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In the summer of 2018, after years of playing parties across Alberta’s electronic music scene, Josh, Tommy, Cody, and Frank decided to create something of their own. What began as a private gathering for 100 friends was meant to celebrate Josh’s birthday, but more importantly, it was a way to carve out space for local Edmonton DJs at a time when opportunities beyond the province were rare.
 

From the very beginning, The Womp was built by the community, for the community. Friends helped build stages, shared gear, cooked meals, decorated spaces, and invited others into the experience. There were no spectators, only participants. Everyone contributed something, and that shared effort became the foundation of what The Womp would grow into.
 

That first year, the only stage was The Pyramid. The event was called The River Womp, named after a day spent floating down the river together before dancing under the open sky in a nearby field. It was simple, intentional, and deeply connected. That day, Josh met Astra.
 

In 2019, the vision expanded. A second stage, The Castle, was built to showcase drum and bass and dubstep, opening the gates to a wider community and giving more underground sounds a place to belong. As more people brought their skills, ideas, and energy, what started as a small gathering began to feel like something much bigger.

In 2020, the world slowed down. COVID reduced The Womp to a quiet, family-only celebration, with a handful of online events keeping the spirit alive.

In 2021, that spirit returned in full force as friends gathered around The Castle for 24 hours of nonstop music, fueled by collective effort and shared intention.

By 2022, The Womp returned with two stages, now nestled within the forest, where sound, nature, and community blended into one.
 

2023 marked a major turning point. The Womp welcomed its first international artists and introduced The Doll House, a daytime, multi-genre stage designed to invite curiosity, play, and imagination. Built and curated by the community, it became a place where inner children were encouraged to roam freely.

In 2024, The Castle was reimagined, and in 2025, a brand-new Pyramid rose once again, honoring where it all began while continuing to evolve.
 

Throughout the years, The Womp has grown not because of a single vision, but because of many. Artists, builders, dancers, volunteers, and friends have shaped it year after year, each leaving their imprint. Along the way, life unfolded alongside the festival. Josh and Astra fell in love, got married, and welcomed two Womp babies into the world.
 

In 2026, The Womp Music Festival celebrates its 9th anniversary, gathering over a thousand friends, more than 150 music artists and dance performers from Western Canada, international headliners, and a diverse collective of community vendors and regional creators.
 

This is more than a festival.
It is a shared creation.
Together, we are THE WOMP.
The World Of Magical People.