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.

Last year the Shipyards Festival happened on Saturday, September 21st. That was the same weekend as the Chilliwack Garlic Festival, Douglas Days at Fort Langley and Snowbird RV Show in the Fraser Valley. There was also the Big Pirate Run in Richmond and Circo Osorio Circus shows in Tsawwassen. It’s to be confirmed when the Shipyards Festival happens in 2025.

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

The Shipyards Waterfront Festival first launched in 2018 year, 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.

Last year the Shipyards Festival ran on Saturday, September 21st. Bands who performed at the event included Yukon Blonde, Young Friend, Meltt, Black Pontiac 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 happened on Saturday, September 21st last year, from noon until 10:00 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. There’s a new exhibit, Echoes of Memory, starting February 7th until June 1st, 2025. The museum also offers free walking tours around the area on Wednesdays and Sundays in September.

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 enjoy 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 years past the beer vending station in Shipbuilders’ Square was where you could buy Stanley Park Brewing beverages and enjoy them while walking around or at a table in the plaza. We’re not sure why the organizers chose a non-North Shore-based brewery for the event, but they did. And Stanley Park Brewing makes pretty good beer!

Lonsdale Quay Plaza at Shipyards Festival — Lonsdale Quay During the Shipyards Festival

Music Lineup

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

There are normally stages in Shipbuilders’ Square, Shipyard Commons and out on the pier. There’s also child-friendly entertainment in the Family Zone most years.

Some of the artists who performed at last year’s event were the following:

Yukon Blonde
Young Friend
Meltt
Black Pontiac
Bakara
Delco
Laraw
Linda Fox
Marmoris
Runner
Tiger Really

Concert at Shipbuilders' Square — The Boom Booms on Shipbuilders’ Stage

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.