CYPHERFEST 2025

Dates: August 8–10, 2025

About Cypherfest

Cypherfest is the Heart of Riverdale’s flagship dance festival, celebrating street dance culture, creativity, and community. Over the course of multiple days, dancers from Whitehorse, across Yukon, and from around Canada come together to train, compete, collaborate, and showcase their art.

Now entering its latest edition, Cypherfest continues its tradition of blending open cyphers, intensive battles, public programming, and a culminating showcase. The festival strives to elevate hip hop and urban dance within the broader arts landscape, while making space for emerging talent to connect with more seasoned artists.

Cypherfest proudly shines a spotlight on Yukon’s talented local dancers, DJs, and creators. Through showcases, cyphers, and collaborations with guest artists, local talent takes centre stage, celebrating the strength and originality of the northern dance community.

2025 Programming:

Monday – Thursday: Intensives
Location: The Heart of Riverdale Community Centre
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Friday: Skatepark / Concrete Jam
Location: Local Skatepark
Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Live music, free food and Cyphers
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Saturday: Battles, Flea Market, Basketball Tournament
Location: St. Francis of Assisi
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Whitehorse Flea Market curated by Isolated Garments, featuring local vendors, artists, and food trucks
3v3 Basketball Tournament hosted by Bucket Zone
Cypherfest Prelims
2v2 Breakin’ – Top 16 crews advance
7 to Smoke Hiphop – Top 8 dancers advance
Everybody Eats Kids Battle – Top 16 kids advance
Saturday Evening Finals
Location: Blackbox Theatre at the Heart of Riverdale | Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
After Party @ Dirty Northern
Time: 11:00 PM – 2:30 AM

Sunday: Performances
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
*Show starts at 3PM
Performances by local and visiting artists
Free food, local vendors, and open cyphers

What to Expect:

• 35+ artists from across Canada are expected to participate in the festival circuit.

• The weekend includes free public events, designed to invite wider community engagement.

• Venues within the Heart of Riverdale and related local sites host DJ sets, street jams, workshops, and battles, including a scheduled event at a local skate park.

• The festival builds on past models that combine styles such as Hip Hop, Breaking, House, and Popping in both showcase and battle formats.

• Elements of outreach, mentorship, and youth engagement remain central, offering workshops, cypher sessions, and open opportunities for community expression.

Why Cypherfest Matters

Cypherfest acts as a cultural hub that amplifies urban dance and provides pathways for local and visiting artists to collaborate. With free public programming and competitive events, it invites broad participation from casual viewers, dancers, youth, and established performers alike. It also promotes local talent and fosters growth in Whitehorse’s dance community.