BC Dumpling Festival 2026 — Coquitlam's Free Multicultural Food Celebration

When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Where: Town Centre Park, Coquitlam, BC Cost: Free admission Presented by: RBC | Hosted by the Asian Arts and Culture Society

Coquitlam's Town Centre Park comes alive this August for the 5th Annual BC Dumpling Festival, one of the Tri-Cities' most anticipated summer events. Now presented by RBC, this free, family-friendly gathering brings together food, music, dance, and community spirit for a full day of celebration in the heart of Metro Vancouver.

If you love dumplings — steamed, fried, boiled, or baked — this is the one day of the year the Tri-Cities turns into a showcase of dumpling traditions from cultures around the world, all in one park.

What to Expect at the BC Dumpling Festival

Expect a packed festival grounds featuring food trucks serving up dumplings and other dishes from a variety of culinary traditions, local artisan and craft vendors, a lively entertainment stage running nearly all day, and hands-on cultural performances for the whole family. Whether you're coming for the food, the dancing, or just to soak up the community atmosphere, there's something happening at every hour.

Highlights include:

• A wide lineup of food trucks and dumpling vendors
• Non-food vendors and local artisan booths
• Original artwork from local artists
• Live entertainment on the main stage from open to close
• A public Dumpling Eating Competition
• A dedicated Water Refill Station sponsored by RBC
• Bike racks and accessible parking along Trevor Wingrove Way

Entertainment Stage Schedule

This year's stage will be hosted by three emcees: Vicky Wu, Vancouver-based host and former Miss Chinese Vancouver titleholder; Trista Chan, an event and wedding industry professional raised in Hong Kong; and Charllagne Ocampo, a Metro Vancouver wedding coordinator and emcee known for her energetic stage presence.

The Story Behind the Festival

The BC Dumpling Festival wasn't born out of a marketing plan — it came out of a real moment in this community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-Asian hate crimes rose sharply across the region, and one of the festival's founding members experienced racism firsthand at Town Centre Park in 2021. In response, a group of community members formed the Asian Arts and Culture Society, with a simple but powerful idea: bring people together over shared food and culture instead of division.

The Asian Arts and Culture Society is a registered not-for-profit organization run entirely by volunteers — no one on the team draws a salary, including for the festival itself. Every dumpling stall, stage performance, and art booth exists because someone in this community chose to show up and make it happen.

Getting There

Parking at Town Centre Park is limited on festival day, so visitors are strongly encouraged to take transit or bike in. Bike racks will be available on-site, and accessible parking stalls are available along Trevor Wingrove Way on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get Involved

The festival is currently welcoming applications from:

• Food trucks
• Non-food vendors
• Stage performers
• Local artists
• Day-of volunteers
• Sponsors

Interested individuals and businesses can reach out through the festival's contact form to apply for a spot at this year's event.

Support the Festival

As a volunteer-run not-for-profit, the Asian Arts and Culture Society relies on public support to keep the BC Dumpling Festival free and growing each year. Donation boxes will be available at the Welcome Tent on festival day, and community members can also contribute directly through the festival's GoFundMe campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is admission free? Yes. The BC Dumpling Festival is completely free to attend. As a not-for-profit event, donations are welcomed at the Welcome Tent to help fund future festivals.

Are pets allowed? Yes, Town Centre Park is an open public park. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times, and owners are asked to be mindful of young children in the crowd.

Where can I park? On-site parking is limited. Visitors are encouraged to take transit or bike, with bike racks provided. Accessible parking is available along Trevor Wingrove Way, first-come, first-served.

Is there somewhere to refill water bottles? Yes, a Water Refill Station sponsored by RBC will be set up on-site — bring your own bottle.

Do vendors accept credit cards? Most vendors accept both cash and credit/debit.

How can I enter the Dumpling Eating Contest? Registration details for the public Dumpling Eating Competition are announced on the festival's Instagram. Arrive by 11:00 AM for the Opening Ceremony, with the eating contest following at approximately 11:45 AM.

Plan Your Visit

Event: BC Dumpling Festival 2026 Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026 Time: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Location: Town Centre Park, Coquitlam, BC Admission: Free Website: bcdumplingfest.ca

Whether you're a longtime Tri-Cities local or visiting Coquitlam for the first time, the BC Dumpling Festival offers a full day of food, music, and culture for the whole family — and it all starts with a dumpling.