BC Place Stadium

The Contact Winter Music Festival is an electronic dance music festival that takes place at the Pacific Coliseum at the end of December.

The two-day event presented by Blueprint Events takes place right after Christmas. The Contact Festival is one of Canada’s most significant electronic dance music events.

Other things to do this time of year include visiting Christmas-themed attractions such as the VanDusen Festival of Lights and the Soar with Santa film at Flyover Canada Place. There is also Canyon Lights at Capilano Bridge, Martini Town Merry & Bright, and Noel Holiday Festival in Surrey.

See our articles about Top Things to do at Christmas, Vancouver’s December Calendar, or New Year’s Eve Parties for Adults to learn about what’s happening in the last week of the year. Continue reading to learn more about the Contact Winter Music Festival.

This article includes the following information about the Contact Music Festival:

What to Expect | Concert Lineup | Ticket Prices | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Contact Music Festival

The Contact Winter Music Festival has been a staple of Vancouver’s electronic and dance music scene since 2012. Each year, the event attracts thousands of fans. Organized by Blueprint Events, the same team behind FVDED in the Park, which is a summer music festival in Surrey.

In 2025 the festival takes place at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver on December 26th (Boxing Day) and 27th. This massive two-day indoor festival is a high-energy winter rave featuring international DJs, light shows, and an all-ages crowd with a 19+ licensed bar area.

In 2025 Contact features famous DJs including Eric Prydz, Slander, Gryffin, Matroda, Cloonee, Chris Avantgarde, and others. Both nights promise an unforgettable post-Christmas celebration for dance and electronic music lovers.

The Contact Winter Music Festival now takes place at the Pacific Coliseum (100 North Renfrew Street, Vancouver). The venue’s ample floor space and stadium layout make it the perfect setting for massive stage setups, lasers, and pyrotechnics. In previous years, Contact Festival has taken place at BC Place Stadium and the Vancouver Convention Centre.

What to Expect

In 2025, at the festival’s new home at the Pacific Coliseum, doors open at 6:00 pm each day, and the event runs until 1:00 am. The two-day festival in 2025 highlights some of the biggest names in EDM (electronic dance music).

At the event, thousands of people pack the venue, with many in varying degrees of sobriety. Many people dress in rave clothing, expect to see very skimpy outfits and bright colours, and wear sunglasses.

The event is significant, and tickets usually sell out in advance. Expect a security process when entering. Therefore, arrive early. The dance floor is usually full of people enjoying the music. The closer you get to the stage, the more crowded it gets (so if you want more space to dance, staying toward the back is best).

(Note: Minors are allowed. To purchase adult drinks, two forms of ID are required. Guests are usually allowed to bring in one empty reusable water bottle per person. You are not permitted to bring in other commercially-produced beverages or liquids in your own bottle.)

Festival Concert Lineup

This year’s headliners include Eric Prydz, Cloonee, and Gryffin, alongside Slander, Matroda, and more across two massive nights at the Pacific Coliseum. See below for the full 2025 lineup.

(Note: Line-up and scheduling are subject to change.)

Friday, December 26th, 2025

Slander
Gryffin
Matroda
Chyl
Kaleena Zanders
Palmer

Saturday, December 27th, 2025

Eric Prydz
Cloonee
Chris Avantgarde
Spencer Brown
Karsten Sollors
Yurie

Festival Ticket Prices

Tickets for the event are usually sold on a tier system, so the earlier you buy, the cheaper it is. This year, they went on sale on September 11th, 2025.

Tickets are available as single-day or weekend passes. As of the latest listing, General Admission runs about $105-$130 per day, and VIP (19+ only) is about $216 per day.

Weekend options are also available for a single ticket for both days. A Weekend Pass (GA) costs about $210.27, and a VIP Weekend Pass (19+) costs about $271.77. An eight-ticket limit applies per purchaser.

Tickets are available through TicketLeader.ca.

Tips & Advice

Below is some advice and extra information to help you make the most of your festival experience.

Tips for Before and After

TIP #1: Buy your tickets as early as possible since the tiers sell out fast.

TIP #2: Pre-arrange your way home to beat the rush for taxis outside the event. This could include public transit, a ride from family/friends, or maybe a hired driver.

TIP #3: Get through the security line fastest by arriving early (right when the festival starts). The line can get quite long later in the evening.

TIP #4: It can be hard to hear your phone inside, so always have a designated meeting time and place with your friends.

TIP #5: If you have sensitive ears or want to still be able to hear at the end of the concert-and 50 years later-put a set of earplugs in your pocket to protect your ears.