Seasonal and Yearly Events in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada
There are a number of major events which occur annually in Stanley Park.
Some are one-time, weekly, seasonally, and annually in Stanley Park.
Here is a list of the major annual events in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada sorted by their start date.
DISCLAIMER: This list is for information purposes only. Events can change dates, times, or be cancelled at any time. Don't rely just on this information. We don't operate any events. Confirm all event details with the event organizers before registering or going to them!
Stanley Park Events Calendar
We have the largest, and most up-to-date DAILY Stanley Park Events Calendar. Click here to see it!
2023 Vancouver Polar Bear Swim in English Bay
The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim is where thousands of people take a swim in the cold water of English Bay to celebrate the New Year!
This is largest New Years Day event in Vancouver!
2022-12-18 UPDATE: This event has been confirmed for January 1, 2023! It is back on in person after 2 years of being online.
Thousands of people go for a swim in the cold waters of English Bay in the West End of Vancouver.
It has a festive atmosphere. Many people wear costumes and it is a big party..a continuation of New Year's Eve celebrations for many!
This event has taken place since 1920 and is one of the oldest Vancouver traditions!
There is also the "Peter Pantages Memorial 100 yard swim race" that is part of this event.
The food bank collects donations of non-perishable foods and cash so please bring what you can.
Water temperature varies year to year. Some years there is ice and snow on the ground so the water can be quite chilly where other years, the temperature can be higher so the water isn't so cold!
Registration is free and you are encouraged to register so they can get a good count of the number of people who take the plunge! The swim take place at 2:30pm, but get there earlier to register.
The restaurants in front of English Bay fill up completely by lunchtime. If you want to get into one of these restaurants, we suggest that you contact them for a reservation...if they take reservations or go early!
Expect some traffic and pedestrian congestion on Beach Ave and nearby streets after 1pm. However, the roads remain open.
This swim is one of Vancouver's oldest traditions and we think everyone should do it at least once in their lifetime!
BMO St. Patrick's Day 5km Run
This is an annual fun run that occurs in March every year. It is a fast and flat 5k with lots of people wearing green!
This event was cancelled in 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid pandemic but is back on again in 2023!
There is a cost to enter this event.
More info at StPatrics5k.com...
Easter Train and Fair
Every Easter, the Miniature Train operates with an easter theme and there is also an Easter Fair at the Stanley Park Junction.
March 2023 UPDATE: This event has been cancelled for 2023.
There is a cost to ride the train and for some of the activities at the Easter Fair.
BMO Vancouver International Marathon
This is the largest marathon in Vancouver.
It usually occurs the first Sunday in May every year.
This event will take place on Sunday May 7, 2023.
The marathon usually goes around Stanley Park on the Stanley Park Seawall and Stanley Park Drive. The half-marathon and 8K run usually go into the interior of the park around Lost Lagoon.
There is a cost to enter this event.
Brahms Tam Drum Circle
The Brahms Tam Drum Circle is an impromptu drum circle that takes place after work on sunny Tuesday nights at Third Beach each year from May through September.
Many people go to drum and dance freely on the beach.
This event is completely free for anybody to drum, dance, and/or listen!
JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes
This is an annual charity walk for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation that take place in Stanley Park in June.
This event will take place on June 11, 2023.
More Information and Registration...
World Partnership Walk
This is an annual charity walk for the Aga Khan Foundation that takes place in Stanley Park in June.
This event will take place on June 25, 2023.
This is a 5k walk which starts/ends at Lumbermens' Arch in Stanley Park.
Their website says "you will be capturing the essence of what the World Partnership Walk has always been about: coming together to fight global poverty and showing the world we are there for them."
More Information and Registration...
Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon
This is an annual 21k run that occurs in June every year. There is also a 5k and 1k kids run.
This event will take place on June 25, 2023.
It appears that this event will NOT go through Stanley Park in 2023. It used to go into the park.
There is a cost to enter this event.
Dancing in Stanley Park
From mid-June to mid-August every year there is weekly dancing at Ceperley Park in Stanley Park.
On Monday nights it is Scottish dancing. For 2023, the dates are from June 19, 2023 to August 14, 2023.
On Tuesday nights it is International Folk dancing. For 2023, the dates are from June 20, 2023 to August 15, 2023.
The dancing is free and no partner is required. The dancing is weather dependent, i.e. no dancing if wet at 5pm.
Dates, Times, Location, and more info...
Canada Day at Canada Place
Canada Day at Canada Place is the largest annual July 1st Canada Day celebrations west of Ottawa!
Although not in Stanley Park, it is located nearby at Canada Place.
This event is completely free to attend, but food and drink cost money.
Stanley Park Open Tennis Tournament
Every July for 3 weeks the Stanley Park Open Tennis Tournament takes place on the Tennis Courts in Stanley Park.
There is a new title sponsor for 2023, so it is now called the 'National Bank Stanley Park Open' instead of the previous 'Leigh Wheeler Stanley Park Open'.
This is one of the larges tennis tournaments in North America with players of all ages and levels.
The tennis is very high level!
In 2023, this tournament will take place from July 7, 2023 to July 23, 2023. The finals will be also be televised!
Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS)
During July and August every year, Theatre Under the Stars(TUTS) puts on 2 different musicals (on alternating nights) at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park.
These are full-on musicals that are performed. On a beautiful summer night, there is nothing better than watching some fantastic musical theatre under the stars!
For 2023, TUTS will be on from July 6, 2023 to August 26, 2023.
Free Weekly Movies in Stanley Park (Summer Cinema Series)
During July and August every year there is a free weekly outdoor movie on Tuesday nights at Ceperley Park in Stanley Park.
There is both free and paid seating for this event.
For 2023, this event will take place on Tuesday nights from July 4, 2023 to August 22, 2023 (TBC)
Movies, Dates, Times, and more info...
Celebration of Light Fireworks and Music/Food Festival
Each summer at the end of July/beginning of August, there are 3 nights of music-syncronized fireworks displays at English Bay. During the day there is a small associated festival at Morton Park(in front of English Bay) with live music, food, and beer gardens. This is Vancouver's largest event of the year!
The dates for this event for 2023 are: July 22, 2023, July 26, 2023, and July 29, 2023.
More Fireworks and Festival info...
Vancouver Pride Parade
The Vancouver Pride Parade is the largest annual parade in Vancouver and celebrates Pride!
It normally occurs on the Sunday of the 1st weekend in August each year.
This event will take place on Sunday, August 6, 2023.
The parade goes along Beach Avenue and Pacific Avenue from Denman Street to Cambie Street.
There is a free event.
There is also an associated 2 day festival that takes place at the end of False Creek.
more information and parade route map...
Ratha Yatra Festival of India Parade and Festival
The Ratha Yatra Festival of India Parade and Festival is an annual event.
The festival will take place on 2 days: August 26, 2023 and August 27, 2023 at Creekside Park next to ScienceWorld.
The parade will take place August 27, 2023 from Creekside Park to Stamps Landing along the False Creek Seawall.
The parade used to take place along Beach Avenue and end up in Ceperley Park in Stanley Park, but the location changed in 2022 due to the temporary(still there) bicycle lane preventing the parade from going down Beach Avenue.
There will be the 'Soul Veg' market, live music, food trucks, and free kids activities on the 1st day of the festival.
On the second day of the festival there will be the parade, a free 3 course meal, live entertainment and Kirtan, a children's fun zone, face painting, and more.
There is Free admission to the festival on both days!
More Ratha Yatra Festival information.
Vancouver Water Fight
This is an annual unsanctioned flash mob Water Fight in Stanley Park.
Hundreds of people normally come out for this fun event.
Even though this event is unsanctioned, there are some rules (see link below).
This event will take place on August 19, 2023 at 1pm.
More Vancouver Water Fight information.
Vancouver Triathlon
This is an annual triathlon in Stanley Park. It is very scenic because it takes place totally in beautiful Stanley Park!
The main staging area(and bicycle area) is located at Ceperley Park within Stanley Park.
The swim takes place in the ocean from Second Beach. The bike goes around Stanley Park on Stanley Park Drive. The run goes around Stanley Park on the Stanley Park Seawall.
This event will take place on September 4, 2023.
Terry Fox Run
The Terry Fox Run is an annual charity run/walk/bike to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation which is searching for a cure for cancer.
This event place usually on the 3rd Sunday of September at Ceperley Park in Stanley Park.
The 2023 Terry Fox Run will take place on Sunday, September 17, 2023.
There are usually 2 routes that you can take. There is a 10km route, usually done by serious runners, that goes around the entire park mainly on the Stanley Park Seawall. The other route is a 3km route that goes along the Stanley Park Seawall to the Inukshuk Monument and back.
James Cunningham Seawall Race
The James Cunningham Seawall Race is an annual running race in Stanley Park that takes place on the Stanley Park Seawall.
It is named after James Cunningham who single-handedly built a large portion of the Stanley Park Seawall.
Halloween Ghost Train
Around Halloween time, the Miniature Train operates with a different halloween theme as the 'Halloween Ghost Train'.
There are usually activities such as a haunted maze and haunted barn at the Stanley Park Junction.
There is a cost to ride the train and for some of the activities.
UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR 2022 DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE TRAIN.
Remembrance Day Ceremony
This is an annual Remembrance Day Ceremony that takes place on November 11 at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park.
Additionally, on the morning of November 11, there are usually large howitzer guns that fire blanks off from Stanley Park Drive at Brockton Point.
Vancouver Christmas Market
The Vancouver Christmas Market is a European (German) inspired traditional market.
It happens from mid-November to December 24 each year at Jack Poole Plaza at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre on Coal Harbour.
There are over 90 huts selling food and drink and seasonal/Christmas items. There are sit and enjoy your food and drink.
There is the Holiday Carousel, giant walk-in Christmas tree, live musical performances, lover's lane, and other activities included with your admission.
There is an admission fee. Food, drink, and shopping cost extra.
More info(location, dates, times, activities, tickets, photos...
Bright Nights Christmas Train and Christmas Lights/Displays
From December into early January every year, the Miniature Train operates with a Christmas theme. You can lots of Christmas lights and displays from the train while listening to Christmas Music. There is a cost to ride the train.
Additionally, the area around the train station, is decorated by local firefighters with millions of Christmas Lights and many Christmas displays. Entry to this area is free, but they accept donations for the Burn Fund. You can stroll through this area and enjoy the lights without having to ride the train!
2022-11-03 UPDATE: Due to safety issues, the train ride in 2022 has been cancelled on yet. However, the Christmas Lights and Christmas Displays ARE STILL ON FOR 2022!
2022-11-02 UPDATE: The Christmas lights and displays in the Stanley Park Junction put up by the firefighters to raise money for the Burn Fund IS PROCEEDING with or without the train! Please come out and support this good charity!
CANCELLED-Vancouver Santa Clause Parade
The Vancouver Santa Claus Parade was an annual traditional Christmas parade, including Santa, that took place in downtown Vancouver.
2022-10-02 UPDATE: The Vancouver Santa Claus Parade has been cancelled for 2022 because they couldn't find a title sponsor. They hope it will return in 2023.
Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk
The Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk is an annual charity run/walk for the Salvation Army that takes place in early December at Lumbermens' Arch in Stanley Park.
New Years Eve Celebrations
New Years Eve Celebrations in Vancouver in the past have included a large, free public fireworks show.
2022-11-02 UPDATE: THE FIREWORKS HAVE NOT BEEN CONFIRMED YET FOR DECEMBER 31, 2022.
In the past the fireworks took place in Coal Harbour. The organizers have said that this event would be moved to False Creek in front of Scienceworld.
We have information on the status of this NYE event and other NYE events.