Festivals
A Joyful Celebration: Happyland Festival 2024 – Review
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!
Check out some of our favourite photos of the festival below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TINASHE
VENUS
ADORE DELANO
KENDALL GENDER
THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE
VINCINT
RAJA GEMINI
HAPPYLAND
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Kaytranada
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE closed out another memorable week on Sunday with the biggest match in world football and a fitting musical finale. Fans packed the site well before kickoff, creating a sea of jerseys, flags, and face paint as they gathered to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. Every big chance was met with gasps and cheers, and when Spain secured the victory, the celebrations spread across the festival grounds as supporters soaked in the final moments of a month-long tournament.
There was little time for the excitement to settle before the day’s entertainment shifted from football to live music. Montreal’s Kaytranada took over the Amphitheatre stage, giving fans one last reason to keep the energy going after the trophy presentation. Known for blending house, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music into a sound that feels uniquely his own, Kaytranada delivered exactly the kind of set the festival needed to close the weekend.
With Spain crowned world champions and Kaytranada providing the soundtrack to the celebration, the FIFA Fan Festival wrapped up another successful day at the PNE. It was a reminder that throughout the tournament, football and music proved to be the perfect combination, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate on and off the pitch.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
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All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – The Dead South, Jesse Roper, Colin James
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE Grounds delivered another full day of football and live music on Saturday, July 18, as fans packed the site to watch the FIFA World Cup third-place match before spending the afternoon discovering Canadian talent across the festival stages.
The day opened with one last piece of World Cup drama before the tournament finale. England defeated France in the third-place match, giving English supporters plenty to celebrate before the music began. Groups wearing England shirts could be spotted throughout the grounds after the final whistle, adding to the lively atmosphere that has become a daily feature of the Fan Festival.
Once the football wrapped up, the focus shifted to the Amphitheatre and Park Stage. Vancouver’s own Jesse Roper was among the first artists we caught, bringing his signature blues-rock sound to an enthusiastic crowd. His guitar work and easy stage presence made for a strong start to the afternoon, with plenty of fans gathering in front of the stage despite a full day of entertainment still ahead.
Over on the Park Stage, Canadian blues-rock legend Colin James reminded everyone why he has remained one of the country’s most respected performers for decades. His set mixed polished musicianship with plenty of groove, drawing listeners of all ages who appreciated every guitar solo and familiar chorus.
The Dead South closed out the day. The Saskatchewan quartet’s blend of bluegrass, folk and country proved to be a perfect fit for the outdoor setting. Fans sang along, clapped in time and danced throughout the performance.
With the World Cup final less than 24 hours away, there was already a sense that the tournament was nearing its conclusion. Even so, July 18 showed that the FIFA Fan Festival remained much more than a place to watch football. It continued to bring together sport, live music and community in a way that has made it one of Vancouver’s standout events of the summer.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE DEAD SOUTH
JESSE ROPER
COLIN JAMES
FANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer