There’s something slightly surreal about watching a mosh pit erupt in the Badlands.

Every February, the hoodoos of Drumheller become the backdrop for one of Alberta’s most lovingly off-kilter independent music gatherings: Cold Bones Festival. Now in its third year, the festival transforms the small dinosaur-town into a walkable circuit of churches, sandwich shops, breweries, and late-night hideaways — with artists playing an intimate stage that you’d normally have to drive hours to see.

That accessibility is the point.

“Most of our festival organizers grew up as music lovers in rural communities, which means we had to wait until we knew someone with a license who could drive us into the city to go see the shows we were longing to see,” the team shares. “I know my parents definitely weren't going to take 14 year old me to an all-ages Guttermouth gig in Edmonton, so finding a way to the music was always more of a barrier for the rural kids.”

Cold Bones was born from that memory — and that gap.

“Our teenage selves want to share this love of music with our community and make it as accessible as possible for folks to connect with bands that are otherwise difficult to connect with here.”

Instead of asking rural kids to leave town to find culture, Cold Bones brings the big-city energy to Drumheller — without losing the small-town warmth. Folk singer Cat Clyde’s voice will echo through the festival’s church venue in a setting that feels reverent and close, with the likes of Rae Spoon and Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. Cassia Hardy will take over the brewery stage alongside SAMWOY and SHY FRiEND, where guitars will hum against the clink of pints. Astrology Girl brings her shimmering indie-pop to the Badlands backdrop. And yes — Hellar Good Sandwiches will once again host chaos, with a mosh pit inevitable for Midnight Peg.

“There is something pretty special about the energy and setting of our festival,” the organizers say. “Folks who come out to experience it are surprised by how welcoming Drumheller is, and honestly I think they don't expect to have as much fun as they do.”

Part of that joy comes from the curatorial heart behind it. “Selfishly, we love collaborating with other like-minded music and community movers/shakers and are driven to bring in the acts that we love. We think of that as the reward for putting all the work in to make the festival happen.”

And this year feels particularly meaningful. “We thought our line-up last year would be hard to beat, but are so pumped about the acts coming through for this edition. We've got some bucket-list performances on the roster, for sure.”

Below, we’ve rounded up our top picks for this year’s Cold Bones — the sets you won’t want to miss while wandering through the hoodoos.

Cat Clyde

When: Saturday, February 7th, 2026

Where: Napier Theatre

Why attend: Cat Clyde blends smoky, soul-soaked blues with tender, timeless songwriting, delivering songs for those who admire a vintage sound. For fans of Patsy Cline, Karen Dalton, Bobbie Gentry, and Orville Peck.

K-Riz

When: Friday, February 6th, 2026

Where: Heller Good Sandwiches

Why attend: K-Riz & The Family fuse hip-hop, R&B, pop, jazz, and reggae into a vibrant, full-band live show that feels as much like a celebration as it does a concert. With infectious grooves and undeniable charisma, they turn every stage into a dancefloor and every audience into a community.

Astrology Girl

Where: Saturday, February 7th, 2026

When: Heller Good Sandwiches

Why attend: Astrology Girl channel the heart-on-sleeve vulnerability of Midwest emo with the cathartic punch of Warped Tour-era pop-punk, delivering shout-along hooks and gloriously sad chords built for basement shows and pit villains alike.

IRON TUSK

Where: Friday, February 6th, 2026

When: Napier Theatre

Why attend: Road-tested and relentless, the Siksika Nation trio bring a ferocious live energy that feels both unifying and unapologetically heavy. For fans of Alexisonfire, Cancer Bats, and Death from Above, 1979.

Integra Pink