal.

General Admission Tickets are not included in the Reserved Campsite price. All patrons staying in reserved campsites must purchase a General Admission ticket. Additionally, all vehicles require an Enviro Vehicle Pass to enter the festival.

ALL GATES CLOSE FOR A PERIOD EACH NIGHT

Please review Gate Hours carefully. Camping on the road while gates are closed is not allowed. You will be asked to move by event staff or police.

General Admission ticket holders camping in Campgrounds B + C must enter through the Main Gate. 

Accessibility Camping (pre-registered and approved), Reserved Campsites (Campground A and Ventura), and Bell Tent ticket holders must enter through A Gate. 

Directions to Bass Coast Main Gate & A Gate.

Have your government-issued photo ID and General Admission ticket ready.  

Please note, Gate hours are subject to change leading up to Bass Coast 2025.

Main Gate: Entry for General Admission with access to Campsites B and C. Main Gate is on the West side of the property.

A Gate: Entry for Accessible Camping, Bell Tents, Reserved Campsites, & Volunteers. A Gate is on the east side of property.

Staff Gate: Check-in Bass Coast Team, Volunteers, Artists, Performance Artists, Vendors, Workshops and Media. Drive past the A Gate and check in at the Staff Gate on the east side of the property.

Wed July 9
Main Gate:  12PM - 10PM
A Gate:  12PM - 10PM
Staff Gate:  8AM - 12AM

Thurs July 10
Main Gate:  9AM - 10PM
A Gate:  9AM - 10PM
Staff Gate:  8AM - 12AM

Fri July 11
Main Gate:  9AM - 1AM
A Gate:  9AM - 10PM
Staff Gate:  8AM - 12AM

Sat July 12
Main Gate:  9AM - 6PM
A Gate:  9AM - 4PM
Staff Gate:  9AM - 10PM

Sun July 13
Main Gate:  9AM - 6PM
A Gate:  CLOSED
Staff Gate:  9AM - 5PM

Wednesday Entry:  A Wednesday + Thursday Entry ticket and a General Admission ticket is required.

Thursday Entry: A Thursday Entry ticket and a General Admission ticket is required.

ALL VEHICLES ENTERING THE FESTIVAL SITE ARE SEARCHED for alcohol, illegal substances, animals, glass bottles and mirrors and other banned items.

Prohibited items:

• Glass (especially bottles & mirrors)
• Alcohol (drinks will be available at our on site bars)
• Illegal substances
• Weapons
• Laser pointers
• Unauthorised/unlicensed vendors
• Unauthorised solicitations (handbills, sampling, giveaways, etc.)
• Fireworks or Flares
• Fire dancing equipment
• Bouncy castles
• Speakers and sound systems (no renegade stages please)
• Stand-alone generators are not permitted. RV’s with built-in generators are permitted. Please be respectful of your neighbours. Run the generator sparingly and do not run it at night.
• Animals (service animals must be registered in advance)
• Aerial drones. Drones are not permitted on or in the air above the festival site.
• Body glitter / feathers that may fall on the ground (if you must use glitter, only use biodegradable glitter)
• Glow sticks
• War bonnet style headdresses. Learn why.
• Any items that are culturally inappropriate: General Rule: If the item or look in question is traditionally used by a community or culture other than your own to express religious beliefs, political statements, or respected status within that culture, leave it alone.

A WEDNESDAY + THURSDAY COMBINED PASS grants General Admission ticket holders access to the camping areas starting 12PM on Wed. July 9, 2025. Secure your spot early and get settled in.  In order to enter the Main Gate on Wednesday you must have a General Admission ticket and a Wednesday + Thursday Combined Pass.

• The Wednesday + Thursday Combined Pass is valid for entry on Wed. July 9, 2025. Gates are open from 12PM–10PM.
• There is no programming or entertainment on Wednesday.
• There is no access to Cabins or Glamping areas until Thursday.
• The Main Festival Grounds, Main Stage Field, Cantina, and Food Vending open at 9AM on Thurs. July 10, 2025.
• The Forest opens at 10AM on Fri. July 11, 2025.

See full Bass Coast terms and conditions.

THURSDAY ENTRY TICKET grants General Admission ticket holders access to the camping areas as well as limited access to the festival grounds starting at 9AM on Thurs. July 10, 2025. In order to gain Thursday Entry, you must have both a General Admission ticket and a Thursday Entry ticket.

• Thursday Entry Tickets are valid for entry starting at 9AM on Thurs. July 10, 2025.
• Thursday Entry grants access to the main festival field, The Cantina Stage, The Movement Studio, The Brain, Merch Store, Ice Store, and select Food Vendors.
• Glamping ticket holders have the option to purchase Thursday Entry tickets.
• The Forest Stages and Forest area will remain closed until 10AM on Fri. July 11, 2025.

See full Bass Coast terms and conditions.

We strongly encourage you to stay with us on site for the entire event.

In an effort to keep vehicle traffic on site to a minimum, A RE-ENTRY FEE OF $20 per person is in effect.

See our detailed directions page.

Join the Bass Coast Ride Share page on Facebook and communicate with other travellers as they make their plans. Request to join the page HERE.

Major travel routes pass through the City of Merritt. As of 2019 Greyhound will no longer be offering bus service to the Province of BC.

Ebus now offers service to Merritt, stopping at the Wagon West Travel Plaza, located at 3999 Airport Road. 

The bus stop is about a 12 minute cab ride from the Bass Coast Festival site. Find directions to Main Gate HERE.

The Bass Shuttle is a roundtrip chartered bus service to transport guests to Bass Coast departing on Fri. July 11 and returning Mon. July 14, 2025. 

Serviced Location for 2025: Vancouver

No Bass Shuttle coming to your city?
Let us know where you would like to see more routes added in future.

Details: See full itinerary details for the pickup location below.

• Vancouver - Olympic Village Skytrain Station
• Luggage space is limited to one large piece of luggage per passenger (max 23kg/50lbs) and one small carry-on (ie. backpack, mini cooler).
• This is not a party bus - we aim to provide a safe and comfortable ride for everyone, so please be respectful of other passengers.
• The use of drugs, alcohol, and personal music players on the vehicle is strictly prohibited. By purchasing a Bass Shuttle ticket, you are agreeing to the Bass Coast Code of Conduct.
• Read the full Terms and Conditions for more details.

If you're travelling from another country, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is the nearest international airport to the festival site.

The closest regional airport is Kamloops Airport (YKA).

Find travel directions to Bass Coast Festival from Kelowna or Kamloops HERE.

Our gate and parking teams work hard to ensure safety. Be patient and courteous with all team members. Any form of abuse will result in denial of entry to the festival.

ID Requirement
Bring a government-issued photo ID, as Bass Coast is a 19+ event.

Ticket
Have your print-at-home ticket ready and printed out.

Gate Hours
Check the Gate Hours and arrive on time. No entry will be allowed once the gate closes.

Vehicle Search
All vehicles and belongings are subject to search. Be prepared for security team members to inspect everything, including luggage, coolers, and RVs.

The following items are essential for getting the most out of your Bass Coast Festival experience:

• Tent
• Shade Structure
• Steel Pegs / Rebar
• Sleeping bag and blankets
• Solid footwear
• Flashlight
• Warm clothing
• Refillable water containers
• Essential toiletries

See our First Timer's Guide for more tips on what to bring.

The following items are banned at the festival and will be confiscated by security: 

• Glass (especially bottles & mirrors)
• Alcohol (drinks will be available at our on site bars)
• Illegal substances
• Weapons
• Laser pointers
• Unauthorised/unlicensed vendors
• Unauthorised solicitations (handbills, sampling, giveaways, etc.)
• Fireworks or Flares
• Fire dancing equipment
• Bouncy castles
• Speakers and sound systems (no renegade stages please)
• Stand-alone generators are not permitted. RV’s with built-in generators are permitted. Please be respectful of your neighbours. Run the generator sparingly and do not run it at night.
• Animals (service animals must be registered in advance)
• Aerial drones. Drones are not permitted on or in the air above the festival site.
• Body glitter / feathers that may fall on the ground (if you must use glitter, only use biodegradable glitter)
• Glow sticks
• War bonnet style headdresses. Learn why.
• Any items that are culturally inappropriate: General Rule: If the item or look in question is traditionally used by a community or culture other than your own to express religious beliefs, political statements, or respected status within that culture, leave it alone.

Location: Beside the Bass Coast Merch Store.

Access: Both in-house members and guests can drop off or claim lost items. 

Hours of Operation: Thurs. July 10 to Mon. July 14 from 10 AM - 5:30 PM

Limitations: Cannot retain or store large items post-festival. 

Unclaimed Items Deadlines: 

• Water bottles donated to a local charity on Mon. July 14.
• Non-confidential items donated to charity three months post-festival. 

Contact Lost and Found: BassCoastLostandFound@gmail.com

Post-show Item Inquiries: Lost and Found Inquiry form

Bass Coast is a safe space for everyone. All attendees are responsible for maintaining a culture of mutual respect and taking care of one another. If someone is unwell, help them get access to medical services. If someone is acting recklessly or harassing others, inform a member of the security team.

See Bass Coast’s Code of Conduct.

In accordance with Canadian law, Bass Coast Festival is a drug-free event. However we realize, regardless of the law, our Harm Reduction plan and gate policies, and the inherent dangers of illicit drug use, some may still choose to use these substances.

With this in mind, we have a proactive approach to Harm Reduction. Our goal is to empower our peers to positively influence their own health and safety by providing some tools and information regarding harm reduction, and will do so leading up to and throughout Bass Coast Festival through education for and communication to our community around safer partying.

Learn more about Bass Coast’s Harm Reduction Policy and Education.

Bass Coast Festival takes the health and wellbeing of our patrons very seriously. BCP tries to continually raise the bar and learn from past events on how to provide the safest possible environment for our guests.

There is one main First Aid tent located behind Main Stage. The First Aid outpost is located on the road behind Main Stage. We have locations in each campground (marked with a pink first aid sign on the map) that you can visit 24 hours for any questions or emergencies.

Bass Coast Festival will continue to operate in accordance with provincial and local health guidelines and recommendations.