Art & Music Events Vancouver 2019

The Vancouver International Jazz Festival, produced by the community-based, nonprofit Coastal Jazz & Blues Society with TD as the title sponsor, takes place in summer at multiple venues across the city. The festival presents 300 concerts at 35 venues, attracts more than 500,000 people, and generates more than $43 million in economic activity. The festival attracts world-famous artists such as Herbie Hancock, The Roots, and Wu-Tang Clan in 2019. Next: Summer 2020

The Vancouver International Film Festival, one of the five largest film festivals in North America, hosts more than 320 films and events and brings in some 400 industry professionals from around the world. Programming in 2019 will include a screening of This Is Spinal Tap with a live score; a live recording of Song Exploder podcast with Chuck D of Public Enemy for the 30th anniversary of Do the Right Thing; and a tour stop for Pop-Up Magazine. Next: September 26-October 11, 2019
See more: Podcast: Why Marriott Created a Film Festival to Promote Its Meeting Capabilities

Bard on the Beach, staged on the waterfront in Vancouver’s Vanier Park, celebrated its 30th season in 2019. Over the years, as the Shakespeare festival has grown, the programming has expanded from one play to at least four each season. Attendance has also increased from 6,000 in 1990 to 108,000 in 2018. Its operating budget has also grown, from $35,000 in 1990 to $7 million in 2018. The professional, nonprofit theater company hires about 30 actors each season as well as directors, designers, and technicians. Next: Summer 2020

Theatre Under the Stars has been a summer tradition in Vancouver since its first show in 1940. In 2019, the shows at the historic Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park included Mamma Mia and Disney’s Newsies, providing local performers and technical staff the opportunity to work with professionals. About 45,000 people attend each season. Next: July/August 2020

Originally established in 1978 and held in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival moved to Jericho Beach Park for its second year where it now attracts about 40,000 music enthusiasts to hear more than 40 international, national, and local acts. In 2019 the festival included performers such as the Sam Roberts Band and David Hidalgo. The festival is produced by the nonprofit Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society. Next: July 17-19, 2020

The Push International Performing Arts Festival is Vancouver’s signature, mid-winter cultural event, taking place over three weeks each January in venues across the city. The festival presents contemporary works of theater, dance, music, and multimedia by acclaimed local, national, and international artists. Next: January 21-February 9, 2020

The Vancouver Writers Fest is held each October. Many of the literary festival's readings, panel discussions, performances, and interviews take place at venues at Granville Island. In 2018 the fest hosted more than 80 events and attracted 15,000 people. Featured authors at the 2019 event, curated by Tanya Talaga, include Naomi Klein, Tash Aw, Alicia Elliott, and Adam Gopnik. Next: October 21-27, 2019

In 2019 the Vancouver Bach Festival did double duty as it highlighted the German composer’s music while also celebrating the 50th anniversary of its producer, Early Music Vancouver. The 14-concert series, featuring performances by West Coast artists and musicians from across Europe and North America took place at the city’s Christ Church Cathedral and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. The festival and Main Season has had a number of partnerships with organizations including the Vancouver Cantata Singers, Vancouver Chopin Society, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, and the Vancouver Bach Choir. Next: July/August 2020