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Description
- When: September 22–26, 2026
- Where: Multiple venues across Fort Langley and Langley, BC
- Cost: Free to the public
- Hosted by: Langley Ukulele Association
Now in its 2nd year, the Fort Langley International Ukulele Festival — themed "Ukuleles Across the Pacific" — brings a full week of free music, culture, and community to Langley. Presented by the Langley Ukulele Association, the festival invites visitors to experience a little aloha, blending free lessons, hula demonstrations, history presentations, and concerts featuring internationally renowned ukulele artists.
Festival Schedule
Tuesday, September 22 — Fort Langley Library
- 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM: Free ukulele lessons with internationally renowned ukulele teacher Peter Luongo. Bring your own uke or borrow one through the library.
Wednesday, September 23 — Fort Langley Community Hall
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Free ukulele lessons, hula demonstrations, and a Fort Langley & Kanaka history presentation
- 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Free ukulele lessons, hula demonstrations, Fort Langley & Kanaka history presentation, and ukulele concerts with Langley Ukulele Association ensembles
Thursday, September 24 — Fort Langley Community Hall
- 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Free ukulele lessons, hula demonstrations, and a Fort Langley & Kanaka history presentation
- 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Free ukulele lessons, hula demonstrations, Fort Langley & Kanaka history presentation, and ukulele concerts with Langley Ukulele Association ensembles and the AG Academy from Hawaii
Friday, September 25 & Saturday, September 26 — Salishan Place by the River, Amphitheatre Stage
- 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM: Concerts, hula performances, history of Hawaii & BC, guest performances, open mic, ukulele jams, and vendors
Everything on the Amphitheatre Stage is free and open to the public.
About the Langley Ukulele Ensemble
Now in its 45th year, the Langley Ukulele Ensemble spent its first 32 years under founder Peter Luongo and the past 12 under his son, Paul Luongo. Members range from ages 13 to 19, drawn from middle and secondary schools across the community. The ensemble's Senior A group performs up to 80 concerts annually across Canada, the U.S., Hawaii, and Japan, and in August 2026 reached a milestone by headlining the Great Britain Ukulele Festival. The ensemble has performed alongside Juno, Nā Hōkū Hanohano, and Grammy-winning artists, and was featured in the documentary film The Mighty Uke. Beyond music, the association's motto — "Enriching Lives through Music" — reflects its focus on developing youth leadership alongside musical skill.
Featured Performers
Bryan Tolentino (Hawaii)
A veteran Hawaiian ukulele player and educator with over 40 years of experience, known for his "fairy dusting" sound across more than 60 recordings, including Na Hoku Hanohano-winning and Grammy-nominated projects. Teaches at the Performing Arts Academy at Kamehameha Schools.
Chris Kamaka Sr. (Hawaii)
A member of the renowned Kamaka family, founders of Kamaka Ukulele, carrying a deep generational connection to the instrument and decades of performance and teaching experience.
Aldrine Guerrero (Hawaii)
Co-founder of Ukulele Underground (2007), an award-winning musician and head instructor at the AG 'Ukulele Academy on Kaua'i, with music featured in Hotel Transylvania and a crossover episode of The Simpsons and Bob's Burgers.
Aaron Nakamura (Hawaii)
Co-founder of Ukulele Underground alongside Aldrine Guerrero and Ryan Esaki, known for creative playing and collaborative teaching at festivals worldwide.
Kalei Gamiao (Hawaii)
A Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso and composer blending jazz, rock, classical, blues, and Hawaiian contemporary styles, recognized internationally since his 2008 debut album Contemporary Ukulele.
Jonah Davis (Hawaii)
A multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award finalist and Music Coordinator for the Nā Maka 'O Pu'uwai Aloha Performing Arts Studio, with performance credits at the Hawai'i Theatre and Waikīkī Shell.
Peter Luongo (Canada)
Founder of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble and leader of the adult Legacy Ukulele Ensemble, featured in the documentary The Mighty Uke.
Guido Heistek (Canada)
A Vancouver-based educator and performer, founder of Ukulele in the Dark and half of the duo Heistek and Plato.
Eduardo Garcia (Mexico/Canada)
Founder of the Academia de Ukuleles de la Ribera in Mexico, a classically trained multi-instrumentalist who transitioned fully to ukulele over 15 years ago.
Matt Dahlberg (Seattle)
A two-time Ukulele Underground Undie Award winner known for creative ukulele arrangements of classic rock and pop, with a strong online teaching presence.
Paul Luongo (Canada)
Musical Director of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble since 2013, having produced four studio albums and led ten tours to Honolulu, with performances at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and alongside Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin.
Elizabeth Zielke (Canada)
A long-standing Langley Ukulele Association educator and director of feeder ensembles preparing students for the main ensemble.
Mark Luongo (Canada)
A multi-instrumentalist teaching ukulele, guitar, bass, and piano across North America within the Langley Ukulele Association.
Simon Gileff (Canada)
One of the Association's newest teachers, currently directing the Intermediate Ensemble and studying jazz with Juno-nominated Jodi Proznick.
Hālau Hula Ka'Uhane O Ka Pākīpika (Canada)
A Polynesian dance school guided since 1999 by Kumu Paddy Kauhane, run today by the Spirit of the Pacific Cultural Society in Maple Ridge.
UkuLenny (Lendl San Jose)
A Bay Area-based ukulele player and educator proficient in over 12 instruments, performing at weddings, festivals, and community events across ages 6 to 86.
Sponsors
The festival is supported by the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, the Rotary Club of Langley, Ecclesiastical, Magnus Law, Well Seasoned, Kala Brand Music Co., Kamaka Ukulele, 'Oli 'Ukulele, Ku'ulei, Blackbird Security, Confetti, ACI, Fort Community, Fort Pub & Grill, Kanile'a 'Ukulele & Guitar, and 1027 The Peak.
Plan Your Visit
- Event: Fort Langley International Ukulele Festival
- Date: September 22–26, 2026
- Time: Varies by day — see schedule above
- Location: Fort Langley Library, Fort Langley Community Hall, and Salishan Place by the River (Amphitheatre Stage), Langley, BC
- Admission: Free to the public
- Website: langleyevents.ca | langleyukes.com
From free lessons at the library to two full days of concerts, hula, and open mics on the Amphitheatre Stage, the Fort Langley International Ukulele Festival brings a world-class lineup of Hawaiian and Canadian ukulele artists to Langley — five days, entirely free.
