Formerly called Rock Ambleside and then the Ambleside Retro Music Festival, the Ambleside Music Festival was an outdoor event in West Vancouver in August.
The last time the series of concerts happened at Ambleside Park was in 2023. It hasn’t happened since and might not ever again, although you never know. Exact details about its future are to be confirmed.
This article contains the following information:
Where & When | Admission Prices | Concert Schedule | Concert Video | Things to Know | Other Information
Click on any of the above links to jump to a specific topic or continue reading to learn all about Rock Ambleside.
The Ambleside Music Festival
Ambleside Live was a music festival series that has been taking place under different yet similar names near the waterfront in West Vancouver since 2013.
In the past the event attracted an older crowd and showcased popular rock bands from yesteryear. Bands including Weezer, Third Eye Blind, Saint Motel and Said The Whale played in 2023, the last time the festival ran. Sadly, the event might not take place ever again, although fingers crossed that it will.
Where and When
The music festival happened at Ambleside Park which is located at 1150 Marine Drive in West Vancouver. The event took place most years around the third weekend of August.
In 2023 the festival ran on the Saturday and Sunday of August 19th and 20th (so for one day less than the previous year). When the event used to take place, it started at 1:00 pm on both days.
Admission Prices
Admission to the music festival the last time it ran was as follows.
- 1 Day Pass: $99
- Weekend Pass: $215
- Full Weekend VIP Pass: $365
VIP tickets came with special perks including a separate entrance and lounge, exclusive food offerings, a private bar and designated VIP washrooms.
There was also a kids pass available for the festival in 2022. It cost about $120.
Concert Schedule
The Ambleside Music Festival in the past featured Weezer, Third Eye Blind, Bahamas, Saint Motel, Finger Eleven, Said the Whale, Bran Van 3000 and Wallice. Below was the full schedule for the most recent edition of the festival.
(Note: Performances and times were subject to change.)
Saturday, August 19th, 2023
- 3:00 pm – Wallice
- 4:30 pm – Said the Whale
- 6:10 pm – Saint Motel
- 8:00 pm – Weezer
Sunday, August 20th, 2023
- 3:00 pm – Bran Van 3000
- 4:30 pm – Finger Eleven
- 6:10 pm – Bahamas
- 8:00 pm – Third Eye Blind
Rock Ambleside Concert Video
Below was footage of one of the concerts at Rock Ambleside from a previous year.
It’s not every day that the lead singer of a major rock band comes down off the stage to be with the crowd to sing, but that’s what Paulie Z from Sweet did in 2018. What a great concert it was!
Things to Know
Below are some good things to know before heading to the festival, in case it ever starts up again.
- The event takes place rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable. Take your umbrella if precipitation is in the forecast (although oversized golf and beach umbrellas are not permitted).
- Re-entry is usually allowed, so you can enter and leave the venue as you like until a certain time. Also, don’t forget your wristband or handstamp if leaving.
- Smoking and pets are not permitted at the venue.
- Expect to have your bags and other personal belongings searched upon entry.
- Professional cameras (i.e. with detachable lenses) and recording devices are prohibited.
- No outside food and beverages are allowed. You can, though, bring empty plastic and metal water bottles.
Other Information
For further details about the Ambleside Live event, see the Ambleside Music Festival website.
Click any of the following for more information about the area:
For a list of other events see Vancouver’s August Calendar or check out Festivals & Events.
