World City Guide

Special Events

Polar Bear Swim, annual swim in the icy winter waters (website: www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/events/polarbear), 1 Jan, English Bay
Chinese New Year Celebration, parade along Pender and Keefer streets, Feb
CelticFest Vancouver (website: www.celticfestvancouver.com), mid-Mar, various venues
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival (website: www.playhousewinefest.com), mid-Mar, Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre and various venues
New Music West Festival (website: www.newmusicwest.com), Nov, various venues
Vancouver International Children’s Festival (website: www.vancouverchildrensfestival.com), late May, Vanier Park
Dragon Boat Festival (website: www.adbf.com), mid-Jun, Plaza of Nations, False Creek
Vancouver International Jazz Festival (website: www.coastaljazz.ca), late Jun-early Jul, various venues
Bard on the Beach (website: www.bardonthebeach.org), Jun-Sep, Vanier Park
Dancing on the Edge Festival, independent choreographers (website: www.mcsquared.com/edge/), Jul, Firehall Arts Centre
Vancouver Folk Music Festival (website: www.thefestival.bc.ca), mid-Jul, Jericho Beach
Vancouver Chamber Music Festival (website: www.vanrecital.com), Jul-Aug, Crofton House School
Vancouver International Comedy Festival (website: www.comedyfest.com), mid-late Oct, Granville Street area
Molson Indy Vancouver, CART auto racing (website: www.molsonindy.com/vancouver), late Jul, Concord Pacific Place
Vancouver Gay Pride Week (website: www.vanpride.bc.ca), late Jul, various venues
Celebration of Light, fireworks (website: www.celebration-of-light.com), Wed and Sat, Jul/Aug, English Bay
Festival Vancouver, opera, classical and world music (website: www.festivalvancouver.bc.ca), early Aug, various venues
Out On Screen, gay and lesbian film festival (website: www.outonscreen.com), Aug, various venues
Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), agricultural fair, amusement park and concerts (website: www.pne.bc.ca), Aug-Sep, Hastings Park
Air Canada Championship, PGA Tour (website: www.pgatour.com), Aug-Sep, Northview Golf Course
Vancouver Fringe Festival (website: www.vancouverfringe.com), early-mid-Sep, various venues on and around Granville Island
Vancouver International Film Festival (website: www.viff.org), late Sep-mid-Oct, various cinemas
Vancouver International Writers (& Readers) Festival (website: www.writersfest.bc.ca), late Oct, Granville Island
Carol Ships Parade of Lights (website: www.carolships.org), 1-23 Dec, Vancouver Harbour