Oh yes, the sun is shining, the weather is sweet – in the words of Mr Bob Marley! It took a while to get there this year (global warming, much?!) but we are finally here. And there’s nothing that screams summer more than a food festival, so here are our top picks of where to go to get your fill!

By Avneet Takhar

 

VCBW Craft Beer and Music Festival

When: July 9-10
2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver

A total of 150+ cider and beer stalls will be located at the PNE Fairgrounds. We predict a riot! JK, but seriously sounds like a tipsy good time and there’s enough food to soak up the liquids alright. Rosie’s BBQ Smokehouse with their slow–cooked brisket will be there, as well as The Real Patty Co with spicy Jamaican patties – we spy the Jerk Poutine which looks delicious!

Music bands such as Half Moon Run and Bedouin Soundclash will be there too.

They are 86% sold out currently, so grab your tickets fast! Must be 19+ to attend.

Transit: From Downtown grab any of the following buses, R5, 14, 4 and 16

Caribbean Days Festival

When: July 23 -24
Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

BC’s biggest Caribbean celebration takes place in the heart of Port Coquitlam, and you can count on flavours from Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados and of course the Caribbean. There’ll be jerk chicken, mutton curries, plantain, fufu and lots more! Onsite will be an outdoor music stage featuring reggae and soca performers, and a colourful carnival parade for both adults and children to enjoy.

Free to attend.

Transit: Grab the sky train to Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station. From there it’s just a few steps to the Park.

 

Fridays on Front

When: Every Friday from July 8- August 19
Front Street Mews between 6th and McKenzie Streets, New Westminster

Happening over 3 consecutive Fridays, the vendors differ slightly according to the dates but expect to see some beverages from Steel & Oak Brewing, some experimental vinos from Pacific Breeze Winery, and bites from Polish-owned Old Country Pierogi and Nami Vietnamese which do vegan and meat banh mis and vermicelli.

Free to attend.

Transit: 400 metres from Columbia sky train station 

 

 

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Shipyards Live

When: Every Friday from July 1 throughout summer
Wallace Mews, North Vancouver

Live music is back, as is the pop-up beer patio at Shipyard’s! Along the waterfront, this is quite the scenic food festival. Who’s there? Well, there’s Reel Mac & Cheese serving creamy glory with hilarious names such as Godzilla and Jurassic Pork, Kampong with their crispy spring rolls and laksa noodle soup and Indish, a fusion street food truck with fun bites such as nacho chaat, made with nachos instead of traditional fried dough and topped with sauces and cheese. Yum!

Free to attend.

Transit: A 3 minute walk from Lonsdale Quay seabus terminal

 

Richmond Night Market

When: July 1 throughout the summer on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
8351 River Rd, Richmond

The ultimate food fest is at this popular Night Market which has been running since 2000! With an abundance of stalls directly next to each other and a bustling atmosphere, it’s not to be missed. There’s deep-fried boneless chicken at Swag Chicken, crunchy handhelds from Taco Noris-Sushi Tacos, the classic curly potato sticks, chilli beef bone marrow cooked right in front of you, and many desserts and drinks too (including steaming cocktails!).

And be sure to top up on your sock drawer and other small necessities by checking out the various kitschy “knick knack” stalls.

General admission at the entrance is $6, $35 for a Zoom pass to skip the line and use for up to 6 visits.

Transit: Get the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station. Follow the signs down to the Night Market, a 4 minute walk away.

 

 

Fort Langley Village Farmers Market

When: Every Saturday
9025 Glover Road, Fort Langley

If you want fresh produce, this is the place for it. From fruits and veggies provided by Wilde Wunder Gardens and The Bog Riverside Cranberry Farm, to sweet goods by Coconama and BAK’D cookies- which have been highlighted by CBC, there’s loads to choose from.

And we can’t forget the beverages! Mr. Mead with their organic honey meads made with cranberry and blueberry variations and Vancouver’s own Odd Society Spirits, along with many more local vendors.

Free to attend.

Transit: From Langley Crossing Shopping Centre, grab the 372 bus and hop off at Glover Rd @ St Andrews Ave.

 

Surrey Fusion Fest

When: July 23-24
Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Rd, Surrey

Allow your tastebuds to tingle at this cultural festival! Indian staples will be available, like fish pakoras (spiced fish battered) chole bhaturas (chickpeas with flat, fried bread) and fusion fave butter chicken poutine! But there’s other global foods too, such as choripán (Argentinian hot dogs), Congolese pilau rice and Tarkari meats and veggies which are Fijjian foods.

Make time to see some local legends sing, such as folk artist Desirée Dawson (featured in this Destination Vancouver video) and Zora Randhawa, who has performed with Diljit Dosanjh!

Free to attend.

Transit: Less than a 5 minute walk from King George station.

Image courtesy of Surrey Fusion Fest

 

Vancouver Chinatown Festival

When: July 16-17
Chinatown Plaza, 100 Keefer St, Vancouver

A memorable parade, food trucks and some Asian foods ranging from sushi donuts, crispy duck noodles, and moon cakes will be available. There will also be an exciting AR (augmented reality) scavenger hunt with the VCF mascot, Panda where 7 objects will need to be found and a prize awarded to the winner!

Free to attend.

Transit: Just under a 10 minute walk from Stadium-Chinatown sky train station.

Image courtesy of Vancouver Chinatown Festival

Bubble Tea Festival

When: July 22-23
Burnaby Swangard, Stadium3883 Imperial Street, Burnaby

Eat. Drink Bubble Tea. Play. We like the sound of their motto! Obviously, there will be bubble with a ton of different flavours, including a decadent Oreo Bobas by Truedan Canada, dumplings from Hon’s Wonton House, the “real Japanese style Katsu sandos” from Tokyo Katsu-Sand that literally look like delicious life-size sandwiches because they’re so huge, and comfort foods from Memory Corner like noodle broths.

Buy your $10 ticket here.

Transit: Get off at Joyce-Collingwood Station, then it’s just over a 15 minute walk to get to the stadium.

 

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