Events by occasion
Holidays & Celebrations in Vancouver
From Lunar New Year, Nowruz and Eid to Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas, plus the city’s big festivals: 40 occasions through the year, with dates and 20 upcoming events across Metro Vancouver.
The year ahead
Celebrations month by month
November 2026
Diwali
Cultural & religiousThe festival of lights: celebrations, markets, food and performances in Vancouver, Surrey and beyond.
See all 7 listed events →Remembrance Day
HolidaysCeremonies on November 11, including the long-standing service at Victory Square in Vancouver.
- Nov 11Remembrance Day 2026 at Victoria Park Cenotaph, North Vancouver
- Nov 11Remembrance Day 2026 at Victory Square, Vancouver
- Nov 11Remembrance Day 2026 at the Fort Langley Cenotaph
Eastside Culture Crawl
Festivals & big eventsEast Vancouver artists open their studios to the public for a long weekend of art and making.
Browse festivals →
December 2026
Hanukkah
Cultural & religiousThe eight-night Jewish festival of lights begins at sundown, with menorah lightings and community celebrations.
Browse all events →Christmas
HolidaysChristmas markets, light displays, carols and holiday shows from late November to the end of December.
- On nowMade in the 604 Holiday Market in North Vancouver
- On nowBear Creek Lights in Surrey
- Nov 8Astra Lumina in Vancouver
New Year’s Eve
HolidaysCountdown parties, dinners and celebrations to ring in the new year across Metro Vancouver.
See all 10 listed events →
January 2027
Polar Bear Swim
Festivals & big eventsA New Year’s Day plunge into the ocean at English Bay, a Vancouver tradition for more than a century, with similar swims around the region.
See the listing →Dine Out Vancouver
Festivals & big eventsThe city’s annual food festival: set menus at restaurants across Vancouver, plus tastings and food events.
See the listing →
February 2027
Lunar New Year
Cultural & religiousLion dances, markets and family celebrations, including the long-running Chinatown parade in Vancouver and events in Richmond.
See all 8 listed events →Valentine’s Day
Seasonal & funDinners, shows and date ideas around February 14.
See all 2 listed events →Family Day
HolidaysBC’s February long weekend, on the third Monday of the month: skating, museum days and family-friendly events.
See all 3 listed events →
March 2027
Eid al-Fitr
Cultural & religiousThe festival at the end of Ramadan, with prayers, family meals and community bazaars. The exact day depends on the moon sighting.
Browse all events →St. Patrick’s Day
Cultural & religiousIrish music, pub nights and parades around March 17.
See all 7 listed events →Nowruz (Persian New Year)
Cultural & religiousThe Persian New Year at the spring equinox, with fire-jumping nights, music and community celebrations, especially on the North Shore.
See all 5 listed events →Easter
HolidaysEgg hunts, brunches and spring events over the Easter long weekend.
See all 20 listed events →
April 2027
Cherry Blossom Season
Festivals & big eventsCherry trees bloom on streets and in parks across the city; the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival adds walks, picnics and events.
See the listing →Vaisakhi
Cultural & religiousThe Sikh new year and harvest festival, celebrated with large Khalsa Day parades in Vancouver and Surrey in April.
See all 2 listed events →Sun Run & Vancouver Marathon
Festivals & big eventsThe Vancouver Sun Run 10K in April and the BMO Vancouver Marathon in early May, plus other races to run or cheer on.
See all 6 listed events →Night Markets
Festivals & big eventsWeekend night markets in Richmond and around the region, with street food, stalls and entertainment from spring into fall.
See the listing →
May 2027
Mother’s Day
HolidaysBrunches, markets and family outings on the second Sunday of May.
See the listing →Eid al-Adha
Cultural & religiousThe festival of sacrifice at the end of the Hajj, marked with prayers, shared meals and charity. The exact day depends on the moon sighting.
Browse all events →Victoria Day
HolidaysThe May long weekend, on the Monday before May 25, and the unofficial start of patio and camping season.
Browse all events →
June 2027
Bard on the Beach
Festivals & big eventsShakespeare and other plays in the festival tents at Vanier Park, all summer long.
See the listing →Car Free Day
Festivals & big eventsMain Street, Commercial Drive and other neighbourhood streets close to traffic for music, food and markets.
See all 8 listed events →Father’s Day
HolidaysBrunches, car shows and outings on the third Sunday of June.
See the listing →Dragon Boat Festival
Festivals & big eventsDragon boat races and a waterfront festival on False Creek.
See the listing →National Indigenous Peoples Day
Cultural & religiousJune 21 celebrations of First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, with performances, food and art.
See all 4 listed events →Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Festivals & big eventsJazz and more at clubs, theatres and outdoor stages around the city.
See the listing →
July 2027
Canada Day
HolidaysJuly 1 celebrations at Canada Place, in Steveston and in parks and town centres across the region.
See all 24 listed events →Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Festivals & big eventsA weekend of folk, roots and world music at Jericho Beach Park.
See the listing →
August 2027
Vancouver Pride
Cultural & religiousThe Pride parade and festival in the West End on the BC Day long weekend, with events through the summer.
See all 3 listed events →BC Day
HolidaysThe August long weekend, on the first Monday of the month: festivals, beaches and outdoor events.
See all 2 listed events →PNE Fair
Festivals & big eventsRides, shows and fair food at Hastings Park, wrapping up on Labour Day.
See all 13 listed events →
September 2027
Labour Day
HolidaysThe last long weekend of summer, on the first Monday of September.
See 1 listed event →Mid-Autumn Festival
Cultural & religiousThe moon festival: mooncakes, lanterns and family gatherings under the harvest moon.
See 1 listed event →Oktoberfest
Seasonal & funBeer halls, German food and festival weekends from late September through October.
See all 10 listed events →Vancouver International Film Festival
Festivals & big eventsVIFF brings films from around the world to screens across the city each fall.
See the event →National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Cultural & religiousSeptember 30 honours residential school survivors, their families and communities; many places hold Orange Shirt Day gatherings.
Browse all events →
October 2027
Thanksgiving
HolidaysHarvest dinners, farm visits and long-weekend events on the second Monday of October.
See 1 listed event →Halloween
Seasonal & funHaunted attractions, parties, fireworks and pumpkin patches all through October.
- On nowBurnaby Halloween Festival
- On nowEXIT Burnaby Halloween: The Unfinished Nightmare
- Nov 8Brinkworth Dungeon Haunted House in Langley
Dates for Lunar New Year, Nowruz, Eid, Mid-Autumn, Diwali and Hanukkah follow lunar and solar calendars, and Eid depends on the moon sighting. Community events often fall on the nearest weekend, and festival months are typical and can shift, so check each listing for exact dates.
FAQ
Holiday dates in Vancouver
Quick answers about when the main holidays and festivals fall this year and next.
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The festival of lights: celebrations, markets, food and performances in Vancouver, Surrey and beyond.
When is Hanukkah 2026?
Hanukkah falls on Friday, December 4, 2026. The eight-night Jewish festival of lights begins at sundown, with menorah lightings and community celebrations.
When is Lunar New Year 2027?
Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, February 6, 2027. Lion dances, markets and family celebrations, including the long-running Chinatown parade in Vancouver and events in Richmond.
When is Family Day 2027?
Family Day falls on Monday, February 15, 2027. BC’s February long weekend, on the third Monday of the month: skating, museum days and family-friendly events.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027?
Eid al-Fitr falls on Wednesday, March 10, 2027. The festival at the end of Ramadan, with prayers, family meals and community bazaars. The exact day depends on the moon sighting.
When is Nowruz (Persian New Year) 2027?
Nowruz (Persian New Year) falls on Sunday, March 21, 2027. The Persian New Year at the spring equinox, with fire-jumping nights, music and community celebrations, especially on the North Shore.
When is Easter 2027?
Easter falls on Sunday, March 28, 2027. Egg hunts, brunches and spring events over the Easter long weekend.
When is Vaisakhi 2027?
Vaisakhi falls on Wednesday, April 14, 2027. The Sikh new year and harvest festival, celebrated with large Khalsa Day parades in Vancouver and Surrey in April.
When is Eid al-Adha 2027?
Eid al-Adha falls on Sunday, May 16, 2027. The festival of sacrifice at the end of the Hajj, marked with prayers, shared meals and charity. The exact day depends on the moon sighting.
When is Victoria Day 2027?
Victoria Day falls on Monday, May 24, 2027. The May long weekend, on the Monday before May 25, and the unofficial start of patio and camping season.
When is Vancouver Pride 2027?
Vancouver Pride falls on Sunday, August 1, 2027. The Pride parade and festival in the West End on the BC Day long weekend, with events through the summer.
When is Mid-Autumn Festival 2027?
Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Wednesday, September 15, 2027. The moon festival: mooncakes, lanterns and family gatherings under the harvest moon.
When is Thanksgiving 2027?
Thanksgiving falls on Monday, October 11, 2027. Harvest dinners, farm visits and long-weekend events on the second Monday of October.