There are many events to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in Vancouver on or around June 21st each year. They can be both educational and fun.
National Indigenous Heritage Month Events in Vancouver
National Indigenous Heritage Month is in June every year and National Indigenous Peoples Day is on June 21st. The day recognizes and celebrates Indigenous culture in Canada and there are events all over the country to commemorate it. The City of Vancouver in particular has multiple events to enjoy. They usually include activities at Grandview Park, Kitsilano Showboat, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, Bill Reid Gallery, Carnegie Community Centre, and Stanley Park.
See our article about National Indigenous Peoples Day in the Lower Mainland to learn about events taking place across the region. Keep reading for details about events within the City of Vancouver specifically.
Note: The City of Vancouver is on the unceded traditional lands of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam Peoples.
Grandview Park
The biggest Indigenous Day celebrations in Vancouver usually take place on June 21st at Grandview Park. The park is located at 1657 Charles Street.
The day begins with a Celebration Walk from the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre Society to Grandview Park. The walk typically starts at 11:00 am at 1719 Franklin Street. Once at the park there is an Indigenous market with local vendors and live performances between noon and 4:00 pm. Exact details for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Visit the Britannia Community Centre website for the latest details about this event. Watch the following video to se what the event looked like in a past year.
Kitsilano Showboat
The Kitsilano Showboat is an annual series of free outdoor summer concerts and performances. The entertainment takes place at the southwest end of Kitsilano Beach on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in June and July.
On June 21st there is usually a special National Indigenous Peoples Day-themed show. The night begins at 7:00 pm and runs until around 9:00 pm. Steven Seegerts led a drum circle and also discussed important topics last year. Indigenous dancer and storyteller Katisha Paul performed on stage as well. Details about the event in 2026 are to be confirmed.
Check out the Kitsilano Showboat Facebook page for the latest information.
BC Sports Hall of Fame
The BC Sports Hall of Fame is a great year-round attraction. One good reason to check it out in June is the Indigenous Sport Gallery. The gallery is a celebration of the contributions that Indigenous communities and athletes have made in the history of sports in British Columbia. The gallery also aims to highlight those who have been unfairly left out of the spotlight in the past.
A couple of years ago, on both June 21st and 22nd, there were complimentary guided tours of the Indigenous Sport Gallery. Hopefully similar tours are available in 2026.
Visit bcsportshall.com or see our article about the BC Sports Hall of Fame to learn more.
Bill Reid Gallery
The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is located at 639 Hornby Street in downtown Vancouver. The gallery is usually free to visit on June 21st.
Last year the gallery hosted an event a couple weeks before Indigenous Peoples Day. On June 7th, 2025, there was the Indigenous Artisans Market inside the Bill Reid Gallery. Entry to the market came with general admission to the venue.
The market included more than 15 different Indigenous vendors of various kinds. Visitors could check out cedar weaving, prints, beadwork and more.
Visit the Bill Reid Gallery website for more information about this past year’s activities.
Carnegie Community Centre Block Party
The Block Party at the Carnegie Community Centre at 401 Main Street happened for the first time in 2023. It happened again in 2024 and 2025. Last year it took place on June 21st, from noon until 6:00 pm.
The party takes over the block in front of the community centre and includes singing, dancing, community organization tables and more.
Check out the Carnegie Community Centre Block Party Facebook page for full details on this event.
Other Information
Click National Indigenous Peoples Day in the Lower Mainland for other events taking place around June 21st in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Check out our article on Lower Mainland First Nations for information about Indigenous events taking place at other times of the year.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30th each year. This holiday is more serious in nature as it’s a day to reflect on the horrors of Canada’s past residential school system. It’s important to commemorate, however, and there are events on that day throughout the region.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Free Vancouver Events in June
- Vancouver’s June Calendar of Events
- Places for History and Culture
- Pow Wows in the Lower Mainland
