Bastille Day is a French national holiday. It’s celebrated each year on July 14th with French food, music and entertainment at the Roundhouse in Vancouver.
In 2022 the Bastille Day event took place on July 16th. Other exceptional events also happening that same weekend included the Uptown Live street party and music festival, Lynn Valley Days in North Vancouver, and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach. What an exciting weekend was to be had!
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 at the Roundhouse in Yaletown
Vancouver normally hosts a Bastille Day celebration on July 14th every year but it took place on July 11th in 2021 because of the pandemic, and it took place on July 16th (a Saturday) in 2022. The event happens at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown. A celebration of French food and music, the festival features a selection of live entertainment and vendor stalls.
Details of the Vancouver Bastille Day French Festival for 2023 are to be confirmed.
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.
Festival Details
In keeping with the original date, the holiday is celebrated each year on July 14th. The 2022 Vancouver festival, however, took place on July 16th. We are predicting the event will happen on Saturday, July 15th, in 2023. Exact details, however, are to be confirmed.
The festival takes place at the Roundhouse Community Centre in downtown Vancouver. The venue’s address is 181 Roundhouse Mews. It’s just a few blocks from the north False Creek Seawall and close to the Yaletown-Roundhouse SkyTrain Station.
In pre-COVID years, as many as 10,000 people have attended the event. Admission to the festival is usually free and everyone is welcome. In 2021, however, tickets cost $20 per person and were limited to a maximum of 100 participants. The 2022 edition was free and open to all.
The Bastille Day Festival in 2022
The 2022 version of the Vancouver Bastille Day Festival returned to more of what the event was like pre-pandemic, although it didn’t take place on Bastille Day itself.
Vancouver’s French community celebrates Bastille Day with a festival at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Vendors sell French products and food at the event. There are also family-friendly activities as well as live music, entertainment and a raffle. For adults, there is also a beer garden that sells French wine.
The day’s events usually begin at 9:00 am, although most of the activities and vendors aren’t fully open until around 10:00 am. That’s when the French Market officially begins with plenty of food options as well as other items. At that time the Kids’ Corner and other games begin at the Roundhouse as well. At noon the beer garden opens for all those aged 19 and up.
Also taking place at the festival is a classic car show that begins around 2:00 pm. There are some parked in the plaza outside the Roundhouse and others along the waterfront. Like with the rest of the festival there is no cost to check out the variety of old vehicles. The festival wraps up at around 6:00 pm.
2022 Festival Entertainment
To accompany the food, drinks and activities the festival also has a series of live performances. In 2022 they took place on an outdoor stage from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The 2022 schedule was as follows:
- 11:00 am – Royal Westminster Regiment Marching Band
- 12:00 pm – Joshua Minsky
- 1:15 pm – Royal Westminster Regiment Marching Band
- 2:15 pm – Francois Laberge & Réjan Bussières
- 12:00 pm – Neezar
- 12:00 pm – Louise Vanhelle
Other Information
To learn more about the festival visit the Vancouver Bastille Day Festival website.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Vancouver’s Yaletown District
- History and Culture in Vancouver
- Vancouver Festivals and Events
- Vancouver on a Budget
- Lower Mainland Summer Activities
- Vancouver Restaurants
- Hotels in Downtown Vancouver
