British Columbia festivals and events are as diverse as its geography and residents.
Love arts and culture? British Columbia has festivals focussing on and theatre (ranging from Shakespeare to “fringe”), dance, film, crafts and visual arts. For music fans, there are events showcasing all genres: classical, jazz, classic, indie rock, bluegrass, and even accordions!
Learn more about festivals and events in BC’s regions and cities:
Vancouver Coast & Mountains: See Canada’s largest air show in Abbotsford, celebrate bald eagles, listen to top authors, or watch the Cloverdale Rodeo.
Thompson Okanagan: A wine festival for each season, along with the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival and the Kamloopa Pow Wow.
Kootenay Rockies: Multiple music fests, including a floating stage at Kaslo Jazz Etc., along with winter festivals like Griz Days, the Rossland Winter Carnival, and Kootenay Coldsmoke.
Vancouver Island: Lots of food events – covering the Cowichan Valley, oysters, chili and wine – as well as art festivals and the Nanaimo bathtub race.
Northern British Columbia: Riverboat Days, exhibitions in Prince George and the Bulkley Valley, the Chetwynd chainsaw carving competition and winter festivals offer family fun.
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: Ranching country hosts the Williams Lake Stampede and Quesnel Rodeo, while culture takes centre stage at ArtsWells.
Vancouver: Home to renowned film, theatre and literature events, along with the Vancouver Pride Parade, Chinese New Year Parade, organized sporting events, and much more.
Whistler: World-class athletes compete at the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival and the Kokanee Crankworx mountain bike festival. Also the site of the Cornucopia food fest and Whistler Film Fest.
Victoria: Plenty of arts events, including the Symphony Splash and TD Art Gallery Paint-In.
Summer Festivals (June – August):
Summer festivals in BC are all about being outdoors. Watch fireworks festivals, cultural events in parks and on city streets, and competitions that feature logger sports or mountain biking. Exhibitions, rodeos and stampedes, air shows and markets are some other summer events to enjoy.
Fall Festivals (September – November):
Fall is harvest season, which is evident with the proliferation of autumn food and wine events like the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, the Cowichan Valley Food & Wine Festival, Cornucopia, and the Great Canadian Beer Festival. This is also the time for the Vancouver International Film Festival and nature festivals celebrating bald eagles and salmon.
Winter Festivals (December – February):
Each winter, many gardens and attractions are transformed with the addition of sparkling lights. See these impressive displays at VanDusen Gardens, The Butchart Gardens and the BC Wildlife Park. Winter festivals, big and small, also happen throughout BC and feature everything from concerts and bobsled races down city streets to hot air balloons and mail delivery via sled dogs.
Spring Festivals (March – May):
Spring festivals – such as Wings Over the Rockies, the Meadowlark Festival, and the Pacific Rim Whale Festival – celebrate migrating wildlife. As summer nears, community festival season gears up, while Whistler winds down its winter season with the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival.
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