Bastille Day at the Roundhouse

Bastille Day is a French national holiday on July 14th. It’s celebrated on or around that date in Vancouver with French food, music and entertainment.

The Vancouver event used to be at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown. In 2023, however, it moved to a different location – the Shipyards in North Vancouver.

This past year the Bastille Day event took place on July 16th. The exact date for the event in 2024 is to be confirmed. Other exceptional events that also happened that same weekend this past year included the TD Uptown Live street party and music festival, Surrey Latin Festival and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach. What an exciting weekend it was!

This article contains the following information about the Bastille Day Festival:

What is Bastille Day? | Festival Details | Festival Details | Festival Entertainment | Other Information

Bastille Day in North Vancouver

Vancouver hosts a Bastille Day celebration on or around July 14th each year. The festival features a selection of live entertainment and vendor stalls to celebrate French cuisine and music.

The event is presented by the Bastille Day Festival Society. The non-profit organization aims to promote French culture around Vancouver.

What is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is a French national holiday. It takes place each year on July 14th which is the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille.

The storming of the Bastille is an important holiday in France because it marks the beginning of the French Revolution back in 1789. Originally built as a medieval fortress, the Bastille was later converted into a state prison. It has become a symbol of royal authority and repression.

Bastille Day Festival at the Roundhouse — Bastille Day at the Roundhouse

Festival Details

Until this past year, the festival used to take place at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver’s Yaletown District. In 2023, however, it happened at a new venue, at the Pipe Shop, in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.

In pre-COVID years, as many as 10,000 people have attended the event. Admission to the festival is free and everyone is welcome.

The Bastille Day Festival in 2023

The 2023 version of the Vancouver Bastille Day Festival tookl place on Sunday, July 16th.

Vancouver’s French community celebrates Bastille Day with a festival at the Pipe Shop. Vendors sell French products and food at the event. There are also family-friendly activities as well as live music and entertainment. For adults, there is a beer garden with French wine. The day’s events begin at around 10:00 am, but the beer garden only opens at noon.

Another fun part of the festival is the Giant Game Room. It’s an area with games and activities for all ages. Expect to see face painting and colouring stations, as well as Jenga, Hopscotch and more.

Bastille Day Food Vendors — Food Vendors at the Shipyards

2023 Festival Entertainment

To accompany the food, drinks and activities the festival also has a series of live performances. The 2023 entertainment schedule was as follows. 2024’s schedule will likely be similar.

11:00 am – Royal Westminster Regiment Marching Band
12:00 pm – Francois Laberge & Réjan Bussières
1:15 pm – Royal Westminster Regiment Marching Band
2:45 pm – Joshua Minsky
3:00 pm – Neezar
3:15 pm – Nathalie Astruc
4:15 pm – Charlotte Leguy
5:15 pm – Sylvain Richard “Wango”