Vancouver City Guide - Special Events

Polar Bear Swim, 1 Jan, annual swim in the icy winter waters, English Bay (website: www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/events/polarbear)
Chinese New Year Celebration, Feb, parade along Pender and Keefer streets
CelticFest Vancouver, mid-Mar, various venues (website: www.celticfestvancouver.com)
Annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival, mid-Mar, celebration of the annual migration of the entire population of Pacific Gray Whales along the West Coast of Vancouver Island, various venues (website: www.pacificrimwhalefestival.org)
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Mar/Apr, Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre and some other venues (website: www.playhousewinefest.com)
New Music West Festival, May, various venues (website: www.newmusicwest.com)
Vancouver International Children's Festival, late May, Vanier Park (website: www.childrensfestival.ca)
Dragon Boat Festival, mid-Jun, Plaza of Nations, False Creek (website: www.adbf.com)
Vancouver International Jazz Festival, late Jun-early Jul, various venues (website: www.coastaljazz.ca)
Bard on the Beach, Jun-Sep, one of Canada's largest professional Shakespeare Festivals, Vanier Park (website: www.bardonthebeach.org)
Dancing on the Edge Festival, Jul, independent choreographers display their talents, Firehall Arts Centre (website: www.dancingontheedge.org)
Vancouver Folk Music Festival, mid-Jul, Jericho Beach (website: www.thefestival.bc.ca)
Vancouver Chamber Music Festival, Jul-Aug, Crofton House School (website: www.vanrecital.com)
Vancouver Gay Pride Week, late Jul, various venues (website: www.vancouverpride.ca)
Celebration of Light, Jul/Aug, fireworks, English Bay (website: www.celebration-of-light.com)
Festival Vancouver, early Aug, opera, classical and world music, various venues (website: www.festivalvancouver.bc.ca)
Out On Screen, Aug, gay and lesbian film festival, various venues (website: www.outonscreen.com)
Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), Aug-Sep, agricultural fair, amusement park and concerts, Hastings Park (website: www.pne.bc.ca)
Air Canada Championship, Aug-Sep, PGA Tour, Northview Golf Course (website: www.pgatour.com)
Vancouver Fringe Festival, mid-Sep, various venues on and around Granville Island (website: www.vancouverfringe.com)
Vancouver International Comedy Festival,mid-Sep, Granville Street area (website: www.vancouvercomedyfest.com)
Vancouver International Film Festival, late Sep-mid-Oct, various cinemas (website: www.viff.org)
Vancouver International Writers (& Readers) Festival, Oct, Granville Island (website: www.writersfest.bc.ca)
Carol Ships Parade of Lights, Dec, Vancouver Harbour (website: www.carolships.org)
VanDusen Botanical Garden's Festival of Lights, 8-31 Dec, thousands of lights illuminate the garden, VanDusen Botanical Garden (website: www.vandusengarden.org)