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Buy your 2026 Elevate pass now
Elevate is back with a new venue! The festival runs October 16-18, with the option to stay from an extra night on either end — more time to jam and connect.
Don't forget to select your accommodations and meal plan. Semi-private rooms will go fast, so don't delay on making your selection!
Get Your Artist-Designed Elevate Shirt
(Pre-Order Only by Oct 7)
Created with love by a real artist, Sarah Shaneman (also an Elevate teacher). No AI!!
Elevate Teachers 2026
Pre-Fest 2026:
Prefest with Jill & Heidi
A somatic-acrobatic journey. A day-long with Jill Campbell and Heidi Blais to cultivate the grounded, present, intuitive and versatile acrobat within and without. Here's the flow of the day:
- Solo somatic practices to arrive in our body and connect with our breath.
- Hand-selected partner calibrations, allowing you to connect with others, hone your axis and solidify your acrobatic foundations in a variety of positions, from the ground up, with options to meet you according to your experience level, anatomical variation or other needs.
- Full body partner flow to put the pieces together into an integrated whole, moving through counterbalances, L-basing and standing basing.
- Group games infused throuhgout the day to build connections at-large and to prepare you for a weekend of new friendships and partnerships.
- Release techniques to restore the nervous system will be shared to close the day-long.
The goal is to leave the pre-fest feeling as good, or better than, when we first arrived. Join Jill and Heidi to build sustainable momentum for your weekend, and to invest in your acrobatic longevity!
About Jill Campbell
Jill considers AcroYoga a shared moving meditation and she strongly values the relationships that develop by way of this practice. She loves to draw back to the midline while teaching and training stabilization and fluidity in safety, yet she also pushes boundaries when creating flows and movement art. Known for her lightness, her classes are joyful and educational.
About Heidi Blais
Heidi has worked for more than a decade as a full-time acroyoga instructor, circus artist and movement educator. Based in Montreal, she is an innovator in partner acrobatics, with deep roots in group acrobatics, hand-to-hand, contact improv and slackline. She’s worked for Cirque Éloize and is an instructor with the widely regarded Acroyoga Montreal Teacher Training.
Pre-Fest
Friday Oct 16, 2026
10am-3pm
This Year We Have a New Venue!!
Van Es Camp and Conference Centre
51244 Range Rd 220, Sherwood Park
Elevate is moving to a new venue for 2026!
Van Es is just 20-30 minutes east of Edmonton (and even closer to Calgary and the airport than our old venue). We have two large halls for classes, lots of common areas, a stunning performance venue, onsite accommodations and even a pool! All meals will be offered again by Lois and her team, but there are fridges and kitchens for those who prefer to prepare their own meals. Van Es is on 100 acres of forested land, with plenty of trails to enjoy for some time in nature during the gorgeous fall season.
This next step allows us to lean deeper into our value of Community -- offering more time to learn, grow and connect. We are very excited for this next step for Elevate and can't wait to welcome you out to this gorgeous venue.
FAQ
What should I do before arriving at the festival?
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Sign the Participant Waiver and optional Photo Release — to save time at check-in. (Link available one week before festival.)
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Be aware of Elevate’s No Scents policy, which is in place for the entire weekend.
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Read the packing list below and LABEL your belongings, as this will make it easier for missing items to be returned to you.
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Follow our Instagram page and check your email inbox for important information ahead of the festival.
What should I pack?
Some important things to throw in your bag:
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A rock with your Intention for the weekend painted or written on it
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Cash for homemade cinnamon buns ($5 each)
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Meals (if you didn’t buy a Meal Plan) and snacks (free organic fruit will be available the entire weekend)
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Blankets, sheets, mats, lights for our Community Fort
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Foldable mat (if you are willing to loan it for community use over the weekend)
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Warm outerwear (days are forecast to be mild, but nights are getting close to freezing)
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Warm socks, cozy sweaters and eye mask for down time
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Water bottle
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Smartphone and mini-tripod (don’t forget to tag @elevateacrofest)
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Phone charger or battery bank
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Chalk or Acrogrip
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Ties for long hair
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Protective gear for wrists, knees, etc.
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Sandals (for bathrooms)
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Items to soothe sore joints and muscles: lacrosse ball, massage gun, Advil, etc.
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Onesie or costume for Saturday night jam
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Swimsuit for on-site swimming pool
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An open heart!
Do we need to sign up for individual classes?
No you don't! As long as you have a ticket for the day you are good to go. Before every class there will be a demo from the teachers and they will have a couple minutes to talk about the content of their classes. They will outline any pre-requistes to take the class at that time.
Do I need to bring a partner?
No you don't! It can be beneficial to have a calibrated partner for classes if you are pushing your edges but it isn't necessary. In all classes you will be working with groups of 3 or more for spotting. People often switch up who they are working with every class. There are a lot of people who are coming alone and you will find people to work with.
Do I need to bring a mat?
No you don't but if you have a panel mat you are willing to lend the festival let us know! We are renting roll out gymnastics mats for the main hall and have some panel mats for the gym. We can always use more mats.
Is there a microwave and fridge?
There is a fridge available and a microwave at the venue that participants are able to use.
Do I have to attend the entire of each class?
No you don't! In fact you can leave a class half way through if you are feeling done. Lots of people will be taking breaks when they need them. We have a blanket fort chill space and plenty of small spaces around the community center where you can take a break.
I want to attend, but I don't have the financial means to. Do you have any options for me to attend?
We have volunteer work trades available as well as some financial options if money is a barrier for you to attend. Please see our volunteer page to apply to volunteer or reach out for options. We don't want finances to be a barrier to attendance.
Am I allowed to leave and come back?
Yes! You are welcome to come and go as you please throughout the festival. However, please be aware that we are approximately a 20-minute drive from the nearest services, like a grocery store.
Can we stay overnight at the venue?
Yes! Elevate has pivoted this year to provide overnight accommodations at our venue. A variety of semi-private and dorm-style accommodations are available when you purchase your ticket. If you have your own mobile accommodations, like a camper van, arrangements can be made. Please contact us at info@elevateacrofest.ca to discuss a special arrangement.
Is the festival beginner friendly?
Yes absolutely! We have beginner friendly class options in every time slot and are one of the most beginner friendly festivals in Canada. We do however recommend having done at least a few acro yoga classes previously to get the most out of the festival. The festival as a first time acro experience will be a lot, but you are definitely welcome to come if you are up for the challenge. If you are looking for beginner classes in your area please reach out and we are happy to connect you to someone teaching if we know anyone in your area.
Are children welcome?
Our festival aims to be inclusive and we are open to participants under 18 attending, provided they are accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone. Please reach out directly to us to discuss options for participation: info@elevateacrofest.ca.
How much do tickets cost?
We are one of the most affordable acro festivals in North America, with weekend passes starting at under $300 (depending on when you purchase them). There are lots of ways to participate. Please our ticketing page for current options.
Can my friends come watch?
No they can't. We are creating a container in which people are pushing their edges and are in vulnerable spaces. You are absolutely welcome to watch people throughout the festival, but only festival participants, volunteers, and teachers will be allowed in the community center. There are two exceptions: You're welcome to invite family or friends to our Saturday Showcase. Also, if a community member is injured or otherwise unable to participate, we are able to offer festival pass options. Please contact us at info@elevateacrofest.ca to discuss options. We encourage you to take lots of videos (please ask someone before taking a video of them) and share them with friends and family.
Volunteer at Elevate
Volunteers are essential to a successful festival, and serving is an affordable way to attend. Duties mostly include venue setup/tear-down and cleaning/tending to the space. Work 8-10 hours and get a full fest ticket. Half the time gives you a 50% discount.