Car Free Day Surrey is a new event in June. It features free entertainment, an artisan market and family-friendly activities along 137th Street in Newton.
Hosted by the Newton Business Improvement Association in Surrey, the event took place for the first time on Saturday, June 11th, in 2022. The event was produced by MRG Events (which is the same company behind some of the Lower Mainland’s biggest and best events). 2023 details are to be confirmed.
Admission to Car Free Day Surrey is free and it’s a great family-friendly event!
To see a video about the event scroll to the bottom of this article or click Car Free Day Video. To learn all about the event, continue reading.
Click Car Free Day Surrey for the event’s official website.
Surrey’s Car Free Day Street Party Event
There are several different Car Free Day events most years across Metro Vancouver. However, there hasn’t been one in the City of Surrey until now. Most of the other Lower Mainland Car Free Day events also normally happen in June, although not this year. That’s so awesome that the one in Surrey was able to happen!
Similar to other events of the same kind, Car Free Day Surrey is all about driving less and encouraging active modes of transportation such as walking, cycling and public transit. Given the rising prices of fuel in 2022, these alternative methods of transportation are especially important to consider!
Car Free Day Surrey is open to the public and completely free to attend. It takes place rain or shine. It’s a giant street party with all kinds of things to see and do!
When and Where?
Car Free Day Surrey was on Saturday, June 11th, which was the weekend just before Father’s Day in 2022. The event ran all afternoon and evening, from 12:00 to 8:00 pm. The festivities happened along 137th Street between 72A Avenue and 74th Avenue in Newton which is a district in Surrey about 4 km south of Bear Creek Park.
Newton is in Central Surrey. It’s about 7 km south of Central City and about 14 km north of White Rock.
The event’s date and other details for 2023 are to be confirmed.
Who is Performing?
In addition to vendors, food trucks and family-friendly things to see and do, there is live entertainment at Car Free Day Surrey.
The festival features a couple of different stages where musicians, dance groups and other entertainers perform. Artists at the event in 2022 included Ashleigh Ball, daysormay, Meltt, NADUH, The Jins, PEAK, Á’a:líya, Tess Anderson and others.
One of the highlights on the Dance Stage in 2022 was the breakdance battle hosted by Vancouver’s Street Dance Festival. There were also performances by the City Entertainment Dance Ensemble and Diamonds in the Rough. DJ tunes were with DJ Def 3 and Destineak.
Kid-friendly entertainers at the event included the Robin Reddy Show and the Mom Bop Band. There was also Matt Henry who is a great comedic juggler.
Click Car Free Day Surrey for the event’s official website.
What to Expect
On Car Free Day in Surrey a section of 137th Street is closed to traffic most of the day. This way, pedestrians can walk on the road with no worries while enjoying all of the fun activities at the event. Sticking with the theme of no cars, there is no parking available on-site, which is important to know in advance.
In its inaugural year, Car Free Day Surrey offered several things to do for all ages. Lots of families and friends took part in the festivities and had fun!
During the event multiple stages were set up on the street and there was plenty of live entertainment. Performers on the main stage this past year included Ashleigh Ball, daysormay, Tess Anderson and other groups. The DJ stage and dance zone featured DESTINEAK, the Vancouver Street Dance Festival and City Entertainment.
Car Free Day Surrey also had a Family Zone with a stage of its own in 2022. Performers geared more towards families with kids included Robin Reddy Show and Mom Bop. The Family Zone was also where you could find a juggler, balloon twister and face painter. There was also free mini golf, games like Jenga and Connect 4, and lots of other fun activities.
The 2022 event also featured a beer garden and an artisan market with local vendors. The entire street was like one giant beer garden in fact! And you didn’t have to worry about bringing food as there were also food trucks on-site.
Tips and Advice
Below are some suggestions to help you make the most out of your experience at the car free day event in Surrey.
TIP #1: Try to walk, ride your bike or take public transit if you can. It is a “car free day” event after all! The neighbourhood is about a half-hour walk and bus ride south of the King George Sky Train Station.
TIP #2: Go with a group of friends if you can. The more, the merrier!
TIP #3: Go with an appetite. There are food trucks serving tasty food on site.
TIP #4: Car Free Day Surrey is a great event for all ages. Kids and young families will enjoy the entertainment and activities, but so will older folk and groups of all ages.
To give you a really good idea of what to expect at the event, check out the following video. It shows scenes from Car Free Day Surrey in 2022.
As you’ll see in the video there are lots of vendor stalls and information booths. There are also food trucks, games, live entertainment and lots of people having a great time.
Featured performers in this video are the artist Á’alíya rapping on the Main Stage and the Mom Bop Band dancing and singing on the Family Stage.
Other Information
For more information about Car Free Day Surrey, visit the Newton Business Improvement Association‘s website.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- City of Surrey
- Vancouver Festivals and Events
- Vancouver on a Budget
- June Calendar of Events
- Car Free Days in Vancouver
