Festivals

A Joyful Celebration: Happyland Festival 2024 – Review

Published

3 months ago

August 5, 2024

Happyland Festival - Tinashe — All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer

The third annual Happyland Festival, presented by Timbre Concerts and Sunrise Series, was held on August 4th, 2024, at the PNE Centre Grounds and Playland Amusement Park. Coinciding with Vancouver’s Pride Parade, the festival aimed to provide an inclusive space for attendees to fully express themselves while enjoying music, performances, and the vibrant community spirit.

R&B artist Tinashe headlined the event, delivering a powerhouse performance that captivated the audience. She showcased remarkable vocal prowess and impressive dance skills, showing why she has been in this industry for over 15 years. The most anticipated moment of her set was obviously “Nasty”, which blew up on TikTok in the past several months. Right after, Tinashe brought back all other performers on stage for some more fun.

Vincint, introduced by Kendall Gender, mesmerized the audience with his angelic voice and engaging stage presence, even jumping into the crowd to sing among the attendees.

The festival was also graced by the presence of RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Adore Delano and Raja Gemini. Raja opened the festival with a stunning Celine Dion performance, complete with a colourful, ever-changing outfit. Adore Delano impressed with her powerful vocals, reminding everyone why she stood out on both RuPaul’s Drag Race and American Idol.

British Columbia’s own drag stars also shone brightly. Venus, the winner of Canada’s Drag Race Season 4 (and 1st Indigenous winner), delivered a high-energy performance inspired by Charli XCX’s BRAT, cooling down the audience with water guns amidst the summer heat.

Kendall Gender, with a Beyoncé-inspired Cowboy Carter set, and The Girlfriend Experience, from Canada’s Drag Race Season 4, added local flair and excitement to the lineup.

Happyland Festival offered exclusive access to both the concert venue and Playland’s rides, creating a unique and thrilling experience for attendees. The integration of live music and amusement park fun set this festival apart from others, providing many entertainment options.

Festival-goers enjoyed a variety of dining options from Playland’s vendors, including favourites like Japadog, and 49th Parallel coffee. A special shout-out goes to the organizers for providing flushable toilets in addition to porta-potties—not always a given at most festivals.

Happyland also had 19+ VIP Section that offered a premium experience with comfortable seating and exclusive amenities for those seeking a more intimate setting; an Alcohol-Free Zone so that everyone, regardless of their preferences, could enjoy the festival comfortably; sponsor booths with giveaways, and photo ops.

Timbre Concerts and Sunrise Series announced that a portion of each ticket sold would be donated to QMUNITY, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQAI2S+ community members, events, and organizations. This initiative underscored the festival’s commitment to giving back and supporting important causes.

The third annual Happyland Festival was a vibrant and inclusive celebration of music, pride, and community. The stellar performances, unique combination of concert and amusement park experiences, and thoughtful amenities made it a standout event in Vancouver’s festival scene. The festival created a space where attendees could fully express themselves and enjoy a sense of belonging and joy. Happyland was indeed a happy place to spend time with friends, enjoy good music, and celebrate diversity. We can’t wait for next year’s edition!