Summer 2024 is just around the corner! Make the most of the season with festivals and events that celebrate every facet of life on the Sunshine Coast. From oceanside concerts to a celebration of the written arts, here are a few of the exciting events to check out this summer.
Looking for more? Visit our calendar of events and use the date filters to see what’s happening during your visit.
Local Markets, ongoing over the summer
The Sunshine Coast is full of farmers’ markets, both year-round and seasonal. Read our round-up blog for details on local farmers’ markets, which play host to produce vendors, bakers, makers, and more in communities like Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, and Powell River.
Gibsons also has a community market called Gibsons 4 Seasons Market—keep an eye out for dates and details on their new location. The Seaside Market will also return to Gibsons on Saturdays from June 29 to August 31, 2024, and is a great spot to pick up items from local artists and designers.
Tip: Local markets are a great place to pick up supplies for your adventures and gifts or souvenirs to take home with you! Check out our calendar of events for details.
Pender Harbour May Day, May 18, 2024
This year marks the 79th anniversary of the Pender Harbour May Day event. This year’s theme is “carnival circus,” and the festivities will include a parade, a fishing derby for kids, a pancake breakfast, the crowning of this year’s May Queen, a classic car display, live music, food trucks, and more.
Tip: Looking to dance the night away? Adults can opt to purchase tickets to an evening dance held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Madeira Park; tickets will be on sale soon.
Lund Seafood Festival, May 24 - 26, 2024
The Lund Seafood Festival celebrates the bounty of the ocean. This year’s festival kicks off on May 24 with a ticketed evening event, the Chowder Challenge. Festivities on May 25 & 26 are free, but you’ll want to bring some money along—vendors will be dishing up seafood appetizers for $7 each, and restaurant specials will be on offer (making dinner reservations is recommended). In between bites, you can listen to live music, purchase unique items from local artists and talented crafters, admire the ocean views, and mingle with local Lund residents and fellow seafood lovers.
Tip: Parking is limited. Book a stay at a Lund accommodation, carpool with friends and family, or take the bus from Powell River.
Taste of Sechelt, June 1, 2024
Foodies, take note! This exciting culinary experience lets you try the best that downtown Sechelt has to offer. Taste of Sechelt kicks off at 12:00pm (noon)—purchase a branded wine glass for $15 at Cowrie Street near the rainbow crosswalk, get your wristband, and then sip, shop, and eat your way through Downtown Sechelt. Your wristband includes samples of wine at participating shops, and there will be $8 curated appies on offer at participating eateries.
Tip: Bring your branded wine glass from last year and save $2.
Pender Harbour Blues Festival, June 7 – 9, 2024
There's nothing to feel blue about when you attend this energizing, community-loved festival. This concert series brings blues music to venues like the Lagoon Restaurant at Painted Boat, the Royal Canadian Legion, and Pender Harbour Community Hall, along with the Backeddy Pub in nearby Egmont. The lineup of fantastic blues musicians from near and far is the main attraction, but the enthusiastic crowds add some extra magic to this festival scene. The Pender Harbour Blues Festival is guaranteed to be a dancing, swinging, rousing good time.
Tip: Stay in the area for the easiest access to all the different performances and venues. Download the Coastal Rides app to book safe passage to and from the events if you plan on consuming a drink or two.
Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival and Beyond, June 8 - 16, 2024
What was once a Gibsons-based event has expanded into more communities. Stay tuned for details on Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival and Beyond.
Tip: Stop by local Visitor Centres (the Gibsons and Sechelt locations are close to the event venues) to get intel on restaurants, outdoor activities, and more during your visit.
Powell River PRISMA Festival, June 17 - 29, 2024
Get ready for a musical extravaganza by the sea during the annual PRISMA Festival. Each year, international music students come together to study with principal players from top orchestras around the globe. They take to the stage in an epic symphonic spectacle that is enjoyed by music lovers, residents, and visitors alike. Over two weeks, you can take in performances ranging from indoor concerts to a family-friendly music performance set right on the shores of Powell River's Willingdon Beach. Guest appearances have included members of the LA Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Montreal Symphony, and more. It's a music event like no other! General ticket sales are open now.
Tip: Visitors from Vancouver Island can purchase tickets for a special “Sail to the Symphony” matinee on June 29, 2024. Tickets include walk-on ferry passes from Comox to Powell River, bus transportation to the venue, lunch, and a musical performance.
syíyaya Days, June 21 – July 1, 2024
syíyaya Days first took root in 2022 as a partnership between the District of Sechelt, the shíshálh Nation, and the syíyaya Reconciliation Movement. This multi-day event kicks off on June 21, which is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, and is followed by 10 days of awareness building, learning, and cultural celebration. The event culminates in an inclusive Canada Day event on July 1, that features a parade, live music, and family fun. Stay tuned for full event details!
Tip: During your visit, we encourage you to engage in cultural exploration and learning—and participating in events such as this one is a great way to do so. You can also support local Indigenous tourism operators during your visit.
Outdoor Music Series, July to early September (dates vary by community)
Throughout the summer, you can catch live music performances in various venues across the Sunshine Coast. Gibsons plays host to Music in the Landing, an outdoor concerts series that sees musicians take to the stage in Winegarden Park and at the gazebo in the Gibsons Harbour. Sechelt’s Summer Music Series is set to take place at the new Hackett Park stage. And Powell River hosts a Music in the Park series at Willingdon Beach.
Tip: Heading out to enjoy some music? Grab food to go and make it a picnic in the park as well.
Texada Island Sandcastle Weekend, July 20 & 21, 2024
Texada Island’s Sandcastle Weekend is designed for family fun and entertainment. The sandcastle competition is the main event, with a small entry fee and categories for different age groups. But that’s not all: the weekend typically includes a parade, food court and vendors, beer garden, pancake breakfast, and more. In previous years there have been some fun extras like bed races, a lip sync contest, and even a dog show! Stay tuned for details on the 2024 event.
Tip: Texada Island plays host to more fun events over the summer, like the Texada Island Blues & Roots Music Festival on August 3 & 4, 2024.
Sunshine Coast Slow Food Cycle, July 28, 2024
The first Slow Food Cycle took place in 2023, and was a big hit. Transportation Choices Sunshine Coast (TraC) will be hosting the event again this year, which sees hundreds of cyclists explore the Gibsons area as they stop at various locations highlighting local food producers. While the date has been set, more details are still to come.
Tip: You can also check out local food producers and more at both seasonal and year-round Farmers’ Markets.
Sleepy Hollow Rod Run and Show n’ Shine, August 9 & 10, 2024
Presented by the Coaster’s Car Club, the annual Sleepy Hollow Rod Run and Show n’ Shine is a popular annual event. On Friday night, over 400 classic cars make the 30km Rod Run trip from Sechelt to Halfmoon Bay. Spectators along the way have been known to make signs, dress in costumes, and chill out on lawn chairs as they cheer on the drivers. The Saturday portion of the event includes a Show n’ Shine along Cowrie Street in Sechelt, with trophy presentations in the afternoon.
Tip: On August 11, 2024 you can watch drag racing at the Sechelt Airport. Gate admission is $10 and the races feature different classes of vehicles like hot rods, street machines, and more.
Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, August 15 - 18, 2024
The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts is Canada's longest running literary festival, celebrating a diverse roster of literary voices (and readers). What started as a one-day inaugural festival has grown to a nationally recognized event that attracts writers from across the country. In past years, the lineup has included local publishers, internationally acclaimed writers, and celebrated poets—and 2024 will be no different. Take in author readings, panel discussions, musical performances, and more, all set in the stunning gardens of Rockwood Centre in Sechelt. Some of the confirmed writers for this year include Brent Butt, Naomi Klein, Grant Lawrence, and Waubgeshig Rice.
Tip: Fans of the written word will want to stick around the expanded Art & Words Festival happening in Gibsons from August 22 - 25, 2024.
Blackberry Festival, August 16, 2024
Blackberries are juicy, ripe, and abundant—you can pick them in patches all over the Sunshine Coast, from Langdale to Lund. Powell River’s Blackberry Festival pays homage to these beloved berries every August, and during the course of the festival, blackberries make their way into both sweet and savoury foods of all kinds. The festival’s offerings also include live music, art exhibitions, interactive performances, and more. The event typically ends with a night of fireworks—a perfect celebratory bang in honour of this humble berry.
Tip: You can purchase house-made blackberry jam at Edie Rae’s Cafe year-round (just in case you miss the festival, or simply want to take something home with you).
Run the Rock Marathon, August 18, 2024
Texada Island plays host to the annual Run the Rock Marathon, which is said to be one of the toughest road marathons in Canada. The event features a full marathon, a half marathon, and an 8k race, so runners have a few options to consider. While each race has a different starting point, they all finish at beautiful Shelter Point Regional Park.
Tip: Camping is available at Shelter Point Regional Park; individual sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis at $25 per night. More info on accommodations can be found here.
qathet Studio Tour, August 24 & 25, 2024
Experience the diversity and excellence of the art community on the northern section of the Sunshine Coast. The qathet Studio Tour is a free, self-guided event featuring artists from Lang Bay to Lund. A brochure with a map will be available at various locations in qathet, leading you to the homes and studios of local artists. The event aims to connect art makers and art lovers, and is a great way to explore Powell River, Lund, and beyond while supporting the local artists.
Tip: Local artists are often inspired by the Sunshine Coast’s beautiful landscapes. Book a stay in Powell River or Lund, and get outside—spend some time paddling, hiking, biking, exploring local beaches, and more.
Sunshine Music Festival, August 31 & September 1, 2024
The Sunshine Music Festival takes place over the Labour Day weekend, in beautiful Palm Beach Regional Park. Enjoy live music on the beachfront stage, take a refreshing swim in the ocean, find unique treasures in the artisan market, and fuel up for more fun with some delicious food. The 2024 lineup is out, and includes performers with a variety of musical styles like The Kitchen Sink, Scout Mountain, Tambura Rasa, Dally Mon, The Hatfield Union, and more.
Tip: Arrive prepared with the essentials, since many amenities are a bit of a drive from the venue. There is no overnight camping available at the park, so it’s important to book accommodations and make your travel plans well in advance.
2024 BC Cup Downhill Series, September 13 - 15, 2024
The 2024 BC Cup includes a series of races throughout the province. Racers have the chance to accumulate points from each race, with the goal of being crowned the overall BC Cup winner. Sechelt’s Coast Gravity Park plays host to the last event in the series, and spectators are welcome to come and cheer on some of the best mountain bikers in the world.
Tip: The Sunshine Coast is home to a variety of amazing mountain bike trails—plan to hit the trails in multiple communities while you’re here.
These are just some of the events happening on the Sunshine Coast this summer! Visit our calendar of events to learn more about what's happening during your visit.
