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
Rolling Loud Announce Move To Orlando For 2026
Rolling Loud will stage its only U.S. festival of 2026 in Orlando, Florida, marking a notable shift for the long-running hip-hop event. Organizers announced that Rolling Loud Orlando will take place May 8–10 at Camping World Stadium, ending a decade-long tradition that kept the festival anchored in Miami.
The lineup has not been revealed, but the festival is promising a full week of “exclusive events and experiences” tied to the main weekend. Presale tickets go on sale Thursday, January 8, at 10 a.m. ET through Rolling Loud’s website, with prices starting at $249. A layaway option will be offered with a $9.99 deposit.
The Orlando dates come after years of Rolling Loud operating multiple U.S. festivals in cities such as Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. That approach has now been scaled back. Outside the U.S., Rolling Loud will still host events in Sydney and Melbourne on March 7 and 8, following recent global expansions that included the brand’s first festival in India last November. Organizers have already confirmed a return to India in November 2026.
Festival co-founder and co-CEO Matt Zingler said the move reflects a broader reset for the brand. In a statement shared via Billboard, Zingler explained that the goal was to bring Rolling Loud back to a summer schedule and build a single U.S. event without trade-offs. He pointed to Orlando’s accessibility and infrastructure as key reasons for the decision, adding that the festival aims to follow where hip-hop culture is headed, not where it has already been.
Rolling Loud began in Miami in 2015, founded by Florida natives Zingler and Tariq Cherif. What started as a one-day event in Wynwood quickly grew into a major destination festival, moving through larger venues before landing at Hard Rock Stadium by 2018. By the end of the decade, Rolling Loud Miami regularly drew crowds exceeding 200,000, becoming one of the city’s biggest music events and a major economic driver.
Over the years, the festival has hosted performances from artists such as Travis Scott, Future, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, A$AP Rocky, 21 Savage, Latto, and Kodak Black, while building a reputation for spotlighting rising artists alongside established stars. The brand later expanded across North America and overseas, helping solidify hip-hop’s place at the center of the global festival circuit.
News of the move to Orlando has drawn mixed reactions online, particularly from South Florida fans who viewed Rolling Loud as a fixture of Miami’s cultural calendar. The change signals a clear new chapter for the festival as it enters its second decade, with organizers betting on a leaner U.S. footprint and a broader international focus.
Festivals
Governors Ball 2026 Lineup Announced with Lorde, Stray Kids, Kali Uchis, A$AP Rocky, Jennie, KATSEYE
Governors Ball celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2025 with another year of widespread critical acclaim, and today New York’s signature music festival is back to announce its massive 2026 Lineup. Governors Ball will return to Queens’ storied Flushing Meadows Corona Park from June 5-7, once again timed with New York Music Month. This year’s headliners include Lorde, who performed at Gov Ball in 2017 but returns this year as a headliner for the first time; the global K-pop superstars Stray Kids, whose explosive live performances have sold-out stadiums worldwide; and Harlem’s-own returning headliner A$AP Rocky. The lineup also includes Baby Keem, Kali Uchis, Jennie, Katseye, Geese, Major Lazer, Pierce the Veil, Dominic Fike, Blood Orange, Clipse, Mariah The Scientist, Wet Leg, Amyl and The Sniffers, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, The Dare, 2hollis, Ravyn Lenae, and many more.
This year’s bill also highlights a strong slate of NYC-based talent – from Geese, The Dare, Del Water Gap, Arcy Drive, and Lexa Gates to emerging hometown favorites like The Backfires and Chanpan, as well as School of Rock Queens, School of Rock New York, and Kids Rock for Kids – underscoring the festival’s continued commitment to showcasing the city’s vibrant music community.
Fans can sign up now for the SMS Presale happening this Thursday, January 8 from 10am – 11am ET. This is the ONLY WAY to guarantee getting your tickets at the lowest price. Sign up here for a presale passcode to secure your spot at Gov Ball 2026. All ticket prices will increase on Thursday at 11am ET when the Public On-Sale begins. Additionally, physical wristbands will return!
Gov Ball is once again offering PIT VIEWING 3-Day and 1-Day ticket types. This ticket offers the same amenities as VIP but includes an exclusive viewing area at all 3 stages just in front of VIP viewing. There is no better view available! Returning premium ticket types this year include GA+, VIP and Cabanas for both 1-Day and 3-Days. For more information, and all ticket type amenities, visit www.governorsballmusicfestival.com/tickets.
Layaway Plans are also available on all ticket types starting at $25 down for a $319 3-Day GA Ticket. Also, local Queens residents (11368, 11355, 11375, and 11367 zip codes) are eligible for a 15% discount on tickets. For more information on all ticket types and layaway plans, please visit www.GovBall.com.
Queens is known for its world-class food, and the festival will once again celebrate the borough’s culinary scene with top local and gourmet offerings, including returning fan favorites. A refreshed beverage program tailored for the New York summer heat will also be on tap. Across the iconic park, attendees can expect immersive fan experiences, standout photo moments, and more. Vendors, activations, and additional programming will be announced in the coming weeks.
Governors Ball will once again kick off summer in New York City with three days of performances from more than 60 artists across three stages. Easily accessible from all five boroughs, the festival is less than 30 minutes away by train, with both the 7 train and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) providing direct service to the park.