Summer is fast approaching these days and that means one thing: festival season is coming!
You’ve been studying hard—and as the end draws near, you might be wondering what to do with your free time this May and onwards. But wonder no more because we’ve found four great festivals happening in BC this summer that you won’t want to miss!
1. Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival
The concept is simple: head to a local park, bring your friends, and support all the incredible food truck vendors you discover there. Add in some live music, local artists, plus a beer garden, and you’ve got one tasty day on your hands.
This festival will be held at various locations. I couldn’t just list one, so I didn’t—here are some dates and locations to know for finding it near you:
May 13 and 14 (Coquitlam)
June 3 and 4 (Surrey)
June 24 and 25 (Mission)
Get tickets and specific whereabouts at greatervanfoodtruckfest.com/events.
2. Vancouver International Jazz Festival
June 23 – July 2
Another event to put on your calendar is a big one: this festival features 10 days of music spread across Vancouver, and since not all shows are ticketed, it’s a great event for anyone regardless of their budget.
There are also volunteer opportunities for those who want to help. In return, volunteers could keep a free shirt, get coveted show viewings, and join a special celebration!
Get more info at coastaljazz.ca/events/category/festival.
3. Bass Coast Festival
July 7 – 10
This major indie electronic festival is a great way to take in incredible music by talented musicians while enjoying the natural beauty of central interior BC.
Held in Merritt (only three hours northeast of Vancouver), this festival is ideal for anyone looking for a quick outing. It’s also great if you’re looking to make a road trip out of your experience: after the festival, you can continue to the beautiful Okanagan Wine Country (just an hour and a half away) by taking the Okanagan Connector, a stunning highway.
Get more info at basscoast.ca.
4. Vancouver Craft Beer and Music Festival
July 8
If you’ve been in Vancouver for a while, you have probably heard of this festival, and there is a good reason for it! It happens yearly at the PNE, bringing some incredible breweries and delicious food and pairing them with talented local artists.
One major change that will surely spark your interest is that this year the PNE has decided to go down to a one-day event and include drink samples as part of your ticket. This means you won’t have to buy all your drinks inside after you pay for admission; what a deal!
Get more info at vancouvercraftbeerweek.com.
Now that I’ve brought you the lineup and told you what to expect, all that is left for you to do is grab your classmates, get your tickets, and pack your festival fanny pack because summer is coming, BCIT!
