Coquitlam hosts lots of events each year including Canada Day, the Summer Concert Series and Lights at Lafarge. In 2026 there is also Summer of Soccer.
Summer of Soccer in Coquitlam featured World-Cup soccer-themed watch party-style events on June 12th, 24th & 28th and July 1st and 19th.
Other official events hosted and run by the City of Coquitlam include Canada Day, the Summer Concert Series, and Lights at Lafarge. Signature events run by independent organizations in Coquitlam, meanwhile, include the Festival du Bois, ScotFestBC, Caribbean Days, Diwali Colour Fest, Celebrate BC, BC Dumpling Festival, Water Lantern Festival and HollyDaze in the Heights. There are also National Indigenous Peoples Day activities, Remembrance Day Ceremonies, and various other events throughout the year.
Events happening in Coquitlam in the late summer of 2026 include the Summer Concert Series (on August 7th and September 4th), BC Dumpling Festival (on August 15th) and Water Lantern Festival (on August 22nd and 23rd). Admission to the first two of the August events is free and all three are highly recommended, as are the others at other times of the year.
To learn more about events in the community, either continue reading or click visitcoquitlam.ca.
Summer of Soccer in Coquitlam
The FIFA World Cup came to Vancouver in 2026 and the City of Coquitlam celebrated with a Summer of Soccer program featuring free community events from June 11th to July 19th. Residents and visitors alike could gather to watch matches on giant outdoor screens, enjoy family-friendly activities, and experience the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event in a fun setting, and for free!
The Summer of Soccer offered live match broadcasts, a festive atmosphere, opportunities to connect with the community, and activities suitable for all ages.
The celebrations began on Friday, June 12th, with a large outdoor viewing party, community activities and food vendors at Percy Perry Stadium. This was followed on different dates by similar, but smaller events, at Blue Mountain Park, again at Percy Perry Stadium, at Town Centre Park (as part of the city’s Canada Day Celebrations, and then finally once again at Percy Perry Stadium.
For full details about the World Cup-related celebrations in Coquitlam, click Summer of Soccer 2026.
Canada Day in Coquitlam
Canada Day celebrations in Coquitlam are among the largest in Metro Vancouver. Activities include live entertainment, family-friendly attractions, cultural performances, community displays, food vendors and fireworks. The festivities take place at Town Centre Park and attract thousands of visitors each year.
For full details about the event on July 1st, see our article about Canada Day in Coquitlam or visit the coquitlam.ca website.
Diwali Colour Fest
Colour Fest is an event hosted by the Diwali Celebration Society. Their Diwali-themed events normally happen in October or November, whereas Colour Fest takes place in or around July. It’s a chance to celebrate both Holi and Vaisakhi at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. There are colour powders to buy and throw, as well as live performances, food trucks and market vendors.
The 2026 edition of Colour Fest takes place on Saturday, July 18th. It runs from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
For more information about this celebration and other events hosted by the same group, see our Lower Mainland Diwali Fest page.
Celebrate BC
Celebrate BC is a multicultural community festival that highlights the diverse cultures and communities that make up British Columbia. The event features live performances, cultural displays, interactive activities, local organizations and family-friendly entertainment. The festival promotes inclusion, community spirit and cultural appreciation through music, dance and educational experiences.
Last year Celebrate BC took place in just Coquitlam. In 2026, however, it happens at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park on BC Day (which is August 3rd this year), but also at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park on Saturday, August 1st.
To learn more about this event, either see our article about Celebrate BC or visit celebratebc.ca.
Summer Concert Series
Every year the City of Coquitlam hosts outdoor concerts at Town Centre Park by Lafarge Lake. They are free to attend, take place on Fridays, and run from 7:00 until 9:00 pm. Each night there are also three or so food trucks on site.
In 2026 there are two concerts. On August 7th there is Classic Elton (which is an Elton John impressionist and tribute band). On September 4th, meanwhile, the live entertainment is with the Country Divas (which is a group that sings the music of Dolly Parton, The Chicks, Faith Hill, Linda Ronstadt, Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire and Shania Twain).
Place des Arts’ Summer Theatre Troupe
Place des Arts is an education centre in Coquitlam that hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year. One of their annual traditions is to put on a play showcasing a talented youth ensemble. Free performances happen at Place des Arts and the Coquitlam Public Library each summer.
In 2026 the Summer Theatre Troupe production is The Emperor’s New Threads. The show runs on select dates between July 24th and August 2nd. Admission is free but online registration is required.
For more information, see our articles about the Summer Theatre Troupe and Place des Arts.
BC Dumpling Festival
The BC Dumpling Festival is a free event celebrating multiculturalism and food at Town Centre Park in the summer. The event celebrates multicultural food traditions and the popularity of dumplings from around the world. There are food vendors, cultural performances, cooking demonstrations, family-friendly activities and community programming.
In 2026 the festival happens on Saturday, August 15th. Organizers showcase dumpling styles from many different countries and cultures while promoting diversity and culinary traditions throughout British Columbia. There are other dishes there too in addition to dumplings.
To learn more about this event, see our article about the BC Dumpling Festival or visit bcdumplingfest.ca.
Water Lantern Festival
The Water Lantern Festival is a pretty event held at Town Centre Park each summer. It’s a celebration of light and hope that brings people together. The ticketed event allows guests to decorate lanterns with personal messages before releasing them to float on Lafarge Lake. The glowing lights on the water are always a beautiful sight to see.
In 2026 the Water Lantern Festival runs on the weekend of August 22nd and 23rd. Tickets start at about $43 each and include a lantern kit, tealight, marker and other things.
For more details about the event, check out our article about the Water Lantern Festival.
Lights at Lafarge
Lights at Lafarge is one of Metro Vancouver’s most popular winter attractions. The event is held annually at Lafarge Lake. It transforms the lakeside pathways into a dazzling display of festive lights and illuminated installations. Admission is free!
Visitors can walk around the lake while enjoying colourful seasonal displays, themed decorations and a holiday atmosphere. The attraction is free to attend and typically runs from late November until February.
To learn more about the holiday lights event, see our article about Lights at Lafarge or visit the City of Coquitlam’s website at coquitlam.ca.
CREATIVE FUN IN COQUITLAM
TIP: If you like art, theatre and music, and want to get good at them, a great place to do that is at Place des Arts. Located at 1120 Brunette Avenue, it’s an arts centre that offers all kinds of classes and workshops. They host great events too. Visit placedesarts.ca for details.
Other Coquitlam Events
Below is a list of other major festivals and events that happen in Coquitlam throughout the year. There are others too. These are just some of the main ones.
- Festival du Bois – a francophone festival at Mackin Park in February.
- Taste of the Tri-Cities – a food festival-style promotional campaign where local restaurants in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody offer special menu deals in February and March.
- Tri-City Spring Home Show – a tradeshow at the Poirier Sports & Leisure Complex.
- ScotFestBCÂ & the BC Highland Games – a Scottish-themed event at Town Centre Park in June.
- Caribbean Days – a multicultural festival at Town Centre Park in the summer.
- National Indigenous Peoples Day – events and activities honoring Canada’s First Nations on or around June 21st.
- Circo Osorio – a circus sets up in the parking lot at Coquitlam Town Centre in the fall.
- Remembrance Day Ceremony & Parade – an event on November 11th commemorating the end of wars while honoring the men and women who have fought and died.
- HollyDaze in the Heights – a family-friendly event in the Christmas season.
Other Information
To learn more about the region, see our article about the City of Coquitlam or check out the coquitlam.ca or visitcoquitlam.ca websites.
If you like arts, theatre and history, a few places in Coquitlam you might want to check out are Place des Arts, the Evergreen Arts Centre and Mackin House.
Other articles you might also find of interest include the following:
- Lower Mainland Festivals & Events
- Vancouver’s Calendar of Events
- Lower Mainland Events on a Budget
- Vancouver Activities for Children
Another website you might also find of interest is VancouverForKids.ca.
