ABOUT NIMBLEFINGERS

Originally founded as the British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop, NimbleFingers Bluegrass & Old-Time Workshops & Festival enters its 37th year in 2026—carrying forward a long-standing tradition of learning, sharing, and gathering around acoustic music.

From the beginning, NimbleFingers has been rooted in the rich traditions of bluegrass and old-time music. What started as a small workshop has grown into an international gathering, welcoming participants from across British Columbia, western Canada, the United States, and beyond. Over the decades, it has become more than a camp—it’s a community that continues to come together through music, friendships, and shared experience.

The NimbleFingers Experience

NimbleFingers is made up of two separate weeks of immersive, camp-style workshops, with a small-but-mighty public festival nestled between them. Each workshop week is a complete experience, offering a balance of structured learning and plenty of time to play, connect, and explore.

A typical day includes:

Morning classes
Lunchtime activities and jams
Afternoon open workshops and classes
Evening performances, dances, and gatherings

There’s always music in the air — from organized sessions to spontaneous jams that carry on well into the evening.

Traditions, Music, Community

Some of the most beloved moments of the week happen outside the classroom. Highlights include the Wednesday night Hall Concert & Dance, followed by the Thursday night Student Concert, where participants take the stage in a supportive, celebratory setting.

Week One wraps up on Friday morning, with some folks heading home and others staying on for the weekend festivities—including the Honky-Tonk Dinner & Dance on Friday night and the public Festival Day on Saturday. Then, the rhythm begins again as a new group arrives for Week Two.

Staying, Eating, and Settling In

Participants can choose from a range of accommodation options—from camping to cabanas to cabins to lodge rooms—all set within the beautiful Sorrento Centre property. Many opt into the meal plan, leaving more time and energy for what matters most: music, community, and connection.

Find Your Way In

You’re welcome to join NimbleFingers for one or both workshop weeks. Whether you’re coming to deepen your skills, explore new musical territory, or reconnect with familiar tunes and faces, there’s something here for everyone.

And if you’d rather soak it all in without committing to a daily class, the Picker & Grinner option offers full access to the NimbleFingers experience—jams, concerts, and community—without the workshop schedule.

However you choose to participate, you’ll find a welcoming place to gather, learn, and share music together.