Black Block Party

The Black Block Party is a celebration of black culture with live music, art installations, market vendors and more outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in August.

The event takes place towards the end of August.

Another event that happens in the same month is the African Descent Festival. It’s a free event at English Bay Beach that takes place on August 8th, 9th and 11th in 2025. To learn about that event, see our article about the African Descent Festival. To learn about the Black Block Party, continue reading.

Black Block Party in Vancouver

The Black Block Party is a fun way to immerse yourself in black culture in downtown Vancouver. It’s a free and inclusive one-day event that showcases the black community and fosters friendships with allies.

The first ever Black Block Party took place in 2022. It featured talented black singers, artists and cooks. There were live performances, visual art displays and other activities throughout the afternoon and evening on the day of the event. In total, the Black Block Party attracted close to 4,000 people in its inaugural year.

OTHER EVENTS IN AUGUST

Other events that usually happen around the same time as the Black Block Party are the Richmond Maritime Festival, as well as the Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival, and the Tour de Cure in various parts of the Lower Mainland.

To learn about these and other great events, see Vancouver’s August Calendar.

When and Where?

The Black Block Party typically takes place on a Saturday from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

The event happens at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square outside the Vancouver Art Gallery at 750 Hornby Street.

Entertainment Schedule

The 2024 Black Block Party featured several talented artists throughout the day. This past year’s schedule of performances is listed below. Exact details were subject to change.

1:10 pm – Cœurtis
1:30 pm – Sad Boy Denzel
1:45 pm – Lordnation
2:00 pm – DJ Azeez
3:00 pm – Agasha
3:45 pm – Femi JR
4:05 pm – Haleluya Hailu
4:40 pm – Batty Banks
5:00 pm – Taybytheway
5:20 pm – FAY
5:40 pm – DJ Nea Stone Fox
6:45 pm – Kadisha
7:05 pm – Janelle Reid
7:40 pm – DJ Vinnie Bugatti

Food Vendors

The Black Block Party is a great opportunity to taste food inspired by different regions of Africa and the Caribbean. Be sure to enjoy snacks and a tasty meal from one of the many vendors on-site.

Previous vendors have included Elbo’s Jamaican Patties, Kula Foods, NRI African Flavours, Vansuya and Yardie Grabz. Future years will likely be comparable.