Car Free Day on Denman

Also known as Denman Street Car Free Day, Vancouver’s West End Car Free Day is a massive street party with vendors and live entertainment in the summer.

The event happens between Robson Street and Davie Street near English Bay Beach. In the past, pre-COVID-19, it was on the Saturday before Father’s Day in June each year. Since 2022, however, the festivities happen in September.

Sadly, the 2024 event on Denman Street is cancelled. Hopefully it returns next year. In the early September this year, however, there are still Car Free Day events in Port Coquitlam and on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. There is also the Everything Electric Canada electric car and energy show at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

West End Car Free Street Party

The West End Car Free Day event is a massive and vibrant FREE street party.

In 2023 the West End Car Free Day event was held on Sunday, September 24th and ran from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Car Free Entertainment Lineup

At the Car Free Day event on Denman Street there are food and product vendors as well as live entertainment.

In 2023 concerts and other entertainment took place on the following three different stages. (Note: Times and performer details were subject to change.)

West End Rocks Stage (in 2023)

(Located at Barclay and Denman Streets)

12:00 pm – Jess Vaira
1:00 pm – Luc Josef
2:00 pm – The Quixotic Neurotics
3:00 pm – West Coast Fiddleheads
4:00 pm – Danny Echo
4:45 pm – The Walk-Ins
5:45 pm – Wolf Mountain

Drag Stage (in 2023)

(Located at Henshaw and Denman)

12:00 pm – Drag Face Painting
1:00 pm – Drag Performances
2:00 pm – Drag King Story Time
3:00 pm – Drag Performances
4:00 pm – Drag King Story Time
5:00 pm – Drag Performances
6:00 pm – Meet the Performers

Support the Scene Stage (in 2023)

(Located at Pendrell Street and Denman)

12:40 pm – Step Out Sister
1:30 pm – Bloom Effect
2:30 pm – When & Where
3:30 pm – Ayasen
4:30 pm – Rosemary Ginger
5:30 pm – Fallen Stars

Other Car Free Days in Vancouver

The West End’s Denman Street Car Free Day celebrations are one of three Car Free Day street party events. The other two are still taking place in 2024!

This year the Main Street Car Free Day festivities take place on September 15th, one week before the Commercial Drive Car Free Day event on September 7th.

For more information about these and other Car Free Day celebrations in places such as Port Moody, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam and North Vancouver, see our article about Vancouver Car Free Day Events.

Denman Street Car Free Day

The West End Car Free Day event, also known as Denman Street Car Free Day, is similar to the Main Street and Commercial Drive events. It’s massive, entertaining and packed with pedestrians having fun. There is usually live music at various stages along the street. Food vendors, community organizational information booths and things for sale are also present.

The West End’s street party takes place close to English Bay at the south end of the Denman Street strip. The location makes it especially convenient for folks wanting to combine the street party festivities with a trip to one of the nicest urban beaches in Vancouver. English Bay Beach is beautiful (although the water is cold).

The corner of Davie Street and Denman is also close to the seawall which connects the district in one direction with Stanley Park and in the other direction with False Creek and the False Creek Seawall. The connection makes it a fabulous place to either walk or cycle to.

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions and bits of information to help you make the most of your experience at the Denman Street Car Free Day event.

TIP #1: Combine your visit to the Denman Street Car Free Day celebrations with a stroll or bike ride along the Seawall. You can either head in the direction of Stanley Park or towards False Creek. Or, after wandering through the festival, enjoy a picnic and the sunshine on the sandy beach at English Bay at the south end of the festival or at Stanley Park or Coal Harbour not far from the north end.

TIP #2: Robson Street where the festival starts at the north end is one of Vancouver’s best shopping streets. There are also great restaurants along the road, as there are along Denman Street too. If wanting to eat somewhere specific at a certain restaurant and time, make your reservations well in advance.

TIP #3: Wear good walking shoes! It’s a pedestrian street party, the venue is 12 blocks long and you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Pack your flip-flops for the beach and dress shoes for dinner afterwards, but leave the high heels for later or your feet will hate you!

How to Decide Which Event to Attend

TIP #1: If you’re not sure which of Vancouver’s various Car Free Day events you want to check out, consider the following when making your decision:

Check the weather forecast. In years when they take place on the same weekend, if you like the look of Saturday’s weather more, then go to the Denman Street event. If the forecast looks better for the Sunday, then go to the one on Main Street.
Go to whichever is more convenient based on where you live and what you want to do both before and after.
If you’ve been to a Car Free Day event one year and liked it, then check out a different one in the future. All three of the main City of Vancouver Car Free Day street parties are amazing. However, they’re special in their own little ways.
If you’ve got young children and aren’t sure if they’ll like the festivities, or if the weather looks like it’s going to be scorching hot, don’t forget that English Bay beach is right by the corner of Denman and Davie in case you need a break. Just don’t forget to also pack your swimsuits!