Vancouver has all kinds of festivals and events during the year, from music festivals to free outdoor concerts to international fireworks competitions.

Events range from Tulip Festivals to Vaisakhi Festivals to Mother’s Day activities and multiple other fabulous happenings throughout the year.

Vancouver Events and Festivals

Below is a list of Metro Vancouver’s best festivals and events each year.

APRIL 2018 Festivals and Events

• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road (early April until early May).
• Easter – a weekend of egg hunts and other holiday celebrations (March 30 to April 2, 2018).
• Harrison Uncorked – a wine festival at Harrison Hot Springs (April 20-21, 2018).
• International Pillow Fight Day – celebrated by hundreds of people and flying feathers outside the Vancouver Art Gallery (April 7, 2018).
• Party for the Planet – free Earth Day celebrations in Surrey (April 14, 2018).
• PlayDome – amusement rides and midway games at the indoor carnival at BC Place Stadium (March 28 to April 2, 2018).
• Public Lego Exhibition – public viewings of LEGO displays as part of a multi-day Adult LEGO Fan Convention at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond (April 21-22, 2018).
• TED2018 – the annual world TED Conference (April 10-14, 2018).
• Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest tulip festival featuring 24 acres of tulips in Chilliwack (between early and late April depending on the season).
• Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival – a variety of events celebrating spring and cherry blossoms (April 5 to 29, 2018).
  • Cherry Jam Concert – a free series of performances outside the Burrard Street SkyTrain Station (April 5, 2018).
  • Spring Lights Illumination – free cherry blossom viewing and light displays at Queen Elizabeth Park (mid-April).
  • Sakura Days Japan Fair – a Japanese spring festival celebrated at VanDusen Botanical Garden as part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (April 14-15, 2018).
• Vancouver International Auto Show – at the Vancouver Convention Centre (March 28 to April 1, 2018).
• Vancouver Opera Festival – 9 days of opera productions (April 28 to May 6, 2018).
• Vancouver Sun Run – a 10-km race that attracts as many as 40,000 participants (April 22, 2018).
• Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade and Surrey Vaisakhi Parade – East Indian cultural festivities that attract up to 300,000 participants (April 14 & 21, 2018).
  
• Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival – an annual 10-day event at Whistler (April 10-15, 2018).
• World Music Fest – a 4-day music festival featuring local bands like Kutapira, Mazacote, The Boom Booms, MNGWA, Locarno and others (April 26-29, 2018).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s April Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in April Video.

MAY 2018 Festivals and Events

• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford (mid-April to early May).
• BMO Vancouver International Marathon – a Boston-qualifying marathon starting in Queen Elizabeth Park and finishing in downtown Vancouver (May 6, 2018).
• Cinco de Mayo – Mexican holiday celebrations on and around May 5th each year.
• CityFest – a youth-focused festival and the Lower Mainland’s largest skate competition in North Vancouver (May 5, 2015).
• Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – amusement rides and rodeo shows in Surrey (May 18-21, 2018).
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival taking place at various venues (May 3-13, 2018).
• European Festival – a festival at Swangard Stadium highlighting the best of European culture (May 26-27, 2018).
• Fort Langley May Day Fair and Parade – a community festival and parade in Fort Langley (May 21, 2018).
• Hyack Festival – a multi-day community event that includes a parade and street party in New Westminster (May 26, 2018).
• Ladner May Days – a community event in Ladner’s Memorial Park with live bands, a parade, petting zoo, amusement rides, pancake breakfast and fastball tournament (May 25-27, 2018).
• Mother’s Day – a special day for mothers and for letting them know how much we love them (May 13, 2018).
• Royal Victorian Party – old-fashioned celebrations at Stewart Farm in Surrey on the Victoria Day weekend (May 20, 2018).
• Royal Canadian Family Circus – a traveling circus with shows in Surrey, Tsawwassen, Richmond and Abbotsford (May 17 to June 10, 2018).
• Surrey International Children’s Festival – at the Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park (May 24-26, 2018).

• Vancouver All British Field Meet – a car show at VanDusen Garden featuring over 500 British-built vehicles over the May long weekend (May 19, 2018).
• Vancouver Comic Arts Festival – comic workshops, presentations, games and children’s activities at the Roundhouse in Yaletown (May 19 & 20, 2018).
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – craft beer events presented by the Donnelly Group of pubs culminating in the VCBW Beer Festival at the PNE Fairgrounds featuring over 400 North American beers and ciders (May 25 to June 3, 2018).
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a fun festival for kids at Granville Island (May 28 to June 3, 2018).
• Vancouver Opera Festival – 9 days of opera productions (April 28 to May 6, 2018).
• Victoria Day – the statutory holiday on the May Long Weekend when various events take place around town (May 21, 2018).
• Whistler Go Fest – the ski resort’s “Great Outdoor Festival” which includes all kinds of sporting events and live evening concerts (May 18-21, 2018).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s May Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in May Video.

JUNE 2018 Festivals and Events

• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – featuring the plays As You Like It, MacBeth, Timon of Athens, and the Greek classic Lysistrata (June 6 to September 22, 2018).
• BC Highland Games & Scottish Festival – at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam (June 16, 2018).
• Breakout Festival – a new Hip-Hop and R&B music festival at the PNE Amphitheatre (June 9 & 10, 2018).
• Car Free Days – celebrations on Denman Street (June 16, 2018) and Main Street (June 17, 2018) over the Father’s Day weekend.
• City of Bhangra Festival – a festival celebrating the dance and music of the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan (June 14-17, 2018).
• Father’s Day – a day for recognizing dads on the third Sunday of June (so on June 17th in 2018).
• Golden Spike Days – a community festival at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park on the Canada Day Long Weekend (June 29 to July 2, 2018).
• Greek Day on Broadway – an all-day street festival on Broadway Avenue in Kitsilano (June 24, 2018).
• Hats off Day – a giant street festival in Burnaby along Hastings Street on the first Saturday of June every year (so June 2, 2018).
• Italian Day on the Drive – a celebration of everything Italian on Commercial Drive (June 10, 2018).
• Lynn Valley Day – a community festival in the Lynn Valley district of North Vancouver (June 16, 2018).
• National Aboriginal Day – celebrations include events at Trout Lake and Canada Place (June 21, 2018).
• North Delta Family Day – a community festival and parade in Delta (June 24, 2018).
• Philippine Days – a cultural festival hosted by the local Filipino community at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver (early to mid-June).
• Point Grey Fiesta – a community festival with a parade, live entertainment and carnival rides (June 22-24, 2018).
• Red Truck Concert Series – multiple concerts at Red Truck Brewery at 295 East 1st Avenue in Vancouver (mid-June).

• Royal Canadian Family Circus – a traveling circus with shows in Surrey, Tsawwassen, Richmond and Abbotsford (May 17 to June 10, 2018).
• Sasquatch Days – a small festival in Harrison Hot Springs with war canoe races, First Nations cultural performances and a salmon BBQ (June 16-17, 2018).
• Scandinavian Midsummer Festival – a festival at the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby (June 22-24, 2018).
• Scotiabank Half Marathon – a 21 km run from UBC to Stanley Park (June 24, 2018).
• Seek the Peak – a race to beat breast cancer from Ambleside Park to Grouse Mountain (June 24, 2018).
• Surrey Greek Food Festival – a small community event featuring Greek food and entertainment at 13181-96th Avenue in Surrey (mid-June).
• TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival – a music festival running from June 22 until July 1st on the Canada Day weekend in 2018.
• Tough Mudder Whistler – a military-style-obstacle-course-type race (June 16 & 17, 2018).
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – craft beer events presented by the Donnelly Group of pubs culminating in the VCBW Beer Festival at the PNE Fairgrounds featuring over 400 North American beers and ciders (May 25 to June 3, 2018).
• Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival – dragon boat races in False Creek (June 22-24, 2018).
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a fun festival for kids at Granville Island (May 28 to June 3, 2018).
• West Vancouver Community Day – a community festival at Ambleside Park (June 2, 2018).
• YVR Food Cart Festival – dozens of food trucks, live music, market stalls and things to see at Olympic Village at 215 West 1st Avenue (late June to early July).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s June Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in June Video.

JULY 2018 Festivals and Events

• Aldergrove Fair Days – a small-town fair with a parade, chili cook-off, car show and other family-friendly activities in Aldergrove (July 20-22, 2018).
• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – featuring the plays As You Like It, MacBeth, Timon of Athens, and the Greek classic Lysistrata (June 6 to September 22, 2018).
• Canada Day Festivities – held on July 1st every year at various locations throughout the region, including in downtown Vancouver (with Fireworks in Burrard Inlet), in Cloverdale in Surrey, in Steveston Village at the Steveston Salmon Festival, and at the Canada Day at Waterfront Park festivities in North Vancouver (July 1, 2018).
• Canada Day Parade – in downtown Vancouver (on the July 1st weekend).
• Car Free Day – a massive street party on Commercial Drive (July 8, 2018).
• Caribbean Days Festival – a festival in North Vancouver put on by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC (July 28-29, 2018).

• Carnaval del Sol – a Latin American festival in Vancouver at Concord Pacific Place (July 7-8, 2018).
• Colombian Independence Picnic – a small free community festival in Central Park that’s open to the public (mid-July).
• Columbia Street Food Truck Fest – a massive food truck street festival on Columbia Street in New Westminster (July 28, 2018).
• FVDED in the Park – a large urban music festival featuring over two dozen hip-hop, R&B, electronic and rap music artists at Holland Park in Surrey (July 6-7, 2018).
• Gastown Grand Prix – a cycling race in the heart of the old town (July 11, 2018).
• Giro di Burnaby – a cycling race through the streets of Burnaby (July 12, 2018).
• Golden Spike Days – a community festival at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park on the Canada Day Long Weekend (June 29 to July 2, 2018).
• Greek Summerfest – an 11-day festival celebrating Greek food, culture and music at St. Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church at 4641 Boundary Road (July 5-15, 2018).
• Harrison Festival of the Arts – a festival featuring an art market and performing arts performances in Harrison Hot Springs (July 7-15, 2018).
• Honda Celebration of Light – a fireworks competition and accompanying festival in English Bay on the last two Saturdays and last Wednesday before BC Day (July 28 and August 1 & 4, 2018).
• Indian Summer Festival – a multi-arts festival featuring Southeast Asian art (July 5-14, 2018).
• Khatsahlano Street Party – a major street party on West 4th Avenue, billing itself as “Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival” (July 7, 2018).
• Kite Clash – the Canadian Freestyle Kiteboarding Championships in Squamish (July 6-8, 2018).
• Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest – a community festival at the Albion Fairgrounds in Maple Ridge (late July).
• Mission Folk Music Festival – a small music festival in Mission (late July).
• New West Grand Prix – a cycling race in New Westminster (July 10, 2018).
• PoCo Grand Prix – cycling races in Port Coquitlam (July 13, 2018).
• Port Moody Ribfest – a 3-day event in Port Moody with BBQ rib competitions and live music (July 20-22, 2018).
• Red Truck Concert Series – multiple concerts at Red Truck Brewery at 295 East 1st Avenue in Vancouver (mid-July).
• Sounds of Summer Music Series – FREE outdoor concerts in different Surrey parks on Wednesday evenings.
• Spirit of the People Powwow – a First Nations powwow in Chilliwack (late July).
• Squamish Nation Youth Powwow – a First Nations powwow and cultural celebration on the North Shore (early July).
• Squamish Beer Festival – at the O’Siyam Pavilion in Squamish (July 7, 2018).
• Squamish Wind Festival – a multi-day event with art, music, and performing arts shows in Squamish (July 26-28, 2018).
• Surrey Fusion Festival – billed as “the ultimate celebration of music, food and culture” and taking place at Holland Park (July 21-22, 2018).
• Symphony in the Park – a free performance by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby (July 8, 2018).
• TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival – a major music festival with both free and ticketed events (June 22 to July 1, 2018).
• Tour de Delta – cycling races in Delta (July 6-8, 2018).
• Tour de White Rock – cycling races and festivities in White Rock (July 14-15, 2018).
• Vancouver Bach Festival – a series of classical concerts and movies (July 30 to August 10, 2018).
• Vancouver Folk Music Festival – a major folk music festival at Jericho Beach (July 13-15, 2018).
• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in Whistler – a 2-day series of outdoor concerts during the week of Canada Day (around July 1st).
• Vancouver Thai Festival – a free festival celebrating Thai music, culture and food in the North Plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery (mid to late July).
• Whistler Children’s Festival – a festival focused on kids up at the ski resort town (July 6-8, 2018).
• YVR Food Cart Festival – dozens of food trucks, live music, market stalls and things to see at Olympic Village at 215 West 1st Avenue (late June and/or early July).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s July Calendar.

AUGUST 2018 Festivals and Events

• Abbotsford Agrifair – an agricultural fair that includes a midway, amusement rides and animals at Exhibition Park at 32470 Haida Drive in Abbotsford (August 3-5, 2018).
• Abbotsford Airshow – Western Canada’s largest airshow (August 10-12, 2018).
• Arts Alive Festival – a community arts festival in Langley (August 18, 2018).
• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – a theatrical festival with the plays As You Like It, MacBeth, Timon of Athens and the Greek classic Lysistrata (from June 6 to September 22, 2018).
  
• BC Day – a statutory holiday on the first Monday in August (so August 6th in 2018).
• Brigade Days at Fort Langley – three days of celebrations featuring folk in period costume over the BC Day Long Weekend (early August).
• Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival – a music festival at Deer Lake in Burnaby (August 11, 2018).
• Chilliwack Fair and Rodeo – the 146th annual fair and small town rodeo in Chilliwack (August 10-12, 2018).
• Deep Cove Daze – a small community festival with music, food and beverages at Panorama Park in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove (August 26, 2018).
• Dîner en Blanc – the 6th annual outdoor dinner where thousands of participants dress in white and bring their own chairs, table, food, cutlery and dishware (mid to late August).
• Fun City Festival – a two-day Car Free Day event in North Vancouver that features live entertainment and a giant water slide (mid-August).
  
• Harmony Arts Festival – a free multi-day event with live music, outdoor movies and art in West Vancouver (August 3-12, 2018).
• Honda Celebration of Light – a fireworks competition and accompanying festival in English Bay and Stanley Park (July 28 and August 1 and 4, 2018).
• India Live – a free event celebrating Indian Culture on Granville Street (late August and to be confirmed for 2018).
• Kaleidoscope Arts Festival – at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam with free admission and fairly major live concerts (August 11, 2018).
• KitsFest – a sports festival on the beach at Kitsilano featuring yoga, tennis, volleyball, water polo, basketball and other sports, as well as lots of DJ music (August 10-12, 2018).
• Korean Cultural Heritage Festival – a free festival celebrating Korean food, music and culture at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby (early August).
• Lakeside Car Show – a free event featuring vintage cars at Harrison Hot Springs (late August).
• Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival – a 2-day music and cultural festival at the Maple Ridge Fairgrounds (August 4-5, 2018).
• Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) – Vancouver’s annual fair with concerts, amusement rides, animals and family-friendly entertainment (August 18 to September 3, 2018).
• Powell Street Festival – a two-day festival celebrating Japanese-Canadian culture in downtown Vancouver (August 4-5, 2018).
• Red Truck Concert Series – multiple concerts at Red Truck Brewery in Vancouver (on a Saturday in mid-August).
• Richmond Maritime Festival – a free maritime festival at Britannia Shipyard in Steveston Village (mid-August).
• Rock Ambleside – a classic rock festival at West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park (August 17-19, 2018).
• Sounds of Summer Music Series – FREE outdoor concerts in different Surrey parks on Wednesday evenings.
• Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival – a parade, bed races, ax-throwing contests and other logger competitions in Squamish (August 2-6, 2018).
• Steveston Dragon Boat Festival – dragon boat racing in Steveston Village (August 25, 2018).
• Tsawwassen Sun Festival – a softball tournament over the BC Day Long Weekend that includes a parade and antique car show on the holiday Monday in Tsawwassen (early August).
• Vancouver Bach Festival – a series of classical concerts and movies (July 30 to August 10, 2018).
• Vancouver Chinatown Festival – a small cultural festival in Vancouver’s Chinatown (August 11-12, 2018).
• Vancouver Mural Festival – an art festival that includes the Mount Pleasant Street Party on Main Street (August 6-11, 2018).
• Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival – a parade and multiple other activities celebrating Vancouver’s LGBTTQ community (the first week of August with the parade taking place on Sunday, August 5, 2018).
• Vancouver Zombie Walk – a parade of people dressed up like zombies (in late August or September).
• White Rock Sea Festival – a torchlight parade, live entertainment, fireworks and family-friendly activities (August 4-5, 2018).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s August Calendar.

SEPTEMBER 2018 Festivals & Events

• Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival – a community fair with a parade, midway, lawn mower races, horse show and crowning of the Corn King and Queen in Agassiz (September 14-15, 2018).
• Bands on the Beach – two days of FREE music at Harrison Hot Springs (September 1-2, 2018).
• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – a theatrical festival with the plays As You Like It, MacBeth, Timon of Athens and the Greek classic Lysistrata (from June 6 to September 22, 2018).
• BC GranFondo Whistler Bike Race – a bike race in Whistler (September 8, 2018).
• Bike the Night – a cycling event where thousands of people ride through the streets of Vancouver at night (mid-September).
• Coho Festival – a salmon festival on the North Shore in (September 9, 2018).
• Country Celebration – a small town country fair with live entertainment at Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley (mid-September).
• Fort Langley Food Truck Festival – food trucks and live music in Fort Langley (September 8, 2018).
• Labour Day – a statutory holiday on the first Monday of the month (September 3, 2018).
• Maple Ridge Food Truck Festival – food trucks, live music and market vendors in Maple Ridge (September 22, 2018).
• Market Mexico – a cultural event celebrating Mexican Independence Day at Robson Square (mid-September but on or close to September 16th).
• Nikkei Matsuri – a Japanese festival in Burnaby (September 1-2, 2018).
• Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) – Vancouver’s annual summer fair (August 18 to September 3, 2018).
• Polish Festival – a small Polish festival in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley (September 2, 2018, although to be confirmed).
• Port Moody Oktoberfest – near the Port Moody Public Library (late September until the beginning of October).
• Richmond World Festival – a free multicultural event at Minoru Park in Richmond (August 31 to September 1, 2018).
• Riverfest – a community festival at the Quay in New Westminster (mid to late September).
• Safe & Sound Music Fest – an R&B music festival at the waterfront in New Westminster (early September but to be confirmed).
• Skookum Festival – a music, art and food festival at Stanley Park (September 7-9, 2018).
• Southlands Country Fair – a horse-themed festival hosted by the Southlands Riding Club (mid-September).
• Surrey Fest Downtown – a small community festival with live entertainment at Surrey’s Holland Park (early September).
• Taiwanese Cultural Festival – a festival taking place along Granville Street on the Labour Day long weekend (September 1-3, 2018).
• TEDxEastVan – an independently-organized mini version of TED featuring local inspirational speakers (mid-September).
• Vancouver Fringe Festival – a live theatre festival in (September 6-16, 2018).
• Vancouver International Film Festival – a prestigious film festival (September 27 to October 12, 2018).
• Vancouver Street Food Festival – a food truck festival at Concord Pacific Place near False Creek (mid-September).
• Whistler Village Beer Festival – celebrating everything to do with craft beer up at Whistler (September 15 & 16, 2018).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s September Calendar.

OCTOBER 2018 Festivals and Events

• Apple Festival – a fundraising festival featuring live entertainment and 50,000 lbs of apples for sale at the UBC Botanical Garden (October 13 & 14, 2018).
• Diwali Fest – an East Indian festival with events throughout the Lower Mainland (early to mid-October).
• Fort Langley Cranberry Festival – a family-oriented event celebrating the cranberry harvest. Special events take place at both the Fort and in the town including a pancake breakfast and giant market place. This is Fort Langley’s biggest event of the year, attracting over 50,000 people annually (October 6, 2018).
• Fright Night at the PNE – Haunted houses, rides and other Halloween attractions at Vancouver’s Playland (early until late October).
• Halloween Events – haunted houses and various other Halloween-related events (from early to late October and finishing on October 31, 2018).
• Harrison Beer Fest – a two-day celebration of craft beers and everything Octoberfest in Harrison Hot Springs (late October).
• Oktoberfest – festive German beer celebrations take place at various places during the month including the following venues:
  • Port Moody Oktoberfest – near the Port Moody Public Library (late September and very early October).
  • Harvest Haus – near BC Place Stadium (early to mid-October).
• Parade of Lost Souls – a parade and Halloweenish celebrations around Commercial Drive (October 27, 2018).
• Thanksgiving – a national holiday on the weekend of the second Monday in October (October 8, 2018).
• Thrill the World Vancouver – a zombie dance event inspired by Michael Jackson’s hit video Thriller at the Olympic Village Square (late October).
• Vancouver Halloween Parade – a parade along Howe Street and Granville between Drake and Smithe (mid-October).
• Vancouver International Film Festival – a prestigious film festival (September 27 to October 12, 2018).
• Vancouver International Improv Festival – a festival featuring theatre-sports-style performances at Granville Island theatres (mid-October).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s October Calendar.

NOVEMBER 2018 Festivals & Events

• Bright Nights – Christmas lights and miniature train rides in Stanley Park (late November until early January).
• Canyon Lights – Christmas lights and decorations at Capilano Suspension Bridge (late November until January).
• Candytown – an outdoor Christmas market on Mainland Street in Yaletown (late November).
• Circle Craft Market – one of Vancouver’s largest and most impressive Christmas craft fairs takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (tentatively scheduled for November 7-11, 2018, but to be confirmed).
• Cirque du Soleil – at Concord Pacific Place (to be confirmed).
• Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival – featuring over 40 breweries at the Westwood Plateau Golf Club (November 2-3, 2018).
• Garden Light Festival – Christmas-style lights, lanterns and free family-friendly activities at Surrey’s Bear Creek Park (mid-November).
• Eastside Culture Crawl – an art, design and craft festival featuring the work of over 500 artists at 80 venues in Vancouver (November 15-18, 2018).
• Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival – a celebration of one of the largest migratory gatherings of bald eagles anywhere in the world (November 17-18, 2018).
• Heritage Christmas – Christmas decorations and activities at Burnaby Village Museum (late November until early January).
• Hopscotch Festival – the Grand Tasting Hall event features food, beers, whisky and other spirits sampling at the PNE Forum (late November).
• Lights of Hope Celebration – Christmas lights and fireworks displays at St. Paul’s Hospital (mid to late November).
• Remembrance Day – ceremonies at various locations around the Lower Mainland (November 11).
• RMHBC Boundary Bay Marathon – a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Boston-qualifying Marathon and 4-Person Marathon Relay starting at Boundary Bay Park’s Centennial Beach (November 4, 2018).
• Surrey Tree Lighting Festival – the official tree lighting and free festivities in the Plaza at City Hall in Surrey (late November).
• Tri-City International Wine Festival – at the Westwood Plateau Golf Club in Coquitlam (early November).
• Vancouver Christmas Market – an outdoor German-themed market at Jack Poole Plaza (late November until around December 24th).
• Vancouver Historic Half – a 5K, 10K and half marathon around Stanley Park’s seawall (November 25, 2018).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s November Calendar.

DECEMBER 2018 Festivals & Events

• Christmas Events
  • Big Rigs for Kids Lighted Truck Parade – a family-friendly event with decorated big-rig trucks, carols and other activities in Surrey (early December).
  • Shipyards Christmas Festival – free live entertainment and Christmas activities at Shipbuilders’ Square in North Vancouver (early December).
  • Singing Christmas Tree – a series of Christmas concert performances featuring an 80+ member choir singing from a Christmas Tree at Broadway Church in Vancouver (on various days).
  • Vancouver Santa Claus Parade – family-friendly activities in the morning and the parade at noon along Georgia Street and Howe Street (the first Sunday of the month, so on December 2, 2018).
  • Yule Duel: Caroling for a Cause – a fundraising event featuring close to two dozen choirs in the streets of Gastown (early December).
• Christmas Attractions
  • Bright Lights at Stanley Park (late November until early January).
  • Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge (late November until January).
  • Christmas at Canada Place (late November until December 31st).
  • Dundarave Festival of Lights – decorated Christmas trees in West Vancouver with free concerts on Saturday afternoons up until Christmas.
  • Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden (early December until early January).
  • Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum (late November until early January).
  • Holiday Hi-Light Festival at Park and Tilford mall (North Vancouver) (all of December).
  • Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain (late November until early January 7).
  • Vancouver Christmas Market (late November until late December).
  • For a more complete list of holiday season events click Vancouver Christmas Activities.
• Lumiere Vancouver – a community festival in Vancouver’s West End and at English Bay with Christmas illuminations, live entertainment and various other activities (early December).
• New Year’s Eve Celebrations – free fireworks and concerts in downtown Vancouver on December 31, 2018.
• Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – an annual community event with lantern-making workshops, fire performances and outdoor processions at various locations (December 21, 2018).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s December Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in December Video.

JANUARY 2019 Festivals and Events

• • Canyon Lights – at Capilano Suspension Bridge (late November to late January).
  • Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants (mid-January to early February).
  • Heritage Christmas – at Burnaby Village Museum (late November to early January).
  • Polar Bear Swims
    • Icy cold dips in the ocean to celebrate the New Year take place at English Bay as well as in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove, Fort Langley, Port Moody, Delta and White Rock (January 1st).
  • PuSh Festival – performing arts shows at various locations (mid-January to early February).
  • Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town (mid-January until mid-February).
  • Vancouver International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina (mid-January).
  • Whistler Pride and Ski Festival – one of the largest LGBTQ ski weeks on the continent (late January).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s January Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in January Video.

FEBRUARY 2019 Festivals and Events

• 24 Hours of Winter – a two-day winter sports event at Grouse Mountain (mid-February).
• BC Family Day – a statutory holiday with special family-friendly activities at various locations the weekend of February 16-18, 2019.
• BC Home and Garden Show – a trade show featuring over 400 exhibitors at BC Place Stadium (2019 dates to be confirmed).
• Chinese New Year Parade – a massive parade in Chinatown (on the Sunday before or after February 5, 2019).
• Chinese New Year’s Eve – celebrations at the International Buddhist Temple in Richmond on February 4, 2019.
• Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival (mid-February to mid-March).
• Coastal First Nations Dance Festival – by the Dancers of Damelahamid at the Museum of Anthropology (late February to early March).
• Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants (mid-January to early February).
• Hoobiyee – celebrations of the Nisga’a First Nation’s New Year with traditional storytelling, singing and dancing at the PNE Forum (February 1 & 2, 2019).
• Lanterns in the Garden – a Chinese lantern festival at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden (over several weekends in February 2019).
• PuSh Festival – performing arts shows at various locations (mid-January to early February).
• Valentine’s Day – a day for chocolate, buying flowers and dining out.
• Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town (late January until early February).
• Vancouver International Wine Festival – one of North America’s largest, oldest and most prestigious wine shows (late February to early March).
• Vancouver Lunarfest – Chinese New Year activities at the Queen Elizabeth Plaza (early February).
• Winter Wander – a day when you can visit the Museum of Vancouver, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and Maritime Museum plus enjoy live entertainment at Vanier Park all for just $5 (early February).

For more, see Metro Vancouver’s February Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in February Video.

MARCH 2019 Festivals and Events

• Brewski Fest – a one-day event featuring free beer samples for adults with Cypress Mountain day ticket and season passes (late March).
• CelticFest Vancouver – a festival celebrating everything Celtic (Mid-March).
• Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival (mid-February to mid-March).
• Coastal First Nations Dance Festival – by the Dancers of Damelahamid at the Museum of Anthropology (end of February until the beginning of March).
• Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival – at Westwood Plateau Golf Club in Coquitlam (early March).
• Festival du Bois – BC’s largest francophone festival, held annually in Coquitlam (late March but to be confirmed).
• Magnificent You Women’s Conference – a business conference for women (early March).
• Northwest Comedy Fest – a comedy festival celebrating stand-up, improv and other funny stuff with performances taking place at various venues around town (early March).
• Persian New Year Fire Festival – at Ambleside in West Vancouver (March 12, 2019).
• PlayDome – amusement rides and midway games at the indoor carnival at BC Place Stadium (mid to late March).
• Shen Yun – an amazing Classical Chinese dance performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (to be confirmed).
• Spring Break – two weeks of public school holidays (March 18-29, 2019).
• St. Patrick’s Day – an Irish holiday that’s celebrated throughout the week at various venues around town (March 17, 2019).
• TEDxStanleyPark – a TEDx event featuring prominent local speakers at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (early March but to be confirmed).
• Tip a Wee Dram – a whisky-tasting event at the Scottish Cultural Centre (mid-March).
• Tulips of the Valley – Western Canada’s largest flower festival featuring 24 acres of flowers in Chilliwack (early April until the beginning of May, weather permitting).
• Vancouver South African Film Festival – a 3-day film festival celebrating South African cinema (late March).
• Vancouver International Auto Show – at the Vancouver Convention Centre (late March until the beginning of April).
• Vancouver International Dance Festival – a series of special dance performance at various venues (from early until mid to late March).
• Vancouver International Wine Festival – one of North America’s largest, oldest and most prestigious wine shows (late February until early March).

For more, check out Metro Vancouver’s March Calendar or, for a visual look at the Lower Mainland this time of year, click Vancouver in March Video.