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 Christmas Craft Fairs and other Christmas Activities to New Year’s Eve celebrations 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.

JANUARY 2019 Festivals and Events

• Canyon Lights – at Capilano Suspension Bridge November 22, 2018 to January 27, 2019).
• Christmas Glow – an indoor Christmas attraction in Langley (on select dates between November 22, 2018, and January 19, 2019).
• Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants (January 18 to February 3, 2019).
• Heritage Christmas – at Burnaby Village Museum (November 24, 2018, until January 4, 2019).
• 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 (January 17 to February 3, 2019).
• Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town (January 19th until February 14th, 2019).
• Whistler Pride and Ski Festival – one of the largest LGBTQ ski weeks on the continent (January 20-27, 2019).

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 (February 20-24, 2019).
• 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 (February 4, 2019).
• Coastal First Nations Dance Festival – by the Dancers of Damelahamid at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster (February 20-24, 2019).
• Dine Out Vancouver Festival – special deals at hundreds of local restaurants (January 18 to February 3, 2019).
• 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).
• Northwest Comedy Fest – a comedy festival celebrating stand-up, improv and other funny stuff with performances taking place at various venues around town (February 14-23, 2019).
• PuSh Festival – performing arts shows at various locations (January 15 to February 3, 2019).
• Talking Stick Festival – an Indigenous performing arts festival (mid-February).
• Valentine’s Day – a day for chocolate, buying flowers and dining out (February 14th).
• Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – special hot chocolate offerings around town (January 19th until February 14th, 2019).
• Vancouver International Boat Show – at both BC Place Stadium and the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina (February 6-10, 2019).
• Vancouver International Wine Festival – one of North America’s largest, oldest and most prestigious wine shows (February 23 to March 3, 2019).
• Vancouver Lunarfest – Chinese New Year activities at the Queen Elizabeth Plaza (2019 dates to be confirmed).
• 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 (February 2, 2019).

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 (March 9, 2019).
• Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival – at Westwood Plateau Golf Club in Coquitlam (March 9, 2019).
• Festival du Bois – BC’s largest francophone festival, held annually in Coquitlam (March 22-24, 2019).
• Persian New Year Fire Festival – at Ambleside in West Vancouver (likely on March 12, 2019, but to be confirmed).
• PlayDome – amusement rides and midway games at the indoor carnival at BC Place Stadium (mid to late March).
• 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).
• Tip a Wee Dram – a whisky-tasting event at the Scottish Cultural Centre (March 9, 2019).
• Vancouver International Auto Show – at the Vancouver Convention Centre (March 19-24, 2019).
• Vancouver International Dance Festival – a series of special dance performance at various venues (March 4-30, 2019).
• Vancouver International Wine Festival – one of North America’s largest, oldest and most prestigious wine shows (February 23 to March 3, 2019).

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.

APRIL 2019 Festivals and Events

• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford at 36737 North Parallel Road (early to mid-April until early May).
• Easter – a weekend of egg hunts and other holiday celebrations (April 17-20, 2019).
• Earth Day – a day to celebrate the planet and acknowledge our need to take care of it (April 22 every year).
• Harrison Uncorked – a wine festival at Harrison Hot Springs (April 27, 2019).
• International Pillow Fight Day – celebrated by hundreds of people and flying feathers outside the Vancouver Art Gallery (early April).
• Party for the Planet – free Earth Day celebrations in Surrey (mid-April).
• PlayDome – amusement rides and midway games at the indoor carnival at BC Place Stadium (late March).
• TED2019 – the annual world TED Conference (April 15-19, 2019).
• 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 4-27, 2019).
  • Cherry Jam Concert – a free series of performances outside the Burrard Street SkyTrain Station (April 4, 2019).
  • Spring Lights Illumination – free cherry blossom viewing and light displays at Queen Elizabeth Park (April 11-13, 2019).
  • Sakura Days Japan Fair – a Japanese spring festival celebrated at VanDusen Botanical Garden as part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (April 13 & 14, 2019).
• Vancouver Opera Festival – a series of opera productions (late April to early May).
• Vancouver Sun Run – a 10-km race that attracts as many as 40,000 participants (April 14, 2019).
• Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade and Surrey Vaisakhi Parade – East Indian cultural festivities that attract up to 300,000 participants (April 13 & 20, 2019).
  
• Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival – an annual 10-day event at Whistler (April 10-14, 2019).
• World Music Fest – a 4-day music festival at various venues (likely in late April, but to be confirmed for 2019).

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 2019 Festivals and Events

• Abbotsford Tulip Festival – 10 acres of tulip fields open to the public in Abbotsford (mid-April until early May).
• BMO Vancouver International Marathon – a Boston-qualifying marathon starting in Queen Elizabeth Park and finishing in downtown Vancouver (May 5, 2019).
• Brahm’s Tams Drumming Circle – informal drumming sessions at Stanley Park’s Third Beach on Tuesday evenings (when it’s sunny).
• 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 4, 2019).
• Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – amusement rides and rodeo shows in Surrey (May 17-20, 2019).
• DOXA Film Festival – a documentary film festival taking place at various venues (early May).
• European Festival – a festival at Swangard Stadium highlighting the best of European culture (late May, but to be confirmed; possibly not happening).
• Fort Langley May Day Fair and Parade – a community festival and parade in Fort Langley (May 20, 2019).
• Hyack Festival – a multi-day community event that includes a parade and street party in New Westminster (May 25, 2019).
• 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 24-26, 2019).
• Mother’s Day – a special day for mothers and for letting them know how much we love them (May 12, 2019).
• 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 (May 4-5, 2019).
• Royal Victorian Party – old-fashioned celebrations at Stewart Farm in Surrey on the Victoria Day weekend (May 19, 2019).
• Surrey International Children’s Festival – at the Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park (May 23-25, 2019).
• Vancouver All British Field Meet – a car show at VanDusen Garden featuring over 500 British-built vehicles over the May long weekend (May 18, 2019).
• Vancouver Comic Arts Festival – comic workshops, presentations, games and children’s activities at the Roundhouse in Yaletown (mid-May, but to be confirmed).
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – craft beer events culminating in the VCBW Beer Festival at the PNE Fairgrounds featuring over 400 North American beers and ciders (late May to early June).
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a fun festival for kids at Granville Island (May 27 to June 2, 2019).
• Vancouver Opera Festival – a series of opera productions (late April to early May).
• Vancouver Turkic Festival – a free cultural event with live music and market vendors at North Vancouver’s Shipbuilders’ Square (May 26, 2019).
• Victoria Day – the statutory holiday on the May Long Weekend when various events take place around town (May 20, 2019).
• Whistler Go Fest – the ski resort’s “Great Outdoor Festival” which includes all kinds of sporting events and live evening concerts (May 17-20, 2019).

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 2019 Festivals and Events

• 5K Foam Fest – a 5-km obstacle course event at Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds (June 1, 2019).
• Bard on the Beach – Vancouver’s Shakespearean theatre festival (June 5 to September 21, 2019).
• BC Highland Games & Scottish Festival – at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam (mid-June).
• Brahm’s Tams Drumming Circle – informal drumming sessions at Stanley Park’s Third Beach on Tuesday evenings (when it’s sunny).
• Car Free Days – celebrations on Denman Street (June 15, 2019) and Main Street (June 16, 2019) over the Father’s Day weekend.
• 5X Festival (a.k.a., City of Bhangra Festival) – a festival celebrating the dance and music of the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan (mid-June).
• Father’s Day – a day for recognizing dads on the third Sunday of June (so on June 16th in 2019).
• Golden Spike Days – a community festival at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park on the Canada Day Long Weekend (June 28 to July 1, 2019).
• Greek Day on Broadway – an all-day street festival on Broadway Avenue in Kitsilano (late June).
• Hats off Day – a giant street festival in Burnaby along Hastings Street on the first Saturday of June every year (so June 1, 2019).
• Italian Day on the Drive – a celebration of everything Italian on Commercial Drive (June 19, 2019).
• Lynn Valley Day – a community festival in the Lynn Valley district of North Vancouver (mid-June).
• National Indigenous Peoples Day – celebrations include events at Trout Lake (June 21, 2019).
• North Delta Family Day – a community festival and parade in Delta (late June).
• 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 21-23, 2019).
• Sasquatch Days – a small festival in Harrison Hot Springs with war canoe races, First Nations cultural performances and a salmon BBQ (mid-June).
• Scandinavian Midsummer Festival – a festival at the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby (late June).
• Scotiabank Half Marathon – a 21 km run from UBC to Stanley Park (late June).
• Seek the Peak – a race to beat breast cancer from Ambleside Park to Grouse Mountain (late June).
• Sockeye Run Car Show – a large car show in Steveston Village (early June).
• Surrey Fest Downtown – a small community festival with live entertainment at Surrey’s Holland Park (mid-June).
• Surrey Greek Food Festival – a small community event featuring Greek food and entertainment at 13181-96th Avenue in Surrey (early to mid-June).
• TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival – a music festival running (June 21 until July 1, 2019).
• Tough Mudder Whistler – a military-style-obstacle-course-type race (mid-June).
• Vancouver Craft Beer Week – a series of craft beer-related events culminating in the VCBW Beer Festival at the PNE Fairgrounds featuring over 400 North American beers and ciders (late May to early June).
• Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival – dragon boat races in False Creek (June 21-23, 2019).
• Vancouver International Children’s Festival – a fun festival for kids at Granville Island (May 27 to June 2, 2019).
• West Vancouver Community Day – a community festival at Ambleside Park (early June).

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 2019 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 19-21, 2018).
• Bard on the Beach – Vancouver’s Shakespearean theatre festival (June 5 to September 21, 2019).
• Brahm’s Tams Drumming Circle – informal drumming sessions at Stanley Park’s Third Beach on Tuesday evenings (when it’s sunny).
• 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, 2019).
• Car Free Day – a massive street party on Commercial Drive (early July).
• Caribbean Days Festival – a festival in North Vancouver put on by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC (late July).
• Carnaval del Sol – a Latin American festival in Vancouver at Concord Pacific Place (July 6-7, 2019).
• Colombian Independence Picnic – a small free community festival in Central Park that’s open to the public (mid to late July).
• Columbia Street Food Truck Fest – a massive food truck street festival on Columbia Street in New Westminster (late July).
• Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival – an arts and music festival in Fort Langley (July 26-28, 2019).
• Fun City Festival – a two-day Car Free Day event in North Vancouver that features live entertainment and a giant water slide (July or August).
• 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 (early July).
• Gastown Grand Prix – a cycling race in the heart of the old town (mid-July).
• Giro di Burnaby – a cycling race through the streets of Burnaby (mid-July).
• Golden Spike Days – a community festival at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park on the Canada Day Long Weekend (late June to early July).
• Greek Summerfest – an 11-day festival celebrating Greek food, culture and music at St. Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church at 4641 Boundary Road (early to mid-July).
• Harrison Festival of the Arts – a festival featuring an art market and performing arts performances in Harrison Hot Springs (early to mid-July).
• 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 27, July 31 and August 3, 2019).
• Indian Summer Festival – a multi-arts festival featuring South Asian, Canadian and Indigenous artists (early to mid-July).
• Khatsahlano Street Party – a major street party on West 4th Avenue, billing itself as “Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival” (early July).
• KiteClash – the Canadian Freestyle Kiteboarding Championships in Squamish (July or August).
• 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 (mid-July).
• Pakistan Festival – a free cultural event in the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza on Georgia Street (early to mid-July).
• PoCo Grand Prix – cycling races in Port Coquitlam (mid-July).
• Port Moody Ribfest – a 3-day event in Port Moody with BBQ rib competitions and live music (mid to late July).
• Red Truck Concert Series – multiple concerts at Red Truck Brewery at 295 East 1st Avenue in Vancouver (mid-July).
• Richmond Maritime Festival – a free maritime festival at Britannia Shipyard in Steveston Village (late July).
• Savour Summer Festival – a free community event at River District Vancouver with live entertainment, concerts and refreshments (various dates in the summer).
• 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 (June or July).
• Squamish Nation Youth Powwow – a First Nations powwow and cultural celebration on the North Shore (mid-July).
• Squamish Beer Festival – at the O’Siyam Pavilion in Squamish (early July).
• Squamish Wind Festival – a multi-day event with art, music, and performing arts shows in Squamish (late July).
• Surrey Fusion Festival – billed as “the ultimate celebration of music, food and culture” and taking place at Holland Park (mid-July).
• Symphony in the Park – a free performance by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby (July 7, 2019).
• TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival – a major music festival with both free and ticketed events (June 21 until July 1, 2019).
• Tour de Delta – cycling races in Delta (early to mid-July).
• Tour de White Rock – cycling races and festivities in White Rock (mid-July).
• Uptown Live Street Party – an Indie music festival in New Westminster (mid to late July).
• Vancouver Bach Festival – a series of classical concerts and movies (late July to early August).
• Vancouver Folk Music Festival – a major folk music festival at Jericho Beach (mid-July).
• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in Whistler – a 2-day series of outdoor concerts around Canada Day (end of June and beginning of July).
• 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 (early).

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

AUGUST 2019 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 2-4, 2019).
• Abbotsford Airshow – Western Canada’s largest airshow (August 9-11, 2019).
• Arts Alive Festival – a community arts festival in Langley (mid-August).
• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – Vancouver’s Shakespearean theatre festival (June 5 to September 21, 2019).
  
• BC Day – a statutory holiday on the first Monday in August (so August 5th in 2019).
• Brahm’s Tams Drumming Circle – informal drumming sessions at Stanley Park’s Third Beach on Tuesday evenings (when it’s sunny).
• Brigade Days at Fort Langley – three days of celebrations featuring folk in period costume over the BC Day Long Weekend (August 3-5, 2019).
• Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival – a music festival at Deer Lake in Burnaby (mid-August).
• Chilliwack Fair and Rodeo – the 146th annual fair and small town rodeo in Chilliwack (August 9-11, 2019).
• Clover Valley Beer Festival – at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Surrey.
• Deep Cove Daze – a small community festival with music, food and beverages at Panorama Park in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove (August 25, 2019).
• Dîner en Blanc – the 8th annual outdoor dinner where thousands of participants dress in white and bring their own chairs, table, food, cutlery and dishware (mid to late August).
  
• Harmony Arts Festival – a free multi-day event with live music, outdoor movies and art in West Vancouver (August 2-11, 2019).
• Honda Celebration of Light – a fireworks competition and accompanying festival in English Bay and Stanley Park (July 27, July 31 and August 3, 2019).
• India Live – a free event celebrating Indian Culture on Granville Street (from early to late August).
• Kaleidoscope Arts Festival – at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam with free admission and fairly major live concerts (early to mid-August).
• 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 (mid-August).
• 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 (July or August, but CANCELLED FOR 2018 and to be determined for 2019).
• Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival – a 2-day music and cultural festival at the Maple Ridge Fairgrounds (early August).
• Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) – Vancouver’s annual fair with concerts, amusement rides, animals and family-friendly entertainment (August 17 to September 2, 2019).
• Pinoy Fiesta – a Philippine festival at Memorial South Park in Vancouver (late August).
• Pet-a-Palooza – a free “Day of the Dog” street party on Mainland Street in Yaletown (late August).
• Port Moody Car Free Day – a community festival in Port Moody (mid-August).
• Powell Street Festival – a two-day festival celebrating Japanese-Canadian culture in downtown Vancouver (August 3-4, 2019).
• Red Truck Concert Series – multiple concerts at Red Truck Brewery in Vancouver (mid-August).
• Ribfest Langley – a BBQ rib and live entertainment event hosted by area Rotary clubs at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley (mid-August).
• Richmond World Festival – a free multicultural event at Minoru Park in Richmond (on the September Long Weekend).
• Rock Ambleside – a classic rock festival at West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park (mid-August).
• Safe & Sound Music Fest – an R&B music festival at the waterfront in New Westminster (mid to late August).
• Savour Summer Festival – a free community event at River District Vancouver with live entertainment, concerts and refreshments (on various dates).
• Shipped Waterfront Festival – a free music festival and street party in the Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood of North Vancouver (mid-August).
• 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 1-4, 2019).
• Steveston Dragon Boat Festival – dragon boat racing in Steveston Village (late August).
• 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 (August 3-5, 2019).
• Vancouver Bach Festival – a series of classical concerts and movies (end of July until early to mid-August).
• Vancouver Chinatown Festival – a small cultural festival in Vancouver’s Chinatown (usually in mid-August but CANCELLED in 2018 and to be determined for 2019).
• Vancouver Mural Festival – an art festival that includes the Mount Pleasant Street Party on Main Street (early August).
• 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 4, 2019).
• 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 3-4, 2019).

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

SEPTEMBER 2019 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 (mid-September).
• Bands on the Beach – two days of FREE music at Harrison Hot Springs (September Long Weekend).
• Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – Vancouver’s Shakespearean theatre festival (June 5 to September 21, 2019).
• BC GranFondo Whistler Bike Race – a bike race in Whistler (early September).
• 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 (early September).
• Country Celebration – a small town country fair with live entertainment at Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley (early September).
• Fort Langley Food Truck Festival – food trucks and live music in Fort Langley (early September).
• Harvest Glow – an indoor autumn-themed and family-friendly attraction in Langley (from late September until October 31st).
• Labour Day – a statutory holiday on the first Monday of the month (September 2, 2019).
• Maple Ridge Food Truck Festival – food trucks, live music and market vendors in Maple Ridge (mid to late September).
• Market Mexico – a cultural event celebrating Mexican Independence Day at Robson Square (mid-September).
• Nikkei Matsuri – a Japanese festival in Burnaby (early September).
• Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) – Vancouver’s annual summer fair (August 17 to September 2, 2019).
• Polish Festival – a cultural event in North Vancouver (early September).
• 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 (first weekend in September).
• River District Movie Nights – free outdoor drive-in movies at River District Vancouver (various Saturdays in September).
• Riverfest – a community festival at the Quay in New Westminster (mid to late September).
• Savour Summer Festival – a free community event at River District Vancouver with live entertainment, concerts and refreshments (once a month from July until September).
• Skookum Festival – a music, art and food festival at Stanley Park (early September).
• Southlands Country Fair – a horse-themed festival hosted by the Southlands Riding Club (mid-September).
• Taiwanese Cultural Festival – a festival taking place along Granville Street on the Labour Day long weekend (September Long Weekend).
• Vancouver Fringe Festival – a live theatre festival in (early until mid-September).
• Vancouver International Film Festival – a prestigious film festival (late September until early October).
• Vancouver Street Food Festival – a food truck festival at Concord Pacific Place near False Creek (mid-September).
• Victory Square Block Party – a free event with live music in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side on the Labour Day Long Weekend (September 1, 2019).
• Whistler Village Beer Festival – celebrating everything to do with craft beer up at Whistler (mid-September).

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

OCTOBER 2019 Festivals and Events

• Apple Festival – a fundraising festival featuring live entertainment and 50,000 lbs of apples for sale at the UBC Botanical Garden (mid-October).
• Celebrate the Night – a family-friendly Halloween event with fireworks in Maple Ridge (October 27, 2019).
• Chutzpah Festival – the Vancouver Jewish Performing Arts Festival (mid-October to mid-November).
• Cloverfest – an Oktoberfest event hosted by the Cloverdale Rotary Club (mid-October).
• Diwali Fest – an East Indian festival with events in Vancouver and Surrey (late 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 12, 2019).
• Fright Night at the PNE – Haunted houses, rides and other Halloween attractions at Vancouver’s Playland (early until late October).
• Harvest Glow – an indoor autumn-themed and family-friendly attraction in Langley (most of October).
• Halloween Events – haunted houses and various other Halloween-related events (from early to late October and finishing on October 31, 2019).
• Harrison Beer Fest – a two-day celebration of craft beers and everything Octoberfest in Harrison Hot Springs (late October).
• Night for All Souls – an event honoring the dead at Vancouver’s Mountain View Cemetery (October 26, 2019).
• 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 (early October).
  • Oktoberfest Vancouver – at the Vancouver Alpen Club (early October).
  • Harvest Haus – at a new venue in Vancouver (early to mid-October).
• Parade of Lost Souls – a parade and Halloween-ish celebrations around Commercial Drive (October 26, 2019).
• Richmond Halloween Fireworks – a free family-friendly event with fireworks at Minoru Park in Richmond (October 31, 2019).
• River District Movie Nights – free outdoor drive-in movies at River District Vancouver (on 2 or 3 Saturdays in October).
• Thanksgiving – a national holiday on the weekend of the second Monday in October (October 14, 2019).
• Thrill the World Vancouver – a zombie dance event inspired by Michael Jackson’s hit video Thriller at the Olympic Village Square (late October, but to be confirmed).
• Vancouver Fall Home Show – at the Vancouver Convention Centre (mid-October).
• Vancouver Fan Expo – a comics and superheroes pop culture convention (mid-October).
• Vancouver Halloween Parade – a parade along Howe Street and Granville between Drake and Smithe (early October).
• Vancouver International Film Festival – a prestigious film festival (late September to mid-October).
• Vancouver International Improv Festival – a festival featuring theatre-sports-style performances at Granville Island theatres (mid-October).
• Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week – a series of beer-related events at various venues in North Vancouver (mid to late October).
• West Coast Women’s Show – at the TRADEX Centre in Abbotsford (mid-October).

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

NOVEMBER 2019 Festivals & Events

• Aurora Winter Festival – a winter-themed Christmas attraction at Concord Pacific Place (late November until late December).
• 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 mid to late 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 6-10, 2019, but to be confirmed).
• Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival – featuring over 40 breweries at the Westwood Plateau Golf Club (early November).
• Christmas Glow – an indoor Christmas attraction in Langley (on select dates between late November and early January).
• 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 (mid-November).
• Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival – a celebration of one of the largest migratory gatherings of bald eagles anywhere in the world (mid-November).
• 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-November).
• Light Up The Village – a Christmas-themed event at West Vancouver’s Park Royal Shopping Centre (mid-November).
• Lumiere Vancouver – a small festival with Christmas lights and live entertainment (early November).
• Remembrance Day – ceremonies at various locations around the Lower Mainland (November 11th every year).
• 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 3, 2019).
• 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 late December).
• Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting – live music and the official lighting of Vancouver’s Christmas tree at Robson Square (late November).
• Vancouver Historic Half – a 5K, 10K and half marathon around Stanley Park’s seawall (late November).

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

DECEMBER 2019 Festivals & Events

• Christmas Events
  • Aurora Winter Festival – a winter-themed Christmas attraction at Concord Pacific Place (late November until late December).
  • Big Rigs for Kids Lighted Truck Parade – a family-friendly event with decorated big-rig trucks, carols and other activities in Surrey (early December).
  • Carol Ships Shoreline Celebration – a small Christmas event with a large bonfire, live music and a parade of boats lit up with Christmas illuminations (mid-December).
  • Maple Ridge Christmas Festival – a small community event at Memorial Peace Park that’s followed by a parade (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 likely on December 7, 2019).
  • 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 to late January).
  • Christmas at Canada Place (late November until December 31st).
  • Christmas Glow – an indoor Christmas attraction in Langley (on select dates between late November and mid-January).
  • 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 in North Vancouver (all of December).
  • Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain (late November until early January).
  • Vancouver Christmas Market – an outdoor German-themed market at Jack Poole Plaza (late November to December 24, 2019).
  • For a more complete list of holiday season events click Vancouver Christmas Activities.
• New Year’s Eve Celebrations – free fireworks and concerts in downtown Vancouver on December 31, 2019.
• Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – an annual community event with lantern-making workshops, fire performances and outdoor processions at various locations (December 21, 2019).
• Contact Winter Music Festival – a 2-day electronic music festival at BC Place Stadium (late December).

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.