The White Rock Sea Festival & Semiahmoo Days are great events that include live music, a parade and fireworks on the BC Day long weekend in August.
The events also include an outdoor movie, a kids’ zone, car show, torchlight parade and other family-friendly fun. The Sea Festival is organized by the City of White Rock. Semiahmoo Days is hosted by the Semiahmoo First Nation. Everything takes place at various locations along the waterfront in White Rock.
Continue reading or see the City of White Rock‘s website to learn about this event.
This article contains the following information:
When is the Festival | Location | Saturday Schedule | Sunday Schedule | Event Videos | Tips & Advice | Other Information
Click any of the above links to jump to specific information, or continue reading to learn all about the White Rock Sea Festival.
White Rock Sea Festival
The White Rock Sea Festival is a fabulous event in a beautiful location. The waterfront in White Rock boasts over 2 km of stunning sandy beach, numerous coffee shops and restaurants, and a lovely promenade walkway.
The festival offers everything from outdoor concerts and a vendor market to a wide range of family and child-friendly activities.
Activities usually include fireworks, an outdoor movie night, salmon barbecue, a car show and live entertainment.
When is the Festival?
The White Rock Sea Festival takes place over the BC Day long weekend each year. In 2026 the festival runs on Friday, July 31st to Sunday, August 2nd.
On the Saturday, the live entertainment typically runs from noon until around 8:00 pm and from noon until around 10:00 pm on the Sunday.
Also on the Saturday the torchlight parade usually starts at around 8:30 pm. On the Sunday the fireworks blast of at 10:00 pm or so.
This information appears to be the case for 2026, but are subject to change.
Where is the Sea Festival
White Rock is located about 50 km (or one hour in good traffic) southeast of downtown Vancouver close to the Peace Arch border crossing with the United States.
The White Rock Sea Festival is held all along the waterfront, from the far end of East Beach near the Ocean Promenade Hotel at 15611 Marine Drive to the far end of West Beach a couple of kilometres away.
Much of the event takes place in the central part of the waterfront, not far from the pier and White Rock Museum at 14970 Marine Drive, but activities happen all over.
Sea Festival Activities
There are lots of activities to enjoy at the festival. The event begins with an outdoor movie on Friday. The rest of the weekend features kids activities, local vendors, an Environmental Zone, a torchlight parade on Saturday night and then a big fireworks finale event on the Sunday night.
Below is the schedule of the main events and activities at the White Rock Sea Festival for 2026.
Note: Times and details were subject to change.
Saturday, August 1st, 2026
Busk Stop Stage in White Rock Pier
- 12:00 pm – Good Vibe Guys
- 1:15 pm – Alexandra Pahl
- 2:30 pm – Rowan
- 4:00 pm – Terence Jack
P’Quals Stage in Memorial Park
- 1:00 pm – Patricia Lynn
- 3:15 pm – Â Max Serna
- 4:30 pm – Leadway
- 6:00 pm – NTWINE
Sunday, August 2nd, 2026
Busking Stop Stage in White Rock Pier
- 12:00 pm – Low Tide
- 1:15 pm – The Blowholes
- 2:30 pm – Jordan Carrier
- 4:00 pm – Jim’s Boutique
P’Quals Memorial Park Stage
- 12:30 pm – Sunshine Rhythms
- 1:30 pm – Billy & The Rockettes
- 3:00 pm – Hot Rodz Award Show
- 4:30 pm – Haleluya Hailu
- 5:30 pm – Nautical Notes
- 6:45 pm – Welcome Ceremony with Mayor Knight
- 7:00 pm – DJ Kookum
- 8:30 pm – Totally Twain
Sea Festival Videos
Check out the following video for an idea of what the Torchlight Parade looks like.
The next video includes scenes from other parts of the White Rock Sea Festival. It was recorded at the event in 2024.
Tips & Advice
Below are some tips and advice on how to make the most of your experience at the White Rock Sea Festival.
TIP #1: Go at the very start of the day if you want to find parking anywhere near the beach. Take public transit if you can.
TIP #2: Take your swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, picnic, lawn chairs, sandcastle-building equipment, beach umbrella, water bottle and anything else you think you’ll need. Just remember, though, that parking will be a challenge and you may have to walk a fair ways.
TIP #3: The White Rock Farmers Market takes place on Sundays at Miramar Plaza up the hill in downtown White Rock from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. It’s a great market and worth checking out while in the area. There’s also the White Rock Night Market on select Fridays in May, June, July, August and September.
TIP #4: If you like cycling, don’t mind hills and have a bike rack, consider taking your bicycle(s) with you. Parking will likely be a long way away, but if at least the driver has a bike it’ll make it easier to get back and forth to your vehicle.
Other Information
See the City of White Rock’s website for more information about the White Rock Sea Festival.
Click White Rock for further details about this resort town. Looking for other places to visit on the August long weekend? Then click BC Day long weekend. Click the August Calendar for ideas on other things to do in August.
See our article about Metro Vancouver Fireworks to learn about other events with fireworks. Check out our Lower Mainland Drone Shows article for information about events with drone shows.
Click Festivals & Events for a list of other major Lower Mainland events throughout the year.
