A lot happens in Vancouver on the September Labour Day Long Weekend including concerts, multicultural festivals, markets and the PNE Fair.
In 2026 Labour Day takes place on Monday, September 7th. Most special events are on the Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday of the long weekend. The PNE Fair and Summer Sendoff Festival in Chilliwack, however, also happen on the stat holiday. Cultus Lake Adventure Park and Cultus Lake Waterpark are open on the Monday too, which marks their final days of the season.
Click on the blue links below that interest, or scroll further down for details about all of the various activities on the Labour Day Long Weekend in 2026. Alternatively, check out our article about What’s Happening in Vancouver This Weekend.
Events that happen on the September Long Weekend include the following:
The PNE Fair | Nikkei Matsuri | Nativity of the Theotokos Antiochian Orthodox Church Festival | Carnavalito on the Road | Vancouver Boat Parties | The Country Divas: Summer Concert Series | Cultus Lake Adventure Park & Waterpark | Night Markets | Flower Festivals & Farm Activities | Bands on the Beach | 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, 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 the Shipyards Night Market in North Van, and farm-themed events at places like Greendale Acres and Taves Family Farms in the Fraser Valley.
In 2026 there’s also Carnavalito in Langley, the White Rock Night Market, and Nativity of the Theotokos Festival in New Westminster. On the Friday there is also a Summer Concert Series event with the Country Divas in Coquitlam, and a Death & Life of Granville Street walking tour with Forbidden Vancouver on the Saturday.
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 $7 and $25 depending on your age and how you purchase your tickets. For what you get, that’s a terrific deal!
In 2026 the PNE runs from August 22nd until September 7th, 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 or visit pne.ca.
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! If you like Japanese food and culture, or want to experience it for the first time, we recommend this event!
The Nikkei Matsuri happens on the Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend. This year, there’s also a Zenyasai outdoor dance party on the Friday.
To learn more, see our article about the Nikkei Matsuri or visit nikkeimatsuri.nikkeiplace.org.
The Nativity of the Theotokos Antiochian Orthodox Church Festival
In New Westminster
The Nativity of the Theotokos Antiochian Orthodox Church Festival is a community event with a large focus on Mediterranean food. In 2026 it takes place from 2:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, September 6th. Admission is free.
Held outside the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Cathedral in New Westminster, guests can purchase Falafel, Shawarma, Tabuleh and a variety of other mains and desserts. There are Middle Eastern drinks to enjoy as well. The festival also includes a Kids’ Zone, live music and more.
For additional information about the festival, see our article about the Nativity of the Theotokos Antiochian Orthodox Church Festival.
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 2026 Carnavalito takes place on Sunday, September 6th, at Douglas Park in Langley. Admission is by donation.
For details about this event, see our article about Carnavalito on the Road or visit latincouver.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 September 5th in 2026, there’s the Labour Day Weekend Hip Hop x EDM Boat Party which features dancing and music with DJ Ignite and DJ EM1. Then on September 6th, there’s the Latin Vibes Labour Day Weekend Boat Party with Latin and Hip Hop tunes. Expect to see DJ EM1, DJ Ignite and other guest DJs. 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.
The Country Divas: Summer Concert Series
In Coquitlam
Coquitlam hosts their Summer Concert Series with more than just one show to enjoy each summer. One of the concerts in 2026 takes place at Town Centre Park on Friday, September 4th, so at the start of the long weekend. The Country Divas perform hits by iconic female artists such as Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Faith Hill and others.
For more details about this event along with similar concerts at other times of the year, see our article about Vancouver Tribute Bands & Concerts. For details about the September 4th event specifically, see the coquitlam.ca website.
Cultus Lake Adventure Park and Waterpark
Cultus Lake is a resort community in the Fraser Valley with a couple of large, family-friendly attractions. There’s the Cultus Lake Adventure Park and the Cultus Lake Waterpark, both of which are popular places to be in the summer.
The amusement park offers miniature golf, a roller coaster and a variety of rides, while the waterpark has over a dozen water slides. The two places close for the season in 2026 on Monday, September 7th, which means that day is your last chance to go until next year.
To learn more about the attractions, see our pages about Cultus Lake Adventure Park and Cultus Lake Waterpark or visit cultus.com.
Night Markets
There are a couple of big night markets with free admission taking place over the Labour Day Weekend in 2026. Both happen on Friday, September 4th.
In North Vancouver there’s the Shipyards Night Market. It features artisan vendors, a beer garden and live music. Similarly, the White Rock Night Market offers vendors, food trucks and entertainment. Both of these are amazing events and admission is free.
Flowers Festivals & Farm Activities
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 and the Chilliwack Corn Maze at Greendale Acres.
Taves Family Farms & Applebarn
Taves Family Farms & Applebarn is a fun, family-friendly farm in Abbotsford with tons of activities for kids. The place is open on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend, and then on select dates until October 31st.
During this time of the year, Taves hosts their special Magic of Sunflowers experience featuring thousands of blooms to admire. The event also includes apple picking opportunities and access to the farm’s play structures. There are pedal karts, a jumping pillow, a new big slide and more.
In 2026 the Magic of Sunflower runs until September 6th. After that, later in the month, there is the Magic of Fall which goes until Halloween.
To learn more about what’s happening at the farm, visit the tavesfamilyfarms.com website.
Greendale Acres
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.
This year the farm hosts a Summer Sendoff Festival from September 5th to 7th. The event features live music, face painting, a watermelon eating contest and more fun. On the Saturday, performers include Josh Petersen, The Rundown and Tanner Olsen Band. Kyler Pierce and his band play on the Sunday while Natalie Faith performs on the Monday.
To learn more about this attraction, see our article about the Chilliwack Corn Maze or visit greendaleacres.ca.
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 the Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend.
The music on the Labour Day Weekend typically features everything from Indie to Country to Bluegrass. The event is organized by local musician Todd Richard.
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.
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, 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.
- TAIWANfest – a multicultural festival in downtown Vancouver on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Labour Day long weekend.
- Victory Square Block Party – a community event with live music that takes place in Vancouver most years.
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 a& Nature.
Happy end of summer holidays!
Other websites you might also find of interest are VancouverForKids.ca and VancouverFoodFestivals.ca. Later in the year, you might also like VancouverHalloweenEvents.ca and VancouverChristmasEvents.ca.
