Surrey Fest Downtown is a free community festival. It includes live entertainment, family-friendly activities and community info stalls at Central City Plaza.
In 2024 the one-day event happened on Saturday, June 15th. That was the same weekend as ScotFestBC & BC Highland Games in Coquitlam, Capilano Mall Foodie Fest on the North Shore, and the Stalew 10th Anniversary Event at Fort Langley (where admission to the second two events is free). There was also a Queen Tribute Concert at the River Rock Casino in Richmond and the GearUp4CF Bike Ride cycling, fundraising event for Cystic Fibrosis which started in Crescent Beach.
Other events that take place in Surrey in the summer include Surrey’s Canada Day Celebrations and the Surrey Fusion Festival in July. In June 2024 there were also a number of free events at the Museum of Surrey including a Father’s Day Stay & Play event on July 16th and Sensory Fun at the Museum on June 22nd.
To learn more about what else is happening on the weekend in mid-June in the Lower Mainland, see our article about Vancouver Father’s Day Activities. To learn more about Surrey Fest Downtown, continue reading.
Surrey Fest Community Festival
Surrey Fest Downtown used to take place at Holland Park in recent years. However, last year the event took place at Central City Plaza, so just outside the Central City shopping mall at 13450 102 Avenue. The venue is close to the Surrey Central SkyTrain Station in Surrey. That’s where the event happened again in 2024!
Previously known as the Whalley Community festival, the event is a medium-sized affair. It attracts about 4,000 or so attendees in years with good weather. This year, the event celebrated its 24th anniversary on Saturday, June 15th. Festivities ran from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm.
What to Expect
At Surrey Fest Downtown each year there are a small number of food and market vendor stalls, community organization informational booths, a silent auction and live performances.
In total, around 50 businesses and other local groups usually participate and have a presence at the event. They represent everything from credit unions, church groups and artists to non-profit organizations such as Girl Guides and Crime Stoppers.
If you want to learn about the local community and organizations in it, Surrey Fest Downtown is a good event to attend.
Festival Entertainment
Surrey Fest Downtown is a fairly simple and low-key affair for the most part, but it does offer great live entertainment at specific times. Below was the schedule of events in 2024.
(Note: Times and details were subject to change.)
- 11:00 am – John Welsh Band
- 12:00 pm – Opening Ceremony
- 12:30 pm – Anne Martina
- 1:30 pm – Sun Hang Do
- 2:00 pm – Derby Town
- 3:00 pm – Junk Oy
Surrey Fest Kids’ Zone
In addition to the above and other live entertainment, there is usually a Kids’ Zone at the festival.
In previous years, the Kids’ Zone featured a couple of bouncy castles, face painting and a craft station for children. There is also usually free popcorn, candy floss and other treats. At the time of writing, exact details for 2024 were unclear but similar activities were likely featured.
Tips & Advice
Below are a couple of suggestions and information to help you make the most of your visit to the festival at Central City Plaza:
TIP #1: Take public transit. The Surrey Central SkyTrain Station is steps away from Central City shopping centre.
TIP #2: Unless you’re a young child, the main attraction, in our opinion, is the live music. For young children, however, the most fun will be at the Kids’ Zone.
Other Information
For more information about the festival at Central City Plaza, click Surrey Fest Downtown.
For information about the city and other things to do in the area, click Surrey.
In case you’re interested, other (and generally larger) major festivals at various times of the year in Surrey include the following:
- Party for the Planet – a free event celebrating Earth Day at the Surrey City Hall Plaza in April.
- Surrey Vaisakhi Parade – a major Punjabi festival in April that’s free and attracts over 200,000 people.
- Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair – a community fair and rodeo on the Victoria Day long weekend in May.
- Surrey Fusion Festival – a large and free multicultural event in July at Holland Park.
