The Vancouver Craft Beer and Music Festival takes place in June at the PNE fairgrounds. The event features bands, food trucks and lots of craft breweries.

Years ago, the festival was a weeklong series of events called Vancouver Craft Beer Week. More recently, but still in the past, it has been a two-day event. The last couple of years, however, it has just been a one-day affair.

In 2026, VCBW was going to return as a one-night event that combines drinks, food, and amusement-park fun in one place. However, in the spring, the organizers announced that they have cancelled this year’s event. As a result, the Vancouver Craft Beer and Music Festival is NOT taking place in 2026! The organizers plan to bring it back in July, 2027. Exact details and how it will look, however, are to be confirmed.

This article contains the following information about the festival:

Where and When is VCBW? | Admission Rates and Prices | What to Expect | Video | Other Information

Craft Beer Festival in Vancouver

The Vancouver Craft Beer Festival w as supposed to return in 2026 as a Saturday night event at Playland. It was to focus on beer, wings, music and rides. Guests were to expect more than 150 craft beers, Wing Fest, chef pop-ups, live DJs, entertainment and unlimited rides with their admission.

Wing Fest was new in 2025 and included some of the best chicken wings in the city. There were over 20 restaurants serving wings. Hopefully it will be similar next time.

Vancouver Craft Beer Festival Stage

Where and When is VCBW?

The 2026 event was to take place at Vancouver’s PNE fairgrounds on Saturday, June 27th, from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The venue’s address is 2901 East Hastings Street, which isn’t far from the Trans-Canada Highway. VCBW is now a one-night event rather than a longer, multi-day festival that it has been in the past.

Admission Rates and Prices

There were two main ticket options planned for 2026. General Admission tickets started at $55. Fast Pass tickets started at $100. Prices increased as tickets sold and as the event got closer. Guests who signed up for pre-sale access could save up to 50% off regular-priced tickets.

General Admission included entry to Playland Nights, a souvenir wine glass and access to all rides. Fast Pass tickets included the same benefits plus skip-the-line access at select rides. Rides like Atmosfear, The Beast, Breakdance, The Pirateship, Scrambler and Sea-to-Sky Swinger were included as Fast Pass rides in previous years.

Note: Drinks are not included in the ticket price. Beverages are purchased separately using digital tokens. Food is also extra.

What to Expect at the Beer Festival

VCBW feels more like a nightlife event than a traditional daytime beer festival. The event takes at Playland for one evening, mixing craft drinks, food, music, and rides.

Expect to be in craft beer heaven at the event! There are rows upon rows of stalls offering craft beer samples. Guests can sample craft beers and ciders from local favourites and breweries from around the world.

The crowd is of all ages, but primarily young and male, with the average age of participants probably close to around 30.

Fairground rides are a major part of the festival. Admission includes unlimited rides, which helps set VCBW apart from a typical beer festival.

Craft Beer Festival PNE Venue — VCBW at the PNE Grounds

Craft Beers and Ciders

This isn’t just any beer festival. VCBW is the largest craft beer festival in the Pacific Northwest, and it attracts the largest selection of premium craft beers and ciders available within BC. Guests at the event can sample several of the 150 beers and ciders showcased. House of Funk, Studio, Stanley Park, 33 Acres and about 70 other incredible breweries participate most years.

Wing Fest and Chefs

Another big component of the event is Wing Fest. Some of Vancouver’s favourite wings spots serve wings that are designed to pair well with craft beer.

In previous years, organisers also connected with some of the region’s top chefs and others to do chef-driven pop-ups. Be sure to bring your appetite to the event in 2027.

Bedouin SoundClash on Sunsetter Stage

The Music Festival

In addition to beer samples and food vendors, at the beer festival, there is live music. Feaster, the producers of VCBW, put together an incredible list of live talent each year. In the past the lineup included Oliver Hazard and Harbour.

DJs play pop-punk, Indie and feel-good classics throughout the night. Creating an energetic, fun atmosphere. Performers for the 2027 event are to be confirmed.

Vancouver Craft Beer Festival Video

Check out the following video to give you an idea of what the beer festival looked like in a previous location. The video shows scenes from the 2022 festival. As you’ll see, it’s a big event with lots of beer vendors and people having a great time.