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Top 18 Vancouver Music Festivals To Experience Before You Die

British Columbia, Canada, Music Festivals, Vancouver

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

Vancouver Festivals 2019

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.”

BREAKOUT Festival 2019 Aftermovie


2) Vancouver Island Musicfest

Best Music Festivals in Vancouver

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.”

Vancouver Island Musicfest

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.”

SHAMBHALA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2024 OFFICIAL TRAILER | 2023 AFTERMOVIE


4) Rifflandia

When: September, 2024

Where: Victoria, BC

Genre: Various

http://rifflandia.com

“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.”

2022 Rifflandia Festival Wrap


5) Contact Winter Music Festival

When: December, 2024

Where: BC Place, Vancouver

Genre: EDM / Electronic / House / Dance

https://contact-festival.com

“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.”

Contact Festival 2018 Aftermovie | Vancouver - Skrillex & The Chainsmokers LIVE


6) Vancouver Folk Music Festival (VFMF)

When: July 19-21, 2024

Where: Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver

Genre: Folk

https://thefestival.bc.ca

“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.”

Vancouver Folk Music Festival Experience 2022


7) Cumberland Wild

British Columbia Festivals

When: August, 2024

Where: Cumberland Village, BC

Genre: Various

https://cumberlandwild.com

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.”

FRASE- Big Smoke (Live @ Cumberland Wild ) - 2019


8) Rockin River Music Festival

When: July, 2024 (TBC)

Where: Merritt, BC

Genre: Country

https://rockinriverfest.com

“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.”

Rockin River Music Festival 2022


9) Bass Coast Festival

When: July 12-15, 2024

Where: Merritt, BC

Genre: Electronic

https://basscoast.ca

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.”

Official Bass Coast 2022 Aftermovie


10) FVDED in the Park

Festivals in British Columbia

Photo via FVDED in the Park Facebook

When: June, 2024 (TBC)

Where: Surrey, BC

Genre: Rap / Hip-Hop / R&B / Electronic / EDM

https://fvdedinthepark.com

“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.”

FVDED In The Park 2017 Aftermovie


11) Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival

Music Festivals in Victoria British Columbia

When: June 19-23, 2024

Where: Victoria, BC

Genre: Ska / Reggae

https://victoriaskafest.ca

“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.”

Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival XIX (2018) Highlights

12) Starbelly Jam Music Festival

Music Festivals in British Columbia

When: July 5-7, 2024

Where: Crawford Bay, BC

Genre: Various

https://starbellyjam.org

“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.”

GAUDI Starbelly Jam Music Festival 2012 Epic Original Live Dubstep

13) Ambleside Music Festival

When: August, 2024

Where: Ambleside Park, West Vancouver

Genre: Rock

www.amblesidefestival.com

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. ”

Ambleside Music Festival 2022 Recap


14) Khatsahlano Street Party

Vancouver Music Festivals

When: July, 2024

Where: West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano

Genre: Various

http://www.khatsahlano.com

“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.”

🇨🇦 Khatsahlano Street Party 2023 | Vancouver, BC, Canada | July 8


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.”

Music Festivals in Vancouver


16) Salmon Arm Roots & Blues 

When: July 26-28, 2024

Where: Salmon Arm, BC

Genre: Roots and blues

https://rootsandblues.ca

“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.”

Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival


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.”

Sunfest 2022 - Recap


18) Kaslo Jazz Festival 

When: August 2-4, 2024 

Where: Kaslo, BC

Genre: Jazz

www.kaslojazzfest.com

“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.”

2022 Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival - Highlight Video


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.

37 California Festivals That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long

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

Vancouver Music Festivals


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!


Share the Vancouver music festival love with your squad!

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February 8, 2019/1 Comment/by Dave
Tags: BC Festivals, British Columbia Festivals, Camping Festivals near Vancouver, canada, EDM Festivals Vancouver, Festivals near Vancouver, Music Festivals, Music Festivals in Vancouver, Vancouver Festivals, Vancouver Festivals 2019, Vancouver Island Festivals, Vancouver Music Festivals, Vancouver Music Festivals 2019, Victoria Canada Festivals
https://www.jonesaroundtheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Vancouver-Music-Festivals-2019.jpg 1200 1800 Dave https://www.jonesaroundtheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Jones-Logo-BLACK-trans.png Dave2019-02-08 23:18:042023-12-30 12:37:27Top 18 Vancouver Music Festivals To Experience Before You Die
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  1. What to Know When Moving to Vancouver says:
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    […] is home to Vancouver International Film Festival, Vancouver Fringe Festival, and live concerts and festivals year-round. Film productions favour Vancouver’s scenic beauty and you can often spot movie stars […]

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