Looking for the best Vancouver music festivals in 2024? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Besides its raw beauty, super friendly locals, world-renowned local seafood (truth), unparalleled liveability, appreciation of the bloodsport that is ice hockey (go Canucks!)…
….Wait, where was I?
Oh yes – they really know how to put on world-class music festivals in Vancouver and the rest of British Colombia! Plus they love electronic music, so maybe I need to head to the Great White North for a trip ASAP. As if I needed any more excuse, “eh?”
So without further ado…
1) Breakout Festival
Photo via Breakout Festival Facebook
When: TBC, 2024
Where: Vancouver
Genre: R&B / Hip-Hop
https://www.breakout-festival.com
“Founded in early 2017 by CRESCENDO1, the main focus of BREAKOUT has been to showcase Vancouver’s up-and-coming hip-hop and R&B artists through all ages events. The rapidly growing popularity of BREAKOUT has made past events a staple for breaking Vancouver artists while bringing together a network of fans and followers from around BC.”
2) Vancouver Island Musicfest
Photo via Vancouver Island MusicFest Facebook | Jim Hegan Photo
When: July 12-14, 2024
Where: Courtenay, BC
Genre: Various
https://www.islandmusicfest.com
“The Comox Valley is well known as a destination for those looking to enjoy the hot summers, packed with markets, farm-to-table food and fantastic scenery. But thanks to the Vancouver Island MusicFest, the region is also now known for attracting some of the biggest bands in the world. It’s a truly unique musical experience.”
3) Shambhala Music Festival
When: July 26-29, 2024
Where: Salmo River Ranch, BC
Genre: Electronic, Bass, EDM, House, Techno
https://shambhalamusicfestival.com
Canada’s premiere Electronic Music Festival.
I put Shambhala at the #1 spot in my best music festivals in Canada post, and it probably should be at the top of this article as well.
“Over the past twenty years, Shambhala Music Festival has proven itself to be a wonderland filled with not only groundbreaking sounds and trends, but also as the host to a community that embraces guests from all walks of life; allowing attendees to truly feel as though they have found a place they can call home each year. Escaping the commotion of the big city, guests are welcomed with open arms into the beautiful Kootenay Mountains as they embark on an adventure they won’t easily forget.”
4) Rifflandia
When: September, 2024
Where: Victoria, BC
Genre: Various
“WELCOME TO RIFFLANDIA FESTIVAL – VICTORIA’S LARGEST MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL.
Rifflandia Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever this year. Immerse yourself in local culture as you take in four days and nights of live music, arts and more at venues across the city.”
5) Contact Winter Music Festival
When: December, 2024
Where: BC Place, Vancouver
Genre: EDM / Electronic / House / Dance
“Contact Winter Music Festival is a dance music festival held each year in the Canadian city of Vancouver. The largest indoor party of its kind in Western Canada, Contact plays host to a number of the scene’s biggest names as the year approaches its final days.
From big room house and EDM to trance, trap and rap, the lineup features established international DJs, rising stars and promising local talent, all tasked with filling the vast space of the BC Place stadium with their own take on dance music’s diverse sound.”
6) Vancouver Folk Music Festival (VFMF)
When: July 19-21, 2024
Where: Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver
Genre: Folk
“Taking place at beautiful Jericho Beach in July each year, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival is one of the Lower Mainland’s premier music festivals. Attracting tens of thousands of folk music enthusiasts over the three days, the festival features over 60 performances from artists from over a dozen different countries.”
7) Cumberland Wild
When: August, 2024
Where: Cumberland Village, BC
Genre: Various
Dance your heart out at Vancouver Island’s top summer concert event.
“Cumberland Wild brings the gritty hometown feels, precision production, world-class talent, in a legendary village.”
8) Rockin River Music Festival
When: July, 2024 (TBC)
Where: Merritt, BC
Genre: Country
“The Rockin’ River Music Fest is a B.C. family-owned and operated country music festival that takes place annually, on the BC Day long weekend, in Merritt, BC – incidentally also known as the ‘Country Music Capital of Canada’. The City of Merritt has embraced the festival and all that it brings to the community and outlying areas. Over the years, the Rockin’ River stages have been graced by any number of world-class entertainers such as Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Kasey Musgraves, Kenny Hess, Eric Church, Dallas Smith, Sam Hunt, Madeline Merlo, Luke Combs, Brett Eldredge, Midland, Dustin Lynch, Chris Janson, and many more.”
9) Bass Coast Festival
When: July 12-15, 2024
Where: Merritt, BC
Genre: Electronic
Bass Coast is a thoughtfully curated electronic music and art festival. A boutique experience.
“Bass Coast Festival is a thoughtfully curated boutique music and art festival. Founded in 2009 by Andrea Graham and Liz Thomson, the artist owned and operated event is a distinguished platform for Canadian artists and a destination for innovative international talent. The natural beauty of British Columbia is a quintessential element of the Bass Coast experience. Our festival site, located outside the city of Merritt, in the picturesque Nicola Valley, invites attendees to be present with nature.”
10) FVDED in the Park
Photo via FVDED in the Park Facebook
When: June, 2024 (TBC)
Where: Surrey, BC
Genre: Rap / Hip-Hop / R&B / Electronic / EDM
“Western Canada’s largest in city music festival promises an edgy, high-caliber lineup and state-of-the-art stages for this annual two day festival.”
11) Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival
When: June 19-23, 2024
Where: Victoria, BC
Genre: Ska / Reggae
“The Victoria Ska Festival aka Ska Fest is a music festival that takes place every summer in Victoria British Columbia, Canada. The festival is organized and executed by the Victoria BC Ska Society, a non-profit organization, and over 200 volunteers. It is the longest running ska festival in North America.”
12) Starbelly Jam Music Festival
When: July 5-7, 2024
Where: Crawford Bay, BC
Genre: Various
“Starbelly Jam is a special festival; great entertainment, great food, great people, lots of happy kids and room to play — we’ve deliberately steered the festival away from getting too big or becoming too crowded; this festival’s success is all about the celebration of life through music, friendship and having a fun time for all in a safe and secure environment. Not too big and not too small, this is a “just right” festival Goldilocks couldn’t help but love.”
13) Ambleside Music Festival
When: August, 2024
Where: Ambleside Park, West Vancouver
Genre: Rock
Ambleside Music Festival is West Vancouver’s most anticipated outdoor music series.
“Boasting an impressive roster of talent, this year’s festival promises a diverse lineup of indie rock royalty. ”
14) Khatsahlano Street Party
When: July, 2024
Where: West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano
Genre: Various
“The Khatsahlano Street Party is a giant music and arts festival that takes place on West 4th Avenue in Vancouver’s Kitsilano district every year in July. The Khatsahlano Street Party features multiple stages with over fifty local performing artists as well as market vendors, street performers, food trucks and an artisan market. Essentially it’s a massive street party, much like Car Free Day events or Greek Day on Broadway are at other times in the summer, although with more and larger concerts. At the daylong event there are usually yoga sessions, cooking demonstrations, an urban obstacle course, drums, arts and crafts stations, a climbing wall, photo booth, lots of dancing and more.”
15) Hyperspace Metal Festival
When: April 11-13, 2024
Where: Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver
Genre: Metal
https://www.facebook.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival/
“Hyperspace Metal Festival is a 2 day event focused on power metal and the melodic side of metal. The aim is to bring together fans of the genre from all around this corner of the world and showcase all of the incredible bands playing the style in one event at Vancouver’s esteemed Rickshaw Theatre.”
16) Salmon Arm Roots & Blues
When: July 26-28, 2024
Where: Salmon Arm, BC
Genre: Roots and blues
“Get back to nature with this 25+ year old festival located on picturesque Shuswap Lake in British Columbia. The non-profit Roots & Blues Festival features a culturally diverse lineup, artist experiences, and daytime workshops.”
17) Sunfest Country Festival
When: August 1-4, 2024
Where: Lake Cowichan, BC
Genre: Country
https://www.sunfestconcerts.com
“If you’re into country music, beautiful scenery, and camping, get ready for Sunfest Country Music Festival in British Columbia.”
18) Kaslo Jazz Festival
When: August 2-4, 2024
Where: Kaslo, BC
Genre: Jazz
“Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival is an intimate and laid-back world-class music festival that has been hosting big names and newly discovered ones since 1992. The festival will showcase an array of blues, jazz, latin, folk, world music and much more. There is a unique floating stage that transforms Kaslo Bay Park into a natural green amphitheater.”
Am I missing any epic music festivals in Vancouver & British Columbia…?
Canada really is a powerhouse for music festivals, and there are so many epic events around Vancouver, Victoria, and the rest of British Columbia. If you think I left any epic festivals off this list, please shoot me an email so I can get the article updated.
Looking for more awesome music festivals and events?
My humble little travel blog has tons of articles covering the best music festivals, concerts, and parties all over the world! Check out a few of them below, and start planning your next international adventure.
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The 25 Best Music Festivals in ASIA
Top 20 Music Festivals in Brisbane To Experience Before You Die
The 25 Best Music Festivals in FLORIDA
Top 25 Music Festivals in TEXAS To Experience Before You Die
44 Festival Accessories, Gear, and Must-Haves | Festival Packing List
30 Perfect Burning Man Accessories, Outfits, and CLothing Essentials
The Ultimate Music Festival Camping Packing List
Thanks for reading about these top Vancouver music festivals!!
If you’re not already, I’d invite you to follow along on my Facebook & Instagram for more of my adventures around the world! I’ve currently got some really amazing trips lined up, and I know you’ll love checking out my photos and videos! But anyways, thanks again!
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