A lot happens in Vancouver on the September Labour Day long weekend including concerts, multicultural festivals, markets and the PNE Fair.
This year Labour Day takes place on Monday, September 1st. Most special events take place on the Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend. Events that still happen on the holiday Monday, however, include the PNE Fair and TAIWANfest.
Click on the blue links that interest you below, or scroll further down for details about all of the various activities. Alternatively, check out our article about What’s Happening in Vancouver This Weekend.
Events that usually happen on the September long weekend include the following:
The PNE Fair | TAIWANfest | Vancouver Boat Parties | Shipyards Night Market | Nikkei Matsuri | Flower Festivals & Farm Activities | Bands on the Beach at Harrison | Victory Square Block Party | Polish Festival Vancouver | Other Events
September Long Weekend in the Lower Mainland
There are a number of great Labour Day weekend activities to enjoy in the final days of the summer.
Annual events that take place on the Labour Day weekend include the PNE Fair, TAIWANfest, Nikkei Matsuri, and Harrison Hot Spring’s Bands on the Beach. There are also nightclub-style events with Vancouver Boat Parties in the waters around Vancouver. There is also Carnavalito in Langley, the Shipyards Night Market in North Van, and farm-themed events at places like Greendale Acres, Taves Family Farms and Maan Farms in the Fraser Valley.
See below for details about the above and other holiday weekend activities. For even more complete lists of what to do in the Lower Mainland, see our September Calendar.
The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE)
In Vancouver
Without a doubt, the PNE Fair is a weekend favourite for hundreds of thousands of Vancouverites. It’s arguably the best annual fair deal in Canada. Ticket prices range between $9 and $25 depending on your age and how you purchase your tickets. For what you get, that’s a terrific deal!
In 2025 the PNE runs from August 16th until September 1st, so it takes place throughout the Labour Day long weekend.
To learn more about the great events offered and activities that you can enjoy at the PNE every year, see our article about the PNE Fair. For tickets to the fair in 2025 and for full details, visit the Pacific National Exhibition‘s website.
TAIWANfest
In Vancouver
TAIWANfest is a multicultural festival in downtown Vancouver. It takes place on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Labour Day long weekend, so from August 30th to September 1st in 2025.
The festival features a number of events including a street party on Granville Street and in the plaza in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. There are also live music performances and other events at nearby venues like the Annex Theatre.
For full details about the event, visit vancouvertaiwanfest.ca.
Labour Day Boat Parties
Vancouver Boat Parties is a popular party boat company. It runs two nightclub-style events on the Burrard Queen vessel over the Labour Day weekend.
On August 30th in 2025, there is the Labour Day Weekend Hip Hop x EDM Boat Party which features dancing and music with DJ Ignite, DJ Liftoff and DJ EM1. Then on August 31st, there’s the Latin Vibes Labour Day Weekend Boat Party with Latin and Hip Hop tunes. Expect to see DJ Chavs, DJ EM1 and DJ Ignite. Both events are lots of fun and typically sell out (so book your tickets while you can if you plan to attend)!
To learn more about this event, see our article about Vancouver Boat Parties or visit the vancouverboatparties.com website.
Shipyards Night Market
The Shipyards District is an area in North Vancouver that stretches from Lonsdale Quay (by the SeaBus terminal) to the Burrard Drydock (which is also known as Shipbuilders’ Pier). It’s an interesting place to visit any time of year, but especially so on weekends and in the summer. The Labour Day weekend is no exception.
The biggest and most significant event on the Labour Day weekend in North Vancouver is the Shipyards Night Market. It features artisan vendors, a beer garden and live music on the Friday. It’s an amazing event and admission is free.
This year, the bands performing at the night market on Friday, August 29th, are HB Wild, Justine Lynn, Elise Boulanger and Troy Toma.
Bands on the Beach
At Harrison Hot Springs
The beautiful resort town of Harrison Hot Springs hosts its annual Bands on the Beach event which features free live music by the lake. Bring your lawn chair and listen to the concerts on the beach on Saturday, August 30th.
The music on the Labour Day weekend typically features everything from Indie to Country to Bluegrass. Performers this year include Spendo, Kyler Pierce, Trevor Murray Band, and other artists.
TIP #1: While at Harrison Hot Springs, make the most out of your trip and check out some of the area’s attractions. Highlights include the famous beach in the resort town, Sasquatch Provincial Park, the Sasquatch Museum, Harrison Water Sports and boat rides with Shoreline Tours. Not far away there is also Kilby Historic Site.
TIP #2: Arrive well before noon if you want to find convenient parking.
TIP #3: Don’t forget your swimsuit!
See our article about Bands on the Beach for more information.
The Nikkei Matsuri
In Burnaby
The Nikkei Matsuri is a great Japanese-themed festival at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby. The event features live entertainment, market vendors and cultural displays. This is very much an authentic event. It’s like a real small town Japanese festival! It’s awesome!
In 2025 the Nikkei Matsuri runs on Saturday, August 30th, and Sunday, August 31st. If you like Japanese food and culture, or want to experience it for the first time, we recommend this event!
To learn more, see our article about the Nikkei Matsuri or visit nikkeimatsuri.nikkeiplace.org.
Flowers Festivals & Farm Activities
In the Fraser Valley
A number of great farm and flower-themed activities happen in the Fraser Valley on the Labour Day Long Weekend. They include the Taves Family Farms, Maan Farms, and the Chilliwack Corn Maze at Greendale Acres.
Taves Family Farms & Applebarn
Taves Family Farms & Applebarn is a fun, family-friendly farm with tons of activities for kids in Abbotsford. This year the farm has its Magic of Sunflowers Experience. It takes place all weekend, and then continues on select dates until September 7th (after which the Magic of Fall Experience starts up on September 13th and runs until October 31st).
Maan Farms
Maan Farms is another popular farm in Abbotsford with lots of kid-friendly things to see and do. There are farm animals and amazing play structures for families to enjoy. The attraction’s Fall at the Farm event doesn’t start up until the middle of September. The Barnyard Adventureland, however, is open daily this time of year (and kid love it)!
Chilliwack Corn Maze
Greendale Acres is a farm that’s home to the well-known Chilliwack Corn Maze. The venue has a terrific corn maze as well as lots of kid-friendly activities. The place is open on all four days of the Labour Day long weekend this year. Plus, on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the long weekend there’s a Summer Send Off Festival. The live music on the Saturday runs from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. On Sunday it runs from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.
To learn more about this attraction, see our article about the Chilliwack Corn Maze.
In Langley
Carnaval del Sol is a big Latin festival that takes place in Vancouver in July. Carnavalito, meanwhile, is like Carnaval del Sol’s little cousin. It’s hosted by the same organization, Latincouver, but it’s smaller and has more of a kid and young family focus.
In 2025 Carnavalito takes place on Saturday, August 30th, at Douglas Park in Langley. Admission is free.
For details about this event, see our article about Carnavalito on the Road.
Victory Square Block Party
In Vancouver
The Victory Square Block Party is a free event with live music. The event is held outdoors at 200 West Hastings Street in downtown Vancouver (which is part of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside). The event is free to attend.
Last year’s Victory Square Block Party took place on Sunday, September 1st. Performers included Lilex & The Apocalips, Adewolf, Scarlet Fever and other artists. Details about the event in 2025 are to be confirmed. Hopefully it will happen again this year.
For additional information about this free event, click Victory Square Block Party.
Polish Festival Vancouver
In North Vancouver
The Polish Festival is a free event at the Shipyards in North Vancouver. This year it takes place on Saturday, September 6th, so on the weekend after Labour Day.
The festival features Polish food, beer, vendors, cultural displays and more. This year, there are live performances by Gustavo Hererra, Slovak Sound Band, the Zornitza Dance Ensemble and more. The festival is a great family-friendly event in a wonderful location and admission is free.
To learn more about this event, see our article about the Polish Festival Vancouver, or visit the host organization’s website at belweder.org.
Other Events
Many of Vancouver’s regular weekly summer events also occur over the September long weekend. See below for more details.
- Richmond Night Market – on all four days of the long weekend.
- Bard on the Beach – Vancouver’s famous Shakespearean theatre.
- Saturday Farmers Markets – great places to pick up long weekend picnic supplies on the Saturday can be found in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Fort Langley, Maple Ridge, Squamish, Trout Lake, Vancouver’s West End and other locations.
- Sunday Farmers Markets – taking place as they do most weekends in the summer at Ambleside, Brentwood, Coquitlam, Kitsilano, Mt. Pleasant, White Rock and Whistler.
- Live Theatre at The Improv Centre – theatresports-style shows take place at the theatre on Granville Island.
- Railway of Museum of BC – a cool museum in Squamish about trains and the history of locomotives in the province.
- WildPlay in Maple Ridge – ropes course adventures and ziplining happen in the forest in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
- Vancouver Mysteries Games – outdoor adventure games take place in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES to save 10%.)
- Forbidden Vancouver – guided walking tours take place in both Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver.
Other Things to do in September
Looking for other things to do in September in the Lower Mainland on different days and weekends? Then check out Vancouver’s Best Places’ September Calendar of Events. Or, if you just want to find a beautiful place to hang out, check out Vancouver’s best places in parks and nature.
Happy end of summer holidays!
