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Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Here are the 25 best B.C. summer festivals of 2025
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article content British Columbians love summer arts and cultural festivals. While other parts of the Canada might take in winter soirees, B.C. prefers to party in the heat. Article content From May to mid-September, there is rarely a weekend that isn't hosting some major event. Article content Article content The post-COVID landscape has seen long-standing gatherings such as the popular Vancouver Island MusicFest and Vancouver Mural Festival shutter. Arts organizations across the province requested that the emergency fairs, festivals and events fund be renewed, but the reality of current economic challenges and the Trump tariffs make it unlikely that such funding will remain available. Article content Westwood in the Wild Article content When: May 23 & 24, 5:30 p.m. Where: Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park Tickets and info: Article content What to know: Vancouver DJ duo the Funk Hunters headline a celebration of the group's Westwood Recordings label with two days of dynamic beats, including Moontricks, Z-Trip, the Sponges, Dirtwire and Balkan Bump. Article content
Vancouver Sun
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Here are the 25 best B.C. summer festivals of 2025
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. British Columbians love summer arts and cultural festivals. While other parts of the Canada might take in winter soirees, B.C. prefers to party in the heat. From May to mid-September, there is rarely a weekend that isn't hosting some major event. The post-COVID landscape has seen long-standing gatherings such as the popular Vancouver Island MusicFest and Vancouver Mural Festival shutter. Arts organizations across the province requested that the emergency fairs, festivals and events fund be renewed , but the reality of current economic challenges and the Trump tariffs make it unlikely that such funding will remain available. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The arts and cultural sector reports adding over $8.6 billion to provincial annual GDP, so it is not an insignificant economic driver. While parties involved adopt a wait-and-see approach, festival season is still in full-swing. It's a good time to get out and support your local festival. With this in mind, we've rounded up the 25 B.C. festivals that stand out for summer 2025. When : May 23 & 24, 5:30 p.m. Where : Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park Tickets and info : What to know : Vancouver DJ duo the Funk Hunters headline a celebration of the group's Westwood Recordings label with two days of dynamic beats, including Moontricks, Z-Trip, the Sponges, Dirtwire and Balkan Bump. When : May 26-June 1 Where : Granville Island Tickets and info : What to know : A globe-trotting selection of performers ranging from African circus to Indigenous singer-songwriter Kym Couchie and her ace band. Shows are assigned recommended age ranges in the festival program. When : June 12-14, various times Where : Various venues, Vancouver Tickets and info : What to know : Celebrating 20 years of the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration (VIBC) as well as exhibits, performance and forums around Punjabi arts and culture. The Block Party regularly presents local big stage debuts by future Juno-winning South Asian stars, including GMINXR. When : June 18-22, various times Where : Various venues, Victoria Tickets and info : What to know : The 26th annual celebration of all things ska and reggae never fails to deliver some of the biggest names in both genres and this year boasts everything from rap legends the Pharcyde to dub legend Mad Professor and much more. When : June 20-July 1, various times Where : Various venues, Vancouver Tickets and info : What to know : Offering up a wide range of improvised music from local geniuses like clarinetist François Houle to guitar hero Bill Frissell and much, much more. The free Downtown Jazz is one of the arts and cultural calendar's yearly highlights. When : July 3013, various times Where : Various venues Tickets and info : What to know : With a theme of Borderless Solidarities this year, the festival is heavy on literary arts and thinkers. Curator-in-residence Am Johal says this year's events will ' invoke an audacious idea — an insurgent solidarity that defies the inertia of our times.' When : July 4 & 5 Where : Holland Park, Surrey Tickets and info : What to know : A signature two-day showcase of top names in the EDM scene that always includes superstars of the genre. This year is no different, with Tiësto, Kaytranada, Disclosure, Zedd and many, many more. When : July 5, afternoon to evening Where : Fourth Avenue from Burrard St. to MacDonald, Vancouver Tickets and info : Free. What to know : An all-day street party loaded with top local musical acts, vendors and food trucks. Be sure to come prepared for big crowds and long lineups as this is a very popular event. Extra water for hydrating is highly recommended. When : July 11-14 Where : Merritt Tickets and info : What to know : An electronic music and art festival that presents a 'boutique experience,' taking in concerts, live mural painting, installations, yoga sessions and much more. Rated one of North America's best festivals by Mixmag. When : July 19-20 Where : Holland Park, Surrey Tickets and info : What to know : A celebration of food, music and culture in Surrey that presents everything from African dance troupes to martial arts and much more. It's a good idea to come hungry to this one, as there is so much delicious food from around the world to enjoy in one place. When : July 18-20 Where : Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver Tickets and info : What to know : As it nears its half-century mark, the VFMF continues to be one of the best festivals to discover new rising talents alongside established stars. The 48th annual festival includes such Canadian stars as recent Juno winner Elisapie Isaac, among others. When : July 18, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, 7 p.m. Where : Town Centre Park, Coquitlam Tickets and info : What to know : Family oriented fun with artists like Bobby Bruce's Nearly Neil and the Solitary Band Neil Diamond tribute to country music singer Karen Lee Batten and the ABRA Cadabra tribute. When : July 25, 4-11 p.m. Where : Fort Langley Community Park, Fort Langley Tickets and info : What to know : From the Cool Blues lineup featuring artists such as gutbucket blues rocker Robert Connelly Farr's Duo to the wide selection of youth and family events and food choices, this is a premier Fraser Valley fun day out. When : July 25-27 Where : Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission Tickets and info : What to know : From the psychedelic cumbia of Vancouver's Empanadas Illegales to Ontario singer-songwriter Julian Taylor and Scottish fiddler Ryan Young, the 38th event continues the festival's reputation for presenting a fine mix of local, national and international artists. When : July 25-28 Where : Salmo River Ranch, Salmo Tickets and info : What to know : A massive, multistage dance music blowout that was voted the best festival in North America by DJ Mag in 2023. Top-tier and underground artists appear over a three daylong beat happening. When : July 25-27 Where : Salmon Arm Fairgrounds, Salmon Arm Tickets and info : What to know : One of the premiere music events in the Shuswap area, the festival includes Canadian rock legend Burton Cummings, blues rocker Colin James and American Latino boogie merchants Los Lobos among others. When : July 31-Aug. 3 Where : Laketown Ranch, Cowichan Lake Tickets and info : What to know : B.C.'s biggest country music event brings marquee twangers from the U.S. and Canada to Vancouver Island for several mainstage concerts, as well as plenty of other summer season fun in the sun. When : Aug. 1-3 Where : Kaslo Bay Park, Kaslo Tickets and info : What to know : Showcasing a groove-friendly lineup that almost always includes exclusive performances, this festival gets rave reviews no matter who is playing. Why? Because the location on Kootenay Lake, including a floating stage, is one-of-a-kind. When : Aug. 1-10 Where : West Vancouver waterfront Tickets and info : What to know : Concerts by artists such as country rocker Blake Havard, art exhibits, youth specials and more are a part of this annual focus on the myriad arts and artists active on the North Shore. The regular art market is a good spot to pick up some local artist's work to adorn your home. When : Aug. 9, 3:30-10 p.m. Where : Deer Lake Park, Burnaby Tickets and info : Free. What to know : A jewel of a freebie fest for the whole family that has included such legends as Mavis Staples to Allison Russell and the War On Drugs in past years. Be sure to check postings to see who is announced for 2025. Typically lineup is released in late June. When : Aug. 9-10 Where : Tiell Fall Fairgrounds, Haida Gwaii Tickets and info : What to know : Going strong since 1995, this annual event in the beautiful Haida Gwaii has hosted top indie rock acts such as the Sam Roberts Band, Said the Whale and many others. It has also been a showcase for Haida dancers and local musicians with a focus on singer-songwriters. When : Aug. 9 Where : Laketown Ranch, Cowichan Lake Tickets and info : What to know : A triple-bill of rock 'n' roll heavyweights including headliners Nickelback, the Glorious Sons and Sam Roberts Band on Aug. 9, with an added bonus kickoff party with Garrett Willie on Aug. 8. When : Aug. 29-Sept. 1 Where : Ravens New Resort & Campground, Fairmont Hot Springs Tickets and info : What to know : Dance all night and soak all day at this electronic music-oriented event set against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. There are four immersive stages with acts like Felix Cartal spinning some serious sounds to make you move. When : Sept. 11-14 Where : Matullia Lands at Rock Bay, Victoria Tickets and info : What to know : The premier end of season event for fans of contemporary pop, hip-hop, rock and more. Past headliners include Charlie XCX, Lorde, Run the Jewels, Salt N Pepa and the one and only Paris Hilton. When : Sept. 12-14 Where : Paterson Park, Ladner Tickets and info : What to know : Presented by Barnside Brewing Co., this three-day event is showcased by such noted Canadian acts as Walk Off the Earth, Arkells and the Dead South. Also includes family events, food fair and more. sderdeyn@
CBC
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Calgary Folk Music Festival drops the needle despite exchange-rate sour note
Social Sharing Picture it. Late summer 2025. You are strolling along Memorial Drive and as you get closer to Prince's Island Park, you can hear music. Lots and lots of folk music. The 46th edition of the Calgary Folk Music Festival takes over the urban island park for a four-day weekend starting July 24. "There are a lot of local artists and Canadian artists," the festival's artistic director Kerry Clarke told reporters Wednesday. "Because our festival is so collaborative, it gives them a chance to try things out and meet other artists and maybe do some new songs for them." Thursday's stage will welcome Sierra Ferrell, Michael Kiwanuka and Elisapie. Patrick Watson, Ruby Waters, Cymande, BadBadNotGood and Moontricks will entertain Friday. "Saturday night's festivities culminate with revered hardcore troubadour Steve Earle with Reckless Kelly, Texas's beacons of fresh hick rock, after crack East L.A. Mexican roots and blues rockers Los Lobos and Madeleine Peyroux's dusky lyrics, wrapped in sultry, playful, retro sounds," the festival said in a release. The festival wraps Sunday with Cake, Ocie Elliott and LA LOM. Here's the full lineup. Clarke said there's a lot of moving pieces with a festival of this size. "A lot of negotiation, a lot of back and forth. Michael Kiwanuka was out, then he was in, then he was out, now he is in. So a lot of juggling and negotiation," she said. "This festival is able to attract great artists because we have a really good reputation." The volatile situation south of the border with tariffs and a punishing exchange rate affects decision-making in Calgary, Clarke explained. "A lot of artists are booked well before we knew exactly who was going to be elected and when they were elected, exactly what impact that would have," she said. "There are a lot of American headliners that are going to bring in people to see Canadian artists, and we want to keep collaborations between the two countries. Those conversations are critical." The festival aims for a minimum of 50 per cent Canadian artists. This year, Clarke said it's closer to 60. But it's the U.S.-Canadian exchange rate that's really hurting. "It impacts the budget hugely," Clarke said.
