METRO VANCOUVER SUMMER FESTIVALS
This year’s festival season features a variety of fun for all ages, including music from around the globe, food, cultural celebrations, dance and theatre performances and good old-fashioned family-friendly fun.
JUNE
Music Waste Festival
Vancouver’s longest running annual music, comedy and arts festival, featuring hundreds of acts in venues spread across the city. • June 4-7 • musicwaste.ca
Surrey Greek Food Festival
Features authentic pork, lamb and chicken dishes, plus Greek pastries, live Greek music Friday-Sunday and multicultural entertainment. • 13181 96th Ave., Surrey • June 5-14 • 604-496-5099, facebook.com/SurreyGreek
Pender Harbour Blues Festival
Blues music by Jim Byrnes, the Boom Booms, Lloyd Jones, Paul Pigat, Murray Porter and many others. • Pender Harbour, Sunshine Coast • June 5-7 • $15-$25, penderharbourbluesfestival.com
Celebrate Mount Pleasant
Neighbourhood garage sale, plant sale and silent auction, DJ Michael Laycock, games and activities for the whole family. • Mount Pleasant Elementary, 2300 Guelph • June 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free
Hats off Day
A one-day extravaganza featuring a main-street style parade followed by a big street party. • The Heights, Hastings Street, Burnaby • June 6, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free, burnabyheights.com/events/hats-off-day
HOWL! Qayqayt Community Festival
Carnival games, pancake breakfast, cake walk, face painting, talent shows, demos and more. • Tipperary Park, Queens and 4th Street, New West • June 6, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. • tourismnewwestminster.com/event/qayqayt-community-festival
Ladner Bandfest
Features 24 adult concert bands from around B.C. and the U.S. • Ladner Memorial Park • June 6 and June 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Free, ladnerbandfest.org
Marpole Community Day
Free amusement rides, interactive games and activities, stage performances and entertainment. • Marpole-Oakridge Community CentreOak Park, 990 W. 59th Ave. • June 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free, marpoleoakridge.org
Pitt Meadows Day 2015
Summer fun for the whole family including a pancake breakfast, parade, free activities, live entertainment, concerts, a barbecue and fireworks display. • Pitt Meadows • June 6 • pittmeadows.bc.ca
Vancouver Mini Maker Faire
A family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. • PNE Forum • June 6 and June 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • $9-$17, makerfaire.ca
West Vancouver Community Day
A fun-filled day of activities and festivities for the whole family. This year’s theme is: Into the Future. • Ambleside Park, West Van • June 6, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. • westvancouver.ca/calendar/community-day
City of Bhangra Festival 2015
All-out dance party and music-fest showcases the music and dance of the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan. • Surrey and Vancouver • Until June 6 • 604-825-0223, vibc.org
Italian Heritage Month
Celebrates, promotes and shares Italian culture, language and heritage through a series of performances, exhibitions, events and traditional cultural activities. • Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan St. • Until June 30 • italianculturalcentre.ca
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
Features a lineup of theatre performances, concerts and special events. Plays include: The Comedy of Errors | King Lear | Love’s Labour’s Lost | Shakespeare’s Rebel. • Vanier Park • June 4-Sept. 26 • Tickets start at $26, 604-739-0559, bardonthebeach.org
B.C. Renaissance Festival
Jousting, sword fighting, musical performances, theatre-in-the-crowd, a marketplace and more. • Albion Fairgrounds, 23448 105 Ave., Maple Ridge • June 11-14 • Tickets at brownpapertickets.com/event/1068419, bcrenfest.com
Velopalooza
Jump on your bike and participate in lots of fun bike rides and events happening around Metro Vancouver. • June 12-28 • velopalooza.ca
danceXpo
Western Canada’s ultimate dance networking event features 50 exhibitors, workshops, free dance lessons, performances, demos, seminars and more. • Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St., New West • June 13 and June 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Free to $10, 778-239-9194, danceXpo.ca
Pacific Rim Kite Festival
Kite displays and demonstrations, kite-making workshops, teddy bear and candy drops, face painting, music and refreshments. • Vanier Park, 1000 Chestnut St. • June 13 and June 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • bcka.bc.ca/calendar/pacific-rim-festival
Strawberry Festival
Live music, raffles, vendors, kids’ games and strawberry shortcake. • Barclay Heritage Square, 1447 Barclay St. • June 13, 1-4 p.m. • Free, wesn.ca/strawberryfestival
Italian Day on the Drive
Italian culture, community, food and art take over Commercial Drive for Vancouver’s largest cultural street festival. • Commercial Drive • June 14, noon-8 p.m. • Free, italianday.ca
Mission Children’s Festival
Fun-filled day for children and the young-art-heart. Features music, dance, juggling, games, art workstations, pony rides, bouncy balloon and more. • Fraser River Heritage Park, 7494 Mary St., Mission • June 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • missionartscouncil.ca
Sapperton Day Street Festival
Includes kids activities, Korki the Clown, bouncy castles, food vendors, shopping and a pancake breakfast (10 a.m.) • 400 block E. Columbia St., New West • June 14, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free, shopsapperton.com
TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
One of North America’s most comprehensive jazz showcases features more than 300 concerts and performances on indoor and outdoor stages throughout the city. • June 18 until July 1 • 604-872-5200, vanjazzfest.ca
Une petite place – 26th Festival d’été francophone de Vancouver
For the opening night of Vancouver’s 26th Festival d’été francophone, Samuel Sixto performs some of his favourite musical vignettes. • 1551 W. 7th Ave. • June 18, 8 p.m. • $10/$5, 604-736-9806, lecentreculturel.com/unepetiteplaceen/
Lucky Lady IV Urban Cultural Festival
Combines networking and job opportunities with local fashion, food and musical talent in a style similar to SXSW. See website for complete details. • Downtown Vancouver, Plaza of Nations and Stanley Park • June 19-21 • $35-$100+, 778-788-3297, luckyladyiv.ca
Point Grey Fiesta
The Point Grey community’s annual event for families and friends. Features a parade, stage performances, activities, exhibitors, carnival rides, midway games, entertainment and children’s activities. • W. 10th / Trimble Park, Point Grey • June 19-21 • pointgreyfiesta.org
Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival
This showcase of Vancouver’s growing cultural diversity features multicultural programs and performances, visual arts displays, and of course, the world-class Dragon Boat Races. • Creekside Community Centre, Creekside Olympic Village, and the waters of False Creek • June 19-21 • Free, dragonboatbc.ca
17th Annual Surrey Fest Downtown
A day of fun and entertainment for all ages while providing a venue for groups and organizations to inform the community of their services. • Central City Plaza & North Surrey Rec Centre, 13450 102nd Ave., Surrey • June 20, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. • Free, surreyfest.com
5th Annual Daisy Day Festival
Children’s entertainment, a roaming magician, cultural entertainers, bands and more. • 400 Block of Le Bleu Street at Austin Avenue, Coquitlam • June 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free, 604-765-2055, austinheights.ca
B.C. Highland Games & Scottish Festival
Release your inner Scottish, Celtic or Outlander spirit. Kilts, tartans, bagpipes, caber tossing, beer gardens, whisky tasting, haggis, kids activities, highland dancing and pipe bands including the Vancouver Police Pipe Band and world champions SFU Pipe Band. • Percy Perry Stadium, Pinetree Way, Coquitlam • June 20, doors 8 a.m. • $5-$15, 604-263-6955, BCHighlandGames.com
Car Free Day Vancouver
This year’s annual festival and street party will be held in four Vancouver locations: Commercial Drive, Main Street and in the West End on June 21, plus Kitsilano block parties on June 20 and 21. • Free, carfreevancouver.org
Gathering Festival Community Celebration
Community celebration opens with an Aboriginal blessing, free pancake breakfast, art exhibition, musical performances, community booths, games, stilt dancers and much more. • Emery Barnes Park, Davie and Seymour • June 20 • Free, gatheringfestival.wordpress.com
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
Celebrate the traditions and festivities of Scandinavian Midsummer with a weekend of fun-filled activities, living history and non-stop entertainment. • Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas St., Burnaby • June 20 and June 21 • $10, 604-294-2777, scandinavianmidsummerfestival.com
Make Music Vancouver
Celebrates music in all its diversity, featuring a variety of musical genres including rock, pop, classical, metal, folk, punk, jazz, reggae, R&B First Nations and World music. • Gastown • June 24, 5-10 p.m. • Free, MakeMusicVancouver.ca
International Art Festival
Showcases fine works of art including paintings, fused glass, jewelry, mixed media and more, plus live musical performances. • Peace Arch Park, 123 Second Ave., Blaine, Wash. • June 26-28 • peacearchart.org
Vancouver International Busker Festival
Talent from around the globe convenes on the streets of downtown Vancouver. • June 26-28 • vancouverbuskerfest.com
Whalley’s Corner Community Festival
Local business vendors and organizations, food vendors, live entertainment, bouncy castle, facepainter, balloon twister and more • Grosvenor Road, at 108th Ave. and King George Blvd., Surrey • June 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. • whalleyscorner.com
16th Annual Surrey Pride Festival
A fun family event with lots of entertainment including live music, dancing and food, plus crafts, a bouncy castle, food trucks and more. • Holland Park, Surrey • June 28, noon-5 p.m. • Free, surreypride.ca
Food Cart Fest
Food, fun and sun complemented by community markets, live music, DJs, craft food vendors, kids activities, ping pong, urban gardening and more. • Olympic Village, 215 W. 1st Ave. • Sundays beginngin June 28, noon-5 p.m. • Free with a donation to the Food Bank, foodcartfest.com
Greek Day on Broadway
Live a day the Greek way! Features food and beverage vendors, the Athenian Agora Market Place, main stage entertainment, cooking demos, the Hellenic Experience Tent, a Kids Zone and more. • West Broadway, from MacDonald to Blenheim Street • June 28, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. • Free, greekday.com
Ships to Shore Steveston
History, adventure and fun will sail back into Richmond. Relive the days when Richmond was a major port-of-call for sailing ship fleets. Parlay with pirates, board tall ships and search for treasure as Steveston Village comes alive with free events and activities for the whole family. • Steveston Village • June 29-July 1 • richmond.ca/shipstoshore
JULY
Steveston Salmon Festival
Craft show, cultural performances, martial arts demos, a carnival and more than 1,200 pounds of fresh salmon grilled over open fire pits. • Steveston Village • July 1, kicks off with a pancake breakfast from 6:30-11:30 a.m. • stevestonsalmonfest.ca
27th Annual Dancing on the Edge Festival
This annual festival pushes the frontiers of contemporary dance, featuring 32 innovative new works by more than 70 dance artists and choreographers. • Firehall Arts Centre, Portside Park, Scotiabank Dance Centre Playhouse, Wreck Beach • July 2-11 • $24-$28 per show, $85/four-show pass, $120/six-show pass, 604-689-0926, dancingontheedge.org
Greek Summer Festival
Enjoy traditional performances and food at this annual event. • 4641 Boundary Rd. • July 2-12 • Free, vancouvergreeksummerfest.com
East Van Summer Jam
Performances by Ab-Soul, Mayer Hawthorne, Kelela, the Boom Booms and more, plus soccer tournaments, a barbecue, beer garden and vendors. • Strathcona Park • July 4, noon-9:30 p.m. • $45, ticketweb.ca, eastvansummerjam.com
Burn in the Forest
Regional Burning Man event for B.C. Hundreds of participants come together to create Temporary Autonomous Zone, inspired by the Ten Principles of Burning Man. • Squamish Valley • July 9 until Sept. 12 • burnintheforest.com
Indian Summer Festival
This annual event returns with a compilation of creative dialogue, public art exhibitions, literary presentations and musical events. • July 9-18 • indiansummerfest.ca
Whistler Children’s Art Festival
Live musical and theatrical performances fill the stages and dozens of hands-on, creative workshops flourish under the tents, plus face painters, balloon artists, roving characters, storytellers and more. • Whistler • July 10-12 • Free, artswhistler.com
Harrison Festival of the Arts
Family-friendly event features music from all corners of the globe, as well as visual and literary arts, theatre, a large outdoor art and craft market, workshops and a special day for children. • Harrison Hot Springs • July 11-19 • harrisonfestival.com
Khatsahlano
Music and arts festival features 10 blocks of live music, local merchants, food trucks, beer gardens and family activities. Headliners include Yukon Blonde, the Belle Game, the Pointed Sticks, Enigmas, the Courtneys and more. • W. 4th Ave. • July 11 • Free, khatsahlano.com
Pemberton Music Festival
Four-day contemporary music festival. This year’s headliners include Kendrick Lamar, Black Keys, J. Cole, Tiësto, Hozier, Kid Cudi, Missy Elliott, Weezer, Jane’s Addiction and many others. • July 16-19 • $279+, pembertonmusicfestival.com
38th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival
More than 60 musical acts from 14 countries, 10 U.S. states and seven provinces and territories, showcasing some of the world’s finest traditional and contemporary folk and world music. • Jericho Beach Park • July 17-19 • thefestival.bc.ca
Surrey Fusion Festival
An ultimate celebration of music, food and culture. Entertainment and headliners TBA. • Holland Park, corner of King George Boulevard and Old Yale Road, Surrey • July 18 and July 19 • surrey.ca/fusionfestival
28th Annual Mission Folk Music Festival
This annual music festival is renowned for some of the finest folk, world and roots music from around the globe. • Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission • July 24-26 • missionfolkmusicfestival.ca
Boundary Bay Air Show
From children’s activities and delicious food options, to the non-stop excitement in the skies, there is something for everyone. • Boundary Bay Airport, 7800 Alpha Way, Delta • July 25 • Free, 604-946-2131, czbb.com
Caribbean Days Festival
A weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture as only the Caribbean can offer.Presented by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of B.C. • Waterfront Park, North Van • July 25 and July 26 • caribbeandays.ca
Honda Celebration of Light
The longest-running offshore fireworks competition in the world. • July 25: China | July 29: Brazil | Aug. 1: Canada • English Bay • 10 p.m. • Free, YVR Observation Deck tickets at ticketleader.ca, hondacelebrationoflight.com
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest
Enjoy some good-old fashion fun in B.C. farm country. Features music, agriculture, food and more. • Albion Fairgrounds, 23448 105th Ave., Maple Ridge • July 25 and July 26, gates 10 a.m. • mrpmcountryfest.com
12th Street Music Festival
Street dancing, live music, kids zone and entertainment including live music on four stages, plus a charity pig roast, craft tent, heritage tours, pony rides and more. • 12th Street, New West • July 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free, newweba.ca
Wanderlust Festival
An inspirational adventure combining yoga, music, nature, and mindfulness. • Whistler • July 30 until Aug. 3 • whistler.wanderlustfestival.com
25th Annual Harmony Arts Festival
A diverse and innovative festival full of renowned artists, performers and programs. Highlights include 450 visual artists showcased at various exhibits, 70 free concerts on two waterfront stages, vendor and artisan tents, outdoor movies at Cinema in the Park and the Best of the West food and wine pairing event • West Van waterfront • July 31 until Aug. 9 • harmonyarts.ca
AUGUST
15th Annual Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival
Two stages with continuous music provided by live bands from the Lower Mainland’s Caribbean community, street and food vendors, a Caribbean open air market, kid’s zone with rides and street entertainers and much more. • Maple Ridge Fairgrounds • Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 • Free, caribbeanfest.ca
37th Annual Vancouver Pride Parade
Attracting crowds of more than 650,000, the Pride Parade is renowned on the international stage as one of the largest and most successful LGBTQ2+ events in the world. • Aug. 2, noon-3 p.m. • vancouverpride.ca
Abbotsford Airshow
Aviation festival features static displays showcasing a variety of aircraft, plus a wide variety of aerial performances including a show by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. • Abbotsford International Airport • Aug. 7-9 • abbotsfordairshow.com
Squamish Valley Music Festival
Headliners include Sam Smith, Drake and Mumford & Sons, plus a huge lineup of acts including Of Monsters and Men, Kaskade, Alabama Shakes, Brandon Flowers, Mother Mother and many more. • Logger Sports Grounds and Centennial Fields, Squamish • Aug. 7-9 • ticketmaster.ca, SquamishFestival.com
Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival
A full day of music in a picturesque, family-friendly environment. This year’s lineup includes an eclectic mix of local and international artists including The Sheepdogs, Lee Fields & the Expressions, Ruthie Foster, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Cha’s, Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, Devin Cuddy Band, Jim Byrnes & the Sojourners and many others. • Deer Lake Park, Burnaby • Aug. 8, gates noon, show 1 p.m. • $60/$75, burnabybluesfestival.com
Richmond Maritime Festival
Explore Richmond’s maritime heritage. Features entertainment, interactive displays, live music, artisans, colourful maritime characters wandering the grounds and much more. • Richmond • Aug. 8 and Aug. 9 • richmondmaritimefestival.ca
27th Annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival
The largest queer arts event in Western Canada celebrates the best in independent queer cinema and facilitates a unique community space through a variety of performances, panels and workshops. • Various theatres, including the Vancouver Playhouse, Cineplex Odeon International Village and SFU Woodwards • Aug. 13-23 • queerfilmfestival.ca
Latin Summer Fest
Outdoor festival celebrating the Latin culture. Features music, an artisan market, Latin food and more. • Trout Lake Park, Victoria and E. 15th Ave. • Aug. 16 • Free, 604-593-2448, latinsummerfest.com
Port Coquitlam: 10th Annual Downtown Car Show
Attracts more than 400 collector vehicles and 60,000 spectators. Downtown is transformed into a massive pedestrian zone, as streets are closed down and lined with vehicles. Also includes vendor displays, children’s activities, live entertainment and more. • Shaughnessy Street, Wilson Avenue and McAllister Avenue, Port Coquitlam • Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Free, pocobia.com/events/car-show/
Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Festival
The province’s largest food truck festival features more than 50 food outlets, beer gardens, entertainment and a street party. • Columbia Street, New West • Aug. 22 • downtownnewwest.ca
Steveston Dragon Boat Festival
Steveston Village and the waters of the Fraser River will come alive at this annual festival. Features competitive dragon boat racing, live music, children’s activities and more. • Steveston Village, Richmond • Aug. 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • stevestondragonboatfestival.ca
The Fair at the PNE
Hundreds of new performances and exhibits and more than 50 thrilling rides and attractions. Includes the Broadway Musical Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby; Beatles Memorabilia Exhibition, Dinosaurs Alive! A Jurassic Experience, Summer Night Concerts series and much more. • 2901 E. Hastings St. • Aug. 22 until Sept. 7 • $16/$8, pne.ca
Langley International Festival
Celebrates diversity in the community with a host of activities including food vendors, an International Pavilion, main stage entertainment, Parade of Nations, marketplace, Theatre in the Park, vendors, food and more. • Willoughby Community Park, 7888 200th St., Langley • Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 • Free, internationalfestival.ca
7th Annual Garlic Festival
Combines organically grown artisan garlic and garlic goods with family friendly activities including live entertainment, cooking demos and more. • Terra Nova Rural Park, Richmond • Aug. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • By donation, sharingfarm.ca
28th Annual Wooden Boat Festival
Afloat and ashore there will be boats to visit, sea shanties to sing, family boat building, kids boat building, artists and more. • Granville Island • Aug. 27-30 • 604-688-9622, vancouverwoodenboat.com
