Bard on the Beach

There’s no doubt that if Shakespeare was alive today, he’d definitely be a West Coast surfer dude, spending most of his time bumming around local beaches. Well maybe not, but Vancouver’s annual Bard on the Beach festival catches a little of that spirit with a summer-long theatrical run that’s arguably the city’s most successful and enduring arts event.

Apple Festival

A chance to sample as many seedy treats as you can cram in your mouth, ranging from regional favorites such as Spartan and Macintosh to unusual heritage strains including Crestons and Oaken Pins. Save space for a bulging slice of pie and arrive early for the best selection of apples to buy.

Car Free Day Vancouver

Four neighborhoods across the city – Kitsilano, Main Street, Denman Street and Commercial Drive – turn over their main drags for pedestrian-friendly food, music and market stalls.

Eastside Culture Crawl

Vancouver’s best visual-arts festival: a four-day gallery and studio open house with hundreds of participants.

Vancouver Craft Beer Week

A taste-tripping showcase for BC’s amazing craft-beer scene, with dozens of events around the city.

Pacific National Exhibition

Family-friendly shows, music concerts and fairground fun (plus lots of naughty things to eat).

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

City-wide cornucopia of superstar shows and free outdoor events from mid-June.

Festival of Lights

VanDusen’s Yuletide tradition – and a clever way to keep the money coming in during the off-season – sees the botanical gardens magically illuminated with thousands of fairy lights.

PuSh Festival

A three-week season of innovative new theater, music, opera and dance from around the world or around the corner, staged at venues around the city.

Khatsahlano Street party

Annual street party on Kitsilano’s 4th Ave, complete with dozens of live local bands performing their hearts out.

Santa Claus Parade

The city’s main Christmas procession, centered on West Georgia St, complete with the great man himself.

Vancouver International Film Festival

Popular two-week showcase of Canadian and international movies. Book ahead: tickets are hot items here.

Vancouver Fringe Festival

Wild and wacky theatricals at mainstream and unconventional Granville Island venues (and beyond).

Vancouver Biennale

A public artwork initiative that brings monumental, sometimes challenging works to city streets.

Vancouver International Wine Festival

The city’s oldest and best annual wine celebration, with a different regional focus every year.

Vancouver Writers Fest

Local and international scribblers populate literary seminars, galas and public forums.

Chinese New Year

Festive kaleidoscope of dancing, parades and great food held in January or February.

Winterruption

Granville Island brushes off the winter blues with tours, music and performances.

Pride Week

Parties, concerts and fashion shows, as well as the city’s biggest street parade.

Dragon Boat Festival

A weekend-long splashathon of boat-racing shenanigans in and around False Creek.

YVR Food Fest

A three-day food-a-palooza of food trucks, live music and long table dinners.

Dine Out Vancouver

Two weeks of three-course tasting menus ($20, $30 or $40) at area restaurants.

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Folk and world music shows throughout a sun-dappled Jericho Beach weekend.

Vancouver International Children’s Festival

Storytelling, performance and activities around Granville island.

Celebration of Light

Three-night international fireworks extravaganza in English Bay