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Vancouver Events

Vancouver International Children's Festival

Crammed with music, theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, circus arts and much more, the Vancouver International Children's Festival embodies the buoyant spirit and endless curiosity of children.

Date: 30 May 2023 - 04 June 2023
Venue: Granville Island.
Website: https://www.childrensfestival.ca/
Cost:

Various.


Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

Presented on the waterfront in Vancouver's Vanier Park/Sen̓ákw, this festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas, and several special events in two massive performance tents from June through September.

Date: 01 June 2023 - 30 September 2023
(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Vanier Park.
Website: https://bardonthebeach.org/
Cost:

Various.


Vancouver International Jazz Festival

A dynamic programme of over 300 concerts treats audiences to a thrilling mix of jazz genres in this big hitter on Vancouver's summer calendar.

Date: 23 June 2023 - 02 July 2023
Venue: Various venues.
Website: https://www.coastaljazz.ca/
Cost:

Varies.


Canada Day Celebrations

Proud Canadians take to the streets for the annual Canada Day festivities, dressing in red and white and painting their faces with maple leaves to celebrate the country's birthday. The main celebrations include a parade, kids' activities, live music performances, and of course, fireworks.

Date: 01 July 2023 - 01 July 2023
Venue: Canada Place.
Cost:

Free.


Celebration of Light

Although this fireworks competition has evolved into a cultural celebration, the glittering pyrotechnics display is still the main highlight.

Date: 22 July 2023 - 29 July 2023
Venue: English Bay.
Website: https://hondacelebrationoflight.com/
Cost:

Free to watch from the beach; charge for bleacher seating.


Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival

Vancouver Pride celebrates the unique spirit of the LGBTQ community. The parade starts on Robson Street, then continues on Denman Street and Beach Avenue, before ending next to the Sunset Beach festival site.

Date: 06 August 2023 - 06 August 2023
Venue: West End.
Website: https://vancouverpride.ca/festival-parade/pride-parade/
Cost:

Free.


Vancouver International Fringe Festival

This diverse festival was launched in 1983 with the mis­sion to produce "Theatre for Everyone" in Vancouver. Nowadays, this event is a firm late-summer favourite and it features over 700 performances and attracts more than 40,000 participants.

Date: 07 September 2023 - 17 September 2023
Venue: Various venues on and around Granville Island.
Website: https://www.vancouverfringe.com/
Cost:

Various.


Vancouver International Film Festival

This highly acclaimed cinematic celebration treats fans to hundreds of movies. Programmes are carefully planned, and usually include Canadian films.

Date: 28 September 2023 - 08 October 2023
Venue: Various cinemas.
Website: https://viff.org/
Cost:

Various.


Vancouver Writers Fest

A celebration of storytelling and books, this festival brings together authors, poets, and journalists to the cultural hub of Granville Island and across Vancouver.

Date: 16 October 2023 - 22 October 2023
Venue: Granville Island and Vancouver
Website: https://writersfest.bc.ca/
Cost:

Various.


Polar Bear Swim

Since 1920, plucky members of the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club have taken to the icy waters of English Bay each year on New Year's Day. 

Date: 01 January 2024 - 01 January 2024
Venue: English Bay.
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Meticulously restored Rosewood Hotel Georgia once hosted Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Today's guests are treated to elegant rooms and suites, with delicious nods to the 1920s and 1930s and vast, decadently luxurious bathrooms. You can nip down to dinner at upscale Hawksworth Restaurant, plunge into the saltwater pool, or sip cocktails on the laid-back garden terrace.

Fairmont Pacific Rim

Lavish rooms in this Coal Harbour hotel feature luxurious Stearns & Foster beds, plush linens and roomy marble bathrooms with TV mirrors. The Willow Stream Spa offers nine treatment rooms, a massive fitness centre and an outside deck with meditation pods and private hot tubs. Or you can lounge by outdoor firepits next to the open-air rooftop pool.

Sandman Suites Vancouver - Davie Street

Sitting on vibrant Davie Street in the West End, the Sandman Suites are just a few minutes' walk from the beach and within strolling distance of trendy Yaletown. One-bedroom and studio suites come with fully equipped kitchens and private balconies. Many higher rooms have city or ocean views. In summer, take a dip in the heated outdoor pool.

The Sylvia Hotel

Overlooking English Bay and Stanley Park, this ivy-clad 1912 hotel offers good value for budget-minded travellers. The designated heritage building has been a hotel since 1936 and can lay claim to Vancouver's first cocktail bar, which opened here in 1954. Perfectly situated for exploring the West End, Granville Island and Stanley Park or hanging out on the beach.

The Burrard

This coolly renovated 1950s motor inn offers affordable retro chic with free Wi-Fi bang in the centre of Downtown. There's a lovely courtyard garden with a ping-pong table and free Brodie cruiser bike rentals if you fancy a spin around town. Grab breakie and an espresso in Elysian Coffee, the stylish café.

The Listel Hotel

Priding itself on its commitment to art, this hotel is handy for exploring Robson Street's shops. The rooms on the Museum Floor are fitted out with hemlock and cedar furnishings plus First Nations art. The Gallery Floor suites are more traditional in style, with cherry wood furnishings, chaises longues tucked in bay windows and original Canadian and international artwork.