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.

In 2023 the event took place on August 12th. Whether it happens again in 2024 is to be confirmed. Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t.

Another event that happened on that same weekend was the African Descent Festival. It’s a free event at English Bay Beach that took place on the Saturday and Sunday of August 12th and 13th in 2023. This past year, artists who performed at the English Bay event included Grammy-nominated artist Eddy Kenzo, Ghetto Kids (from Britain’s Got Talent), Mazacote, The Boom Booms, Samba Fusion and other groups featuring artists of African ancestry.

To learn about the event at English Bay, see our article about the African Descent Festival or click the banner ad below. 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 2022. Organizers expected an even larger crowd to attend in 2023.

OTHER EVENTS IN AUGUST

Other events that happened on the weekend of August 12th and 13th in 2023 included the African Descent Festival in Vancouver and BC Dumpling Festival in Coquitlam. In the Fraser Valley there was also the Chilliwack Fair & Rodeo, Chilliwack Mural Festival and Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival. To learn about these and other great events, see Vancouver’s August Calendar.

When and Where?

In 2022 the Black Block Party took place on August 27th. The event returned in 2023 and happened on Saturday, August 12th, from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

The same as the year before, the event happened at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square outside the Vancouver Art Gallery at 750 Hornby Street.

Entertainment Schedule in 2023

The 2023 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.

12:15 pm – Keisha
12:35 pm – Sika Valmé
12:55 pm – GAIA
1:00 pm – Open Mic
2:20 pm – Bassie
2:40 pm – D Fretter
3:20 pm – Adonis King
3:35 pm – Panel
4:10 pm – Jennipher Shillings
4:30 pm – Kaycees Fantasy
4:50 pm – Founder’s Speech
5:05 pm – Raffle Draw
5:35 pm – Emerald Osagie
6:10 pm – Zynth Dance Crew
6:25 pm – Jam Session
7:20 pm – Adewolf
7:55 pm – Jam Session

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.

The 2023 event featured Elbo’s Jamaican Patties, Kula Foods, NRI African Flavours, Vansuya and Yardie Grabz.