New West Car Free Day

Car Free Day New West is a free Metro Vancouver summer street party with food, drinks, music and other activities in New Westminster.

In 2025 the event took place on Friday, July 25th and will likely happen around the same time in 2026, though details are to be confirmed.

Other events around this time of year are the Celebration of Light fireworks competition, Chilliwack Ribfest, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest, and Coquitlam’s Caribbean Days Festival. All of these events are free. There is also the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival which is awesome and includes free concerts.

See Vancouver’s July Calendar of Events to learn more about all of the above events. Continue reading to learn more about Car Free Day in New Westminster.

This article contains the following information about Car Free Day New West:

Time and Location | What to Expect | Other Information

New Westminster’s Car Free Day

There are a number of Car Free Days that take place throughout the Lower Mainland each summer. They are free and fun community events that offer the chance to enjoy music and activities on a street with no vehicles.

Car Free Day New West is no exception to that trend. This event debuted in 2022 and was back in 2025. Expect to see multiple stages set up on the road with various performances as well as artisan vendors, kid-friendly activities and a beer garden. There are also plenty of food trucks at all Car Free Day events.

This event serves as the new version of what was formerly the Columbia StrEAT Food Festival. While food trucks are still a key piece of Car Free Day New West’s lineup, this event is a bit broader in its scope.

Car Free Day on Columbia Street — Columbia Street on Car Free Day

Time and Location

Car Free Day New West happened on Friday, July 25th in 2025. As of mid-June, exact times and location details were to be confirmed.

In a previous year, the event began at noon and ran until 8:00 pm. The festivities took place over a four-block stretch of Columbia Street, between 4th Street and 8th Street.

Car Free Day New West is free and open to all. On both ends of the event’s boundaries, the road is blocked to prevent cars from entering the street. Inside the festival area people can walk around on the road as much as they like.

What to Expect

There is plenty of live entertainment to enjoy on multiple stages spread across the event site. There are also other fun activities.

Car Free Day New West is for everyone, no matter your age. You can expect to see activities like face painting for the little ones, and both kids and adults dancing. For those 19 and older, there is a beer garden with beverages from various breweries to enjoy (or at least that was the case when the event last took place).