Bard on the Beach, Western Canada’s largest professional Shakespeare festival, presents works by the Bard, and related events. English Bay forms the backdrop for the open-air stages.

Alcan Dragon Boat Festival

Over 2,500 paddlers from around the world gather for a weekend of exhilarating fun. There’s more to do than just watch the races. Food, exhibits, and entertainment abound. Admission to Science World is included in the ticket price.

The night skies fill with spectacular fireworks, accompanied by broadcasted music, as three countries compete to win top bragging rights. Huge crowds flock to English Bay, Vanier Park, Kitsilano, Jericho, and West Vancouver beaches, so go early to snag a good spot, and bring a blanket to sit on.

Vancouver Pride Festival parade

For two weeks, gays and friends of gays gather in the city’s West End to celebrate diversity. The festival is a bevy of picnics, dances, cruises, breakfasts, and a grand finale parade and beachside party, with thousands in attendance.

From humble beginnings in 1979, the VanWineFest hosts premier industry names and is considered to be one of the biggest, best, and oldest wine events in the world. It features wine tastings and pairings, gourmet dinners and luncheons, educational seminars, and culinary competitions.

Eclectic yet accessible programming draws more than 150,000 people to the city’s annual film festival, which includes a strong showing of films from Canada and the Pacific Rim.

Jazz in every imaginable style and all its dimensions, from upwardly mobile performers to big names, is presented in some 400 concerts at various venues around town. Wraps up with an outdoor multi-stage free weekend.

International and Canadian writers attract throngs of readers to forums, readings, and literary cabarets in English and French. Writers stay on the festival site, so there’s a good chance you’ll see and even chat to a celebrity author.

Canadian and international performers play rain or shine on open-air stages. The waterside park becomes its own township as 30,000 folk music fanatics settle in for three evenings and two full days of non-stop music and good vibrations.

Generous doses of stand-up, burlesque, sketch comedy, improvisation, and free street performances by top Canadian and international comedians.