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.

In this article we list events happening at the PNE in different months of the year. Playland takes place from June 3rd until August 18th in 2023, and the PNE Fair runs from August 19th until September 4th. The PNE Winter Fair, meanwhile, takes place between December 8th and the 23rd. Lots of other events happen on the grounds of the Pacific National Exhibition at other times of the year too, including Happyland which is a LGBTQ-themed event on the BC Day Long Weekend.

For the most up-to-date details about what’s happening at the venue, see the official PNE/Playland website.

Click on any of the following links to skip to a specific month:

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. Others are independent events 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.

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.

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 JANUARY

January 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2023

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.

PNE Events in FEBRUARY

February 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2023

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.

Nisga'a Hoobiyee New Year Celebrations — Hoobiyee at the PNE Forum

PNE Events in MARCH

March 3 & 4, 2023

Hoobiyee – the celebration of the Nisga’a First Nation’s New Year takes place at the PNE Forum.

March 17 to 19, 2023

Monster Jam – a monster truck show and competition at the Pacific Coliseum.

March 24 to 26, 2023

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.

Other Events

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.

Earth Shaker Monster Truck at the PNE — Monster Jam at the Pacific Coliseum

PNE Events in APRIL

April 1 & 2, 2023

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.

April 8, 2023

Sabrina Carpenter – the singer, songwriter and actress visits Vancouver on her emails i can’t send Tour.

April 14 to 15, 2023

Billy Jean King Cup – a tennis tournament where Canada plays against Belgium in the World Cup of Tennis.

April 28, 2023

FKJ – French Kiwi Juice performs as a one-man band at the PNE Forum.

Other Events

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.

PNE Events in MAY

May 3 to July 23, 2023

Frida Kahlo: An Immersive Biography – a multimedia art exhibition showcasing the works of Mexico’s most famous female artist at the PNE Agrodome. (CANCELLED)

May 6, 2023

Satinder Sartaaj – one of the most well-known artists from Punjab performs at the Pacific Coliseum.

May 19-21 & 26-28, 2023

Jurassic World Live Tour – a family-friendly show based on the Jurassic World franchise with huge dinosaurs and a brand-new story.

PNE Events in JUNE

May 3 to July 23, 2023

Frida Kahlo: An Immersive Biography – a multimedia art exhibition showcasing the works of Mexico’s most famous female artist at the PNE Agrodome. (CANCELLED)

Other Events

Playland – an amusement park with over 20 rides takes place from June 3rd until August 18 this year.
South Asian Family Festival – a family-friendly event featuring music, culture, market vendors, amusement rides and other activities. (June 18, 2023)

Vancouver Craft Beer Festival — Vancouver Craft Beer & Music Festival

PNE Events in JULY

July 8, 2023

Vancouver Craft Beer & Music Festival – an event showcasing craft beer and music.

July 22, 2023

The Cup – a horse racing event with live music and a fashion show at Hastings Racecourse.

May 3 to July 23, 2023

Frida Kahlo: An Immersive Biography – a multimedia art exhibition showcasing the works of Mexico’s most famous female artist at the PNE Agrodome. (CANCELLED)

Other Events

Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park with over 20 rides takes place on select days in July.
HAPPYLAND Festival – a Pride celebration at the PNE with access to Playland rides and performances by Orville Peck, Perfume Genius and more. (2023 details are TBC.)

Chicago Concert at the PNE — Chicago at the PNE

PNE Events in AUGUST

Playland – the amusement park with over 20 rides takes place during the first three or so weeks of August.

August 6, 2023

Happyland – an event celebrating Pride Week and Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

August 19-31, 2023

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 agricultural exhibits. The event usually continues until the Labour Day Weekend, with the last day being the holiday Monday.

View of Playland from the Ferris Wheel — Playland and the PNE

PNE Events in SEPTEMBER

Breakout Festival – a Hip-Hop and R&B music festival that normally happens at the PNE Amphitheatre in June as well as in the fall or early winter. (2023 details are to be confirmed.)

September 1-4, 2023

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 agricultural exhibits. This year it runs from August 19 to September 4.

In addition to the above, Playland, the amusement park at the PNE, is usually open on a couple of Saturdays and Sundays after the first weekend in September. Whether that’s the case in 2023, however, is to be confirmed.

PNE Events in OCTOBER

Harvest Haus – a popular Oktoberfest event in mid-October that has European-style food and drinks for people ages 19+. (2023 dates are TBC.)
Vancouver Winter Extreme Ski & Board Swap – at the PNE Forum. In 2022 the event took place on October 15th and 16th. 2023 dates may be similar.
Vancouver Comic & Toy Show – at the PNE Forum. (TBC)
Tricks & Treats at Playland – family-friendly rides and Halloween-themed activities. (2023 details are to be confirmed.)

October 6-31, 2023

Fright Nights – featuring a variety of haunted houses and amusement rides, this Halloween event is not for the faint of heart! It runs on select days between early and late October.

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.

PNE Events in DECEMBER

PNE Winter Fair – Christmas lights, music and magical scenes at the venue. This year’s fair runs on December 8 and 9, and then daily from December 14 to 23.
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.