FESTIVALS
60th Annual Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival
Enjoy five days full of fun, excitement, action, and entertainment for the whole family, including music, children’s activities, a parade, wacky bed races, chainsaw chair carving, an 8km run, pancake breakfast, two world class Loggers Sports Shows, and so much more. • Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds, Squamish • Aug. 3-7 • squamishdays.ca
Rockin’ River Music Fest
Four days of country music in a spectacular rolling ranchlands landscape, with big name acts including Toby Keith, Aaron Pritchett, The Band Perry, Willie Nelson and Family, Brett Kissel and The Washboard Union. • Merritt • Aug. 3-6 • rockinriverfest.com/
Wanderlust Whistler
A unique combination of yoga, music, speakers and outdoor adventure to create the ultimate restorative getaway. • Olympic Village Park, Whistler • Aug. 3-6 • wanderlust.com/festivals/whistler
Abbotsford Agrifair
The best little country fair since 1911! This agricultural fair features amusement rides, livestock and competitions, lots of family-friendly activities, food trucks, live shows and much more. • Agrifair Exhibition Park, Abbotsford • Aug. 4-6 • agrifair.ca
Harmony Arts Festival
This ‘perfect festival-by-the-sea experience’ features visual art exhibitions, an art market, cinema, culinary experiences, and free live concerts with a majestic waterfront view. • West Vancouver’s waterfront • Aug. 4-13 • Free, harmonyarts.ca
45th Annual Tsawwassen Sun Festival
This three-day celebration of fun in the sun is jam packed with special events, games, friendly competitions and many other attractions. Enjoy a slo-pitch tournament all weekend long, as well as activities and entertainment in Winskill Park and a parade down 56th Street. • Aug. 5-7 • sunfestival.ca
Blueridge Chamber Music Festival
Innovative programming, dazzling artists, and unforgettable performances in an idyllic summer setting, featuring a blend of beloved chamber music classics and intriguing new music. • Aug. 5-20 • blueridgechamber.org
International Sailor Moon Day
Celebrate Sailor Moon and its legacy and just the joy it brought to our lives. • Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place • Aug. 5, noon-5 p.m. • Free, facebook.com/ events/1230572323701464
Korean Cultural Heritage Festival
One of the largest multicultural festivals in Western Canada, showcasing the best of both traditional and modern Korean culture, heritage and food. • Swangard Stadium, Burnaby • Aug. 5, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. • Free, koreanfestival.ca
Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival
This multicultural music festival celebrating the Caribbean culture features 16 bands on two stages, food and street vendors, and a large Kid Zone with rides and activities. • Maple Ridge Fairgrounds • Aug. 5-6 • caribbeanfest.ca
The Powell Street Festival
Canada’s largest festival of Japanese arts and culture, celebrates 40 years with a weekend full of live performances, martial arts, beautiful crafts, and delicious Japanese food. • Aug. 5-6, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. • powellstreetfestival.com
Vancouver Street Dance Festival 2017
The biggest street-dance event in Western Canada, this free, all-ages event aims to present this rich but underground subculture to the public in a family-oriented and positive setting. • Robson Square • Aug. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. • Free, vsdf.ca
White Rock Sea Festival 2017
Highlights of this annual festival include a torchlight parade, music, live entertainment, fireworks and lots of family-friendly activities. • White Rock Beach • Aug. 5-6 • whiterockseafestival.com/
Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts
The heavy monsoon rains of India take over the country on an annual basis. Amid the damage and destruction, the monsoon season is filled with celebration, including dance, music, theatre, film and festivals. In its second year, The Monsoon Arts Festival shines the spotlight on South Asian theatre. • Aug. 6-13 • From $15, monsoonartsfest.ca
Vancouver Pride Parade
Floats, dancers, marching groups and more make for a constant stream of entertainment. Prepare to be wowed, amazed and inspired with sights such as four-foot-high headdresses, pink fire engines, more rainbow flags than you can count and signs conveying messages of hope and change. • Downtown Vancouver, starts at Robson and Thurlow, finishes at the Sunset Beach Festival site • Aug. 6, noon • vancouverpride.ca
Vancouver Mural Festival
The city’s largest annual free public art celebration. The festival will create 50+ new, permanent, large scale public murals in Mount Pleasant, culminating in a street party which celebrates art, markets, tours, food and neighbourhood activations. • Main Street/Mount Pleasant area • Aug. 7-12 • vanmuralfest.ca
Vines Art Festival
This eco-arts festival is committed to capturing the imaginations of new audiences and inserting creativity into Vancouver’s everyday public spaces. The main Festival will be held on Aug. 19 at Trout Lake. • Aug. 9-19 • Free, vinesartfestival.com
The Vancouver Queer Film Festival
This 11-day celebration features more than 50 films along with seven visiting filmmakers/ directors, 19 local directors, and numerous local performing artists and free events, in addition to parties and talkback sessions. • Aug. 10-20 • queerfilmfestival.ca
Vancouver Bach Festival
Early Music Vancouver presents concerts ranging from intimate chamber music programs to a full Passion Oratorio, and features more than 60 performers including guest artists from around the globe. • Christ Church Cathedral and the Chan Centre, UBC • Until Aug. 11 • $10-$68, earlymusic.bc.ca
Honda Celebration of Light
The world’s longest running offshore fireworks competition and festival celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday. Music simulcast can be heard on LG 104.3 FM and through the festival’s mobile app. • Aug. 5, 10 p.m.: Royal Pyrotechnie, representing Canada • English Bay • Free, premium seating and packages available at ticketleader.ca, HondaCelebrationofLight.com