Burnaby's European Festival

Featuring European food, cultural displays and live performances, the European Festival is a one-day cultural event in Burnaby.

In 2026, the festival takes place on Saturday, May 30th. The event’s theme is “Experience Europe in a Day!” As many as two dozen European nations participate.

This article includes the following information about the European Festival:

Where and When? | What to Expect | Festival History | Other Information

European Festival in Burnaby

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.

The festival has morphed over the years from a two-day event to just one day. Its location has also changed – happening in Swanguard Stadium, at the Vancouver Alpen club and then in Maple Ridge.

More recently, the European Festival returned as a one-day event at Slovenian Hall in Burnaby. In 2026, it returns to the same venue for its 26th annual edition.

Lunch Time at the European Festival

Where and When is the Festival?

In 2026, the European Festival takes place on Saturday, May 30th. It happens at Slovenian Hall at 5762 Sprott Street in Burnaby. The festival runs from 10:00 am until 7:30 pm.

The event takes place indoors and outdoors. It is family-friendly, open to people of all ages, and free.

What to Expect at the Festival

The festival celebrates European heritage in the Lower Mainland. It promotes unity, identity, diversity and culture through food, music, dance and community activities.

The 2026 festival includes live entertainment, culinary offerings, cultural booths, vendors and performers. There are indoor and outdoor stages offering dance and entertainment from various countries in Europe.

Visit their website for more information about the European Festival entertainment.

Participating Countries in the Festival

Expect many European countries to be represented at the festival. In 2026, the entertainment schedule includes performers connected to Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

Each country celebrates in its own way. The festival also has a European Flag Parade. It features many of the participating countries and is one of the day’s highlights.

Festival Schedule in 2026

Listed below are the performances for the 2026 event. Details are subject to change.

Indoor Performances

10:00 am – EuroFest welcome
10:10 am – Little Mountain Step ‘n Cloggers Dance Group from the United Kingdom
10:45 am – Slovenian Folklore Dance Troupe
11:30 am – European Flag Parade
12:20 pm – Dovbush Dance School Dance Group from Ukraine
1:05 pm – Bosnian Dance Group from Bosnia and Herzegovina
1:45 pm – Bulgarian Folk Dance Group
2:35 pm – Romanian Treasure Group
3:10 pm – Vancouver Estonian Folk Dance Groups
3:45 pm – Ranch Folclórico Cruz de Cristo from Portugal
4:20 pm – Alpenplattlers Schuhplattlers from Germany
5:10 pm – Forras Folk Ensemble and Csardas Kids Dancers from Hungary
5:45 pm – Turkish-Canadian Society
6:30 pm – Slovak Sound Concert from Slovakia and Czechia

Outdoor Performances

10:10 am – Pat Chessell from Ireland
10:45 am – The Vancouver Dorfmusik from Switzerland
11:30 am – European Flag Parade
12:30 pm – Austrian, German and Swiss pop rock music
1:35 pm – Piano Studio Orchestra from Ukraine
2:40 pm – Gencho and Kosta from Bulgaria
3:45 pm – Slovenian accordionists Toni Krajsek and Fred Pavlic

Main Stage and Festival Stalls

History of the Festival

In the past, the European Festival took place at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby and attracted about 10,000 visitors.

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. The two festivals combined to offer two days of live entertainment, food, cultural displays and other activities in July for a couple of years.

Recently, the festival returned to its roots at the Slovenian Hall in Burnaby.