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From Bhangra to Bard on the Beach, these are Vancouver's can't-miss events for the summer of 2018
Vancouver is home to western Canada’s largest professional Shakespeare festival, Bard on the Beach. From June 1st to September 22nd, head down to Vanier Park to enjoy a curated selection of some of William Shakespeare’s best works, performed live. This year, the season will open with the classic Macbeth and showcase As You Like It and the lesser-known Timon of Athens and Lysistrata. Now in its 29th consecutive season, Bard on the Beach is an iconic staple in Vancouver’s theatre scene, and has received much acclaim for its Shakespearean exploits over the years.Season passes $199
Hip hop heads can enjoy two days of rap and R’n’B at the inaugural Breakout Festival at the PNE Amphitheatre. Headliners include Migos, Tory Lanez and Lil Pump. Wondagurl, Brevner and Manila Grey are amongst the lineup of DJs that will be spinning tracks at the festival.Day passes from $129
Each year, Vancouver celebrates its local Bhangra scene by putting on a multi-venue City of Bhangra Festival. This year, it morphs into the much bigger 5X Festival, which runs from June 13th to 17th and celebrates global South Asian culture with an art gallery, Bhangra competition and massive block party on June 17th at Central City Plaza.Details online
Celebrating queer art and artists, this artist-run multidisciplinary festival features a curated visual art exhibition, provocative new live performances and inspiring workshops. Held at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre in Yaletown, the festival is inclusive of all and includes media art programming in addition to live events.Four show passes $79
Take to two wheels, transit or walk to one of Vancouver’s Car Free Day celebrations when fun days of music, arts and culture reclaim the streets in several neighbourhoods: the West End on June 16th (Noon to 7 p.m.); Main Street on June 17th (Noon to 7 p.m.); Commercial Drive on July 8th (Noon to 7 p.m.) and Kitsilano, which will host smaller block parties on June 16th, June 17th and June 30th through to July 2nd.Details online
One of the city’s most reputed music fests, the annual TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival entertains 500,000 jazz fans over 11 days. The event features 1,800 artists performing during 300 concerts at 35 different venues—both indoor and outdoor—around the city, including some of the world’s best jazz, funk, fusion and world music artists to get you moving and grooving. There are also many free events offered at historic spots like the Vancouver Art Gallery, Granville Island on Canada Day and at David Lam Park over the festival’s closing weekend. This year’s performers include Macy Gray, Bonobo and Robert Plant with the Sensation Space Shifters.Details online
Boat racers and enthusiasts flock to the gorgeous Creekside Park in False Creek each summer for the annual Vancouver International Dragon Boat Festival, North America’s largest such celebration. Teams compete in endurance races across False Creek against the backdrop of the Vancouver cityscape. Sponsored by Granville Island Brewing, this event will have no shortage of flavourful brews to enjoy while watching the waterworks. There will also be free music on the main stage and games like the Fling Ring Toss, (which is significantly more challenging after a visit to the beer tent). You won’t want to miss the boat on this one! (Cue cymbal crash.)
CANADA DAY AT CANADA PLACE
There will be a bounty of Canada Day-themed activities and free outdoor concerts at Canada Place all day on July 1st. And the spot offers great views of the evening fireworks taking place next door in Coal Harbour.
CANADA DAY FIREWORKS
The best place to watch the city’s famous Canada Day firework display is anywhere along the water in Coal Harbour, including Canada Place, around the Convention Centre or around the seawall between the Convention Centre and the Vancouver-facing side of Stanley Park. Those in North Van also have access to primo views from Lonsdale Quay, the pier by Shipbuilder’s Square and Waterfront Park. The fireworks normally start at 10:30 p.m.
CANADA DAY PARADES
For those on the North Shore, there is a Canada Day celebration and parade at 10 a.m. The parade route goes along 13th Street from Grand Boulevard before heading down 17th Street via Lonsdale Avenue to Mahon Park, but the best viewing place is by 14th Street and Lonsdale.
CANADA DAY AT WATERFRONT PARK
If you prefer your festivities a little more low-key than the madness occurring downtown, consider checking out North Vancouver’s Canada Day bash in Waterfront Park. The afternoon event features family-friendly activities, an artisan craft market, food vendors, dancers, live music and bagpipes and is only a short walk from the Seabus terminal at Lonsdale Quay.
STEVESTON VILLAGE SALMON FESTIVAL
Head down to Richmond on July 1st to check out the famous Steveston Village Salmon Festival and celebrate our country’s 150th at Canada’s Biggest Little Birthday Party. The event normally attracts more than 70,000 people, and features a parade with appearances from local celebrities, a car show, Japanese cultural show, a communal singing of “O Canada”, a pancake breakfast and much more. The main attraction is a salmon barbecue where over 1,200 pounds of wild salmon filets are grilled over open fire pits. The popular treat sells out every year and goes for $16 per plate.
Opa! Now in its 32nd year, Greek Summerfest is back from July 5th to July 15th. The festival is a celebration of Greek entertainment and delectable Greek cuisine. From the famous BBQ lamb and loukoumades (unbelievably tasty balls of deep-fried, honey-basted dough) to the dozens of singers and dancers on the performance stage, this family-friendly event is definitely worth checking out. Free to attend, it’s located in East Vancouver near the Burnaby border and attracts tens of thousands of people from across the Lower Mainland and around the world each year.
Theatre Under The Stars is an immersive outdoor theatre event that fuses setting, scenery, concessions and art to create a refreshingly unique evening on the town. Founded in 1940 by the Parks Board, the not-for-profit organization has been bringing world class theatre, song and dance to the city for over 75 years. Under the stars, in the forest, amongst breathtaking Douglas firs is definitely the way to enjoy theatre. Forget the stuffy recycled air and uncomfortable seats of traditional playhouses! Productions this year are Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and the 1920s musical 42nd Street, which will both be playing at various times between July 4 and August 17.Early bird tickets from $25
In a world that can sometimes be discouraging, learn to love instead of label. Each year, the Indian Summer Festival, held at venues around Vancouver, prides itself on creating a society that we’d like to see. With this year’s theme of myth making, it aspires to embrace all cultures and embrace diversity, offering up a compelling mix of award-winning artists who celebrate 10 centuries of human imagination and storytelling.Details online
Now in its 33rd year, Harrison Festival of the Arts is one of the longest-running music and arts celebrations in Canada. The 10-day event takes place in venues throughout the village, spanning the entire length of the beach, and presents a dynamic mix of Canadian and international music, theatre, literary and visual arts performances. There’s also an outdoor craft market for kids, an artisan market and yoga on the beach.Tickets from $14.50
Featuring an eclectic array of local artisans, street performers, food options, beer gardens and more than 50 of Vancouver’s top musical performers, Khatsahlano on West 4th has grown from a relatively small community-based affair to Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival. The 10-block street fair, stretching from Burrard to Macdonald, embodies Kitsilano’s iconic bohemian vibe and is always well-attended by people of all ages. This year’s event runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.Details online
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is an annual outdoor multi-stage shindig in Jericho Beach Park. The community-based celebration has an internationally renowned reputation for showcasing some of the biggest names in contemporary folk and roots music from around the world. The festival annually attracts 38,000 people who enjoy more than 60 local and international acts. This year’s performers include a multicultural mix from Neko Case and Ry Cooder to Rodney Crowell and James McMurtry; from The Dead South, Carole Pope and Archie Roach to Ranky Tanky, Wazimbo & Banda Kakana and Dakhabrakha.Adult tickets from $60
Named Best Public Event/Fair/Festival at the first-ever Canadian Regional Event Awards earlier this year, the Surrey Fusion Festival is a fun outdoor gala that celebrates cultural diversity and inclusivity. The family-friendly event features over 70 acts on six stages and over 45 pavilions showcasing the distinct music, food, clothing and dances of a range of diverse nationalities. This year’s two-day festival runs 11 a.m. to 10 p.m both days at Holland Park.Free admission
Presented by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of B.C., the city’s annual Caribbean Days Festival takes place from July 28th and July 29th around the North Shore’s Waterfront Park. Festivities kick off a week before the festival, with a zesty Caribbean-style family boat cruise featuring tropical rhythm onboard a private charter. There is also a multicultural street parade on July 28th at 10 a.m., beginning on Lonsdale (at 13th), before heading down to Esplanade, turning west to arrive at Waterfront Park and terminating at Forbes and Esplanade. The convoy features Caribbean beats, steel bands, floats and dancers.
And when you’re down there, be sure to check to the Island & International Food Fair in Waterfront Park and enjoy spicy Caribbean fare. What’s more, take a stroll past the Tropical Rhythm Sound Stage, an outdoor music festival featuring the best soca, reggae, calypso and Latin music acts in the city accompanied by a family zone with face painting and a children’s playground.Free admission
From art in the park to sailboat races to a budding array of farmers markets, craft B.C. brews and food vendors, there’s something for just about everyone at this three-day community open house. This wind- and water-inspired festival is an ode to the city’s breathtaking coastal beauty, and features tons of music, kite flying, wind-and-water-sport demos, as well as an open house showcasing local art and music.Free admission
Honda’s Celebration of Light is a dazzling three-day pyrotechnic event that sees three countries compete in choreographed fireworks displays set to themed music. It is the largest annual offshore fireworks competition in the world, attracting more than 1.2 million people over the span of three nights. The 25-minute “Love” themed performances will commence at 10 p.m. sharp each night, with South Africa, Sweden and South Korea competing this year.Free admission, with YVR Observation Deck tickets from $53.40
Now in its 28th season, the West Vancouver Harmony Arts Festival is an award-winning 10-day affair that showcases the best music, performance, cinema and art of the North Shore. On West Vancouver’s stunning waterfront, the free outdoor festival takes place from August 3rd to August 12th and offers up a dynamic mix of world class musical performances, inspiring visual art and delicious local eats.Details online
Each summer, Lower Lonsdale transforms into a wet-and-wild sliding zone filled with vendors, food trucks, live music, DJs and entertainment. Fun City Festival is a unique event that attracts more than 50,000 people from across the Lower Mainland each year. The main attraction is a massive, 1,000-foot-long water slide that spans Lonsdale Avenue. The two-day community celebration takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.Details online
The Vancouver Pride Festival in the West End celebrates the city’s LGBTQ+ community and includes a world famous parade. The festival as a whole is one of the biggest pride events in North America, and is routinely attended not only by Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ community, but by visitors from around the world. Hundreds of thousands of people turn up each year to enjoy the music, festive atmosphere and thoroughly creative costumes.Details online
Check out the city’s largest outdoor urban art festival when it returns to Main Street and East Vancouver for a week of live painting, art exhibits and music events across the city. Download a map to do your own tour at any time, see murals from previous festival events or find some of the city’s most Instagrammable locations.Details online
Vancouver’s most unique and anticipated outdoor picnic will be returning to the city Thursday, August 23 and you can register online here. Hosted by The Social Concierge, the event sees guests gather at specific departure points before being guided to a secret location. Don’t forget to bring your own table, chairs and table setting, or you’ll find yourself on the ground the whole evening. With last year bringing thousands of Vancouverites dressed in their freshest whites to Coal Harbour to enjoy an evening of sophisticated entertainment and circus performers, anticipation is high for what they’ve got in store this year at the most stunning location to date.Details online
New for 2018, Skookum Festival brings a stellar line-up of curated music, food and art to Stanley Park for three days of al fresco celebrations. Musical acts include Metric, Mother Mother, Blue Rodeo, Florence & The Machine and many more. Top chefs and local breweries will be on hand to provide culinary adventures, from cool food trucks to long table dinners and pop-up restaurants. After Dark events will also take place across the city.Passes from $114
