Formerly called Rock Ambleside and then the Ambleside Retro Music Festival, the Ambleside Music Festival is an outdoor event in West Vancouver in August.
After running in 2022, under a new name, and again in 2023, the music festival was, unfortunately, cancelled in 2024. When it does run, the Ambleside Music Festival usually takes place around mid-August. We hope to see its return to Ambleside in 2025. Details are to be confirmed, though.
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 is 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 two years ago, the last time the festival ran.
Where and When
The music festival happens at Ambleside Park which is located at 1150 Marine Drive in West Vancouver. The event takes 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). The event 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. It’s unclear whether that was the case again in 2023.
Admission prices will likely be comparable for the musical festival’s return in 2025, although this is to be confirmed.
Concert Schedule
The Ambleside Music Festival has 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 is 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, assuming it 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.