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Philippine Days in North Vancouver

Philippine Days in North Vancouver

The largest gathering of the Filipino community in BC, Philippine Days is a two-day festival that takes place in July at the Shipyards in North Vancouver.

In 2023 the festival happened on July 8th and 9th. Dates for the festival in 2024 are still to be confirmed. That same weekend, in Vancouver, there was Carnaval del Sol which is the largest Latin Festival in Western Canada. Other events that happened at the same time were the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival, On Your Block Festival (in New Westminster), Harrison Festival of the Arts and Khatsahlano Street Party.

To learn about the above and other events that happen this month, see Vancouver’s July Events Calendar. To learn about the Philippine Days Festival in North Vancouver, continue reading.

 

Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier

 

Philippine Days Festival

The Philippine Days Festival takes place annually during the summer in June or July. Unfortunately, the festival was cancelled in 2020. It didn’t appear the event happened in 2021 or 2022 either, at least not in its regular format.

Philippine Days returned in 2023 on the weekend of July 8th and 9th. Most years the event runs from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm on the Saturday and from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on the Sunday. 2023 hours, however, were to be confirmed.

The event includes live entertainment, demonstrations, and dozens of food, merchandise and community vendors. Admission is free.

 

Food Vendors at Philippine Days at the Shipyards

 

About Philippine Days

Taking place since the turn of the previous century, Philippine Days is one of the Lower Mainland’s longest-running annual events and is worth checking out. In good years, with sunny weather, the festival attracts as many as 20,000 people over the two days from across the Lower Mainland and further afield.

Philippine Days is a fairly simple festival, but interesting, especially for folks with Filipino connections. Expect to see lots of businesses and other types of vendor and information booths.

The festival usually takes place on the second weekend in June. That’s because June 12th is Philippine Independence Day (and has been ever since 1898). However, the 2023 festival happened about one month later.

The festival used to take place at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver. In 2023, Philippine Days took place at the Shipyards, which is just a few blocks away. The venue is located at 125 Victory Ship Way.

Interesting to note is the fact that over five percent of the population of Metro Vancouver claims Filipino decent, which places it in ninth place among countries of ancestry in the region.

 

Lonsdale Artisan Farmers Market

 

Philippine Days in Shipbuilders' Square

 

Philippine Festival

Philippine Days features entertainment by a wide range of Filipino and other local artists and performing arts groups. A few years ago there were short promotional concerts by the Day Trippers – a Beatles Tribute Band – and the Music of ABBA by the group ARRIVAL.

There was also a special guest appearance by the Filipino actor Richard Gomez, and performances by numerous other singers, bands and dance groups, as well as just random people from the audience from time to time.

If you like Filipino food, music and/or culture, want to experience them for the first time, or you just want to hang out around Lonsdale Quay on the North Shore for the day, then Philippine Days at Waterfront Park is a great place to be.

 

The Lobby Restaurant

 

Philippine Days at North Vancouver's Shipyards

 

Other Information

For more information about the Filipino event, see the Philippine Days website.

For other festivals and major events at other times of the year, check out Vancouver’s Festivals and Events Calendar. And for ideas on other things to do while in the area, check out Vancouver’s North Shore.

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