It's almost time to "let the good times roll" for the 26th year in Penticton.

The Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival is bringing back its popular slogan and welcoming bands from across North America to the Peach City from Sept. 6 to 8.

"Every band that we have this year is a fan favourite," said Michael Campbell, the festival's president. "We haven't had anything less than spectacular in the past, so we're looking forward to this weekend."

Two rooms inside the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, as well as one at Elk's Club on Ellis Street, will host bands all weekend long.

The festival started in the late 1990s and has since drawn a loyal following of travelling guests and bands.

Around 1,200 people attended the 25th annual edition of the event in 2023.

"I love to see the enthusiasm from our guests, who quite literally come from all over North America," Campbell said.

But it's not just jazz fans who are set to travel thousands of kilometres to catch the event.

New Orleans, Detroit, St. Louis, and New York City will be among the places represented on stage at each of the local venues, as bands from across North America make themselves heard in the Okanagan.

Musicians from California and Oregon are also coming to Penticton for the festival, Campbell said.

"Many have come here for a long time, and they love playing here," he added. "We treat them well, and they treat us well. Every one of our bands really puts on quite a show."

This year's festival will also feature an opening ceremony on Friday, and closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon. Both will be held inside the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sept. 6, will be headlined by band leaders from each of the travelling bands forming their own group and performing a special set. It will happen after the festival's first band plays at 3 p.m.

Event organizers say the closing ceremony, scheduled for 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, will feature four different bands on stage before a special New Orleans-themed parade, traditionally known as the second line.

Bands booked to play at the festival this year include Tom Hook and The Hounds from New Orleans and New York's Professor Cunningham and His Old School.

The South Okanagan Big Band, a local favourite and longtime performer at the festival, is also returning.

More information about the three-day event can be found , while tickets are available for purchase at

Event organizers are also encouraging guests to check out a pair of free community concerts over the weekend, including one at Princess Margaret Secondary on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

On Sunday morning, meanwhile, the event brings its annual gospel service inside the convention centre.

The free concert will begin at 9 a.m.