Home Vancouver Events Calendar Festivals and Events in Vancouver in 2024

Festivals and Events in Vancouver in 2024

Harrison Tulip Festival

Vancouver has all kinds of festivals and events during the year, from music festivals to free outdoor concerts to international fireworks competitions.

Events happening this time of year include the Abbotsford Tulip Festival, Harrison Tulip Festival, Botanica Tulip Festival and Sweet Spring at Greendale Acres. There is Koningsdag/King’s Day, Coquitlam Community Fest and other events. The Royal Canadian International Circus is also coming to town.

 

Dutch Kings Day 2024

 

Vancouver Events and Festivals

Below is a list of Metro Vancouver’s best festivals and events each year.

 

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

 

 

April

APRIL 2024 Festivals and Events

 

The following lists of April festivals and events are  divided into five categories. The first features events that are related to holidays and special occasions, like Easter Weekend, Earth Day and Vaisakhi. The second group features food & drink-related events, the third includes sporting events, and the fourth includes general festivals and events. The fifth list is of events related to cherry blossoms.

 

Holidays and Special Occasion-Related Events in April

  • Easter – a weekend of egg hunts and other holiday celebrations (from March 29 to April 1, 2024).
  • Easter at Britannia Mine – celebrations at the museum include scavenger hunts, underground tours and demonstrations over the Easter long weekend (from March 29 to April 1, 2024).
  • Easter at Greendale Acres – baby farm animals, egg hunting, the Easter Bunny and other activities at the farm in Chilliwack. (TBC)
  • Earth Day – a day to celebrate the planet and acknowledge our need to take care of it (on April 22 every year).
  • Party for the Planet – free Earth Day celebrations in Surrey. (April 27th)
  • Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade – East Indian cultural festivities that attract up to 300,000 participants. (April 13, 2024)
  • Surrey Vaisakhi Parade – a massive East Indian festival and parade in Surrey. (April 20, 024.)

 

Foods and Drink-Related Events in April

  • BC Distilled – a series of events showcasing BC craft spirits and distilleries. (April 10-13, 2024)
  • Brewhalla North Vancouver – a craft beer festival-style event at the Shipyards. (April 19, 2024)
  • Food Truck Fest at UBC – food trucks and artisan vendors at UBC. (April 4 & 5, 2024)
  • Food Truck Wars in Langley – a food trucks, artisan vendors and live entertainment at the KPU campus. (April 19-21, 2024)
  • Trail of Coffee – a coffee trade show for the general public at the Shipyards in North Vancouver. The event includes, workshops, talks, coffee tastings, live music and other activities. (April 20, 2024)
  • Coquitlam Community Fest – food trucks, artisan vendors and music at Town Centre Park. (April 27 & 28, 2024)

 

Royal Canadian International Circus

 

Sports and Sports-Related Events in April

 

Harrison Tulip Festival

 

Festivals and Events in April

  • 420 Vancouver – a marijuana-themed event with market vendors at Sunset Beach (on April 20, 2024).
  • ABRA Cadabra Concerts – the popular ABBA tribute band performs in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Surrey and Mission. (April 9 to 13, 2024)
  • Art Vancouver – and international art show at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (April 11, to 14, 2024)
  • BrickCan Public Lego Exhibition – public viewings of LEGO displays as part of a multi-day Adult LEGO Fan Convention at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. (TBC).
  • Carnival at Lansdowne Centre – the mall in Richmond has amusement rides and midway games in its parking lot. (March 29 to April 14, 2024)
  • Chilliwack Plowing Match – a farm and tractor-themed event featuring competitions, live music, and a pancake breakfast at Greendale Acres in the Fraser Valley. (April 6, 2024)
  • Classic & Custom Car Show – an indoor car show at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford. (It didn’t happen in 2023. 2024 details are to be confirmed.)
  • Coast City Country Festival – a new country music festival with concerts at both the Commodore Ballroom and BC Place Stadium. (April 18-20, 2024)
  • International Pillow Fight Day – celebrated by hundreds of people and flying feathers outside the Vancouver Art Gallery (in early April). (TBC)
  • Koningsdag – also known as “King’s Day” in English, this is a Dutch cultural event  that celebrates the birthday of the king of the Netherlands. The main festivities in the Lower Mainland happen on the North Shore at the Shipyards. (April 27, 2024)
  • Vancouver International Universities Fair – an NACAC event showcasing over 100 Canadian and international universities at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (April 27, 2024)
  • Olde Farmhouse Vintage Market – a market featuring vintage, antique and collectible goods. (TBC)
  • Richmond Community Block Party – a food truck event with market vendors and live music at Lansdowne Centre in Richmond. (TBC)
  • Sky’s No Limit: Girls Fly Too – a free event in Abbotsford when the general public can climb on board airplanes and women and girls have the opportunity to go on a short free flight. (April 27, 2024)
  • Vancouver Comic and Toy Show – a trade show featuring superhero comic books, art and collectible toys. (April 6 & 7, 2024)
  • Vancouver Opera – Bizet’s Carmen shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. (April 27 to May 5, 2024)
  • TED – the annual world TED Conference. (In mid-April.)

 

Abbotsford Tulip Festival

Dutch Kings Day 2024

 

Flowers & Cherry Blossom-Related Events in April

 

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s April Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in April Video.

 

 

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January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

 

 

May

MAY 2024 Festivals and Events

 

The following list of May events is divided into four groups. The first group is of community fairs and festivals that focus on food and drinks. Next, the second includes performing arts events, shows and exhibitions.

The third list contains general festivals and events, and the final group features events that are related to holidays and cultural occasions, like Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Victoria Day weekend and others.

 

Fairs and Food-Related Festivals in May

 

All British Field Meet Car Show

2024 West of Main Art Walk

 

Shows, Exhibitions and Performing Arts Events in May

 

Royal Canadian International Circus

 

General Festivals and Events in May

 

Holidays and Cultural-Related Events in May

  • British Columbia Polish Festival – a cultural event in Port Coquitlam. (In late May.)
  • Cinco de Mayo – Mexican holiday celebrations on and around May 5 each year.
  • European Festival – a festival celebrating European culture (usually in late May). (TBC)
  • ExplorASIAN Festival – a festival celebrating Asian music, art and culture in Vancouver (throughout the month of May).
  • Mother’s Day – a special day for mothers and for letting them know how much we love them on May 10 in 2024.
  • Royal Victorian Party – old-fashioned celebrations at Stewart Farm in Surrey on the Victoria Day weekend (in mid-May most years). (TBC)
  • TJ Fest – a community festival at the Tian Jin Temple in Burnaby. (On May 4 & 5, 2024.)
  • Vancouver Turkic Festival – a free cultural event with live music and market vendors at North Vancouver’s Shipbuilders’ Square (in late May). (TBC)
  • Victoria Day – the statutory holiday on the May Long Weekend when various events take place around town (on May 20, 2024).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s May Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in May Video.

 

 

To jump to a specific month, click on any of the following:

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

 

 

June in Vancouver

JUNE 2024 Festivals and Events

 

The following list of June events is divided into four groups. First are events on holidays and special occasions and the second list includes food, drink and cultural events. The third group features sporting events and the fourth is made up of general festivals and events. Finally, the last group is of music and performing arts-related events.

 

Holiday-Related Events and Special Celebrations in June

  • Surrey Car Free Day – a new car free day event with vendors, live entertainment and family-friendly activities in Newton. (TBC)
  • Father’s Day – a day for recognizing dads on the third Sunday of June (so on June 16th in 2023).
  • Maple Ridge Car Free Day – a car free day event that takes place on Father’s Day and has been combined with the Maple Ridge Food Truck Festival since 2019 (in mid-June).
  • Fraser Valley Classic Car Show – a car show in Chilliwack. (June 9, 2024)
  • National Indigenous Peoples Day – celebrations include events in various places around the Lower Mainland (on or around June 21 in 2024).
  • Pride Night at Britannia Mine – the copper mine museum celebrated the 2SLGBTQ+ community with Old Town, New Queens. (In mid-June)
  • Surrey Pride Festival – multiple Pride Month celebrations including an event at Surrey Civic Plaza. (June 22, 2024)

 

Queen It's a Kinda Magic Concert

ScotFestBC & BC Highland Games

 

Food, Drink and Cultural Events in June

 

Michael Jackson History Tour

 

Sports and Sports-Related Events in June

  • 5K Foam Fest Vancouver – a non-competitive obstacle course event with bubbles and foam at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. (On June 15, 2024.)
  • Longest Day Road Race – a running event at UBC that raises money for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. (On June 14, 2024.)
  • Rotary Ride for Rescue – a fundraising event benefiting North Shore Rescue where people ride their bikes up Cypress Mountain. (In early June)
  • GearUp4CF – a fundraising cycling event between Surrey and Abbotsford in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. (On June 15, 2024.)
  • Scotiabank Half Marathon – a 21-km run from UBC to Stanley Park. (On June 23, 2024.)
  • Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival – dragon boat races in False Creek. (On June 21 to 23, 2024)
  • World Naked Bike Ride – a cycling event where participants ride in the nude around downtown Vancouver in protest of car culture and the oil industry. (TBC)
  • Go By Bike Week – a week where people are encouraged to commute by bicycle. (June 3 to 9, 2024)

 

Rotary Ride for Rescue in 2024

GearUp4CF Pedal for a Cure Event

 

General Festivals and Events in June

  • Fair in the Square – a community event featuring free food and entertainment at Victory Square in Vancouver. (Around mid-June)
  • Foodstock – a festival benefiting the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and featuring live music, local beers and food vendors in Burnaby. (TBC)
  • Hats off Day – a street festival and parade in Burnaby on the first Saturday of the month. (June 1st, 2024)
  • Langley Community Day – an event with food trucks, artisan vendors and family-friendly activities at Douglas Park. (In early June)
  • Lavenderland – a lavender flower-themed attraction in Richmond (from mid-June to September).
  • Lynn Valley Days – a community festival in the Lynn Valley district of North Vancouver. (June 21 & 22, 2024)
  • North Delta Family Day – a community festival and parade in Delta (In late June)
  • Old Car Sunday in the Park – a free car show at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission. (On June 16, 2024)
  • Pitt Meadows Day – a family-friendly event with a parade, live music and artisan vendors. (June 1, 2024)
  • Playland – amusement rides and midway games at the PNE fairgrounds. (From June until the start of the PNE Fair in August.)
  • Point Grey Fiesta – a community festival with carnival rides. (In late June)
  • Sasquatch Days – a small festival in Harrison Hot Springs with war canoe races, First Nations cultural performances and a salmon BBQ. (June 22 & 23, 2024)
  • Surrey Fest Downtown – a community festival with live entertainment at Surrey’s Holland Park. (In mid-June)
  • Teddy Bear Picnic & Parade – a family-friendly event at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. (In early June)
  • Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a fun festival for kids at Granville Island. (From May 27 to June 2 in 2024.)
  • West Vancouver Community Cultural Festival – a community festival at Ambleside Park. (On May 31 and June 1 in 2024.)
  • Olde Farmhouse Vintage Market – a market featuring vintage, antique and collectible goods at Tradex in Abbotsford. (TBC)

 

Michael Jackson History Tour

 

Art & Performing Arts Events in June

  • Michael Jackson History Tour – a touring international Michael Jackson tribute band performs in Chilliwack and West Vancouver on June 26 & 27, 2024.  (They also have concerts this month in Nanaimo, Victoria, Campbell River and Courtney on Vancouver Island, as well as in other BC communities.)
  • Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic Tribute Tour – concerts that recreate the music of Eddie Mercury and his band happen in Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Richmond and a few other places in BC. (June 7 to 16, 2024)
  • Bard on the Beach – Vancouver’s Shakespearean theatre festival. (From June 11 until September 21 in 2024.)
  • Brahm’s Tams Drumming Circle – informal drumming sessions at Stanley Park’s Third Beach on Tuesday evenings (when it’s sunny).
  • Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival – a music festival on the Sunshine Coast. (TBC)
  • 5X Festival – a series of internationally-focused events centred around the dance and music of the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan. (TBC)
  • Pender Harbour Blues Festival – a music festival on the Sunshine Coast. (TBC)
  • Talking Stick Festival – an Indigenous performing arts festival. (TBC)
  • Prisma Festival – a music festival in Powell River on the Sunshine Coast. (TBC)
  • Vancouver International Jazz Festival – a music festival with concerts at various venues. (From late June until the Canada Day weekend.)

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s June Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in June Video.

 

 

To jump to a specific month, click on any of the following:

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

 

 

July in Vancouver

JULY 2024 Festivals and Events

 

The following list is divided into five categories. The first category includes holiday-related festivities as well as cultural events. The second list features music festivals and the third group of events fall under the performing arts category. Cycling races and related events make up the fourth category, while other general events are included in the final category.

 

Holidays and Cultural Festivals in July

  • Bastille Day – a festival celebrating the beginning of the French Revolution at the Shipyards in North Vancouver. (July 14th, 2024)
  • Canada Day Festivities – held on July 1st every year at various locations throughout the region, including in downtown Vancouver (with Fireworks in Burrard Inlet), in Cloverdale in Surrey, in Steveston Village at the Steveston Salmon Festival, and at the Canada Day at Waterfront Park festivities in North Vancouver (on July 1, 2024).
  • Caribbean Days Festival – a festival in Coquitlam put on by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC (July 27-28, 2024).
  • Carnaval del Sol – a large Latin American festival in Vancouver. (July 5-7, 2024)
  • Colombian Independence Picnic – a small free community festival in Central Park that’s open to the public most years. (TBC).
  • Golden Spike Days – a multi-day community festival in Port Moody on the Canada Day Long Weekend. (From June 29th until July 1st, 2024.)
  • Indian Summer Festival – a multi-arts festival featuring South Asian, Canadian and Indigenous artists in mid-July.
  • Philippine Days – a cultural festival hosted by the local Filipino community in North Vancouver (in early July).
  • Squamish Nation Youth Pow Wow – a First Nations powwow and cultural celebration on the North Shore. (In mid-July)
  • Surrey Fusion Festival – a celebration of food, music and culture at Holland Park. (From July 20th to 21st, 2024.)
  • Surrey Latin Festival – an event with Latin American food, music and cultural activities in Surrey. (From July 13th to 14th, 2024)
  • Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival – a series of events featuring music, dance and other activities showcasing Taiwanese culture on the Canada Day Long Weekend and early July. (From June 29th to July 6th, 2024.)
  • Vancouver Chinatown Festival – a small cultural festival in Vancouver’s Chinatown (in mid-July.)
  • Vancouver Thai Festival – a free festival celebrating Thai music, culture and food in the North Plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. (TBC)

 

Fort Langley Jazz Festival

 

Music Festivals and Events in July

 

Art and Performing Arts Events in July

  • Bard on the Beach – Vancouver’s Shakespearean theatre festival. (From June 11 until September 21 in 2024.)
  • Bard Fireworks Nights – Shakespearean plays, a BBQ dinner, live entertainment and fireworks at Bard on the Beach during the Celebration of Light fireworks competition in late July.
  • Harrison Festival of the Arts – a festival featuring an art market and performing arts performances in Harrison Hot Springs (in mid-July).
  • Theatre Under the Stars – a pair of musical theatre productions show at the outdoor theatre in Stanley Park (from July 5th to August 24th, 2024).
  • Talking Stick Festival – an Indigenous performing arts festival. (TBC)

 

Sporting Events in July

 

Food and Drink Events in July

  • Chilliwack Ribfest – a community event featuring rib vendors, food trucks and live entertainment in Chilliwack. (July 26 to 28, 2024)
  • Maple Ridge Food Truck Festival – food trucks, live music and market vendors in Maple Ridge on Canada Day. (TBC)
  • Port Moody Ribfest – a 3-day event in Port Moody with BBQ rib competitions and live music on the second-to-last weekend in July. (July 19 to 21, 2024)
  • Greek Summerfest – a festival celebrating Greek food, culture and music at St. Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church at 4641 Boundary Road (in mid-July).
  • Vancouver Craft Beer Festival – a craft beer event with live music at the PNE Fairgrounds. (July 6, 2024)

 

Other Events and Festivals in July

 

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s July Calendar.

 

 

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January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

 

 

August in Vancouver

AUGUST 2024 Festivals and Events

 

The following August festivals and events are grouped into seven categories, including BC Day long weekend events (in the beginning of the month), music-related festivals, Pride events, sports-related events and cultural festivals. The remaining categories are general festivals & events and food-centric events.

 

Holiday Weekend Events in August

  • BC Day – a statutory holiday on the first Monday in August (so August 5th in 2024).
  • Brigade Days at Fort Langley – three days of celebrations featuring folk in period costume over the BC Day Long Weekend (likely on August 3 to 5 in 2024).
  • Tsawwassen Sun Festival – a softball tournament over the BC Day Long Weekend that includes a parade and antique car show on the Holiday Monday in Tsawwassen. (August 3-5, 2024)
  • Powell Street Festival – a two-day festival celebrating Japanese-Canadian culture in downtown Vancouver on the BC Day Long Weekend. (August 3 & 4, 2024)
  • Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival – a 2-day music and cultural festival at the Maple Ridge Fairgrounds on the BC Day Long Weekend. (August 3 & 4, 2024)

 

Music, Art & Performing Arts-Related Events in August

  • Ambleside Music Festival – a rock festival at West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park. (In mid-August)
  • Arts Alive Festival – a community arts festival in Langley in mid-August.
  • Bard on the Beach – Vancouver’s Shakespearean theatre festival. (From June 11 until September 21 in 2024.)
  • Black Block Party – an event with food, music and art celebrating the Black community and artists outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. (In mid to late August.)
  • Brahm’s Tams Drumming Circle – informal drumming sessions at Stanley Park’s Third Beach on Tuesday evenings when it’s sunny.
  • Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival – a music festival at Deer Lake in Burnaby. (In mid-August.)
  • Chilliwack Mural Festival – murals and mural-related activities in downtown Chilliwack. (August 15 to 17, 2024.)
  • Cultus Lake Nightslide Concerts – an evening of water sliding and live music at Cultus Lake Waterpark in the Fraser Valley. (TBC)
  • Harmony Arts Festival – a free multi-day event with live music, outdoor movies and art in West Vancouver. (August 2 to 11, 2024).
  • Kaleidoscope Arts Festival – at one or more parks in Coquitlam with free admission and live concerts (in mid-August).
  • Monsoon Arts Festival – an Indian-themed music and arts festival in Vancouver and Surrey. (TBC)
  • Monstercat Compound – a block party with live music, art and video games in Vancouver. (In late August.)
  • Music on Main Summer Concerts – a series of free concerts at Mount Pleasant Park. (TBC)
  • Rogue Fest – 3-day outdoor music festival on the Sunshine Coast. (TBC)
  • Salmon Sessions Salmon Festival – a fundraising event to raise money for a local fish hatchery at Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club in Surrey. (August 24, 2024)
  • Sounds of Summer Music Series – free outdoor concerts in different Surrey parks on Wednesday evenings.
  • Symphony in the Park – a free live music at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. (On August 16th, 2024.)
  • Theatre Under the Stars – a pair of musical theatre productions show at the outdoor theatre in Stanley Park. (From July 5th  to August 24th, 2024.)
  • Vancouver Summer Festival – a series of classical concerts at a number of different venues in Vancouver. (From late July until early August.) (Note: This festival used to be called the Vancouver Bach Festival.)
  • Vancouver Mural Festival – an art festival that usually includes the Mount Pleasant Street Party (in early August).

 

Vancouver Pride Events in August

  • Happyland – an evening event with an LGBTQ+ theme at Playland with live entertainment and amusement rides. (TBC)
  • Vancouver Pride Festival – a parade and multiple other activities celebrating Vancouver’s LGBTTQ community. (From late July until early August.)
  • Vancouver Pride Parade – a major parade celebrating LGBTQ+ community. (August 4, 2024)
  • Really Gay History Tours – walking tours that explore Vancouver’s West End and the city’s 2SLGBTQIA+ history. (On various days in the month including most Sundays.)
  • Chilliwack Pride Festival – an LGBTQ+ event in downtown Chilliwack. (In mid-August.)
  • New West Pride Week – a series of events including a street party celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in New Westminster. (In mid-August, with the street festival happening on August 17 in 2024.)

 

Sports-Related Events in August

  • Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival – a parade, bed races, ax-throwing contests and other logger competitions in Squamish. (On the BC Day long weekend, which in 2024 is from August 1st to 4th).
  • KitsFest – a sports festival on the beach at Kitsilano featuring yoga, tennis, volleyball, water polo, basketball and other sports, as well as lots of DJ music. (In early August.)
  • Steveston Dragon Boat Festival – dragon boat racing in Steveston Village (in mid to late August).

 

Cultural Festivals and Events in August

 

General Festivals & Events in August

 

Food and Drink-Related Events in August

  • Brewhalla Port Moody – an event featuring craft beer and live music in Port Moody. (TBC)
  • Clover Valley Beer Festival – at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Surrey. (TBC).
  • Dîner en Blanc – the 11th annual outdoor dinner where thousands of participants dress in white and bring their own chairs, table, food, cutlery and dishware. (In mid-August.)
  • BC Dumpling Festival – a food-themed festival that includes live entertainment and cultural activities in Coquitlam. (In mid-August.)
  • Ribfest Langley – a BBQ rib and live entertainment event hosted by area Rotary clubs at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley. (In mid-August.)
  • Shipyards Night Market – live music, food trucks, artisan vendors and a beer garden on Friday evenings in North Vancouver. (From mid-May 12 until mid-September.)

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s August Calendar.

 

 

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January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

 

 

September in Vancouver

SEPTEMBER 2024 Festivals and Events

 

Below is a list of festivals and events that typically happening in the Lower Mainland in the month of September.

 

Holiday-Related Events in September

  • Bands on the Beach – two days of free music at Harrison Hot Springs (usually on the September Long Weekend).
  • Labour Day – a statutory holiday on the first Monday of the month (September 2, 2023).
  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – a holiday and time for people to remember and reflect on the history of Canada’s residential school system (on September 30, 2024).
  • Nikkei Matsuri – a Japanese festival in Burnaby (on the Labour Day Weekend of August 30 to September 1, 2024).
  • Taiwanfest – a festival taking place along Granville Street on the Labour Day long weekend. (August 31 to September 2, 2024)
  • Victory Square Block Party – a free event with live music in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side on the Labour Day Long Weekend. (TBC)

 

Music & Performing Arts Events in September

  • Bard on the Beach – Vancouver’s Shakespearean theatre festival from mid-June until late September. (From June 11 until September 21 in 2024.)
  • Barnside Harvest Festival – a music festival at Paterson Park in Ladner. (September 13-15, 2024)
  • BC Culture Days – a series of events celebrating Canadian arts and culture at various venues across British Columbia. (From late September until mid-October.)
  • Circo Osorio Circus – a family-friendly circus with shows in various Lower Mainland communities. (TBC)
  • Shipyards Festival – a free music festival and street party in the Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood of North Vancouver. (TBC)
  • Vancouver Fringe Festival – a live theatre festival in Vancouver from early to mid-September. (In early to mid-September.)
  • The Vancouver International Film Festival – a prestigious film festival. (From late September until early October.)
  • Vancouver International Flamenco Festival – a dance festival featuring flamenco performances and workshops. (From mid to late September.)
  • White Rock Buskers & Comedy Fest – street performers and comedy acts in White Rock. (It sometimes happens in September, but last year it was in May. 2024 details are to be confirmed.)

 

Sports & Fitness-Related Events in September

  • GranFondo Whistler Bike Race – a bike race in Whistler. (September 7th, 2024.)
  • Bike the Night – a cycling event where thousands of people ride through the streets of Vancouver at night (in early September). (TBC)
  • SeaWheeze Half Marathon – a running race that’s followed by a large festival-style after-party at Stanley Park (from mid to late September). (TBC)
  • Sunset Festival – a festival that takes place at Stanley Park after the SeaWheeze Half Marathon on the same day. (TBC)
  • Terry Fox Runs – fundraising walks and running races at various venues around the Lower Mainland and across Canada.

 

Cultural Events in September

  • Fire Dragon Festival – a new event that celebrates Chinatown’s history with fun activities at different spots in the neighbourhood (in late September). (TBC)
  • Mid-Autumn Moon Festival – taste tea and mooncakes, check out beautiful lantern displays, create your own poetry and more in this Chinese cultural festival at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden. (TBC)
  • Vancouver Polish Festival – a cultural event in North Vancouver (on the Labour Day Long Weekend in early September).
  • Harvest Haus – an Oktoberfest-themed event at the PNE in Vancouver. (Usually in early or mid-October.)

 

Garden, Nature and Environmental Events in September

 

Fall & Halloween-Related Events in September

 

Other Festivals and Events in September

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s September Calendar.

 

Jensen Signs

 

 

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October in Vancouver

OCTOBER 2024 Festivals and Events

 

The following October festivals and events are divided into four categories. The first list focuses on Halloween-related events and activities in the Lower Mainland and the second includes events that are primarily about food or drinks. Next, the third list features trade shows and markets, and the final list includes other miscellaneous events that are also taking place in October.

 

Halloween Events and Activities in October

  • Celebrate the Night – a family-friendly Halloween event with fireworks in Maple Ridge on the weekend before Halloween. (In late October.)
  • Central Spark – a free Halloween celebration with carnival games, an outdoor maze and a fireworks display at Burnaby’s Central Park. (In late October.)
  • Haunted Village – a Halloween attraction at the Burnaby Village Museum. (From mid to late October.)
  • Fright Night at the PNE – haunted houses, rides and other Halloween attractions at Vancouver’s Playland (on select dates from between early October and Halloween).
  • Harvest Days – family-friendly autumn activities at VanDusen Garden on select dates. (TBC)
  • Halloween Events – haunted houses and various other Halloween-related events in October.
  • Nightmare Before Christmas Market – a Halloween-themed market featuring dozens of makers and artists in Vancouver. (TBC)
  • Harrison Pumpkin Festival – a pumpkin patch-style event at a farm in Agassiz. (From late September until late October.)
  • Peteys Pumpkin Patch – family-friendly activities at Fantasy Farms in Chilliwack. (From late September until October 31, 2024.)
  • Lost Souls of Gastown – a guided walking tour in Gastown that’s especially popular around Halloween. (Daily in October as well as at other times of the year too.)
  • Night for All Souls – an event honoring the dead at Vancouver’s Mountain View Cemetery. (In late October.)
  • Parade of Lost Souls – a parade and Halloween-ish celebrations around Commercial Drive. (In late October.)
  • Richmond Halloween Fireworks – a free family-friendly event with fireworks at Minoru Park in Richmond on the evening of Halloween in 2024.
  • Pumpkins After Dark – a Halloween-themed event featuring Jack-o-lanterns and light displays in Burnaby. (On various dates throughout the month.)
  • Barclay Manor – a haunted house in Vancouver’s West End. (In late October.)
  • Vancouver Halloween Expo – a Halloween and anime-themed trade show. (TBC)
  • Vancouver Halloween Parade – a parade along Howe Street and Granville between Drake and Smithe. (TBC)

 

Food and Drink-Related Events in October

 

Consumer Trade Shows and Markets in October

 

Latin American Heritage Month

 

Other Festivals and Events in October

  • BC Culture Days – a series of events celebrating Canadian arts and culture at various venues across British Columbia.
  • Circo Osorio Circus – a family-friendly circus with shows in various Lower Mainland communities. (2024 dates are to be confirmed.)
  • Diwali Fest – a South Asian festival with events in Vancouver, Coquitlam and Surrey (with 2024 dates to be confirmed).
  • DTES Heart of the City Festival – a multi-day festival showcasing visual arts, music and cultural sharing in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (From late October until early November.)
  • Harvest Days – an autumn-themed activities at VanDusen Botanical Garden on a number of select days between early and late October.
  • Latin American Heritage Month – a variety of events celebrating Latin culture in Vancouver. (From October 9 until November 3 in 2024.)
  • Cirque du Soleil – the world-famous circus company presents ECHO at Concord Pacific Place. (From October 9 to December 15 in 2024.)
  • Thanksgiving – a national holiday on the weekend of the second Monday in October. (October 13, 2024)
  • Rubber Ducky Race – 5 km, 7 Mile and Half Marathon running races around Burnaby Lake. (In mid-October.)
  • Vancouver International Improv Festival – theatre-sports-style performances at Granville Island theatres. (In mid-October.)
  • Vancouver International Film Festival – a prestigious film festival. (From late September until early October.)
  • Vancouver Opera – an opera production takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. (TBC)
  • Go By Bike Week – a week where people are encouraged to commute by bicycle. (TBC)

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s October Calendar.

 

 

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November in Vancouver

NOVEMBER 2024 Festivals and Events

 

The November festivals and events below are grouped into three categories. The first group contains places where you can enjoy holiday illuminations to begin the Christmas season. The second group of events are Christmas markets that usually start up in November, and the last category is made up of non-Christmas festivals and events.

 

Christmas Lights and Festivals in November

  • Bear Creek Light Festival – illuminations, lanterns and family-friendly activities at Surrey’s Bear Creek Park. (In early to mid-November.)
  • Canyon Lights – Christmas lights and decorations at Capilano Suspension Bridge. (From mid-November until mid to late January.)
  • Christmas Glow – a Christmas attraction in Langley. (From late November until late December.)
  • Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden – Christmas lights at the botanical garden from late November until the beginning of January.
  • Heritage Christmas – Christmas decorations and activities at Burnaby Village Museum. (From late November until early January.)
  • Lights at Lafarge – Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake has holiday illuminations starting in late November.
  • Lights of Hope Celebration – Christmas lights and fireworks displays at St. Paul’s Hospital (in mid-November).
  • Light Up The Village – a Christmas-themed event at West Vancouver’s Park Royal Mall (in late November, but TBC for 2024).
  • Lumiere Vancouver – a small festival with Christmas lights and live entertainment. (In early November.)
  • Surrey Tree Lighting Festival – the official tree lighting and free festivities in the Plaza at City Hall in Surrey. (In late November.)
  • White Rock Festival of Lights – Christmas lights and illuminations along White Rock’s waterfront (from early December to February of the following year).
  • Winter Jubilee – a free Christmas-themed event in downtown Abbotsford featuring live music, Santa, market vendors and more. (In mid-November.)
  • Bright Nights – Christmas lights and miniature train rides in Stanley Park. (From late November until early January.)

 

Other Events and Festivals in November

  • Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week (VNSCBW) – a series of beer-related events at various venues in North Vancouver. (In early November.)
  • VNSCBW Launch Party – the opening event for Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week takes place at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District. (In early November.)
  • All Dressed in White Bridal Show – a wedding fair in Coquitlam at the Westwood Plateau Golf Course. (November 3, 2024)
  • BC Buy Local Week – a week when people are encouraged to buy local and support small, local businesses (from late November until early December).
  • Black Friday – the day after American Thanksgiving when stores offer special discounts and Christmas-shopping season unofficially begins (on November 29, 2024).
  • Cirque du Soleil – the world-famous circus company presents ECHO at Concord Pacific Place. (From October 9 to December 15 in 2024.)
  • Chutzpah Festival – a Jewish performing arts festival. (From early until mid to late November)
  • Disney On Ice – the family-friendly show is at the Pacific Coliseum. (TBC)
  • Douglas Day at Fort Langley – an event celebrating the day when Sir James Douglas proclaimed British Columbia to be a colony in 1858. (On November 19 every year.)
  • DTES Heart of the City Festival – a festival showcasing visual arts, music and culture in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (From late October until early November.)
  • Eastside Culture Crawl – an event showcasing the work of hundreds of artists in Vancouver. (In mid-November.)
  • Hopscotch Festival – a series of events featuring food, beers, whisky and other spirits. (In late November.)
  • Latin American Heritage Month – a variety of events celebrating Latin culture in Vancouver. (From early October until November 2 in 2024.)
  • Modulus Festival – a music festival hosted by Music on Main in Vancouver. (In early November.)
  • Pet Lover Show – a trade show for dogs, cats and other household animals and their owners. (2024 dates and details are to be confirmed.)
  • Remembrance Day – ceremonies at various locations around the Lower Mainland (on November 11th every year).
  • Boundary Bay Marathon – runs at Boundary Bay Park’s Centennial Beach. (On November 3, 2024)
  • Vancouver Turkish Film Festival – films and related events in downtown Vancouver. (In late November.)
  • Vancouver Historic Half – a 5K, 10K and half marathon around Stanley Park’s seawall. (on November 24, 2024.)
  • Vancouver Train Expo – a model train exhibition at the Pacific National Exhibition. (In early November.)

 

Christmas Markets in November

  • Candytown – an outdoor Christmas market on Mainland Street in Yaletown. (It usually happens in late November, but sometimes in early December.)
  • Circle Craft Market – one of Vancouver’s largest and most impressive Christmas craft fairs takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (Around mid-November.)
  • Vancouver Christmas Market – an outdoor German-themed market at Jack Poole Plaza. (From mid-November to December 24, 2024.)
  • Holidays at Hycroft – an upscale artisan market in Vancouver. (In mid-November.)
  • North Delta Artisan & Gift Market – an artisan market at Sunshine Hills Elementary School in Delta. (In mid-November.)
  • West End Holiday Craft Fair – a Christmas craft market at the West End Community Centre in Vancouver. (In late November.)
  • West Coast Christmas Show – a massive holiday market at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford. (In mid-November.)

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s November Calendar.

 

 

 

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December in Vancouver

DECEMBER 2024 Festivals and Events

 

The following December festivals and events are divided into five categories. The first list contains Christmas-themed performing arts events. The second has other Christmas events and the third list contains special Christmas attractions at popular tourist destinations. Fourth is a list of holiday markets. The final category is made up of December festivals and events that are unrelated to Christmas.

 

Christmas Performing Arts Productions in December

 

Christmas Events in December

 

Christmas Attractions in December

  • Bright Lights – Christmas illuminations and miniature train rides at Stanley Park (from late November until the beginning of January).
  • Canyon Lights – Christmas lights and decorations at Capilano Suspension Bridge. (Runs from mid to late November until around the third week in January.)
  • Christmas at Canada Place – holiday lights and displays at the waterfront (for the month of December).
  • Christmas Glow – a Christmas attraction in Langley (from late November until early January).
  • Dundarave Festival of Lights – decorated Christmas trees in West Vancouver with free concerts on Saturdays up until Christmas (throughout the month of December).
  • Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden – Christmas lights at the botanical garden. (From late November until early January.)
  • Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum – holiday lights and family-friendly activities at the outdoor museum. (From late November until the beginning of January.)
  • The Holiday Hi-Light Festival – Christmas lights and decorations at the Park & Tilford Gardens in North Vancouver. (For most of December.)
  • Holiday Lights at Granville Island – Christmas lights and illuminations are on display for the month of December.
  • Martini Town Merry & Bright – a new Christmas attraction at a film studio in Langley (Throughout the month of December.)
  • Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain – ice skating, sleigh rides and other holiday activities at the North Shore ski hill. (From late November until late December.)
  • PNE Winter Fair – a Christmas attraction at the Pacific National Exhibition. (On select dates in December until just before Christmas.)
  • Squamish at Dusk – light displays and decorations at Rose Park in Squamish. (From late November until early December, but to be confirmed for 2024.)
  • White Rock Festival of Lights – Christmas lights and illuminations along White Rock’s waterfront. (From early December until early January.)

 

Christmas Markets in December

 

Other Festivals and Events in December

  • BC Buy Local Week – a week when people are reminded about the importance of buying local and supporting small, local retailers and restaurants. (From the end of November until early December.)
  • Cirque du Soleil – the world-famous circus company presents ECHO at Concord Pacific Place. (From October 9 to December 15 in 2024.)
  • Project EveryBODY, PEBCelebratesLive – an event celebrating and showcasing persons and artists with disabilities in Vancouver. The event features music, comedy, food and a film. (In early December.)
  • New Year’s Eve Celebrations – free fireworks and concerts in Vancouver’s False Creek area. (Maybe on December 31, but to be confirmed.)
  • Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – an annual community event with lantern-making workshops, fire performances and outdoor processions at various locations. (On December 21, 2024.)
  • Contact Winter Music Festival – a 2-day electronic music festival at BC Place Stadium. (At the end of December.)

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s December Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in December Video.

 

 

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January in Vancouver

JANUARY 2025 Festivals and Events

 

The following list is divided into three categories. The first features general festivals and events and the second includes ones that are Christmas-themed. Lunar New Year events are in the third list.

 

General Festivals & Events in January

 

Christmas-Themed Events in January

  • Canyon Lights – Christmas lights at night at Capilano Suspension Bridge. (From mid-November until around mid-January.)
  • Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden – Christmas lights at the botanical garden. (From late November to early January.)
  • Heritage Christmas – a free attraction at Burnaby Village Museum. (From late November until the beginning of January.)
  • Lights at Lafarge – Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake has holiday illuminations all month and until the middle of February.
  • White Rock Festival of Lights – Christmas lights and illuminations along White Rock’s waterfront (from late November until sometime in January or February).

 

Lunar New Year Events in January

  • Lunar New Year – a cultural holiday celebrating the Lunar New Year with various events throughout the Lower Mainland. (On January 29, 2025.)
  • Chinese New Year Parade – a major parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown. (Likely on February 2, 2025, but with exact details to be confirmed.)
  • Lunarfest Vancouver – a series of events celebrating the Lunar New Year at the Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza, and other venues.
  • Lunar New Year at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen – the Chinese classical garden hosts a special Chinese New Year event. (TBC).
  • International Village Mall – the shopping centre in Chinatown has art exhibits, workshops, demonstrations and market vendors. (TBC)

 

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s January Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in January Video.

 

 

February

FEBRUARY 2025 Festivals and Events

 

The following list is divided into five categories. The first features events that are special occasion-themed (i.e., related to Valentine’s Day and the Family Day Long Weekend). Cultural and food-related events are second, and the third features shows and entertainment.

The fourth category below is for trade shows and the last category is for other types of festivals and events.

 

Holidays and Special Occasion-Related Events in February

  • Family Day – a statutory holiday on the third Monday of February each year. A variety of events take place on the long weekend. (On February 17 in 2025.)
  • Valentine’s Day – a day for chocolate, buying flowers and dining out (on February 14, 2025).

 

Food, Drink and Cultural Events in February

  • A Taste of the Valley – a food, drink and artisan market where you can taste before you buy, discover new drinks and explore local artisan products in Chilliwack. (TBC)
  • Brazilian Carnival – a full day of celebrating Brazilian music and culture at Granville Island. (TBC)
  • Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants. (From late January to early February.)
  • Hoobiyee – celebrations of the Nisga’a First Nation’s New Year with traditional storytelling, singing and dancing at the PNE Forum (usually in late February, but to be confirmed in 2025).
  • Talking Stick Festival – an Indigenous performing arts festival. (It sometimes runs in February. 2025 details, however, are to be confirmed.)
  • Vancouver International Wine Festival – one of North America’s largest, oldest and most prestigious wine shows. (TBC)
  • Whisky Global – an upscale whisky-tasting event with live music, premium whiskies and high-end cars. (TBC)

 

Shows & Entertainment in February

  • Entertainment Night – a talent show-style fundraising event hosted by the Interact Club at Windsor Secondary School in North Vancouver. (Usually in February, but possibly in April this year and with exact details to be confirmed.)
  • PuSh Festival – performing arts shows at various locations. (From late January until early February).
  • Just for Laughs Comedy Fest – stand-up, improv and other funny shows in Vancouver. (In mid-February.)
  • Vancouver International Dance Festival – a series of special dance performances at various venues. (TBC)
  • Vancouver Opera – performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. (TBC)

 

Consumer Trade Shows in February

 

Other Festivals & Events in February

  • Canada Rugby Sevens – a fast-paced international rugby tournament at BC Place Stadium. (TBC)
  • Invictus Games – an international sporting event for people who were injured in the line of duty. (February 8 to 16, 2025)
  • Fort Langley Historic Half Marathon – running races in Fort Langley. (TBC)
  • VMF Winter Arts – a festival with free entertainment and interactive art displays. (TBC)
  • Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special beverage offerings around town. (From mid-January to February 14, 2025.)
  • Lights at Lafarge – Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake has holiday illuminations from late November until sometime in February.
  • Winter Wander – a Saturday when you can visit the Museum of Vancouver, MacMillan Space Centre and Maritime Museum all for just $5. (TBC).
  • 24 Hours of Winter – a two-day winter sports event at Grouse Mountain (in mid to late February). (TBC for 2025.)

For more, see Metro Vancouver’s February Calendar.

 

 

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January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

 

 

March

MARCH 2025 Festivals and Events

 

The following list is divided into five categories. The first group features performing arts events. This is followed by a list of St. Patrick’s Day-related events. Next are running & sports-related activities as well as multicultural festivals. Finally, there is also a list of general events that take place in March.

 

Visual and Performing Arts Events in March

 

St. Patrick’s Day-Related Events in March

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s March Calendar.

 

Running and Sports-Related Events in March

  • Vancouver Chocolate Run – a running event hosted by Try Events at Stanley Park. (In early March.)
  • Big 80’s Run – a family-friendly running event at Central Park in Burnaby. (In early to mid-March.)
  • Shamrock ‘n Race – 5K, 7 Mile and half marathon running events at Burnaby Lake. (On a weekend around March 17)
  • BC Bike Show – a trade show featuring all kinds of bikes, bicycles and cycling equipment at the Vancouver Convention Centre. (In early March.)
  • BC Sportsmen’s Show – the province’s biggest event for fishing, hunting, boating and other outdoor activities at Tradex in Abbotsford. (In early March.)

 

Multicultural Festivals & Events in March

 

Other Festivals & Events in March

 

 

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

 

 

April

APRIL 2025 Festivals and Events

 

The following lists of April festivals and events are  divided into five categories. The first features events that are related to holidays and special occasions, like Easter Weekend, Earth Day and Vaisakhi. The second group features food & drink-related events, the third includes sporting events, and the fourth includes general festivals and events. The fifth list is of events related to cherry blossoms.

 

Holidays and Special Occasion-Related Events in April

 

Foods and Drink-Related Events in April

  • BC Distilled – a series of events showcasing BC craft spirits and distilleries. (TBC)
  • Brewhalla North Vancouver – a craft beer festival-style event at the Shipyards. (TBC)
  • Food Truck Wars in Langley – a food trucks, artisan vendors and live entertainment at the KPU campus. (TBC)
  • Trail of Coffee – a coffee trade show for the general public at the Shipyards in North Vancouver. The event includes, workshops, talks, coffee tastings, live music and other activities. (TBC)
  • Coquitlam Community Fest – food trucks, artisan vendors and music at Town Centre Park. (TBC)

 

Sports and Sports-Related Events in April

 

Festivals and Events in April

 

Flowers & Cherry Blossom-Related Events in April

 

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s April Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in April Video.