Shipped Waterfront Festival

The Shipped Waterfront Festival is a music festival and street party that takes place in the Lower Lonsdale district of North Vancouver in August.

North Vancouver’s Shipped Waterfront Music Festival & Street Party

2018 was the Shipped Waterfront Festival’s inaugural year and it was an impressive event. Over 7500 people attended!

It’s a free event, family-friendly and at an amazing (and easily accessible) venue.

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About the Festival

The Shipped Waterfront Festival is the Lower Mainland’s newest major festival. It’s part music festival, part street party and 100% 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 couple of beer gardens and kids’ activities. There are also ziplining, climbing wall, axe-throwing and Euro-Bungee jumping opportunities to be had!

When and Where

In 2018 the Shipped Waterfront Festival happened on Saturday, August 11th, from noon until 10:00 at night.

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.

Axe Throwing Games — Axe Throwing in Lower Lonsdale

Festival Activities

The Shipped Waterfront Festival includes live music, DJ music, artisan vendors, a Family Zone with kid-friendly activities, food trucks, beer gardens, community information stalls, and crazy activities like ziplining and axe throwing right in the city!

Below is a description of some of the highlights.

Beer Gardens

There are two areas at the festival where folks ages 19+ can enjoy craft beers and other adult beverages while listening to the music. 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.

Stanley Park Brewing is one of the event sponsors, so expect a good selection of their beers.

Street Performer at the Shipyards — Mike Battie juggling while walking on stilts

Live Entertainment

Major concerts and other live music take place at a number of different venues, including the following:

Seaspan Family Zone

Located at the Pipe Shop in Shipbuilders’ Square, the Family Zone features kid-friendly entertainment, music, dancing and other fun stuff. The area also has children’s play areas.

Performers in the Family Zone include the Kids Can Dance Party, Rockin’ Robin & the Magical Tree, Rapunzel, Peter GG and Mike Battie.

Cates Dock Stage

The Cates Dock Stage is located at the waterfront in front of the (relatively new) Polygon Gallery. The venue is fully licensed and features both DJ and live-music performances.

Darwin Stage and Adventure Avenue Zone

An electronic stage can be found at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue close to the Adventure Avenue Zone where the ziplining, axe-throwing and other adventure-type activities take place.

In the Adventure Avenue Zone there is a climbing wall that’s free to try. Folk ages 12 and up can try axe throwing at $10 for 10 throws. The Euro-Bungee trampolining costs $5. When we were there in the morning there was also a booth giving out free popcorn.

Concert at Shipped Waterfront Festival — Leisure Club at Shipbuilders’ Square

2018 Music Lineup

The Shipped Waterfront Festival boasted an impressive music lineup for its inaugural year. Bands performing in 2018 included the following:

Humans – a Canadian Indie-Electronic band
Manatee Commune – an Electronic artist from the Pacific Northwest who’s known for his dance music
Leisure Club – a 5-member Vancouver-based band
Sam the Astronaut – an Alternative band from Port Moody
Colin Bullock – a Vancouver-based singer and songwriter
Blue Strange – a 3-man Blues, Funk and Rock band from Ladner
Sweetz – an R&B and Neo-Soul group
Smile Band – an all-girl band from the Surrey Academy of Innovative Learning
Tonye Aganaba – a high energy Soul, Neo-Folk and Hip-Hop artist

Some of Vancouver’s top DJs also show their stuff at the festival in 2018. Look out for DJ Seko, Rico Uno, DJ Marvel, Olin Brix, Chloe Morgan, DJ Goodspin, DJ Flipout and DJ Kelso.

Smile Band in Concert — Smile Band at the Shipyards

Tips and Advice

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

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

TIP #2: Did you know that there is a new Hop On Ferry service that connects North Vancouver’s Shipyards with Coal Harbour and Granville Island? Check it out! See Pacific Ferries & Tours for details.

TIP #3: 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 #4: The Shipped Waterfront Festival has activities for all ages. Bring the whole family and invite your friends! It’s a ton of fun!

Festival Video

Below is a video showcasing some of the sights and sounds of the Shipped Waterfront Festival in 2018. The band playing in the video is The Leisure Club and the juggler is Mike Battie.