08/11/2026
Say it isn’t dead
It’s been a while, Shonto. 🤘🏽
If you were there, you probably remember what Rock the Canyon felt like.
Music carrying through Shonto Canyon. Musicians taking the stage. James Bilagody on the mic, like he’s been since the very beginning. Chidiis pulling in. Families finding a spot under the cottonwood trees. Kids running around. Artists setting up their pop-ups. Community members finding each other in the crowd.
Maybe you came to see one band and discovered another. Maybe you only planned to stop by for a little while and ended up staying long after the sun went down.
Rock the Canyon grew over the years, too. What started with musicians performing from a flatbed stage eventually grew into the Eddie Shootinglady Pavilion — and afternoons of music grew into nights that sometimes carried well past dark.
Some incredible musicians, performers and artists made their way to Shonto Canyon over the years. They gave RTC its sound, its energy and plenty of stories to tell.
But Rock the Canyon was never just about who was on the lineup.
It was about who showed up.
It was a place to gather. To hear good music. Discover artists. See old friends. Bring the family. And spend a day — and sometimes most of the night — together right here at home.
Then 2020 came, and Rock the Canyon stopped along with so much else. The years passed, and the stage stayed quiet.
This August, we’re turning the sound back on. 🎸
On Saturday, August 29, Rock the Canyon returns to the Eddie Shootinglady Pavilion with a Back-to-School Celebration — a smaller, intentional return of the Rock the Canyon Arts & Music Festival and the beginning of what we hope will grow into many more RTCs to come.
This year, we’re starting with one afternoon in the canyon: live music, art, food, activities and resources for students and families, and a chance for our community to come together before another school year gets underway.
It feels like a pretty good way to bring Rock the Canyon back.
This year’s return is made possible with the support of our sponsors: Navajo Power + Navajo Power Home, Navajo Nation Office of Tourism / Division of Economic Development, Arizona Office of Tourism, Native Markets, Inc., and Sheephead Films.
From funding to donated time, talent and resources, each is helping us bring Rock the Canyon back to Shonto.
And just like RTC has always depended on the people who show up, there’s room for more of our community to help make this one happen.
📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
⏰ 12–6 PM MDT/DST
📍 Eddie Shootinglady Pavilion | Shonto Canyon, Arizona
We’re welcoming additional sponsors, food vendors, art vendors, volunteers, and organizations interested in bringing resources for students and families heading back to school.
Want to be part of RTC 2026 or have questions?
✉️ [email protected]
📞 928-457-6300
More details are coming soon, including the music lineup, activities, vendors and more.
The stage has been quiet long enough. Rock the Canyon is back. 🤘🏽
