Festivals
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival 2025
The 2025 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival made a splash this weekend, both on the water and at the TD Main Stage. Over three days, more than 200 teams from across Canada and around the world competed in one of the largest dragon boat races on the continent. And while the racing action in False Creek was thrilling, it was the music that lit up the shoreline Saturday night.
We didn’t catch every set, but we were lucky to catch two standout Canadian acts: Felix Cartal and Lights.
Felix Cartal hit the TD Main Stage around 6pm, bringing the energy you want from a Saturday night set. The Vancouver-based producer brought beats and friends. Fellow Canadian artists Reve and Lights joined him on stage, turning his DJ set into a mini pop party. The crowd was fully into it. People were dancing, jumping, filming everything, and just soaking up the summer vibes.
Then it was Lights’ turn to headline the night. She ran into a few technical issues early on, but she handled it like a total pro. She shared how happy she was to perform in Vancouver, and that this crowd was always the best. Judging by the way fans sang every word to her songs, she wasn’t wrong. The crowd’s energy never dipped, and Lights kept things light and fun while the crew sorted things out behind her.
The festival marked its 38th year with its biggest edition ever, now based at its new home at Concord Pacific Place. It’s a big upgrade: easy access from the SkyTrain, more room to roam, and a great view of the races between Cambie Bridge and Science World. And even with grey skies hanging overhead and the occasional showers, the vibe stayed sunny.
Beyond the stage and races, the festival was packed with things to do. More than 100 local artisans lined the craft market, food trucks kept bellies full, and cultural pavilions (including ones focused on Indigenous culture, Pride, Chinatown, and breast cancer paddlers) gave people even more reason to linger
This year’s entertainment lineup was 100% local, highlighting BIPOC, queer, and female voices. It felt like a true snapshot of Vancouver’s creativity, diversity, and roots in community.
With over 200,000 people attending, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most loved events in the city. From the races to the music to the people watching from every bridge and dock, this is how summer starts in Vancouver.
Check out our favourite photos of Felix Cartal & Lights below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
FELIX CARTAL
LIGHTS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
Governors Ball 2026 Release Daily Schedules
The set times are in. Governors Ball Music Festival just dropped its daily schedules for June 5–7, and the usual game begins: mapping your day, picking your battles, and accepting you can’t see everything.
Friday, June 5
Day one leans indie-pop into rap by night. Lorde closes the main stage at 8:30, opposite the tail end of Baby Keem(7:30–8:30). That’s your first big call: polished pop spectacle or Keem’s high-energy set.
Earlier, things get messy in a good way. KATSEYE (6:35–7:30) overlaps with Pierce the Veil (5:30–6:30) bleed, and The Beths (6:00–7:00) sit right in between. Indie fans will feel that pinch.
Midday conflicts are lighter, but The Dare (4:00–4:45) vs. Arcy Drive (3:30–4:15) creates a small fork in the road.
If you’re pacing yourself, the cleanest run is late afternoon into Mariah the Scientist (4:45–5:30), then pick your lane.
Saturday, June 6
Saturday is the most chaotic on paper. Stray Kids headline at 8:30, directly after Kali Uchis (7:30–8:30). That transition is smooth if you stay put.
The real trouble hits earlier. Major Lazer (6:30–7:30) collides with Blood Orange (5:30–6:30) and the start of Amyl and the Sniffers (7:30–8:30). Dancehall vs. alt-R&B vs. punk. Pick a mood and commit.
Mid-card is stacked with clashes: Ravyn Lenae (4:00–4:45) overlaps with Jane Remover (3:30–4:15), and Snow Strippers (4:45–5:30) runs right into Wet Leg (4:45–5:30). That last one is a true coin flip, two buzzy acts at the exact same time.
Sunday, June 7
Sunday might be the strongest day top to bottom. A$AP Rocky closes at 8:45, opposite the end of JENNIE (7:45–8:45) and Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (7:45–8:45). That’s the toughest final hour of the weekend.
The lead-up is just as tight. Dominic Fike (6:45–7:45) overlaps with Clipse (5:45–6:45) and Hot Mulligan (6:15–7:15). Three different crowds, same window.
Earlier, Japanese Breakfast (4:00–4:45) and Holly Humberstone (3:15–4:00) form a nice back-to-back if you stay mobile, but Between Friends (2:30–3:15) cuts into that flow.
The takeaway
Friday is manageable. Saturday is conflict-heavy. Sunday is stacked late.
If you hate missing songs, plan short splits. If you want full sets, accept you’ll miss something big. That’s part of the deal, and honestly, half the fun.
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts Announce 2026 Lineup
Vancouver’s summer concert calendar is locking into place. The annual Summer Night Concerts are set to return to the Pacific National Exhibition from August 22 through September 7, bringing live music back to one of the city’s biggest seasonal events.
This year carries a bit more weight than usual. The series will debut at the brand-new Freedom Mobile Arch, a 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre built for large-scale performances. The venue promises better sightlines, improved sound, and a more immersive setup for fans. It’s a major shift for the fair, which spent much of last year dealing with construction that limited its footprint and contributed to a drop in attendance.
Now, with the full site back in action, organizers are aiming for a reset. The 2026 lineup leans into that idea, mixing legacy acts with newer names across genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic.
Headliners include Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, The Beaches, Nelly, and Zedd, alongside artists like Mt. Joy, Train, and Barenaked Ladies. Special performances include Cynthia Erivo backed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearances from Punjabi Virsa, Weird Al Yankovic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pierce the Veil, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George & Culture Club.
The full schedule runs nightly:
- Aug. 22: Blue Rodeo
- Aug. 23: The Guess Who
- Aug. 25: The Beaches
- Aug. 26: Nelly
- Aug. 27: Zedd
- Aug. 28: Mt. Joy
- Aug. 29: Cynthia Erivo with VSO
- Aug. 30: Punjabi Virsa
- Sept. 1: Train
- Sept. 2: Barenaked Ladies
- Sept. 3: Weird Al Yankovic
- Sept. 4: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sept. 5: Pierce the Veil
- Sept. 6: Sarah McLachlan
- Sept. 7: Boy George & Culture Club
Tickets start at $49 plus fees and include admission to the PNE Fair. Presale began April 19, with general on-sale launching April 20 through TicketLeader.
New venue, full fairgrounds, and a lineup that leans both nostalgic and current. After a quieter year, the PNE looks ready to feel busy again.