Events at Vancouver's PNE

The Pacific National Exhibition is not only home to Playland, the PNE Fair and Fright Nights, but also to dozens of concerts and other events every year.

PNE EVENT CANCELLATIONS

In response to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, upcoming events at the PNE have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely. Playland, originally scheduled to begin in early May, now won’t be open until at least June. Other upcoming events, including concerts and trade shows, have also been cancelled or are in the process of being rescheduled.

To learn more about events at the PNE and their statuses, see the PNE/Playland website.

For a list of other cancelled events and closed attractions in the Lower Mainland, click COVID-19 Cancellations in Vancouver.

To learn about the many events that take place at the PNE and its various venues each month, including things like Monster Jam, trade shows and concerts that rent the space, see below.

If you want information specifically about summer and fall events run by the Pacific National Exhibition, then see our articles about Playland, the PNE Fair, PNE Summer Night Concerts and Fright Nights at Halloween.

Vancouver’s PNE Events and Venues

So many Vancouver events take place at the PNE. Some of them are put on by the Pacific National Exhibition itself, like those mentioned above, but others are independent and simply rent the PNE’s facilities.

Venues at the PNE include Playland (where all the rides are), Hastings Racecourse, the Pacific Coliseum, the PNE Forum, Hastings Park and the Agrodome.

The PNE Fairgrounds hosts major events like Harvestland in the fall and the Aurora Winter Festival around December. The Vancouver Craft Beer Festival also used to take place there in early summer, but as of 2020 that event now happens by False Creek instead.

Annual Events at the PNE

Below is a list of events taking place at the PNE in different months of the year. Our list doesn’t include everything. It does though include some of the best events and our favourites.

(Note: Exact details are subject to change. See official websites for exact information.)

PNE Events in MARCH

March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2020

Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market – a winter market that takes place on Sundays from 10 am until 2 pm in the parking lot by the Hastings Skatepark between November and April.

Sunday, March 1, 2020

Vancouver Comics & Toy Show – an annual event featuring close to 200 vendors selling new, used and collectible comics, toys and superhero paraphernalia at the PNE Forum.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

The Glorious Sons: A War On Everything Tour – this rock band performs at the PNE Forum. The show is at 7:30 pm and Black Pistol Fire is the opener. All tickets are for general admission.

Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, 2020

Monster Jam – a monster truck show and competition at the Pacific Coliseum. Ticket prices range depending on where you sit. This event takes place on the Saturday at 1 pm and 7 pm and on the Sunday at 1 pm. There is also a Pit Party before the 1 pm shows where you can see your favourite monster trucks up close and meet the drivers. (POSTPONED as of March 12th due to concerns about the coronavirus.)

March 27-29, 2020

Vancouver Mineral and Gem Show – a market-style show featuring vendors displaying and selling jewelry, crystals, rare fossils and more! There are also lectures, door prizes and demos. On the Friday the hours are 1 pm to 9 pm, on the Saturday hours are 10 am to 6 pm, and on the Sunday the event runs from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets are available online. (CANCELLED)

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Seasons Festival – a music festival starting at 7 pm at the Pacific Coliseum. The headlining band for 2020 is Above & Beyond with Yotto and Meduza also performing. Tickets are all general admission and range in price depending on when they are bought and if VIP benefits are included. (POSTPONED)

PNE Events in APRIL

April 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2020

Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market – a winter market that takes place on Sundays from 10 am until 2 pm in the parking lot by the Hastings Skatepark between November and April.

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Rave Culture – a musical festival at the Pacific Coliseum on the Easter Long Weekend. Headliners include Audiotricz, Timmy Trumpet and W&W. Ticket prices range from about $70 to $110 depending on how far in advance you purchase them. (TBC)

April 17-19, 2020

Make It! – a market featuring over a hundred vendors who create beautiful handcrafted items. Goods available for purchase include jewellery, art, decorations for your home, clothing and many more things. There are also food trucks and a beer garden on site. (CANCELLED)

PNE Events in MAY

Weekends in May

Playland – an amusement park with over 35 rides takes place all of June (except June 8-12). The hours vary depending on the date. Open from 11 am until 6 pm on weekends and the Victoria Day Monday in May 2020. (POSTPONED until June at the earliest)

Friday, May 1, 2020

Rage Against The Machine – the popular rock band is coming back for a reunion tour at the Pacific Coliseum. The duo Run The Jewels is scheduled to open the concert at 6:30 pm. (POSTPONED)

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Kaytranada – the award-winning performer, DJ and record producer is performing at the PNE Forum on his Bubba North America Tour. Tickets range from around $38 to $45 and the show is at 6:30 pm.

May 21-24, 2020

Jurassic World Live! – dinosaurs from Jurassic World come to the Pacific Coliseum. Tickets are available online and cost between $20 to $175 depending on where you want to sit. There are multiple show times on various days so check the official website for details. (CANCELLED)

View of Playland from the Ferris Wheel — Playland

PNE Events in JUNE

June 1-30, 2020

Playland – an amusement park with over 35 rides takes place all of June (except June 8-12). The hours vary depending on the date.

PNE Events in JULY

July 1-31, 2020

Playland – the amusement park with over 35 rides takes place every day in July. It is open from 11 am until 7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays and from 11 am until 6 pm Monday to Friday.

PNE Events in AUGUST

August 1-21, 2020

Playland – the amusement park with over 35 rides takes place during the first three or so weeks of August. It is open from 11 am until 7 pm every day of the week.

August 22-September 7, 2020

Pacific National Exhibition (i.e., the PNE Fair) – an event featuring many attractions such as food trucks, rides, a dream home lottery, live performances and a farm-animal petting zoo that opens on August 22nd and continues until the Labour Day Weekend (with the last day being Monday, September 7th).

PNE Events in SEPTEMBER

September 1-7, 2020

Pacific National Exhibition (i.e., the PNE Fair) – an event featuring many attractions such as live performances, animal talent shows, jousting and food trucks that runs from August 22nd until September 7th.

September 12-13, 2020

Playland – an amusement park with over 35 rides takes place this weekend and is open from 11 am until 5 pm for its last days of the year.

Fright Nights Car-N-Evil Clown — Fright Nights at the PNE

PNE Events in OCTOBER

Harvestland – typically occurring around mid-October, this festive carnival-style event is for all-ages and features a variety of games, shows and other activities to be a part of. Last year it ran from October 10th until October 20th. (2020 details are to be confirmed.)
Harvest Haus – a popular Oktoberfest event in mid-October that has European-style food and drinks for people ages 19+ .
Fright Nights – featuring many haunted houses and amusement rides, this Halloween event is not for the faint of heart. It usually runs for about 20 days in October. (2020 dates are to be confirmed.)

PNE Events in NOVEMBER

Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market – a winter market that takes place on Sundays in the parking lot by the Hastings Skatepark between November and April.
Other events in November are to be confirmed.

PNE Events in DECEMBER

Aurora Winter Festival – a family-friendly Christmas event with rides, a tubing park, market vendors, food trucks, ice skating and live entertainment. In 2019 it took place between November 22nd and December 31st. (2020 details are to be confirmed.)
Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market – a winter market that takes place on Sundays in the parking lot by the Hastings Skatepark between November and April.

Winter Festival Ferris Wheel — Aurora Winter Festival

PNE Events in JANUARY

January 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2021

Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market – a winter market that takes place on Sundays from 10 am until 2 pm in the parking lot by the Hastings Skatepark between November and April. (Exact times and details to be confirmed.)

PNE Events in FEBRUARY

February 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2021

Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market – a winter market that takes place on Sundays from 10 am until 2 pm in the parking lot by the Hastings Skatepark between November and April. (Exact times and details to be confirmed.)

Late February

Hoobiyee – the celebration of the Nisga’a First Nation’s New Year takes place at the PNE Forum. In 2020 the free cultural event happened on the weekend of February 28th and 29th. 2021 dates and details are to be confirmed.