Calendar of Events

Festivals held in Vancouver draw millions of visitors each year and reflect an extraordinary diversity of cultures and events. Things may seem a little quiet in the winter and early spring, but that's because most residents simply head for the ski slopes. Resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb (tel. 800/944-7853; www.tourismwhistler.com) have events happening nearly every weekend. If no contact number or location is given for any of the events listed below, Tourism Vancouver (tel. 604/683-2000; www.tourismvancouver.com) can provide further details.

January

Polar Bear Swim, English Bay Beach. Thousands of hardy citizens show up in elaborate costumes to take a dip in the icy waters of English Bay. Call tel. 604/665-3418 for more information, or visit www.city.vancouver.bc.ca. January 1.

Dine Out Vancouver. For a limited time every January, Vancouver's hottest restaurants offer three-course dinners between C$15 and C$35 (US$12-US$28/£7-£16) per person. For more information, contact Tourism Vancouver (tel. 604/683-2000; www.tourismvancouver.com).

Annual Bald Eagle Count, Brackendale. Bald eagles gather en masse to feed on salmon every winter near Brackendale. In January 1994, volunteers counted a world record of 3,700 eagles. The 2005 count wasn't too shabby either, with 1,975 raptors tallied. The count starts at the Brackendale Art Gallery (tel. 604/898-3333). Meet at 9am at the Art Gallery for a guided tour. First Sunday in January.

International Bhangra Celebration, downtown. Vancouver's East Indian population of 60,000-plus celebrates with Bhangra, a lively form of folk music and dance that originates from the Punjab. Events include live music and dance demonstrations, workshops, and competitions at venues throughout downtown Vancouver. For more information, visit www.vibc.org. Mid-January.

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, venues throughout Vancouver. An international performing arts festival featuring over 100 performances involving 18 works in the main program, and seven satellite shows by 23 companies at 16 venues. For more information visit www.pushfestival.ca. January 10 through February 4.

February

Chinese New Year, Chinatowns in Vancouver and Richmond. This is when the Chinese traditionally pay their debts and forgive old grievances to start the new lunar year with a clean slate. These Chinese communities launch a 2-week celebration, ringing in the new year with firecrackers, dancing dragon parades, and other festivities. Call tel. 604/415-6322 for information, or visit www.vancouverchinesegarden.com. Dates vary yearly.

March

CelticFest, downtown. For 5 days in March, the sounds of fiddles, bagpipes, bodhrans, dancing feet, and voices resound throughout downtown Vancouver as the annual CelticFest Vancouver brings visitors and locals together for a celebration of Celtic culture featuring hundreds of local and international artists at more than 60 events scheduled at dozens of popular venues and two outdoor stages along Granville Street. For information visit www.celticfestvancouver.com. March 14 to March 18.

Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival. This is a major wine-tasting event featuring the latest international vintages. For more information, call tel. 604/873-3311, or visit www.playhousewinefest.com. Late March or early April.

April

Baisakhi Day Parade. The Sikh Indian New Year is celebrated with a colorful parade around Ross Street near Marine Drive, and ends with a vegetarian feast at the temple. Contact Khalsa Diwan Gurudwara Temple (tel. 604/324-2010) for more information. Mid-April.

Vancouver Sun Run. This is Canada's biggest 10K race, featuring more than 40,000 runners, joggers, and walkers who race through 10 scenic kilometers (6.2 miles). The run finishes at B.C. Place Stadium. Call tel. 604/689-9441 for information, or register online at www.sunrun.com. April.

May

Vancouver International Marathon. Runners from around the world compete here. For information, call tel. 604/872-2928, or visit www.vanmarathon.com. First Sunday in May.

Cloverdale Rodeo, Cloverdale, Surrey. Professional cowboys from all over North America compete in roping, bull and bronco riding, barrel racing, and many other events. For information, call tel. 604/576-9461, or visit www.cloverdalerodeo.com. Mid-May.

International Children's Festival. Activities, plays, music, and crafts for children are featured at this annual event held in Vanier Park on False Creek. For information, call tel. 604/708-5655, or visit www.childrensfestival.ca. Mid-May.

June

Vancouver Sun Garden Show. Presented at the VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak St., at 37th Street (tel. 604/878-9274; www.vandusengarden.org), this is Vancouver's premier flora gala. Early June.

Festival d'Eté Francophone de Vancouver/Francophone Summer Festival. This 4-day festival celebrating French music uses various venues and includes a street festival. Call tel. 604/736-9806 for information, or check www.lecentreculturel.com. Mid-June.

Alcan Dragon Boat Festival. Traditional dragon-boat racing is a part of the city's cultural scene. Watch the races from False Creek's north shore, where more than 150 local and international teams compete. Four stages of music, dance, and Chinese acrobatics are presented at the Plaza of Nations, 750 Pacific Blvd. For more info, call tel. 604/683-4707, or visit www.adbf.com. Third week in June.

National Aboriginal Day Community Celebration. This event offers the public an opportunity to learn about Canada's First Nations cultures. Many events take place at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 E. Hastings at Commercial Street. Call tel. 604/251-4844 for information. June 21.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival. More than 800 international jazz and blues players perform at 25 venues ranging from the Orpheum Theatre to the Roundhouse. Many are free performances. Call the Jazz Hot Line (tel. 604/872-5200), or visit www.coastaljazz.com for more information. Late June/early July.

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, Vanier Park. Three of Shakespeare's plays are performed in a tent overlooking English Bay. Call the box office (tel. 604/739-0559), or check www.bardonthebeach.org. June to late September, Tuesday through Sunday.

July

Canada Day. Canada Place Pier hosts an all-day celebration that begins with the induction of new Canadian citizens. Music and dance are performed outdoors throughout the day. A 21-gun salute at noon, precision aerobatics teams in the afternoon, and a nighttime fireworks display on the harbor lead the festivities. Granville Island, Grouse Mountain, and other locations also host Canada Day events. For more information, call tel. 604/647-7390, or check www.canadadayatcanadaplace.com. July 1.

Steveston Salmon Festival, Steveston. Steveston celebrates Canada Day with a big parade, marching bands, clowns, a carnival, a traditional salmon bake, and more. Call tel. 604/277-6812 for more info, or visit www.tourismrichmond.com. July 1.

Ecomarine Kayak Marathon. Competitors race sea kayaks in Georgia Strait. The Ecomarine Kayak Centre (tel. 604/689-7575; www.ecomarine.com), at Jericho Beach, hosts the race and can provide details. Mid-July.

Harrison Festival of the Arts, Harrison Hot Springs, lower mainland. This arts festival in the Fraser River valley, just east of Vancouver, attracts performing artists from around the world. Call tel. 604/796-3664 for more information, or visit www.harrisonfestival.com. Mid-July.

Dancing on the Edge. Canadian and international dance groups perform modern and classic works at the Firehall Arts Centre and other venues. For information, call tel. 604/689-0929, or visit www.dancingontheedge.org. Early to mid-July.

Vancouver Folk Music Festival. International folk music is performed outdoors at Jericho Beach Park. Contact the Vancouver Folk Music Society at tel. 604/602-9798 for more information, or visit www.thefestival.bc.ca. Second or third weekend in July.

Illuminares Lantern Festival, Trout Lake Park. This evening lantern procession circling Trout Lake is a phantasmagoric experience, complete with drums, costumes, fire-breathing apparitions, and lots of elaborate handcrafted lanterns. Various performances start at dusk. For info, call tel. 604/879-8611, or visit www.publicdreams.org. Third or fourth Saturday in July.

Caribbean Days Festival, North Vancouver. The Trinidad and Tobago Cultural Society of B.C. hosts the city's premier Caribbean event at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver, featuring live music, authentic Caribbean food, arts, crafts, and a parade. For info, call tel. 604/512-2400, or visit www.ttcsbc.com. Third or fourth weekend in July.

HSBC Celebration of Light. Three international fireworks companies compete for a coveted title by launching their best displays accompanied by music over English Bay Beach. Don't miss the big finale on the fourth evening. Note: Because of the crowds, some streets are closed to vehicles at night. Other prime viewing locations include Kitsilano Beach and Jericho Beach. Call tel. 604/641-1293 for information, or check www.celebration-of-light.com. End of July through first week of August.

August

Summer Dancing in Robson Square. Every Friday night in August, Robson Square in downtown Vancouver offers a free night of dancing under the stars. The evening starts with a free dance lesson given by a local instructor followed by showcase dancers and then a "general dance" where everyone (all ages and dance levels) is encouraged to join in. For more information visit www.dancesportbc.com.

Powell Street Festival. An annual fete of Japanese culture includes music, dance, food, and more. Contact the Powell Street Festival Society (tel. 604/739-9388; http://powellstfestival.shinnova.com) for info. First weekend of August.

Gay Pride Parade, Vancouver. This huge and hugely popular gay- and lesbian-pride parade begins at noon and serves as the culmination of Pride Week. Celebrations at many local gay and lesbian nightclubs take place around town on the same long holiday weekend (B.C. Day weekend). For more info, contact the Pride Society (tel. 604/687-0955; www.vancouverpride.ca). First Sunday in August.

Festival Vancouver. National and international artists perform orchestral, choral, opera, world music, chamber music, and jazz concerts in venues throughout Vancouver. For information, call tel. 604/688-1152, or visit www.festivalvancouver.bc.ca. First 2 weeks in August.

Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver. This event highlights the talent of North Shore artists, offering free exhibitions, demonstrations, studio tours, theater, concerts, markets, and workshops. Call tel. 604/925-7268, or visit www.harmonyarts.net for more information. First 2 weeks of August.

Abbottsford International Air Show, Abbottsford. Barnstorming stuntmen and precision military pilots fly everything from Sopwith Camels to Stealth Bombers. This is one of the biggest air shows in the world. Call tel. 604/852-8511, or visit www.abbotsfordairshow.com for more info. Second weekend in August.

Pacific National Exhibition. The city's favorite fair includes one of North America's best all-wooden roller coasters. Special events include livestock demonstrations, logger competitions, fashion shows, and a midway. Call tel. 604/253-2311, or visit www.pne.bc.ca for more details. Mid-August to Labour Day.

Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival, Granville Island. Call tel. 604/688-9622 for more info, or visit www.granvilleisland.com. Last weekend of August.

September

Vancouver Fringe Festival. The Fringe Festival is centered around Granville Island, Commercial Drive, and Yaletown's Roundhouse, and features more than 500 innovative and original shows performed by more than 100 groups from Canada and around the world. All plays cost less than C$15 (US$13/£7). Call tel. 604/257-0350, or see www.vancouverfringe.com for more info. First and second week of September.

CanWest Comedy Fest. Comedians from Canada and the U.S. perform around town. Contact Ticketmaster for tickets at tel. 604/683-0883, or check www.comedyfest.com for more information. Mid-September.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden. This outdoor Chinese celebration includes a lantern festival, storytelling, music, and, of course, moon cakes. For info, call tel. 604/662-3207, or visit www.vancouverchinesegarden.com. Early to mid-September, according to the lunar cycle (15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar).

Vancouver International Film Festival. This highly respected festival features 250 new works, revivals, and retrospectives, representing filmmakers from 40 countries (particularly Asia). Call tel. 604/685-0260, or visit www.viff.org for details. Late September and first 2 weeks of October.

October

Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival. Public readings by Canadian and international authors as well as writers' workshops take place on Granville Island and at other locations in the lower mainland. Call tel. 604/681-6330, or check www.writersfest.bc.ca for details. Mid-October.

Parade of Lost Souls, Grandview Park. This bizarre and intriguing procession takes place around Commercial Drive to honor the dead and chase away bad luck. For more information, call tel. 604/879-8611, or visit www.publicdreams.org. Last Saturday of October.

November

Remembrance Day. Celebrated throughout Canada, this day commemorates Canadian soldiers who gave their lives in war. Vintage military aircraft fly over Stanley Park and Canada Place, and, at noon, a 21-gun salute is fired from Deadman's Island. November 11.

Christmas Craft and Gift Market, VanDusen Botanical Garden. For info, call tel. 604/878-9274, or check www.vandusengarden.org. November and December.

December

Carol Ship Parade of Lights Festival. Harbor cruise ships decorated with colorful Christmas lights sail around English Bay, while onboard guests sip cider and sing their way through the canon of Christmas carols. For more info, call tel. 604/878-8999, or check out www.carolships.org. Throughout December.

Festival of Lights. Throughout December, the VanDusen Botanical Garden is transformed into a magical holiday land with seasonal displays and more than 20,000 lights. Call tel. 604/878-9274 for info, or visit www.vandusengarden.org.

Stanley Park Festival of Lights. Throughout December, the plaza in the middle of Stanley Park becomes a festive gathering point with more than a million twinkling lights transforming the surrounding forest and children's farmyard. The Stanley Park holiday train winds its way through the illuminated forest. For more information call tel. 604/257-8400, or visit www.vancouver.bc.ca/parks.

First Night. Vancouver closes its downtown streets for revelers in the city's New Year's Eve performing-arts festival and alcohol-free party. Events and venues change from year to year.