With sunny days in the forecast, and long weekends coming up, it’s time to look ahead at some of the fabulous and fun festivities happening this year in Vancouver and across British Columbia. Here’s the festival fun happening in BC this summer!
Spot Prawn Festival
One of the most anticipated ingredients of the season are BC Spot Prawns which are the focal point of the 2024 Spot Prawn Festival which takes place on May 26. Guests can take part in the festival for free by visiting the docks to purchase BC spot prawns directly from fishers, while checking out cooking demonstrations and family-friendly activities. The Spot Prawn Chef Demonstration stage will run 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Fisherman’s Wharf. For $10, you can grab a bowl of Spot Prawn Bisque, compliments of Organic Ocean, and for $79, guests can attend the special Spot Prawn Brunch which offers a tasting menu of six delicious BC Spot Prawn dishes, as well as wine, beer and non-alcoholic cocktails along with a sweet treat. Presented by Chefs’ Table Society of British Columbia, tickets are still available for this seasonal celebration.
Tofino Wine and Dine
You’d be hard pressed to find a prettier location for a BBQ festival. The Tofino Wine and Dine first launched last year with a one day only event but it was such a success that this year they’ve extended the feasting to two days. On June 1st and 2nd, this highly anticipated event will showcase a hundred industry presenters from leading restaurants, vineyards, breweries, and distilleries. Participating chefs include Nicole Gomes, Johnny Bridge, Robert Belcham, Clayton Fontaine, and BBQ pit masters Lawrence LaPianta and John Bates. The event will be held on the front lawn of the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort, overlooking Mackenzie Beach. Tickets for the 2nd annual Tofino Wine and Dine event are available now on the event’s official website.
Brewery and the Beast
Brewery and the Beast is back for its 11th year. This all you can eat, all you can drink meat fest takes place on Sunday, June 2. Sixty of Vancouver’s top chefs will be cooking up a selection of tantalizing treats cooked over live fire. Alimentaria, Jungle Room, Pourhouse, and Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions are among the participating restaurants. Featured proteins include but are certainly not limited to: beef, bison, pork, lamb, goat, rabbit, chicken, and wild boar. Drink offerings will include wine, craft beer, cocktails, cider, hard seltzers, and non-alcoholic options as well. Brewery and the Beast Vancouver will also feature live music from local bands and DJs. Tickets are on sale now. The main event runs from 2 – 5pm at Concord Pacific Plaza.
Punch Bowl Festival
More outdoor feasting can be found at the Punch Bowl Festival. This cocktail and taco festival takes place on Saturday, July 27th at the PNE Fairgrounds in Vancouver. Featuring over 250 vendors, the soundtrack to this festival is 2000’s throwback music with live DJs spinning records. Tacos will come from over 20 local restaurants and vendors, including Rebel BBQ, Dos Amigos, Ay! Mamacita, and Chickpea. Drinks will range from beer and cider, to wine and canned cocktails as well as spirits. Pre-sale tickets are on sale now at a discounted price so grab yours early.
Bard on the Beach
Bard on the Beach is also back for another season of seaside Shakespeare. Bard’s 2024 season runs from June 11 to September 21. This year’s lineup includes Twelfth Night, Hamlet, The Comedy of Errors, and Measure for Measure. Bard’s stages are specially designed to showcase the natural scenery of Sen̓ákw/Vanier Park in Vancouver. Enjoy a live theatre performance while the sun sets behind the North Shore mountains. First founded in 1990 by Bard Artistic Director Christopher Gaze with the performance on just one play, this season has a budget of $10 million and four Shakespeare plays in production. Tickets for this season’s Bard on the Beach can be purchased online.
