National Indigenous Peoples Day at Ambleside Park on the North Shore

National Indigenous Peoples Day is commemorated on June 21st with events across the Lower Mainland. Some municipalities celebrate the day earlier, like in North Vancouver where they have a series of events.

West Vancouver celebrates First Nations culture each year with family-friendly activities at a beautiful waterfront location. The event typically includes live entertainment, a salmon dinner and various forms of cultural sharing. Compared to other events celebrating the same occasion, from our experience, the event at Ambleside is less traditional. You’ll see that in the video below.

Ambleside Beach on National Indigenous Peoples Day — Ambleside Beach

Where & When

West Vancouver’s annual National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations are held in Ambleside Park. Located at 1150 Marine Drive, the setting features a sandy beach with gorgeous views of Stanley Park and the Lions Gate Bridge. The event takes place near the Squamish Nation Welcome Figure, which is in the central part of the beach (or far eastern end of the main strip of parking areas).

June 21st fell on a Sunday in 2026. The celebrations in West Vancouver ran from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Event hours in future years may be similar.

Indigenous Band at Ambleside

What to Expect

Attending the National Indigenous Peoples Day event in West Vancouver is a good way to celebrate First Nations cultures while also spending time outdoors.

The main setup of the event is an elevated stage with live entertainment on the beach. Rows of chairs line the sand for anyone who wishes to sit and enjoy the performances.

West Vancouver’s event feels quite different from other June 21st celebrations. For example, rather than only showcasing traditional drumming and dancing, the 2026 event also featured a rock band. Granted, members of the music group had First Nations backgrounds, but the music they played sounded more modern than one might expect at this type of event. It was a really good band and a lot of fun.

The celebrations at Ambleside Park include a salmon dinner as well, with the fish being cooked over an open fire. The Rotary Club was giving out ice cream during the 2026 celebrations too.

Event Video

For a good idea of what to expect at West Vancouver’s National Indigenous Peoples Day event in future years, check out the video below. It includes footage from the 2026 celebrations at Ambleside Park.