Sunset Beach Pride Festival

Formerly called the Sunset Beach Festival, the main VanPrideFest event features a market, beer garden, live music and more at Concord Pacific Place.

Exact details are to be confirmed for 2025, but it seems likely that VanPrideFest will not happen this year (or at least won’t happen at the same site as last year). There will likely be a street festival on Davie Street instead, similar to the former Davie Street Block Party which hasn’t happened since 2019.

For the most up to date details check out the Vancouver Pride website.

VanPrideFest (previously called the Sunset Beach Festival)

The Vancouver Pride Festival is a large celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the summer. One of its biggest events is the main outdoor festival. The event used to take place from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm at Sunset Beach on the same day as the Vancouver Pride Parade.

In 2024 the main Pride Festival event, VanPrideFest, took place at a different location and ran for two days instead of one. Last year’s celebration was on August 3rd and 4th of the BC Day Long Weekend. It took place at Concord Pacific Place, located at 50 Pacific Boulevard from noon until 7:00 pm each day.

The festival was free to attend and it had a lot to offer. There was more than one stage with live music and entertainment throughout the day. There was also a large artisan market with plenty of vendors at the event.

Expect to see lots of people in colourful costumes at the festival. In addition, lemonade, mini donuts and other food and drinks are usually available for purchase (when the event happens).

Live Entertainment

There were at least two stages with live entertainment at VanPrideFest. Last year’s festival headliner was Venus, the most recent winner of Canada’s Drag Race.

Other drag artists on hand included fellow Canada’s Drag Race winners Gisele Lullaby and Icesis Couture, as well as Aurora Matrix, Kendall Gender, The Girlfriend Experience and more. Musical artists included Rêve, LU KALA and Witch Prophet.

The performer list from last year’s festival is below.

The Main Stage

Main Stage performers for both days of the 2024 festival are listed below. The first day focused on drag artists while the second day featured musicians.

Saturday, August 3rd, 2024

VENUS
Gisèle Lullaby
Icesis Couture
Aurora Matrix
Girlfriend Experience
Kendall Gender
Melinda Verga
Synthia Kiss
Ilona Verley

Sunday, August 4th, 2024

Rêve
LU KALA
Witch Prophet
BoiBnd

REALLY GAY WALKING TOURS

Another great 2SLGBTQIA+-themed activity to do during Pride Week is going on a walking tour around Vancouver’s West End with Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours. The tours are an exceptional way to learn about the history of queer culture in Vancouver and highly recommended. For details about the tours, see our article about the Really Gay History Tours.

Tips & Advice

TIP #1: Considering how busy the area around Concord Pacific Place can get on the day of the festival, take public transit if at all possible.

TIP #2: The festival doesn’t usually get busy until later in the afternoon on the Sunday. This is because many people take part in or watch the Vancouver Pride Parade first, and only check out the festival afterwards.

TIP #3: Another event on the Sunday last year was the Vancouver Pride Boat Party. Hosted by Vancouver Boat Parties, the 2SLGBTQIA+-friendly event featured DJ music, drinking and dancing.

Colourful Pride Parade Participants