Date
| Festival
| Comments |
Polar Bear Swim | Jan 1 | Dive the ice-cold waters of English Bay & start the New Year with a crisp new outlook. English Bay 604-665-3418 |
Chinese New Year | late January | Traditional 15-day celebration of food, family, gods and ancestors. Parade, live music, storytelling, and fortune analysis. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (604) 662-3207 |
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival | late Feb | Offers a wild blend of mountain films and live presentations of local and international world class climbers, skiers, paddlers, travellers and outdoor activists Centennial Theatre, , North Vancouver and Pacific Cinématheque, Vancouver |
Chutzpah! Festival. | Mid March | More than 25 performances and workshops with over 100 international, Canadian and local artists. Designed to celebrate professional artists from around the world, Chutzpah! continues to excite and has earned a highly regarded reputation for its innovative and eclectic programming. Since 2000. Norman Rothstein Theatre, Norman Rothstein Theatre |
Vancouver Jewish Film Festival | late March | The Vancouver Jewish Film Festival is the longest running Jewish film festival in Canada. We have an established track record of being one of the best festivals of its type in North America. The Festival is inclusive and encourages multi-cultural interaction and presents high quality entertainment. Comedies, feature dramas, thrillers, hot and timely documentaries and whimsical shorts are programmed to appeal to a wide audience base. Pacific Cinematheque and Norman Rothstein Theatre. (604) 266-0245 |
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival | End Mar | This festival serves 1,600+ wines from over 183 wineries representing 15 countries at a 61 events. No attendees under tha age of 19 are admitted. Vancouver Convention & Exhibition CentreVancouver Playhouse 604.257.5145 |
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival | End Mar - Late April | Put on your Pink and come celebrate Spring and our cherry blossoms with Sakura Days and Under the Cherry Tree in Floral Hall and the Covered Walkway. VanDusen Botanical Gardens features Haiku Cherry Tree Installations by Designers from Bing Thom Architects, Cherry Artisan Crafts, and a Japan Fair (Japanese Cultural Arts, Products and Food) VanDusen Botanical Garden, and various locations around Vancouver |
Festival du Bois | Early Mar | A celebration of traditional and world music, all with a French twist! The largest and most attended francophone festival on the west coast, with performances from Canada and beyond, and great food and its unique hospitality. SInce 1991, in Coquitlam's Maillardville, the oldest and largest francophone community in B.C, Various locations around Maillardville, Coquitlam 604.936.0039 |
Hyack Easter Antique Car Parade | late April | This popular parade, in New Westminster, features over 120 antique cars. (604) 522-6894 |
Kerrisdale Carnival Days | late April | This annual spring festival is one of the Lower Mainland's largest free admission family events, including the "Biggest Little Community Parade in Vancouver" on Saturday morning. The fun includes clowns, magicians, pony rides, music, children's entertainment and sidewalk sales. Kerrisdale Village (604) 266-9875 |
Earth Day Richmond | late April | Join community members in cleaning up East Richmond´s beautiful parklands as your contribution to Earth Week & environmental protection. Some of the cleanup activities will include litter pickup, invasive species cutting, graffiti removal & permanent structure maintenance. King George Park, Richmond 604-233-8399 |
Canstruction | end Apr-early May | Teams compete under the sails of Canada Place, with teams including an engineer, architect, or graphic designer to create scuptures. Sculptures are judged and winner competes at the national level. This event is the singular largest fund raising event for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Admission fees are by donation. Vancouver Convention Centre East 604-323-3403 |
Richmond Regional Heritage Fair | early May | Local students will publicly present their projects on Canadian heroes, legends, milestones & achievements. Come & enjoy multicultural heritage activities, workshops & performances. Richmond Cultural Centre, Richmond 604-247-8300 |
Vancouver International Marathon | early May | held the first Sunday in May.The 42 km marathon takes participants from BC Place Stadium through False Creek to Stanley Park & the Kitsilano neighbourhood. Downtown & Kitsilano |
Doors Open Richmond | early May | For 2 days May 2-3, visitors are granted free access to an array of sites from heritage landmarks to modern structures, hidden gems, places of worship, artists' studios, museums, national historic sites, & more. Over 40 venues participate to showcase Richmond's diverse & multicultural nature. The must-see attraction list is long & includes the International Chinese Buddhist Temple, London Heritage Farm, & the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic site. Various Locations around Richmond 604-247-8300 |
Sea to Sky Regional Heritage Fair | early May | Hundred of students' history projects will be showcased with dozens of heritage-themed activities & performances. See Yukon Dan, the Goldpanning man; the North Shore Celtic Ensemble; the Eagle Song Dancers & much more! 3203 Institute Rd, North Vancouver. Community History Centre, North Vancouver 604-990-3700 |
Annual Burnaby Rhododendron Festival | early May | Observe flower trusses of many beautiful rhododendron varieties which are grown locally. See boquet competitions, silent auction, antique garden tools, and tours of Deer Lake Park. Since 1988. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby (604) 291-6864 |
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival | May - September | S Bard on the Beach presents 3 professional Shakespeare productions in open-ended tents on the waterfront. Vanier Park. Box Office: 604-739-0559 Admin: 604-737-0625 Fax- 604-737-0425 |
New Music West Festival | mid May | International music festival and conference including club crawls, seminars, workshops, and industry forums. Robson Square Conference Centre and various venues (604) 684-9338 |
9th Annual Taste of the Nation | Mid May | Anti-hunger food and wine tasting benefit includes gourmet samplings from some of Vancouver’s top restaurants and beverage suppliers. Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. (604) 691-7764 |
Heart of the City Festival | late May | The mission of the Heart of the City Festival is to promote, present, profile and encourage development of artists, art forms, cultural traditions, history, activism, people and great stories about Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.Featuring over 80 events at over 25 locations inlcuding music, theatre, media arts, comedy, poetry, forums, workshops, visual arts, history walks. Since 2004. Vancouver Community College, King Edward Campus 604-628-5672 |
Hyack Festival, New Westminster | late May | Starting on the Victoria Day weekend in May, the Hyack Festival Association presents its traditional project: the Hyack Festival. This annual spring community festival mixes some of New Westminster's best-loved traditions with a kaleidoscope of modern events. Dozens of events occur during the Hyack Festival - some are organized by the Hyack Festival Association, and others are organized by our fellow community groups. There's Bandshell entertainment, parades, fireworks, sporting events, rides and carnival games. New Westminster (604) 522-6894 |
Annual Sheep Fair | late May | Maplewood Farm celebrates the "Rites of Spring". Come watch sheep professionally shorn & "worked" by a Border Collie dog. A food concession & pony rides also available. Admission. Since 1980. Maplewood Farms, North Vancouver 604-929-5610 |
Up in the Air Theatre: Third Annual Walking Fish Festival | late May-early June | The Walking Fish is an emerging artists festival bringing together playwrights, performers, and directors to create original theatre. Upintheair created Walking Fish to provide opportunities for these artists to work together in an accessible, affordable production process and introduce their art to the wider community. The festival is presented in late May/Early June. Upintheair produces nine to twelve short one-act plays written, directed, and performed by artists covering the full spectrum of emerging talent. Granville Island 604) 715-7580 |
Vancouver's International Children's Festival | late May-early June | This family festival features theatre, music, dance and puppetry from around the world. Vanier Park (604) 708 5655 |
In The House Festival | early June | A wide range of performances, including music, dance, theatre, storytelling and spoken word, inside people's living rooms and backyards various venues around Vancouver 604-874-9325 |
MEC Paddlefest Vancouver | early June | An urban celebration of paddling, this free event celebrates canoeing & kayaking with on land & on water workshops. Everyone from absolute beginners to enthusiasts are welcome, this family friendly event offers opportunities to test boats & equipment. Ambleside Park, West Vancouver 604-876-6221 |
West Vancouver Community Days | early June | This event includes a community beer garden, and Community Day Parade, displays by artisans and community groups, with an excellent variety of musical and dance entertainment, food and crafts, kids and youth activities and amusement park rides at the COmmunity Centre. Ambleside Park & various locations 604-925-7000 |
Alcan Dragon Boat Festival | mid June | A weekend of racing and cultural activities. Highlights include stage entertainment for the whole family. Concord Pacific Place, Creekside Park and on False Creek. (604) 688-2382 |
Le Centre Culturel Francophone de Vancouver | Mid-Late June | The Vancouver Festival d’été francophone invites you to share in the biggest season in its history. Vancouver will rock to the beat of francophone music Centre Culturel Francophone de Vancouver, 1551-7 Ave W. 604.736.9806 |
Hellenic Cultural Extravaganza & Greek Day | late June | Greek Heritage Month and Greek Day have musical and dance acts performing on 2 stages, a health-conscious cooking demonstration tent, and activities for Children in our Kid's Zone 604 738 7126 |
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival | late June | This annual festival celebrates the arrival of the Vikings to Canada over 1000 years ago and the longest day of the year. The festival displays Nordic Villages with shopping kiosks from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland. Festival will feature cultural displays, singing and dancing, beer garden, Scandinavian food, free miniature horse rides, 40' Viking ship and many more kids activities and crafts. Scandinavian Community Centre, Burnaby 6450 Thomas St. off highway #1 and Kensington Ave. 604-294-2777 |
Pipes by the Sea | late June | Police and Military Bagpipe and Brass bands will perform at this annual musical event. Entry by donation, proceeds to the West Vancouver Fire Fighters Charitable Society. Seating is limited - come early and bring your lawn chairs. Since 2004. Ambleside Park, West Vancouver 604-999-9291 |
Magnetic North Theatre Festival | | The premier festival of new Canadian theatre. Like the Magnetic North Pole itself, the festival moves around the country, treating Canadians to the best of English theatre from across Canada. Magnetic North Theatre Festival is one of Canada’s most significant annual cultural events. 604.638.7489 |
Vancouver International Jazz Festival | late June | For 10 days and nights extraordinary music electrifies the entire city. From Gastown to David Lam Park, from hip bistros to great concert halls you can hear a wide variety of jazz, blues, groove, world music, improv and popular artists. Featuring 1,800 musicians from Canada and around the world. Many free performances including large outdoor concerts, eight major indoor concert series, and a host of nightclub shows. Since 1985. various locations around Vancouver 604 872 5200 Fax: 604 872 5250 |
Jazz Festival at Capilano Suspension Bridge | late June | For 2 weekends in June, 7 pm - 9 pm, the Pioneer Garden grooves to the cool sounds of jazz. As a free venue for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Capilano Suspension Bridge offers the most stunning backdrop of any venue. Capilano Suspension Bridge , North Vancouver 604-985-7474 |
Canada Day Celebrations in West Vancouver | July 1 | Afternoon activities & fireworks at night. Live entertainment, lots of kids activities, free birthday cupcakes at 1:30 pm & fireworks at 10:30 pm. Other features: Taste of West Vancouver; Visit the Balloon Artist, make a Canada Day Kite & more. Ambleside Park, West Vancouver 604-925-7000 |
Canada Day Celebrations at Canada Place | July 1 | Non-stop entertainment on three stages. The outdoor Canada Place Corporation Plaza stage, indoor Celebrate Canada Main Stage & Inspirationally Canadian Presentation Stage will keep you busy celebrating Canada Day from start to finish. Canada Place, Vancouver waterfront 604-775-8025 |
North Shore Canada Day Celebration | July 1 | This is a fun filled family event commemorating our nation's birthday, our communities & our diversity. Pancake breakfast & parade at Grand Boulevard from 8-10 am. Festivities to follow at Waterfront Park with lots of activities, crafts & entertainment. Grand Boulevard & Waterfront Park 604-990-3801 |
Steveston Salmon Festival | July 1 | Celebrate Canada in Steveston, highlights include a parade, the Japanese Cultural Show, craft fair, Childrens Festival, carnival rides, Youth Festival, food fair, art show & exhibit & more. Our famous salmon grilled over open fire pits sells out every year. Steveston Village, Richmond 604-718-8094 |
Cates Park Concert Series | July & August | Bring a picnic & listen to original, local bands & artists. Cates Park, North Vancouver 604-924-6871 |
Live in Lynn Valley | July & August | Each Friday evenings from mid-July to mid-August at the Lynn Valley Library Town Centre Plaza. Lynn Valley Library Town Centre Plaza, North Vancouver 604-987-7529 |
Richmond City Centre Celebration | mid July | Richmond's only festival just for kids. This free event is for families & children of all ages. A variety of entertainment including; bouncy castles, kids swap meet, face painting, storytelling, crafts, entertainers & more. Full of excitement & surprises. Minoru Park Oval, Richmond 604-233-8910 |
Vancouver Folk Music Festival | mid July | Music from local and international folk singers, songwriters, musicians, and storytellers. Daytime and evening performances and special children's programs. Since 1978. Jericho Beach Park (604) 602-9798 |
Annual Burnaby Discovery Day Festival - | late July | Burnaby's largest community grass roots festival showcases a variety of organizations involved in arts and culture, heritage, sports and leisure. Visitors of all ages will enjoy music, live theatre, street performances and interactive visual arts activities throughout the day. Since1984. Deer Lake Park 604-291-6864 |
Vancouver Pride Festival | end July-early Aug | Festivities include festival at Grandview Park& Gay Day at the PNE Playland, and Picknic in the Brockton Oval at Stanley Park, and a Movie Night at VanCity Theatre. The highlight is the Pride Parade, held since 1978, which runs along Tobson St, Denmand and Beach Aven to Sunset Beach. various locations around downtown Vancouver 604-687-0955 |
Festival of Contemporary Dance | early-mid July | Festival of dance, featuring BC and Canadian dance companies. Since 1988. Firehall Arts Centre and Scotiabank Dance Centre 604-689-0926 |
Annual Hyack Fraser Fest | mid July | The festival kicks off on Friday night with a concet. The old favourite musical mascot parade will be back on Saturday, followed by waterfront fireworks Saturday night. Sunday features tug boats on the Fraser River with the annual Lucille Johnstone Work Boat Parade. New Westminster (604) 522-6894 |
Caribbean Days Festival | late July | Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Caribbean, including limbo, steel band music, food, dance, arts and crafts. Waterfront Park, North VancouverTrinidad and Tobago Cultural Society of B.C. (604) 515-2400 |
Vancouver Chamber Music Festival | late July | This year’s festival features 17 extraordinary musicians from around the world performing an eclectic mix of repertoire ranging from Mozart and Beethoven to Martinu and Messiaen. Crofton House School. (604) 602-0363 |
Vancouver Lantern Festival | late July | This exciting community event showcases hand made lanterns created by individuals and community groups. The evening begins with an interactive drum circle, followed by a musical lantern procession that winds its way around the park. Trout Lake ParkPublic Dreams Society (604)879-8611 |
Powell Street Festival | early Aug | A celebration of Asian Canadian arts, history and culture. The festival features dance, music, theatre, exhibits, martial arts, crafts and delectable foods. At locations throughout Japantown (604) 739-9388 |
Celebration of Light. | early Aug | Three competing countries will try to amaze us all with a spectacular display of fireworks in this international competition. The city’s annual free fireworks tradition held over four evenings at English Bay. The largest international fireworks competition in the world . Music simulcast begins at 10:00 p.m. on radio station ROCK 101 (101.1 FM). English Bay (604) 738-4304 |
Vancouver Early Music Festival | early Aug | An annual event sponsored by Early Music Vancouver and the School of Music, University of British Columbia. (604) 732-1610 |
MusicFest Vancouver (formerly Festival Vancouver) | early-mid Aug | Each year for two weeks in August, concert venues throughout Vancouver play host to unforgettable musical experiences that bring enthusiastic and adventurous music lovers together with some of the most talented artists in the world. Over two weeks see over 50 events, and diverse musical repertoire various venues around Vancouver 604 688 1152 |
Vancouver Chamber Music Festival | early Aug | This year’s festival features 17 extraordinary musicians from around the world performing an eclectic mix of repertoire ranging from Mozart and Beethoven to Martinu and Messiaen. Crofton House School and Vanier Park (604) 602-0363 |
Annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival | mid-late Aug | For 11 days each August, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival brings the very best in queer independent cinema from around the world to Vancouver. As the city's second largest film festival, we privilege creative innovation and audience experience. Since 1989. various venues in Vancouver 604.844.1615 |
Richmond Dragon Boat Festival | late August | The Richmond Dragon Boat Festival is a premier summer dragon boat festival & is produced & hosted by the John MS Lecky UBC Boathouse in Richmond, BC, Canada. John MS Lecky UBC Boathouse, Richmond 604-247-2627 |
Streetfare | Aug | Street performers will have you stitches |
Tslei-Waututh Nation Cultural Festival | mid Aug | A celebration of Aboriginal culture through the arts with a particular focus on the people of the Tsleil-Waututh. Event includes performance groups, cultural village area with artists & traditional skills workers & a family stage. Food & art vendors on-site. Cates Park, North Vancouver 604-924-4156 |
Deep Cove Daze | end Aug | Enjoy this annual festival complete with midway rides, face painters, kids entertainers, local artisans, a main stage full of entertainment, kid's stage with a variety of events, beer gardens & much, much more. Admission by donation Panorama Park, North Vancouver 604-924-6871 |
Richmond Maritime Festival | late August | Celebrate Richmond's traditional connections with the sea at the Annual Richmond Maritime Festival. This free family event will give you the opportunity to see a variety of maritime exhibits, enjoy live entertainment, view boats & participate in hands-on demonstrations. On the water, there will be a floating exhibition of boats for your viewing pleasure. Many boats will be at the docks of the shipyard, including historic fishing boats and classic power and sail boats Britannia Heritage Shipyard National Historic Site, Richmond 604-718-8050 |
Pacific National Exhibition | late August | A variety of concerts, folk, and country music, agricultural exhibitions and an amusement park highlight this family fair. Pacific National Exhibition Grounds at Hastings Park. (604) 253-2311 |
Wooden Boat Festival | late August | Seafaring folk from up and down the Pacific coast gather at the Island Os west docks (Granville Island ) to show off their boats in a nautical open house. (604) 666-5784 |
Aboriginal Cultural Festival | Sept | Arts and culture from Canada's native people. Since 2003. Pacific Coliseum and the Plaza of Nations |
North Vancouver Coho Festival | Early Sept | A celebration of natures annual miracle of salmon returning to the North Shore. This popular family affair attracts large crowds of local residents & visitors. Join in & help restore North Shore salmon streams for present & future generations. Ambleside Park, West Vancouver 604-926-6956 |
Southlands Riding Club Country Fair | mid Sept | Enjoy a day in the country without leaving the city" Lots of fun for children & adults. Pony rides, horse entertainment, petting farm, vendors, live music, thrift & book sales, & much more. Entry by donation. Rain or shine. Southlands Riding Club, 7025 Macdonald Street 604-263-4817 |
Vancouver Fringe Festival | mid September | Over 65 groups from around the world present 500 shows over 11 days on eight indoor and outdoor stages.Since 1984. various locations. (604) 257-0350 |
Funky ART CAR Festival | mid September | Noon - 6pm all ages family fun Temporary Tattoos, Face Painting, Raffle, ART CARS galore, and lots of fun! Greater Vancouver Foodbank Society 604-608-6914 |
Annual Farm Fair | mid September | Craft exhibitors, pony rides, colouring contest, straw play areas, food, music, dancing, story telling and more. Since 1982. Maplewood Farm, North Vancouver (604) 929-5610 |
Vancouver International Film Festival | late September | This festival presents 300 films from 50 countries making it one of the largest film festivals in North America. Centered around Crowne Plaza Hotel Georgia and various theatres around Vancouver. VanCityTheatre (604) 685-0260 |
North Shore Heritage Weekend | late September | A host of historical events including walking tours, harbour & home tours. various venues, North Vancouver 604-990-3700 |
Burnaby Night of Lights | late September | This exciting community event showcases hand made lanterns created by individuals and community groups. The evening begins with an interactive drum circle, followed by a musical lantern procession that winds its way around the park. Deer Lake Park, Burnaby (604)879-8611 |
Edgemont Village Harvest Festival | late September | This free street fair packs the community with 5,000 attendees who come to enjoy the all day event. With live music, Irish dancers, a ventriloquist, The Extreme Bike Show with Dangerous Dan, & more — there’s something for everyone. Edgemont Village, North Vancouver 604-988-8919 |
Lower Lonsdale Fall Festival | late September | Enjoy live music, dancing, roving performers, browse for treasures at the Community Flea Market, create a work of art at free craft stations. Lots of fun for little kids, big kids & everyone in between. 100 West 1st (outdoors) & Brathwaite Comm. Ctr., North Vancouver 604-982-8300 |
Harvest Festival at Capilano Suspension Bridge | Early October | A monthlong festival during October, Harvest Festival celebrates the season. On Thanksgiving weekend, enjoy games, the Rainforest Explorers Program, face painting, crafts & fortune telling. For Halloween, enjoy a jack-o'-lantern display, fortune telling, face painting, crafts, ghost tours & trick-or-treating. The park is decorated with a harvest theme & offers musical entertainment. Capilano Suspension Bridge , North Vancouver 604-985-7474 |
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival | Early October | This is the most romantic outdoor Chinese cultural celebration and includes a colourful lantern festival, myth telling, music, and complimentary tea and mooncakes. Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is one of the two most important holidays in the Chinese calendar (the other being Chinese New Year). Farmers celebrate the end of the summer harvesting season on this date. Traditionally, on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes together. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden. (604) 662-3207 |
Vancouver International Comedy Festival | late October | THis Montreal style festival, provides nearly two weeks of fun and laughter. It will involve primarily stand-up comedy and take place in various club venues. Since 2003. various venues around Vancouver 604-683-0883 |
Vancouver Asian Film Festival | early Nov | Vancouver's multiculturalism is reflected in this burgeoning film festival highlighting the work of Asian filmmakers from around the world. Since 1996. Cinemark Tinseltown Theatres 604-251-6828 |
Christmas Carol Ship Parade | December | Boat owners from around Greater Vancouver decorate their vessels and parade around Vancouver Harbour. On peak evenings, this holiday tradition has grown to more than 80 decorated boats, with in excess of 150,000 lights, and carries over 45,000 people during the 23 night festival. Since 1961. (604) 878 8999 |
Park & Tilford's Christmas Festival of Lights | December | North Vancouver's favourite holiday tradition, Park & Tilford Garden's Christmas Festival of Lights is back bigger & better than ever for December 2009. Open daily, lights come on at 4:30 pm. Admission by donations with all proceeds going to charity. Park & Tilford Gardens, North Vancouver 604-984-8200 |
Annual Seasonal Celebration | early Dec | This family event features music, dance & theatre, hands-on family activities & the ever popular wreath-making workshop to celebrate this festive season. Since 1996 Deer Lake Park 604-291-6864 |
First Night Vancouver | Dec 31 | Family-oriented, alcohol-free new year extravaganza, which includes visual and performing arts, indoor and outdoor musical entertainment, street animation, discovery activities for children and adults and more. Science World (604) 688-4875 |
Hyack Christmas Parade of Lights | Dec | Christmas in New Westminster is truly magical, and the Hyack Festival Association is proud to kick off the Christmas season each year with Hyack's Santa Claus Parade in downtown New Westminster. From bands playing Christmas music and marching quickly to keep warm, to floats featuring reindeer, elves, candy canes and toys, the parade is a swirl of colour and lights that is not to be missed. Columbia St.(New Westminster) between 4th & 8th St., ending up at Hyack Square (604) 522-6894 |
Annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade | early Dec | Santa’s early visit to Vancouver on Sunday, December 6th, 2009 is the perfect kick off to the holiday season. Over 60 marching bands, dance troupes, festive floats & community groups, which entertain over 300,000 spectators. Come join in the magic, fun & festivities. Since 2003 Along West Georgia and down Howe St to Davie, Downtown 604-646-3573 |
