The Richmond World Festival is a free cultural event featuring lots of music and family-friendly activities in Minoru Park on the September Long Weekend.
The Richmond World Festival is a free cultural event featuring lots of music and family-friendly activities in Minoru Park on the September Long Weekend.
NOT HAPPENING IN 2023!
The same as in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the festival isn’t taking place this year. Hopefully it will be back in 2024. Exact details, however, are to be confirmed (although it’s not looking likely).
The Richmond World Festival
In 2019 the Richmond World Festival took place on August 30th and 31st. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event did not take place in 2020 and 2021.
If not for the coronavirus, the festival would have celebrated its seventh year in 2021. In years when it does take place, it’s a large festival with over 60 musicians and other performing artists as well as art exhibits, sports activities and dozens of food trucks. Over 25,000 people typically attend.
When and Where
In 2019 the Richmond World Festival took place on August 30th and 31st which were the Friday and Saturday of the Labour Day Long Weekend. On the Friday it ran from 4 to 10 pm and on the Saturday from 11 am until 10 pm. 2023 details are to be confirmed.
The event usually happens at Minoru Park and the Richmond Cultural Centre Plaza which are located at 7191 Granville Avenue and 7700 Minoru Gate in the City of Richmond.
The venue isn’t far from the Richmond-Brighouse SkyTrain Station which is only about 35 minutes from Vancouver’s Waterfront Station on the Canada Line, or about the same by car in good traffic.
About the Festival
The Richmond World Festival is a free two-day multicultural event that features dozens of performing artists on seven different stages.
At the festival most years there is a Culinary Stage featuring local chefs, a Kids World Stage with child-focused shows, and various other stages featuring a wide range of performances. The 2019 festival also featured more than four dozen food trucks serving everything from Thai cuisine to ice cream.
Festival Performances
The live performances are definitely a highlight of the Richmond World Festival. There are lots of them, at various locations, and they range in length from just a few minutes up to an hour or so, although most are fairly short. The selection is great and there’s something for everyone.
Performers
To give you an idea of what to expect in 2022, the schedule for 2019 is listed below. There were major bands and musical groups, multicultural performances, children’s shows and other entertainment. There were seven stages where the performances happened.
(Note: performer details are subject to change.)
YVR Main Stage
Friday, August 30th (2019)
- 4:45 pm – Grupo America
- 6:00 pm – Welcome Ceremony
- 6:15 pm – OHR Africa Collective
- 7:30 pm – Jocelyn Alice
- 8:45 pm – Bedouin Soundclash
Saturday, August 31st (2019)
- 11:00 am – Mass Tai Chi Demonstration
- 12:00 pm – Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra
- 1:00 pm – RT Nuba
- 2:00 pm – Wasakaka All Stars
- 4:30 pm – John Welsh and Los Valientes
- 8:45 pm – The Strumbellas
McElhanney Minoru Stage
Friday, August 30th (2019)
- 4:15 pm – Ben Cottrill
- 5:15 pm – Muevete Marimba
- 6:15 pm – Ndidi Cascade
- 7:15 pm – Phé
- 8:15 pm – Mazacote
Saturday, August 31st (2019)
- 11:30 am – Desiree Dorion
- 2:30 pm – Réjean Bussières
- 3:45 pm – Toque Flamenco
- 6:00 pm – Malcolm-Jay
- 7:00 pm – Via Barcelona
- 8:00 pm – Matices Del Sur
Lansdowne District Global Stage
Friday, August 30th (2019)
- 4:15 pm – Marimba Workshop with Muevete
- 5:30 pm – Ezra Kwizera
- 7:00 pm – Basilissa
- 8:15 pm – Tsatsu Stalqayu Coastal Wolfpack
Saturday, August 31st (2019)
- 11:30 pm – Rheinlander Band
- 12:30 pm – African Dance Workshop with N’nato Camara
- 1:30 pm – Veronica Fusaro
- 5:30 pm – VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir
- 6:45 pm – Sister Says
Coast Capital Savings Pop Up Zone
Friday, August 30th (2019)
- 4:15 pm – Royal Academy of Bhangra Society
- 5:30 pm – Satsuki Kai Japanese Dance Group
- 7:00 pm – The Wild Moccasin Performers
- 8:15 pm – Salsa Dance Lessons with Grupo America
Saturday, August 31st (2019)
- 11:30 am – Eire Born Irish Dance Company
- 12:30 pm – May Athletic Association Lion Dancers
- 1:30 pm – Poetry Showcase
- 2:30 pm – Tango Lessons with Toque Flamenco
- 3:45 pm – Roots Peruvian Folk Dance
- 6:45 pm – Adalat Dance Company
- 8:15 pm – Mexican Dance Ensemble
Bamboo Theatre
Friday, August 30th (2019)
- 4:00 pm – Vancouver Cantonese Opera
- 5:45 pm – Korean Traditional Arts Society
- 6:30 pm – Early Spirit
- 6:45 pm – Jocelyn Pettit Band
- 7:45 pm – Quinta Kalavera
- 8:45 pm – Olin Brix
Saturday, August 31st (2019)
- 12:00 pm – Chinese Cultural Showcase
- 1:00 pm – Russian Showcase
- 2:00 pm – Vancouver Cantonese Opera
- 2:45 pm – Old Soul Rebel
- 3:30 pm – Seishun Youth Academy
- 4:15 pm – Andy the Musical Scientist
- 5:00 pm – Banana Bread
- 5:45 pm – Akhil Jobanputra
- 6:30 pm – Early Spirit
- 7:30 pm – Camaro 67
Imagination Stage at the Library
Friday, August 30th (2019)
- 4:00 and 5:30 pm – Music with Marnie
- 4:45 and 6:15 pm – Stories on Wheels: Middle Eastern Stories
Saturday, August 31st (2019)
- 11:00 am – King Matt Theatre
- 11:45 am – Peter G-G
- 12:30 and 2:30 pm – Ginalina
- 1:30 pm – Yoyo Workshop with Harrison Lee
- 3:30 pm – Vancouver Puppet Theatre
Cowell Kids World
Friday, August 30th (2019)
- 4:45 pm – Peter G-G
- 6:15 pm – Harrison the Yoyoer
Saturday, August 31st (2019)
- 11:00 am – Los Tambores
- 12:00 pm – Harrison the Yoyoer
- 1:00 pm – Peter G-G
- 2:00 pm – Yuki the Funky Yukalator
- 3:00 pm – Matt Henry
- 4:30 pm – Peter G-G
- 6:00 pm – Matt Henry
Bamboo Theatre
In addition to the above musicians, entertainers and performances, the Vancouver Cantonese Opera usually hosts a range of presentations and cultural activities at the Bamboo Theatre which is located by the Richmond Cultural Centre Plaza.
At the Bamboo Theatre there are costume displays, Chinese opera makeup demonstrations, mini performances and arts and crafts opportunities for children.
Tips and Advice
Below are some suggestions to help you make the most out of your Richmond World Festival experience.
TIP #1: With as many as 30,000 people expected, parking is always a challenge. Take public transit if you can.
TIP #2: If you need a break from the festival, go for a walk and explore Minoru Park. It has a beautiful pond that makes a nice venue for a picnic.
Other Information
For more details about the event, see the Richmond World Festival website.
To learn more about the area, see our article about the City of Richmond.
For information on other events in the Lower Mainland, see Vancouver’s September Calendar or Festivals & Events Calendar.
Other articles that might be of interest, check out the following: