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Summer Arts Guide 2025: Vancouver festivals shine a spotlight on local creativity all season long
Here’s a month-by-month roundup of all the stellar offerings in store, from butoh on the beach to jazz concerts in the heart of downtown
Kassa Overall at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Photo by Matt Taylor
Haleluya Hailu at last year’s Eastside Arts Festival. Photo by Wendy D Photography
SUMMER IS THE SEASON when Vancouver truly comes to life. It’s time to indulge in all the activities we complain about while secretly loving, like strolling the Seawall amid all the tourists, buying a tote bag’s worth of overpriced farmer’s market produce, or cramming onto a packed beach to watch fireworks illuminate the night sky.
Just as embedded in this time of community connection is our arts and culture scene. You really can’t go wrong with any of the festivals and performance series taking place throughout the city, many of which are one-stop shops for music, dance, food, and drinks. Then there are some more niche offerings, like al fresco film screenings on The Polygon Gallery’s waterfront Cates Deck or a mid-century-modern-home tour during West Coast Modern Week.
Here’s our collection of all the vibrant Vancouver fests to mark on your cultural calendar this season.
Bard on the Beach. Photo by Tim Matheson
JUNE
Bard on the Beach
To September 20 at Vanier Park
A banter-filled Much Ado About Nothing set at a sunny Mediterranean house party and The Two Gentlemen of Verona with an epic ’80s spin are hitting the Shakespeare festival’s Main Stage this year. Over in the Douglas Campbell Theatre tent, Jessica B. Hill’s The Dark Lady is full of drama and mystery, while The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] is an irreverent romp through all of the Bard’s plays and sonnets. Summer vibe: Wordplay in the park.
From the Queer Arts Festival’s Portals show, an artwork from the “Pyramid Mountain Series” by Evan Matchett-Wong (left); and from the Varied Editions show, artwork by Juneau MacPhee.
Queer Arts Festival
To June 28 at Centre A and various venues
“Portals” is the theme of this 18th annual multidisciplinary celebration presented by the Pride in Art Society. From the expansive printmakers exhibition Varied Editions at On Main Gallery, to the central exhibit Portals curated by Mark Takeshi McGregor and Diane Hau Yu Wong at Centre A, to a Queer Clothing Swap for folks of all genders and sizes at the Sun Wah Centre, each event is designed to transport viewers into reimagined futures. Summer vibe: A season of change.
5X Fest
June 12 to 14 at various venues
The Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration turns 20 this year, and its flagship festival dedicated to South Asian culture has tons of events lined up to mark the occasion. Most notably, the 5X Blockparty at Surrey Civic Plaza is back with a Corona beer garden and a stacked lineup of Panjabi music artists—experimental R&B singer Talwiinder, hip-hop producer Gminxr, and viral U.K. DJ duo Panjabi Hit Squad are just a few of the names in store. Summer vibe: Electrifying party atmosphere.
Mehdi Dahkan’s SUBJECT TO / خضوع, at Dancing on the Edge.
Dancing on the Edge
June 12 to 21 at the Firehall Arts Centre and SFU Woodward’s
MascallDance’s Lurch—in which dancers climb a huge metal-ladder sculpture welded by Alan Storey—is among the works planned for the 37th annual event. There’s also Tushrik Fredericks and Rebecca Margolick’s timely duet to begin with no end (born of the choreographers’ desire to seek common ground between their respective religions), the Canadian premiere of Moroccan dancer Mehdi Dahkan’s SUBJECT TO / خضوع, and much more. Seven mixed Edge bills will run at two venues, so you can catch a few different works in a single sitting. Summer vibe: A tasting menu of movement.
A traditional dance performance at the Pinoy Festival.
Pinoy Festival
June 14 from 9 am to 10 pm at Swangard Stadium
In light of the recent Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party tragedy, this year’s festival is going forward with the theme We Rise, prioritizing compassion and unity. Traditional dance performances, rock concerts, and more have been planned to mark Filipino Heritage Month. There will also be some seriously amazing eats on-deck—think Plato Filipino’s customizable bento box with lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino spring rolls) and atchara (pickled green papaya); or Firecrust’s adobo pizza loaded with marinated pork, caramelized onion, sliced egg, corn, roasted garlic, mozzarella, and adobo drizzle. Our mouths are watering already. Summer vibe: Heartwarming community.
Strathcona Blocks Party
June 14 from 12 pm to 5 pm on the 800 block of East Hastings Street
From a pop-up market with local vendors to lager and mini golf at the Strathcona Beer Garden (which is really a combo that can wield endless entertainment), the street will be abuzz with activity. A main Event Hub in the parking lot at 840 East Hastings will host performances by the likes of Coastal Wolf Pack and Terminal City Brass Band all afternoon, along with food trucks, face painting, balloon art, and more. New this year is the Learning & Exploring Zone over on Campbell Avenue, where folks can play an instrument or sneak in a moment of R&R in a reading nook. Summer vibe: Getting to know your neighbours.
Water Street will transform into a pedestrian-only zone one day a week this summer for the Gastown Sunday Set.
Gastown Sunday Set
June 15 to August 31 at the Water Street Pedestrian Zone
After a successful pilot last year, the pedestrian zone that stretches along Water Street from Richards to Columbia will be back every Sunday this summer. A brand-new series there includes four rotating events: a coffee party in collaboration with Public Disco, featuring a dozen-odd Gastown roasters; an open-air atelier with live art battles for emerging creatives; a flower market, the perfect way to appreciate all the stunning blooms of the season; and a less-structured day for communal relaxation. Summer vibe: Car-free cobblestone streets.
Kitsilano Showboat
June 18 to August 17 at Kitsilano Beach Park
It’s an impressive milestone for this Kits institution, as 2025 marks the Showboat’s 90th year in operation. Catch an upbeat performance by the Vancouver Concert Band on opening night; more acts on the lineup include a yacht-rock concert, as well as a Greek dance showcase presented by the Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC. Events take place weekly, Wednesdays through Sundays at 7 pm (that’s 46 different shows total—a hefty assortment!). Keep an eye on the website for performer announcements throughout the season. Summer vibe: Stellar waterfront shows.
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival
June 20 to 22 at Concord Pacific Place
Watch as athletes compete in North America’s biggest dragon boat race. Afterward, meander through the Chinatown Pavilion and take in a variety of demonstrations (think calligraphy, a tea ceremony, and fortune-telling), then catch concerts by Lights, Felix Cartal, and more on the TD Main Stage. You can even see one of the original teak boats from Expo 86 up close. Summer vibe: Paddling and pavilion-hopping.
The Bill Frisell Trio is one of the headliners at this year’s Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Photo by Matthew Septimus
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
June 20 to July 1 at various venues
The Richard Bona Asante Trio and the Bill Frisell Trio are the headliners at the Coastal Jazz & Blues Society’s landmark 40th annual event. There are dozens of shows on offer throughout the city, and among the highlights is the exciting young Juilliard-formed group New Jazz Underground, playing groovy works off their EP the MF DOOM SUiTE., a tribute to the late rap legend, as part of the Granville Island Jazz series. Then there’s MESTIZX with post-genre, decolonial Latinx music as part of the Innovation Series; drummer Makaya McCraven at the free outdoor Downtown Jazz series; and so much more. Summer vibe: Timeless music enveloping the city.
Corey Harris at the North Shore Jazz Festival.
North Shore Jazz Festival
June 20 to 29 at various venues
Presented by BlueShore at CapU as part of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, this series includes three ticketed shows: keyboardist Mary Ancheta’s mini-orchestra MAQkestra performing the music of funk legend Betty Davis; Irish singer-songwriter Mick Flannery layering heartbreak and joy in a rollicking set; and guitarist-vocalist Corey Harris fusing blues with West African traditions. Five free shows will also take place at various North Shore venues. Summer vibe: Fest within a fest.
Fête de la Musique
June 21 from 4 pm to 11 pm at Alliance Française Vancouver
Hosted by Alliance Française Vancouver in its new building, this day of music pays homage to a tradition that began in France in the early ’80s, in which folks are encouraged to play music in public. Free concerts will take place on three stages set up throughout the space. Métis dance company V’ni Dansi and EDM, hip-hop, and bass artist DJ Kookum—who is from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation—are slated to open and close the festival, in honour of the fact that it takes place on National Indigenous Peoples Day. Elsewhere throughout the building, enjoy a photobooth, multiple bars, and a crêpe stand run by Le Petit Atelier. Summer vibe: Uniting French and Indigenous artistry.
Deckchair Cinema.
Deckchair Cinema
July 3 to August 28 at The Polygon Gallery
Every Thursday at sunset, get comfy on a blanket or low chair to enjoy al fresco film screenings on Cates Deck. Sci-fi flicks are the name of the game this year, from the David Bowie docu-concert Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars to the essential Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and the outrageously action-packed The Fifth Element, starring Bruce Willis as New York cab driver Korben Dallas. Summer vibe: Spock under the stars.
Theatre Under the Stars’s Abby Woodhouse (left) and Peter Ricardo. Photo by Emily Cooper
Theatre Under the Stars
June 27 to August 16 at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde: The Musical are in rotation this season at historic Malkin Bowl—the outdoor theatre below the towering trees of Stanley Park. Indulge in Roald Dahl’s whimsical family fave, with beloved songs like “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination”, and Peter Ricardo starring as Willy Wonka. Or watch the musical about diva-licious lawyer Elle Woods, based on the hit Reese Witherspoon movie, and featuring Abby Woodhouse in the title role in her TUTS debut. Summer vibe: Orange is so not the new pink.
Performers at the Steveston Salmon Festival.
JULY
Steveston Salmon Festival
July 1 in Steveston Village
Activity offerings range from the ever-popular Canada Day parade to the new Salmon Run Zone, with family-friendly pastimes like face painting and games. Headlining performers, meanwhile, include party band Ten Souljers and boogie-swing act the BluesHawks. And when it comes to food, expect the return of fan favourites like the iconic salmon bake with wood-fired filets, a chow mein booth, and a by-donation pancake breakfast. Summer vibe: Fresh-caught fun.
Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival
July 4 to 6 at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly the Vancouver Art Gallery’s north plaza)
The Juno Award–nominated Orchid Ensemble, country outfit Sunshine & Whiskey, dance group Brazilian Swag, and the performers of Mozaico Flamenco are among the artists hitting the outdoor Culture Stage. Over on the Taiwanese Musician Stage, traditional performances by the Vancouver Formosan Singers, harpist Vivian Chen, cello duo Bryan Lin and Eva Ying, and more will take place. Don’t forget all the workshops and artisan-market goods on offer. Summer vibe: Tradition meets modernity.
Dancers at the Vancouver Greek Summerfest.
Vancouver Greek Summerfest
July 3 to 13 at at the Greek Orthodox Community of East Vancouver and surrounding neighbourhood
For the 38th year, the city’s Greek community is going all out with a series of cultural music and dance performances. Food, as always, is also a highlight: come prepared to devour some loukoumades (Greek doughnuts), souvlaki, and spanakopita. Summer vibe: Mediterranean merrymaking.
Kiran Deol.
Indian Summer Festival
July 4 to 13 at various venues
Centred on the curatorial theme Borderless Solidarities, the annual celebration of South Asian art includes the premiere of a poetic dance work by Justine A. Chambers and Simran Sachar, a gutsy comedy performance by Kiran Deol, and an Indian classical-music concert by sarod (stringed instrument) player Alam Khan. There’s also the Tiffin Talk series, which features discussions about everything from matriarchal wisdom to reimagined art-gallery experiences, with warm meals in Indian-style tiffins (vertically stacked stainless-steel containers often used for packed lunches) served afterwards. Summer vibe: Storytelling in all its forms.
One of the many packed concerts that took place on West 4th Avenue at last year’s Khatsahlano Street Party. Photo by Kim Ballance
Khatsahlano Street Party
July 5 from 11 am to 9 pm on West 4th Avenue, between Burrard and Macdonald streets
Dreamy art-rock sensation Meltt is headlining the Burrard Stage at this epic day-long music and arts festival; other acts performing throughout the day include singer-songwriter Ché Aimee Dorval and punk pioneer Joe Keithley. The theme is Camp Khats, so get ready for an urban wilderness adventure that spans 10 blocks and more than 60 artists. Summer vibe: Free concerts galore.
Symphony at Sunset
July 5 at 8 pm at Sunset Beach Park
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will play an open-air program of classics and blockbuster hits against the stunning backdrop of False Creek as the sun dips below the horizon. Songs from the Harry Potter and Star Wars films will accompany the finale from Stravinsky’s The Firebird, Rossini’s overture from The Barber of Seville, and more. Summer vibe: Easy listening on the beach.
Patkau Architects, Audain Art Museum, from the West Vancouver Art Gallery exhibit Patkau Architects: Matter Made Material. Photo by James Do/Patkau Architects
West Coast Modern Week
July 8 to 13 at various venues
If you’ve ever wanted a peek inside the architectural gems dotted around West Van, look no further than this West Vancouver Art Gallery concept that allows you to do just that. Explore the interiors of five mid-century and contemporary homes, take a two-kilometre walking tour through Ambleside, or catch a screening of Arthur Erickson: Beauty Between the Lines during the week-long program. Summer vibe: Window shopping.
Sunset Cinema screening at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn.
Summer on šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn
July 10 to August 27 at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (formerly the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza)
Vancouver Civic Theatres is hosting this collection of three outdoor series. Summer Sounds: Free Open-Air Concerts features collaborations with Indian Summer Festival, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, and other events, while Dance Dance Dance: Free Pop-Up Dance Classes is the perfect opportunity to pick up some salsa or swing moves. Then there’s Sunset Cinema: Free Outdoor Movie Screenings, with ever-popular titles such as Shrek and Mean Girls, and pre-show music by DJs MangoSweet. Summer vibe: Sun-drenched entertainment downtown.
Carnaval del Sol
July 11 to 13 at Jonathan Rogers Park
How much more spot-on could you get for our warmest season than a festival that literally translates to “Carnival of the Sun”? Latin American culture is in the spotlight here, with everything from an opening-night concert featuring Vallenato bands and traditional Colombian music, to a food plaza packed with diverse flavours, to an epic soccer tournament dubbed Mini World Cup on the Street. Summer vibe: All-day partying and Peruvian ceviche.
VCBW Craft Beer & Music Festival
July 12 from 12 pm to 9 pm at the PNE Grounds
More than 150 craft beers will be on offer—and they’re all from B.C. breweries too, so consider each pint an act of trade-war rebellion. Then there’s a wine garden, cider zone, and zero-proof options, while a live-stage lineup has performances by alt-rock outfit the Moss, indie-folk band Oliver Hazard, and pop-rock group HARBOUR. And if you get the munchies, fret not, because Wing Fest—a festival within a festival—will also be onsite serving up chicken from some of the city’s top restaurants. Summer vibe: Day-drinking at its finest.
Viewers on chairs and blankets in Deer Lake Park, watching the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Symphony in the Park
July 12 at 7:30 pm at Deer Lake Park
In keeping with a beloved tradition of more than three decades, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is hosting an outdoor show this July, led by conductor Andrew Crust. Set up a blanket or low chair on the lawn and get ready for a free concert of the highest calibre. Summer vibe: Out of the orchestra pit and into the sunlight.
Opera in the Park
July 13 at 7:30 pm at Deer Lake Park
In the same format as Symphony in the Park, this outdoor event will feature music director Jacques Lacombe leading the Vancouver Opera Orchestra through highlights from Mozart’s complex comedy Così fan tutte, Puccini’s tragic romance La Bohème, and Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto. Summer vibe: Open-air arias.
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Photo by Clayton Wong
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
July 18 to 20 at Jericho Beach Park
Indie acts are in the limelight on the evening Main Stage this year, and we aren’t complaining. The Milk Carton Kids, Watchhouse, and Ocie Elliott are some of the phenomenal names in store. If you’re feeling nostalgic, catch On the Beach: Neil Young Reimagined for an After the Gold Rush tribute; and if you’re looking for a fresh take on traditional sounds, see Gogo music powerhouses the Zawose Queens weave Tanzanian percussion with vocal polyphony. Summer vibe: Indie takeover.
Workshop participants at the Eastside Arts Festival. Photo by Wendy D Photography
Eastside Arts Festival
July 18 to 27 at MacLean Park and various Eastside Arts District venues
Art workshops at pop-up locations around the Eastside Arts District—from breweries to artist studios to performance venues—are at the heart of the fifth annual event. On July 26, there will be an all-day bash at MacLean Park with art activities, a beer garden hosted by Strange Fellows, food trucks, and live music in partnership with the Rickshaw Theatre (think cowpunk singer-guitarist Janky Bungag and garage-pop duo Twin River). Throughout the rest of the fest, there will be guided neighbourhood walking tours, carving demonstrations, eco-printing lessons, and tons more on offer. And of course there’s the brand-new Eastside Arts Society Beer Passport to facilitate your brewery visits. Summer vibe: Creating memories.
The Dance Deck
July 19, 20, 26, and 27 at 1745 Napier Street
In partnership with the Eastside Arts Festival, Alexis Fletcher and Sylvain Senez are presenting the 10th edition of this intimate performance series that’s held in their own East Van backyard. Expect a new work by Vanessa Goodman of Action at a Distance and the world premiere of a duet by Ballet BC dancer Orlando Harbutt, which he’ll perform alongside Joziah German. Then there’s a site-specific version of PROM NITE by dance-theatre company Paper Rabbits with soprano Taryn Plater, and musical performances by violinist Jack Campbell and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra cellist Cristian Márkos. Summer vibe: Backyard shindig.
Sudhesna Mohapatra. Photo by KJO Photography
All Over the Map
July 20 and August 17 at the Picnic Pavilion on Granville Island
This free outdoor series from New Works revolves around dance and music. This year, catch performances by Bharatanatyam dancer Vidya Kotamraju, House of Rice drag artists Shay Dior and Maiden China, Salomé Nieto of Kokoro Dance, siblings Ry and Reed Jackson, Odissi dancer Sudhesna Mohapatra, Mexican-born multidisciplinary artist Judith Colibri, street-dance artist Punit Singh, and Brazilian contemporary artist Ysadora Dias. Summer vibe: Variety is the spice of life.
Montreal-based Haitian musician Wesli performing at the Mission Folk Music Festival. Photo by Michael Wheatley
Mission Folk Music Festival
July 25 to 27 at Fraser River Heritage Park
It’s a bit of a ways outside of the city, but this music-lovers’ paradise is not to be missed. On the lineup are homegrown acts like Alberta’s roots-infused John Wort Hannam Trio and B.C.’s psychedelic cumbia band Empanadas Ilegales, along with artists from abroad—think Australian guitar wizard Lloyd Spiegel and Fijian dancers VOU. Summer vibe: Folk-fuelled road trip.
Punchbowl Festival
July 26 from 12 pm to 9 pm at the PNE Grounds
Cocktails and tacos are on the menu at this fest full of bold flavours. Expect enticing handhelds from Mi Casa Cocina Mexicana, Taco Nori, Holy Taco & Mexi Eats, and many, many more, plus drinks by brands from Black Fly to Copperpenny Distilling Co., all while Hush Music Party plays a soundtrack of 2000s summer jams. There’ll also be a sweet live performance by quadruple Juno Award–winning hip-hop group Swollen Members. Summer vibe: All-day happy hour.
The Pacific Baroque Orchestra.
EMV Summer Festival
July 26 to August 8 at various venues
With the theme of Bach & Mozart: In Endless Ascent, Early Music Vancouver’s 55th annual series features such events as the free outdoor offering Baroque in Motion on Granville Island and the Christ Church Cathedral concert Bach & the Heavens, which pairs a celestial selection of the artist’s works with a world premiere by emerging Abenaki composer Gregory Borton. Other highlights include a joyful celebration of the music of J.S. Bach, featuring EMV 2025 artist in residence and standout soprano Magali Simard-Galdès. The fest wraps with a stirring performance of Mozart’s Requiem, led by Alexander Weimann with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, the Vancouver Cantata Singers, and four stellar vocal soloists, at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Summer vibe: Classics never go out of style.
Film Noir
July 31 to September 4 at The Cinematheque
The festival of film noir screenings is taking audiences on a journey through the evolution of the style, from Billy Wilder’s 1944 jewel Double Indemnity, full of seduction and scheming, to a brand-new 35mm print of André de Toth’s shadow-shrouded 1953 thriller Crime Wave. In all, eight titles are on offer. Summer vibe: A cool monochrome respite from sweltering August heat.
There are plenty of opportunities to try new food and beverages at the Harmony Arts Festival. Photo by Tara O’Grady
AUGUST
Harmony Arts Festival
August 1 to 10 at Millennium Park and John Lawson Park
Free outdoor concerts, and curated art shows, and unique culinary experiences (such as the annual Best of the West food-and-wine-pairing event, where you can sip, taste, and vote for your fave combos alongside a panel of professional judges) are all part of this celebration on the North Shore. Choose from a selection of woodworked items, textiles, and paintings at a weekend Art Market, or browse handmade and traditional goods at a midweek Bespoke Market—expect to find everything from clothing and jewellery to ceramics and paper products there. Summer vibe: Shop, sip, sing along, repeat.
GO Taiko Go (left) and Sugawara Budo.
Powell Street Festival
August 2 and 3 in the Paueru Gai area (around Powell Street)
Sophie Yamauchi Latimer is the new executive director of the Powell Street Festival Society; she’s succeeding Emiko Morita (who had held the role since 2015). Watch for a screening of the moving documentary Landscapes of Home; the peace-promoting children’s percussion group Hiroshima Junior Marimba Ensemble; and thunderous drumming by GO Taiko Go, JODAIKO, Sawagi Taiko, and Chibi Taiko. Then there’s roy miki o shinobu kai—a tribute to the life and legacy of poet, scholar, and activist Roy Miki, organized by his former students and collaborators—plus sumo tournaments, calligraphy demos, and a culinary feast. Keep an eye on the Stir site for more programming announcements ahead of the 49th annual Japanese Canadian event. Summer vibe: Appreciating Nikkei heritage.
Vines Art Festival
August 6 to 16 at various Vancouver parks
Art-led land justice is at the heart of Vines, which is honouring ancestral songs, dances, and stories with its programming. Events include Songs of the Sun, a soulful evening of music and spoken word by Kinfolk Nation, Black Pace, and Kin Balam; Supernatural Gifts, a drag celebration with Ahsia, Maiden China, and Acacia Bukuru; and the opening of Rehab Nazzal’s impactful project Driving in Palestine, which features photographs taken from moving vehicles in Palestine between 2010 and 2020. Summer vibe: Ancestral guidance.
Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts
August 7 to 17 at various venues
This year marks the 10th anniversary of this fest that celebrates South Asian culture—and it’s also the 20th anniversary of its presenting organization, the South Asian Arts Society. Among the events in store are two plays (Andy Kalirai’s solo show Gemini and Bir Btaalvi’s Punjabi play Sikligar), a theatrical reading, community-based workshops, and a night of standup by world-renowned comedian Manpreet Singh. Summer vibe: Double milestone, double the fun.
Astro Arts Festival
August 8 to 10 at the Astro Club Artist Facility
Continuing the legacy of the recently shuttered Vancouver Mural Festival, this celebration of large-scale public art will bring a mural-painting block party to a Mount Pleasant laneway behind West 4th Avenue, stretching from Columbia Street to Manitoba Street. There will be a graffiti jam, beer garden, artist market, and more to explore. The fest also includes the return of the 100 Amigos exhibition curated by Pablo Zamudio, Drew Young, and Douglas Coupland; visitors can browse pieces by over a hundred local artists. Summer vibe: Alley turned art gallery.
A multitude of artists will take the stage as part of this year’s African Descent Festival.
African Descent Festival
August 9 and 10 at English Bay Beach
Congolese singer-drummer Awilo Longomba and Rwandan R&B artist Safi Madiba are the headlining performers at the event rooted in African culture and heritage. This year’s theme is all about celebrating the legacy of Joe Fortes, a Trinidadian-born Canadian lifeguard who notably taught kids to swim and saved countless lives right where the fest is located—English Bay Beach—from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Summer vibe: A swimmingly good time.
Wreck Beach Butoh
August 9 and 10 at Wreck Beach
There is truly nothing else in the city quite like Kokoro Dance’s annual ode to butoh, in which 30 people of all dance abilities participate in a two-week workshop that culminates in two public performances; they’ll take place in the nude, rain or shine, on the sand and in the water. The company’s artistic directors Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi and associate artistic director Salomé Nieto will be leading the charge. It all goes down at the foot of the No. 4 Trail, just below the UBC Museum of Anthropology. Summer vibe: Birthday suits on the beach.
Blueridge Chamber Music Festival
August 12 to 15 at the Annex
This annual series of classical-music concerts is celebrating its 15th edition this year, along with three other milestones: the 150th birthday of Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor; 25 years since the death of a few important Canadian composers, Violet Archer, Jean Coulthard, and Barbara Pentland; and avant-garde German composer Helmut Lachenmann’s 90th birthday. Watch for events marking all of these occasions, and much more. Summer vibe: A toast to significant happenings.
Music on Main Summer Pop-Up Concerts.
Summer Pop-Up Concerts With Music on Main
August 18 to 20 at Mount Pleasant Park
Bring a blanket or chair and settle into a spot on the grass for this free outdoor concert series. Food trucks will be onsite to quell your hunger, and you can bring your furry friends along too. Specific performers will be announced closer to the dates; and keep in mind that the concerts are weather-dependent. (Fingers crossed for no rain! In true pop-up style, be sure to check Music on Main’s website for day-of confirmation.) Summer vibe: A pleasant time in a pleasant ’hood.
Shows at the Vancouver Fringe Festival take place all around Granville Island. Photo by Anita Kaur
SEPTEMBER
Vancouver Fringe Festival
September 4 to 14 at various Granville Island venues
Thanks to a vital $520,000 investment from Canadian Heritage that was announced at the end of last year, our local fringe scene is alive and well. Tickets for the fest’s 41st annual edition will go on sale within the next couple of months—be on the lookout for more details. Summer vibe: Independent artistry for the win.
Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival
September 8 to October 4
Celebrate the harvest moon, the Still Creek watershed, and the diverse community of the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood with a series of art workshops, live music, giant lanterns, and more. Summer vibe: A glowing transition into fall.
Coming up later in September: As fall approaches, even more festivals will take place. Expect announcements soon about the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, which takes place from September 11 to 21; ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl (Come Toward the Fire), a celebration of Indigenous creativity that happens on September 20 and 21 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts; and much, much more. 
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