The Shipyards Festival is a music festival and street party at the waterfront in the Lower Lonsdale district of North Vancouver in September.
Formerly called the “Shipped Waterfront Festival,” the event celebrated its inaugural year in August of 2018. Renamed the “Shipyards Festival,” it took place again in 2019. Because of COVID-19 it didn’t happen in 2020. The event returned, however, in September of 2021 and 2022. This year it takes place on Saturday, September 23rd.
Other events happening on the same weekend as the Shipyards Festival in 2023 include the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival, which has free performances on Granville Island, and Riverfest in New Westminster. In Abbotsford there is the Taste of Abby fall food festival and the Snowbird RV Show. In Tsawwassen there is the Circo Osorio Circus.
For more info about what’s happening all over the Lower Mainland, see Vancouver’s September Calendar. To learn about the September event in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District, continue reading.
This article contains the following information:
About the Festival | When & Where | Festival Activities | Beer Gardens | 2023 Music Lineup | Concert Video | Tips & Advice | Festival Video | Other Information
Click on any of the above links to jump to a specific topic, or continue reading to learn all about the Shipyards Festival.
Shipyards Festival & Street Party
2018 was the Shipped Waterfront Festival’s first 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 the Shipyards Festival for 2019 and over 15,000 people attended.
In 2023 the Shipyards Festival runs on Saturday, September 23rd. Bands performing at this year’s event include SonReal, MiiNa, Sol, Tourist Company, Garret T. Willie and more.
About the Festival
The Shipyards Festival is a really good free event. It’s part music festival, part street party and fully free to attend!
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 those both young and old.
When and Where
In 2023 the Shipyards Waterfront Festival happens on Saturday, September 23rd, 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.
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 usually a couple of areas at the festival where folks 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!
For the most up-to-date details about the event see the official Shipyards Festival website.
2023 Music Lineup
Below is the music lineup for 2023. Live music takes place at a number of different venues at the Shipyards Festival including on stages in Shipbuilders’ Square, at Shipyard Commons and out on the pier. There is also child-friendly entertainment in the Family Zone.
Shipbuilders’ Square Stage and Shipyard Commons
The Shipbuilders’ Square Stage is located in the main plaza at the Shipyards between the Tap and Barrel Restaurant and the newer outdoor covered plaza. (It’s where concerts take place on Friday and Saturday nights in the summer.) Shipyard Commons is the newer giant covered plaza at the Shipyards. It’s where there is a small water park area in the summer and a skating rink in the winter.
Shipyards Commons Stage 2023
- 12:30 pm: Cara Bateman
- 1:00 pm: Ruthie Ha
- 1:30 pm: Emilyn
- 3:30 pm: Eagle Ex Machina
- 4:30 pm: Lady Sincere
- 5:30 pm: Noxious Obs Society
- 6:30 pm: Garret T. Willie
- 7:30 pm: Sol
- 9:00 pm: SonReal
Shipbuilders Stage 2023
- 12:30 pm: Clara Sanchez
- 2:30 pm: Raw Honey
- 4:00 pm: Ayla Tesler-Mabé
- 5:00 pm: Norine Braun
- 6:00 pm: Micaela Slinger
- 7:00 pm: Riun Garner
- 8:00 pm: MiiNa
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. What a great event it was! 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!
Other Stages
Along with the two biggest stages there are multiple other places where you can catch live music at the festival. 2023 details are listed below.
Car Free Day Stage
- 12:00 pm: Logan & Nathan
- 1:30 pm: Glisha
- 2:15 pm: Dani Camacho
- 3:00 pm: Adam Mah
- 5:00 pm: The Project Vancity
- 6:00 pm: Devours
- 7:00 pm: Tourist Company
Cates Deck Stage
- 1:00 pm: Etienne Siew
- 2:00 pm: Jessica Benini
- 3:00 pm: Silent St. J
- 4:00 pm: Joe Abbott
- 5:00 pm: Francis Baptiste
Burrard Dry Dock Stage
- 2:00 pm: Kiérah
- 4:00 pm: SweetPan
Family Stage
- 12:00 pm: Katie Brock
- 1:00 pm: Mike Battie
- 3:30 pm: Katie Brock
- 4:00 pm: Mike Battie
Tips and 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.
For the most up-to-date details about the event see the official Shipyards Festival website.
Festival Video
Below is a video showcasing some of the sights and sounds of the Shipped Waterfront Festival from a couple of years ago. The band playing in the video is The Leisure Club and the juggler is Mike Battie.
Other Information
For more details about this great North Vancouver’s end-of-summer event, check out the Shipyards Festival‘s website.
For information about other things to do in the area, check out the following:
- North Vancouver
- North Shore
- Shipyards Night Market (a giant summer night market that takes place on Friday evenings)
- Shipyards Summer Sessions Concerts (which take place on Saturday evenings in July and August)
- North Vancouver’s Best Restaurants
- Lonsdale Quay (a large year-round indoor market)
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Festivals & Events Calendar
- Vancouver’s July and August Calendars
- Lower Mainland Summer Activities
- Metro Vancouver’s Top 100 Places
- Free Summer Concerts in Vancouver