Concerts at the Pier is a series of free outdoor live music performances on Thursdays and Saturdays in July and August in White Rock.
TD Concerts For the Pier
Concerts at the Pier have been taking place in the summer since 2017. In the winter of 2018, a devastating storm destroyed the White Rock pier. So for the 2019 concerts, all proceeds went to rebuilding the beloved White Rock pier. Hence, the name change from Concerts at the Pier to Concerts For the Pier.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, concerts didn’t take place in 2020 or 2021. The concerts were back in 2022, however, and they ran on select dates between late June and late August. In 2023 the concerts ran on various Thursdays starting July 6th and ending August 24th.
The evening events usually run from around 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm and they typically feature a headliner band as well as one or two opening groups. The concerts are free and highly recommended.
Interestingly, the concerts don’t always take place near the pier in White Rock. A couple of them take place in the Five Corners neighbourhood of the town, with others taking place at West Beach and East Beach.
2023 Concerts For the Pier Details
The White Rock evening concerts that took place on Thursdays in 2023 included the following:
- 6th of July – Lee Aaron (headliner) at West Beach at 7:00 pm. Caroline Christie (opening act).
- 13th of July – The Matinee (headliner) at West Beach at 7:00 pm. Tom and Kalissa Landa (opening act).
- 20th of July – Men Without Hats (headliner) at East Beach at 7:00 pm. Ben Dunnill Band (opening act).
- 17th of August – Jake and Elwood’s Blues Brothers Revue (headliner) at West Beach at 7:00 pm. Speakeasy Trio (opening act).
- 24th of August – Colin James (headliner) at East Beach at 7:00 pm. Brandon Isaak (opening act).
White Rock Concert Locations
The Thursday events used to take place on the Main Stage by the pier at the waterfront in the 15000 block of Marine Drive. As of the last couple editions, some concerts take place at East Beach by the strip of restaurants which include Moby Dick’s at 15479 Marine Drive.
A couple of concerts still take place at West Beach, which is located near the pier and not far from the museum. Others take place at the “Five Corners” intersection of Pacific Avenue, Buena Vista Avenue and Johnston Road.
Tips & Advice
Below are some tips to help you make the most of your Concerts at the Pier experience next time you attend.
TIP #1: Arrive early if you hope to have a chance to find parking anywhere near the beach. It can get busy in the area even on days without free concerts.
TIP #2: If you like live music and beautiful beaches then go at least once to a Concerts at the Pier event. They are really worth it!
TIP #3: Try to visit White Rock at least once at low tide. The exposed sandy beach is amazing! Click White Rock Tide Schedule to see where the water will be at different times and dates.
About White Rock
White Rock is an exceptional resort town in the south-central region of the Lower Mainland not far from the US border. It features a long beautiful sandy beach and numerous restaurants.
The town also hosts a number of interesting events in addition to the Concerts at the Pier series including the following:
- White Rock Farmers Market – a large weekly market running from May until October.
- Canada Day Celebrations – on July 1st each year.
- Tour de White Rock – a major cycling race in mid-July.
- White Rock Sea Festival – a large festival over the BC Day long weekend in early August.
- Picnic on the Pier – a fundraising event for the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation where participants enjoy a fancy dinner on the Pier in August.
Other Information
For more details about the summer concert series, see the White Rock BIA website.
To learn more about the town itself, click White Rock.
For a list of other free concerts in the Lower Mainland in summer, click Free Outdoor Concerts.
For a list of other major events in the region, see Vancouver’s Events Calendar or click Festivals & Events.