Vancouver Festivals | Festivals in Vancouver |

Vancouver has a lot to celebrate and it often celebrates with a festival. For 2012, here is a list of the festivals you can enjoy. From the International Jazz Festival and the International Film Festival to the Fringe Festival and the International Children’s Festival you can experience a diversity of events.

If you know of other local festivals, please send an email and we’ll add your festival to the list.

January

The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival – January 17- February 4th
Now in its tenth year, the PuSh Festival showcases work in the live performing arts. The work is adventurous and visionary, and encourages the best in contemporary performance.

Dine Out Vancouver – January 20-February 5th
Have fun eating cuisine that defines Vancouver’s regional and international restaurants. The over 200 participating restaurants offer discounted prix fixe menus for mostly dinner and some for lunch.

Street Food City – January 24-26, 2012 from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Sample a selection of delicious food from Vancouver’s street carts on the West Georgia Street side of the Vancouver Art Gallery. There are some innovative chefs creating downright tasty food.

Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – January 14 – February 14, 2012
The Hot Chocolate Festival features 15 Vancouver participants, offering 50+ crazy hot chocolate flavours in over 32 days.

February

Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival - February 27 – March 4, 2012, 2012
The 2012 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will serve 1,600+ wines from over 183 wineries representing 15 countries at 61 events.

Vancouver Mountain Film Festival – February 10-18, 2012
The International Mountain Film Festival features climbing and adventure films and events. The program is held at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver and at Pacific Cinématheque in downtown Vancouver.

Vancouver ComedyFest – February 15-25, 2012
ComedyFest not only supports talent from across Canada, but internationally as well. Now in its 8th year, it has become a regular destination on the comedy circuit.

The Vancouver International Boat Show – February 8-12, 2012
Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre and the False Creek Yacht Club, you’ll see more than 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest boats and marine products on the market at the best deals of the year.

Chutzpah Festival – Music Theatre & Dance: February 11 – March 11, 2012
Includes Yemen Blues, Balkan Beat Box, Klezmerata Fiorentina, a Tribute to Avram Sutzkever, Jaffa Road, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Full Bloom, How to Disappear Completely and more.

March

Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival - February 27 – March 4, 2012
The 2012 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will serve 1,600+ wines from over 183 wineries representing 15 countries at 61 events.

Vancouver International Dance Festival – March 2-11, 2012
A social-profit, artist run exhibit that takes to the stage during March 2011. We aim to share with you the most cutting-edge, thought provoking, visually stimulating, exciting new dance works available anywhere.

CelticFest – March 10, and 14-18, 2012
With 50+ live Celtic performances over 6 days, the CelticFest showcases the best of Celtic music, dance, spoken word as well as film, foodand fare and the much-anticipated St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

April

Projecting Change Film Festival - April 17-22, 2012
Vancouver’s Projecting Change Film Festival is forum for film and dialogue about social and environmental issues. Our marquee six-day event features inspiring, eye-opening, and often award-winning films from around the globe, each followed by a dynamic speaker and panel discussion. The unique festival format is a platform for audience engagement, with all proceeds donated back to local initiatives.

Victoria Harbour Boat Show - April 19-22, 2012
The 2012 Victoria Harbour Boat Show takes place in the waters of Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

May

Vancouver International Marathon - Sunday May 6, 2012
The Vancouver Marathon began in 1972, and since has become the second largest international marathon held in Canada with 14,000 participants in 2010.

DOXA Documentary Film Festival - May 4-13, 2012 in Vancouver
DOXA, Documentary Media Society, is a Vancouver based non-profit, devoted to presenting independent and innovative documentaries to Vancouver audiences so they may come to see documentaries as an art form.

Artists in Our Midst 2012 – May 16, 2012
Artists in Our Midst was the first open studio tour in Vancouver. The event kicks off with The Roundhouse Exhibit, a dynamic group exhibit at the Roundhouse Community Centre featuring over 60 artists. This is followed by Open Studios, a weekend of touring studios and artist-created galleries throughout Vancouver’s west side. The Roundhouse Exhibit is May 16, 2012 10:00 AM-10:00 PM Reception: May 16 7-10PM Open Studios May 19-20, 2012 from 11:00 -6:00 PM

European Festival - May 26, 2012
The 15th annual European Festival is being held at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby this year. Experience the cultural booth displays, taste delicious European cuisine, watch traditional dancing & singing and let children enjoy the activities that are just for them! A family festival with something for everyone!

Vancouver International Children’s Festival - May 28-June 3, 2012
Jam-packed with music, theatre, dance, acrobatics, puppetry and more, this year’s Kids’ Fest will knock your socks off! Join us at our new home on Granville Island, May 28-June 3, 2012.

Vancouver Shakespeare Festival, Bard on the Beach - May 31 – September 22, 2012
This popular festival takes place in open-ended tents in Vanier Park. 2012 season: The Taming Of The Shrew, Macbeth, The Merry Wives Of Windsor and King John.

City of Bhangra Festival – May 31-June 10, 2012
The Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society (VIBC) is dedicated to elevating the art form of Bhangra and strengthening Vancouver’s multicultural community. The annual festival includes music, dance and discussion. Now an eleven-day event, the HSBC City of Bhangra has grown to become the largest of its kind in North America.

June

EAT! Vancouver, Food + Cooking Festival – June 1-3, 2012
Ninth Annual EAT! Vancouver will be at BC Place Stadium. Celebrity chefs, popular local restaurants, wineries, food and beverage manufacturers, cookbook authors, retailers, artisans, and many others from the culinary world will come together for a three day public extravaganza.

Vancouver International Children’s Festival -May 30-June 5, 2012
Jam-packed with music, theatre, dance, acrobatics, puppetry and more, this year’s Kids’ Fest will knock your socks off!

City of Bhangra Festival - May 31-June 10, 2012
The Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society (VIBC) is dedicated to elevating the art form of Bhangra and strengthening Vancouver’s multicultural community. The annual festival includes music, dance and discussion. Now an eleven-day event, the HSBC City of Bhangra has grown to become the largest of its kind in North America.

Up in the Air Theatre: Fifth Annual Walking Fish Festival - late May, early June 2012
The Walking Fish is an emerging artists festival bringing together playwrights, performers, and directors to create original theatre. On Granville Island: 604-715-7580

In The House Festival – June 1-3, 2012
A wide range of performances, including music, dance, theatre, storytelling and spoken word, inside people’s living rooms and backyards

Vancouver International Jazz Festival – June 22-July 1, 2012
Vancouver International Jazz Festival is the largest music festival in British Columbia, offering over 400 concerts including 149 for free.

Alcan Dragon Boat Festival - June 11-12, 2011
The Dragon Boat festival was created to showcase Vancouver’s cultural diversity and to promote racial harmony among Canadians. At the heart of the Festival is dragon boating – the fastest-growing team sport in North America and a sport that’s fun to do and fun to watch.

July

Canada Day at Canada Place - Sunday July 1, 2012
10:00am to 7:00pm – Capped off by the Canada Day Parade at 7:00pm and then the Canada Day Fireworks Show at 10:30 PM

Bard On The Beach Shakespeare Festival – Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival runs May 31 – September 22, 2012 in open-ended tents in Vanier Park. 2012 season: The Taming Of The Shrew, Macbeth, The Merry Wives Of Windsor and King John. For tickets and information, visit www.bardonthebeach.org, call 604-739-0559 or Toll Free 1-877-739-0559

Vancouver 35th Annual Folk Music Festival - July 13-15, 2012
Held each year at Jericho Beach Park, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival with bring back old favourites and introduce you to new music and artists. The folk festival is celebrating its 35th year.

Neanderthal Arts Festival - July 18-29, 2012
Neanderthal Arts is a curated, developmental arts festival. The professional series provides a platform for theatre artists and companies to showcase and try out new and experimental work.

Vancouver Early Music Festival – July 31 – August 14, 2012
A superb series of summer evening concerts at the UCB campus

Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition - July 28-August 4, 2012
Come sit on the sand at the beach and watch the best fireworks you’re ever likely see. See 3 countries over 3 nights light up the sky in a wonderful competition.

Queer Arts Festival – July 31-August 18, 2012
The Queer Arts Festival in Vancouver is an annual showcase of queer arts, culture and history. It celebrates the unique creative expressions of visual and performing artists who identify as part of the queer communities. QAF features a curated visual arts show, a community art show, and 3 dynamic weeks of cutting-edge performances and workshops from all artistic disciplines, including music, dance, theatre, literary and media arts.

August

Vancouver Shakespeare Festival, Bard on the Beach - Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival runs May 31 – September 22, 2012 in open-ended tents in Vanier Park. 2012 season: The Taming Of The Shrew, Macbeth, The Merry Wives Of Windsor and King John. For tickets and information, visit www.bardonthebeach.org, call 604-739-0559 or Toll Free 1-877-739-0559

Vancouver Pride Festival - August 5, 2012
Vancouver Pride has become the most exciting parade and festival in the City of Vancouver. What began as a small local march has grown into a nationally and internationally recognized LGBT event bringing more than 650,000 people into the streets in one day! Our Pride is spectacular with the summer sunshine, the crowds in their colours, the music, the dancing and the fun inclusive, family friendly atmosphere. With the support of amazing sponsors and volunteers, Vancouver Pride is one of the world’s premier celebration of culture and diversity.

Vancouver Early Music Festival – July 31 – August 14, 2012
A superb series of summer evening concerts at the UCB campus

Chinatown Festival - August 11 and 12, 2012
The biggest multicultural summer celebration in the area. Highlights include an open-air market, tasting and walking tours, culture areas, kids’ corner, ongoing live performances, and much more.

MusicFest Vancouver - August 10-19, 2012
Hundreds of top international classical, jazz and world musicians will converge on Vancouver for MusicFest Vancouver.

Powell Street Festival – August 4-5, 2012
The Powell Street Festival celebrate the arts and culture of Japanese Canadians and Asian Canadians

22nd Annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival: August 16-26, 2012
For 11 days each August, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival brings the very best in queer independent cinema from around the world to Vancouver.

September

Vancouver Fringe Festival - September 6-16, 2012
The Vancouver International Fringe Festival is BC’s largest theatre festival and North America’s most international Fringe Fest. This year’s Fringe Festival will feature over 600 performances by more than 80 groups over 11 days.

Terry Fox Run - Sunday September 16, 2012. In 1980, Terry Fox embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. His leg had been amputated as a result of cancer, and as the illness spread, it forced him to stop after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres. He died the following year. His heartfelt effort turned the run into an ongoing worldwide event.

The Word on the Street - September 23, 2012
The Word on the Street Vancouver Festival is dedicated to promoting reading and literacy throughout the community. The festival takes place in Library Square and CBC Plaza and has activities for the whole family from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Vancouver International Film Festival - September 27 – October 12, 2012
VIFF is among the five largest film festivals in North America. We screen films from 80 countries on 10 screens. The international line-up includes the pick of the world’s top film fests and many undiscovered gems.

October

Baker’s Market – October 1- December 10 (Closed October 22 and Nov 19)
Each Saturday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre
7646 Prince Albert Street (2 blocks east of Fraser Street and East 60th.)

Vancouver International Film Festival - September 27 – October 12, 2012
VIFF is among the five largest film festivals in North America. We screen films from 80 countries on 10 screens. The international line-up includes the pick of the world’s top film fests and many undiscovered gems.

Vancouver International Writers Festival - October 16-21, 2012 on Granville Island
The Vancouver International Writers Festival is one of North America’s premiere literary events, held annually over 6 days in late October. It was inaugurated in 1988 as the brainchild of founding Artistic Director Alma Lee.

November

Vancouver Asian Film Festival – November 1-4, 2012
The 15th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival is running from November3-6, 2011 at Cineplex Odeon and International Village Cinemas and celebrates diversity in film. Launched in 1996, it is Canada’s oldest Asian film festival, exhibiting films and videos by North American artists of Asian heritage. Passes are only $75 if you buy early, but only 100 passes are available, so purchase them early.

Vancouver Eastside Cultural Crawl – November 16-18, 2012
You’ll discover painters, jewelers, sculptors, furniture makers, musicians, weavers, potters, writers, print makers, photographers, glassblowers; from emerging artists to those of international fame. Shop for original gifts and art right in the artist’s studios. It’s a fun way to look at art, speak to artists and see the spaces in which they work.

December

VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights - Last 3 weeks of December.

2012 Festivals in Vancouver