Great question! I've been to a couple within driving distance for me and am interested in what's going on elsewhere.
The two I've been to were quite different from each other, but I don't know what (if anything) distinguishes them from others. I'd recommend either (with the big caveat that future Ukulele Hot Springs have not yet been announced)
The
Port Townsend Ukulele Festival (Port Townsend, WA) was stellar this year and am going back next year. The 2020 version will be Sept 9-13 and registration is open now (and thank you for reminding me to check
). The instructor staff was excellent and there were three days of 90 minute classes sessions, with a mix of drop-in classes (complete in one session) and 3-day classes that continued the curriculum over three sessions. It takes place in an ocean-front state park. There's tons of stuff to do nearby in the summer, but I'm not sure what all's open and available in September.
Ukulele Hot Springs (Harrison Hot Springs, BC) last month was brilliant in a completely different way. It was quite structured: everybody signed up for a specific track (Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced) and was sent ahead of time 3 pieces of instrumental music to learn with different parts for beginners, intermediates, and advanced. At the event there were four overall sessions (one for each song plus a secret song) where everybody started out in one room and butchered the overall piece, then split up by part with instructor to bring the part together, then came back to perform it as a group. It was at a resort with hot springs and catered to bringing partners along. Future events were teased but nothing's been announced.