May 26, 27 and 28
The Canadian National Aufguss Championship 2026
At Thermea Spa Village Whitby
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3
Days
24
Performances
19
Aufgussmeister
The Aufgusshow Experience
The Logga sauna’s grand doors close, and anticipation hums through the space as heat climbs toward the highest wooden benches. In the quiet moment before the Aufguss begins, spectators feel themselves carried somewhere else.
During Aufgusshow, Canada’s most promising Aufgussmeister transform ritual into performance. Competitors from across the country blend heat, scent, music, and movement to create immersive journeys. Each performance is designed to captivate the audience, earn national recognition, and secure the honour of representing Canada on the international stage.
For a few powerful minutes, every breath moves the story forward, and every wave of the towel shapes a fleeting world of heat and imagination.
The Show Aufguss
The Show Aufguss is a theatrical, performance-driven sauna experience designed to entertain. Completely unlike the signature rituals usually offered in the Spa Village, in a Show Aufguss, storylines unfold through choreography, music, lighting, and costume.
Winners will be named in both the solo and duo categories, and they will earn direct entry to compete at the World Masters competition in Germany next September.
The Modern Classic Aufguss
The Classic Aufguss focuses on traditional techniques, modern interpretation, and respect for the roots of sauna ritual. Participants rely on music, essential oils, and precise towel work to create a powerful experience.
One winner will be named and will go on to compete in the Modern Classic Cup in Norway in October.
Schedule
Day 1 | May 26
9 a.m.: Opening ceremony
10 a.m.: Show Aufguss by Emily Krolick
10:45 a.m.: Show Aufguss by Jad Maalouf
11:30 a.m.: Show Aufguss by Stéphane Gauthier
1:30 p.m.: Show Aufguss by Quincy Hiebert
2:15 p.m.: Show Aufguss by Jacqueline Mason
3 p.m.: Show Aufguss by Evens Dominique
5 p.m.: Show Aufguss by Kasha Kostrzewa
5:45 p.m.: Show Aufguss by Abigail Gillies
All tickets include:
• 3 Aufgusshow competition performances of your choice
• All-day access to the Spa Village and its installations
• Exclusive complimentary souvenir sauna hat
Day 2 | May 27
10 a.m.: Show Aufguss by Abigail Gillies and James Oinonen
10:45 a.m.: Show Aufguss by Zacharie and Xavier Drouin-Hill
11:30 a.m.: Show Aufguss by Marika Charbonneau and Jade Coulombe
1:30 p.m.: Show Aufguss by Quincy Hiebert and Stedroy Crump
2:15 p.m.: Modern Classic by Evens Dominique
3 p.m.: Modern Classic by Kasha Kostrzewa
5 p.m.: Modern Classic by Maxime Trepanier
5:45 p.m.: Modern Classic by Laura Cordon
All tickets include:
• 3 Aufgusshow competition performances of your choice
• All-day access to the Spa Village and its installations
• Exclusive complimentary souvenir sauna hat
Day 3 | May 28
10 a.m.: Modern Classic by Sandrine Bastille
10:45 a.m.: Modern Classic by Abigail Gillies
11:30 a.m.: Modern Classic by Xavier Drouin-Hill
1:30 p.m.: Modern Classic by Mo Abdollahzadeh
2:15 p.m.: Modern Classic by Jade Coulombe
3 p.m.: Modern Classic by Stephane Gauthier
5 p.m.: Modern Classic by Zacharie Drouin-Hill
5:45 p.m.: Modern Classic by Barbara Prevedel
7:00 p.m.: Award ceremony
All tickets include:
• 3 Aufgusshow competition performances of your choice
• All-day access to the Spa Village and its installations
• Exclusive complimentary souvenir sauna hat
Meet the Show Aufguss Competitors
Meet the Modern Classic Competitors
Find Accommodations
Extend your Aufgusshow 2026 experience by staying near Thermea Spa Village Whitby in one of the region’s hotel establishments.
Enjoy exclusive offers with our hotel partners Courtyard Oshawa and Residence Inn by Marriott Whitby.
Have Questions?
Find the answers to all your Aufgusshow 2026 questions.
Aufgusshow is Canada’s National Sauna Performance Championship. Taking place in Thermea Spa Village Whitby it is where Canada’s finest Aufgussmeister transform the sauna into a dynamic stage in the hopes of gaining national recognition and qualifying to represent Canada at the Aufguss World Masters Championship in Germany and the Modern Classic Cup in Norway.
May 26, 27 and 28, 2026, at Thermea Spa Village Whitby in the Logga event sauna.
Both solo and duo Show Aufguss, as well as Modern Classic Aufguss performances are 15 minutes long during Aufgusshow 2026.
Via our online booking platform.
BUY TICKETS NOW
The Aufgusshow 2026 ticket includes 3 Aufgusshow competition performances of your choice, all-day access to the Spa Village and its installations as well as a complimentary sauna hat.
The check-in area for ticket holders is located inside the main lobby of Thermea Spa Village. Specific kiosks dedicated to the event will be clearly visible and decorated in the event's colours. Simply present your electronic or printed ticket; we will provide you with your bracelet and inform you of the next steps.
You must select the 3 Aufgusshow performances you will attend while you purchase your ticket on our booking platform. Each performance has a maximum capacity of 90 in the Logga sauna.
The Logga doors will close at the time mentioned on your ticket. We recommend arriving at least 5 to 10 minutes before the performance to get settled in the sauna before the show. Unfortunately, we cannot issue another ticket if you miss the time you selected.
• Bathing suit and sandals, mandatory at all times, anywhere in the Village
• Electronic ticket (printed or digital)
• Reusable water bottle (glass water bottles are prohibited)
Optional, but nice:
• Book
• Lip balm
• Sunscreen
A bathrobe, towels and a locker that opens with a contactless wristband are included with your reservation of a Spa Village access. A complimentary souvenir sauna hat is also included in your Aufgusshow 2026 ticket.
We are currently not offering a multi-day discount. We will assess the demand for such discounts and consider implementing them in future editions.
Yes there are numerous accommodation options near Thermea Spa Village Whitby.
Enjoy exclusive offers with our hotel partners Courtyard Oshawa and Residence Inn by Marriott Whitby.
Click here to see all nearby hotels.
The judging criteria are determined by the Aufguss World Master Association.
After the competition, we will name a winner for the duo and solo categories that will get direct entry to compete at the World Master competition in Germany next September. You can find all the standards in the Evaluation Catalogue for the Show Aufguss.
A new addition this year, after the competition, we will name a sole winner who will go on to compete in the Modern Classic Cup in Norway in October. You can find the Evaluation Catalogue for this type of Aufguss here.
The jurors are judges from the Aufguss World Master Association in Europe and will include:
Lasse Eriksen - President Aufguss WM
Martijn vanHoorelbeke - Jury President Aufguss WM
Heonsok Kim - Vice president of Japanese sauna association
Deborah Carr - Director British Sauna Association
This event will be filmed and photographed. Please be advised you may appear in photos and videos.
The participation period has now ended. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with future Aufgusshow competitions.
Only those aged 19 and over may attend the Aufgusshow event and use the Spa Village facilities.
Here are the winners of Aufgusshow 2025:
First place winner for solo performance: Jad Maalouf from Nordik Spa Village Chelsea
First place winner for duo performance: Xavier & Zacharie Drouin-Hill from Nordik Spa Village Chelsea
Second place winner for solo performance: Abigail Gillies from Thermea Spa Village Whitby
Second place winner for duo performance: Kasha Kostrzewa & Jacqueline Mason from Thermea Spa Village Whitby
Third place winner for solo performance: Evens Dominique from Förena Cité thermale
Explore the World of Aufguss
Discover sauna rituals through a variety of blog articles.
Whitby Events
Across 24 performances, 19 competitors will take the stage in Logga, the largest event sauna in the country. Each ritual blends heat, scent, music, and movement to create a moment that is as powerful as it is fleeting. Before the first towel is lifted, take a moment to meet the competitors behind this year’s performances.
April 31, 2026
Whitby Discovery Events
For the 2026 edition of the Canadian National Aufguss Championship, a second performance category makes its debut at Logga: the Modern Classic Aufguss. Rooted in tradition, it offers a different way to experience the craft, one that shifts the focus from storytelling to technique.
April 31, 2026
Whitby Interviews Events
Jad Maalouf doesn’t hesitate when he talks about Aufgusshow 2025. “It was a moment that was just so pure,” he says. “And there was just so much love around, especially the last day.” Almost a year later, the Ritual Artisan from Nordik Spa Village is returning to the stage for Aufgusshow 2026, ready to tell a new story and invite guests a little closer to themselves.
April 31, 2026
Proudly Supported By
We sincerely thank our sponsors, Comfort Zone & Whitby Tourism, for their generous support, which elevates this event experience.
Join Our Team as a Ritual Artisan
Passionate about sauna culture and the art of performance? We’re looking for talented individuals to join our team of Aufgussmeister, better known as Ritual Artisans in the Spa Village.
Work in a dynamic and supportive environment.
Receive training from top industry professionals.
Participate in national and international Aufguss events.