Burnaby's European Festival

Featuring ethnic food and performances, the European Festival takes place as a combined event with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest.

This was the case in 2022 and 2023, and will likely be the case again in 2024. Exact details, however, are to be confirmed.

This article includes the following information about the European Festival:

Where and When? | What to Expect | Admission | Other Information

European Festival Then and Now

The European Festival isn’t a huge event, but it’s a nice one. There’s a variety of ethnic food, dancing and musical performances.

In the past, the European Festival used to take place at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby and attract about 10,000 visitors. About two dozen European nations participated including Scandinavian countries, Baltic States, France, Spain, Great Britain, Germany and Russia.

Up until 2017 it was a two-day outdoor festival. In 2019 it switched to a one-day event inside the Vancouver Alpen Club. Then, after not happening in 2020 and 2021, the European Festival partnered with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest in 2022 and 2023. The two festivals combined to offer two days of live entertainment, food, cultural displays and other activities. 2024 will likely be similar.

Lunch Time at the European Festival

Where and When is the Festival?

In recent years, the European Festival has happened as one part of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest.

In 2023 the larger festival took place on July 29th and 30th. The 2024 edition is scheduled to return on the Saturday and Sunday of July 27th and 28th. Exact details about the European Festival, however, are to be confirmed.

The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest is usually held at the Albion Fairgrounds. The venue is located at 23448 Jim Robson Way in Maple Ridge.

What to Expect at the Festival

At Vancouver’s European Festival there are dance performers, musicians and all kinds of European food for sale. There are also cultural displays to check out. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest includes various competitions as well, plus a beer garden, entertainment for children, and lots of market vendors.

Participating Countries in the 2023 Festival

Expect to see about a dozen countries represented at the festival. Each shows their pride through traditional attire, performances and cultural demonstrations.

For an idea of what to expect in the future, participating countries in 2023 included Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Scandinavia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

Main Stage and Festival Stalls

European Festival Admission

When the European Festival used to happen as its own event, tickets were between $5 and $10 per person. However, now that the festival takes place with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest, admission is free.