2026 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 below to see it!
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 on January 1st each year to celebrate the New Year!
This is the largest New Year's Day event in Vancouver!
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 takes 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 is scheduled to take place on March 14, 2026.
There is a cost to enter this event.
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 3, 2026.
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!
Breakthrough T1D Canada (formerly JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes)
This is an annual charity walk for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation that takes place in Stanley Park in June.
This event will take place on June 6, 2026.
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 May 31, 2026.
This is a 5k walk which starts/ends at Lumbermens' Arch in Stanley Park.
"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."
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 2026, the dates are June 22, 29, July 6, 13, and 20, 2026.
The dancing is free and no partner is required. The dancing is weather dependent, i.e. no dancing if wet at 5pm.
Canada Day at Canada Place
Canada Day at Canada Place is the largest annual July 1st Canada Day celebration west of Ottawa!
Although not directly inside 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 official public Tennis Courts in Stanley Park.
This is one of the largest tennis tournaments in North America with players of all ages and levels. The tennis competition is very high level!
In 2026, this tournament will take place from July 13, 2026 to July 19, 2026.
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-scale professional musicals that are performed. On a beautiful summer night, there is nothing better than watching fantastic musical theatre under the stars!
For 2026, the musicals 'Sister Act' and 'Disney's The Little Mermaid' will play on alternating nights from July 3, 2026 to August 22, 2026.
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 lawn seating and premium paid reserved options available for this event.
For 2026, this event will take place on Tuesday nights from July 7 to August 24, 2026.
Celebration of Light Fireworks and Music/Food Festival
2026 NOTE: This event has been cancelled indefinitely!
Each summer at the end of July/beginning of August, there were traditionally 3 nights of music-synchronized fireworks displays at English Bay. During the day there was a small associated festival at Morton Park with live music, food, and beer gardens. This was historically Vancouver's largest event of the year!
Vancouver Pride Parade
The Vancouver Pride Parade is the largest annual parade in Vancouver and celebrates community Pride!
It normally occurs on the Sunday of the 1st weekend in August each year.
This event will take place on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
The parade goes along Pacific Avenue from near Science World to Burrard St.
This is a free public event.
There is also an associated street festival on August 2 that takes place on Davie Street from Burrard St to Jervis St. and at nearby Nelson Park.
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 basic safety rules to keep in mind.
This event will take place in August 2026 (exact date TBA) from 1pm to 4pm.
Vancouver Triathlon
This is an annual triathlon in Stanley Park. It is highly scenic because it takes place completely within beautiful Stanley Park!
The main staging area (and transition zone) is located at Ceperley Park within Stanley Park.
The swim takes place in the open ocean from Second Beach. The bike loop goes around Stanley Park on Stanley Park Drive. The final run goes around Stanley Park along the gorgeous Stanley Park Seawall.
This event will take place on September 7, 2026.
Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is an annual multi-night comedy festival in Stanley Park featuring top-tier headline comedians.
This event will take place on August 28-30, 2026.
Terry Fox Run
The Terry Fox Run is an annual charity run/walk/bike event to raise funds for the Terry Fox Foundation, searching for a cure for cancer.
This event takes place usually on the 3rd Sunday of September at Ceperley Park in Stanley Park.
The 2026 Terry Fox Run will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
There are usually 2 routes you can complete. There is a 10km route, typically completed by runners, that goes around the entire park perimeter mainly on the Stanley Park Seawall. The secondary choice is a relaxed 3km loop that circles around Lost Lagoon.
Remembrance Day Ceremony
This is an annual Remembrance Day Ceremony that takes place on November 11th at the historic Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park.
Vancouver Christmas Market
The Vancouver Christmas Market is a traditional, European (German) inspired holiday festival.
It occurs from mid-November to December 24th each year at Jack Poole Plaza at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre right along beautiful Coal Harbour.
There are over 90 authentic wooden huts selling gourmet food, hot drinks, and artisanal seasonal items.
Features include the classic Holiday Carousel, a giant walk-in Christmas tree, live musical performances, Lover's Lane, and other interactive activities included with entry.
There is an admission fee to enter the grounds. Food, beverages, and crafts cost extra.
More info: location, dates, times, activities, tickets, photos...
Big Elf Run
The Big Elf Run is a popular annual holiday-themed run/walk that takes place in early December, launching from Lumbermens' Arch in Stanley Park.
This event will take place on December 12, 2026.
New Year's Eve Celebrations
New Year's Eve Celebrations in Vancouver historically featured a massive, free public waterfront fireworks show. However, no large public downtown New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations are currently planned by civic organizers.
In the past, the main fireworks displays took place over Coal Harbour. Organizers have indicated that if the event returns, it will relocate to False Creek directly in front of Science World.
We maintain updated alternative status logs on this and other regional party choices.