Calgary 
Ontario’s famous country music festival is set to plant new roots in Western Canada, bringing its long-running fan community to Alberta.
Republic Live and OEG Sports & Entertainment confirmed that Boots and Hearts West will debut in Edmonton at Fan Park @ ICE District on August 28 and 29, 2026.
The event marks the first expansion of the Boots and Hearts festival outside Ontario, where the original edition has built a following over 15 years and earned multiple awards, including eight CCMA Country Festival of the Year honours.
To launch the new western edition, Russell Dickerson, whose recent Canadian country radio hit held the top spot for several weeks, will headline opening night. Shaboozey, a Grammy-nominated artist known for blending genres, will close out the second evening. Additional performers will be named later.
Festival co-founder Eva Dunford said bringing the event to Edmonton felt like a natural next step, pointing to Alberta’s strong country music roots and the culture that has shaped the festival’s identity. She added that partnering with OEGSE allows them to extend the “BootsLife” spirit to a region that already shares its values.
Tickets go on presale December 3 at 10 a.m. MT, with general sales starting December 5 through Ticketmaster.ca. PayPal and Klarna payment plans will be available.
Quebec’s Igloofest is also bringing its famous outdoor winter party to Edmonton for the first time in March 2026.
