Symphony at Sunset

A big free outdoor concert, Symphony at Sunset is put on by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) and is a great opportunity to check out their music.

In 2025 the event happens on July 5th.

TIP: Other similar events are Symphony in the Park (also with the VSO) and Opera in the Park (with Vancouver Opera). They take place at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby on July 12th and 13th in 2025. Symphony in the Park in Abbotsford, meanwhile, is also a similar event, but unrelated to the others. In 2025 the event in Abbotsford happens on August 15th. All three of these other events also have free admission.

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony at Sunset in 2025

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra hosts multiple free events over the course of the year and one of them is the Symphony at Sunset concert. The concert takes place in early July each year.

As many as 15,000 or more people attend the event. Expect a big crowd at the concert! And arrive early if you want a good spot (and any chance of finding parking).

Where and When

Symphony at Sunset takes place at Sunset Beach Park in Downtown Vancouver, located at 1204 Beach Avenue. The 2025 event takes place on Saturday, July 5th at 8:00 pm. The concert lasts for around 90 minutes.

Symphony at Sunset is a free event open to all. It’s recommended that you bring either a low chair or a blanket to sit on while you enjoy the show. Try to arrive early if you want the best view.

It’s a good idea to take public transit, or to walk or bike to the concert. Not only can parking be difficult to find in downtown, but multiple blocks are closed the evening of the show due to the high number of people in the area.

What to Expect

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs a series of pieces over the course of the 90-minute show. Some of the pieces are classical music and some are from modern movies. The concert opens with a rendition of the Coast Salish Anthem, the arrangement given to the VSO by the grandson of Chief Dan George.

The music performed in 2025 comes from a variety of composers, the most common of which is John Williams! The VSO is led by Maestro Otto Tausk.

There are several food trucks on site as well as a concession stand to provide tasty snacks for those watching the concert. In the past there was also sometimes a “Fair Zone” where kids could learn about orchestral instruments and even play a couple of them. Whether or not that is the case in 2025 is to be confirmed.

The program for the 2025 concert is as follows:

Coast Salish Anthem
The Barber of Seville: Overture – by Rossini
L’Arlésienne: Suite No. 2: IV. Farandole – by Bizet
Through the Lions’ Gate: III. Mountains – by Michael Conway Baker
Finlandia, Op. 26 – by Sibelius
Cello Concerto, Op. 104, B minor: I Allegro – by Dvořák
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ Suite for Orchestra: I. Hedwig’s Theme – by John Williams
Star Wars: The Last Jedi – The Rebellion Is Reborn (arranged by Sean O’Loughlin) Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra: I. Main Title – by John Williams
Firebird: Berceuse and Finale – by Stravinsky