Shipped Waterfront Festival

The Shipyards Festival is a music festival and street party at the waterfront in the Lower Lonsdale district of North Vancouver in September.

In 2025 the Shipyards Festival happens on Saturday, September 20th. That’s the same weekend as the Chilliwack Garlic Festival, Douglas Days at Fort Langley and the Snowbird RV Show in the Fraser Valley. There’s also the Big Pirate Run in Richmond and Circo Osorio Circus shows in Tsawwassen.

To learn about what else is happening this time of year, see our September Calendar of Events. To learn about the Shipyards Festival, continue reading.

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Shipyards Festival & Street Party in 2025

The Shipyards Waterfront Festival first launched in 2018, and it was an impressive event. Over 7,500 people attended! It was a free event, family-friendly and at an amazing (and easily accessible) venue. The festival was renamed to the Shipyards Festival for 2019 and over 15,000 people attended.

In 2025 the Shipyards Festival runs on Saturday, September 20th. Bands performing at the event include Passion Mango, Aiden Ayers, Bealby Point and other artists.

About the Festival

The Shipyards Festival is a really good free event. It’s part music festival, part street party.

The festival takes place at various locations along North Vancouver’s waterfront between the Shipyards and Lonsdale Quay. It features multiple stages, a beer garden and kids’ activities such as bounce houses and arts and crafts. The festival also has a variety of vendors, along with other fun activities for all ages.

When and Where

The Shipyards Waterfront Festival happens on Saturday, September 20th this year, from noon until 9:00 pm.

The venue for the festival includes a large area along the waterfront in the City of North Vancouver. It stretches from the Pier, Pipe Shop and Shipbuilders’ Square at the Shipyards, along the waterfront by the Polygon Gallery, and to Lonsdale Quay.

Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards are located at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue by the BC Transit SeaBus station and North Vancouver’s main bus terminal at 123 Carrie Cates Court.

TIP: MONOVA: The Museum of North Vancouver is located near the Shipyards District too and it’s well worth checking out.

Festival Activities

The Shipyards Festival includes live music, DJ music, artisan vendors, a Family Zone, food trucks, beer garden stations and community information stalls.

Beer Gardens

There are typically a couple of areas at the festival where people ages 19+ can purchase craft beers and other adult beverages while listening to the music. Usually, one of the beer gardens is on the waterfront side of the Polygon Gallery close to Lonsdale Quay. The other is at Shipbuilders’ Square where the main live music takes place. In 2025 there is a site-wide liquor license, meaning that you can wander around with your drink instead of being confined to just one small area.

2025 Shipyards Festival Music & Entertainment Lineup

Live music takes place at a number of different venues at the Shipyards Festival.

In the past there have been stages in Shipbuilders’ Square, Shipyard Commons and out on the pier. There’s also child-friendly entertainment in the Family Zone most years. In past years there have also been some pretty big-name headliner bands including the Boom Booms, Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer, and Bedouin Soundclash.

In 2025 there are three stages. Below is the entertainment lineup for each of them.

1st Street Stage

12:00 pm – DJ Pizza Legs
1:00 pm – School of Rock
1:40 pm – Bad Hoss
2:25 pm – Luke Beach Brown
3:20 pm – Tasvoor
4:15 pm – Blue Rivera
5:15 pm – Wyper & Parker
6:30 pm – Bealby
7:50 pm – Passion Mango

Shipyards Stage

12:15 pm – Official Welcome
12:55 pm – Van Django
2:05 pm – School of Rock
2:45 pm – Felisha & the Jazz Rejects
3:40 pm – Ben Parker & Phoenix Lauren
4:45 pm – Runner
5:40 pm – Steph Wall
6:45 pm – Aiden Ayers

Family Stage

1:00 pm – Magic Kingdom
2:00 pm – Marnie Grey Music
3:00 pm – Kellie Hanes Ventriloquist
4:00 pm – Andy the Scientist

Bedouin Soundclash Concert Video

To give you an idea of what to expect at Shipyard Commons at the end of the night at the Shipyards Festival, check out the video below. It shows scenes of the concert by Bedouin Soundclash in 2021. The band returned to the Lower Mainland in 2022 when it played at the Vancouver Craft Beer & Music Festival.

Earlier in the day there were a number of other great concerts on the Shipyard Commons Stage, but with fewer people in the audience. By the time the headliner band took the stage, however, the place was absolutely packed!

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions and extra information to help you make the most of your Shipyards Festival experience.

TIP #1: Especially if coming from anywhere other than the North Shore, take public transit if you can. The event takes place close to the Lonsdale Quay SeaBus Terminal so it couldn’t be more convenient.

TIP #2: Lower Lonsdale is one of Metro Vancouver’s most interesting neighbourhoods, especially in the summer and when there are events going on. While at the festival, explore the area!

TIP #3: The Shipyards Festival has activities for all ages. Bring the whole family and invite your friends! It’s a ton of fun!

TIP #4: If you’re looking for a place to stay in the Shipyards District, consider staying at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier. It’s really nice. There are a few other hotels in the area too. Downtown Vancouver is also just a short SeaBus trip away. If staying downtown we recommend you check the prices for places on the website StayVancouverHotels.com. You can get bonus gifts when you book through them.

Concert at Shipped Waterfront Festival — Live Music at Shipbuilders’ Square

Festival Video

Below is a video showcasing some of the sights and sounds of the Shipyards Waterfront Festival from a couple of years ago. The band playing in the video is The Leisure Club and the juggler is Mike Battie.