Vancouver Events

Vancouver International Children's Festival

Crammed with music, theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, circus arts and much more, the Vancouver International Children's Festival embodies the buoyant spirit and endless curiosity of children.

Date: 30 May 2023 - 04 June 2023
Venue: Granville Island.
Website: https://www.childrensfestival.ca/
Cost:

Various.

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

Presented on the waterfront in Vancouver's Vanier Park/Sen̓ákw, this festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas, and several special events in two massive performance tents from June through September.

Date: 01 June 2023 - 30 September 2023
(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Vanier Park.
Website: https://bardonthebeach.org/
Cost:

Various.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

A dynamic programme of over 300 concerts treats audiences to a thrilling mix of jazz genres in this big hitter on Vancouver's summer calendar.

Date: 23 June 2023 - 02 July 2023
Venue: Various venues.
Website: https://www.coastaljazz.ca/
Cost:

Varies.

Canada Day Celebrations

Proud Canadians take to the streets for the annual Canada Day festivities, dressing in red and white and painting their faces with maple leaves to celebrate the country's birthday. The main celebrations include a parade, kids' activities, live music performances, and of course, fireworks.

Date: 01 July 2023 - 01 July 2023
Venue: Canada Place.
Cost:

Free.

Celebration of Light

Although this fireworks competition has evolved into a cultural celebration, the glittering pyrotechnics display is still the main highlight.

Date: 22 July 2023 - 29 July 2023
Venue: English Bay.
Website: https://hondacelebrationoflight.com/
Cost:

Free to watch from the beach; charge for bleacher seating.

Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival

Vancouver Pride celebrates the unique spirit of the LGBTQ community. The parade starts on Robson Street, then continues on Denman Street and Beach Avenue, before ending next to the Sunset Beach festival site.

Date: 06 August 2023 - 06 August 2023
Venue: West End.
Website: https://vancouverpride.ca/festival-parade/pride-parade/
Cost:

Free.

Vancouver International Fringe Festival

This diverse festival was launched in 1983 with the mis­sion to produce "Theatre for Everyone" in Vancouver. Nowadays, this event is a firm late-summer favourite and it features over 700 performances and attracts more than 40,000 participants.

Date: 07 September 2023 - 17 September 2023
Venue: Various venues on and around Granville Island.
Website: https://www.vancouverfringe.com/
Cost:

Various.

Vancouver International Film Festival

This highly acclaimed cinematic celebration treats fans to hundreds of movies. Programmes are carefully planned, and usually include Canadian films.

Date: 28 September 2023 - 08 October 2023
Venue: Various cinemas.
Website: https://viff.org/
Cost:

Various.

Vancouver Writers Fest

A celebration of storytelling and books, this festival brings together authors, poets, and journalists to the cultural hub of Granville Island and across Vancouver.

Date: 16 October 2023 - 22 October 2023
Venue: Granville Island and Vancouver
Website: https://writersfest.bc.ca/
Cost:

Various.

Polar Bear Swim

Since 1920, plucky members of the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club have taken to the icy waters of English Bay each year on New Year's Day. 

Date: 01 January 2024 - 01 January 2024
Venue: English Bay.