Are you looking to travel to Vancouver, British Columbia? Are you wondering when the best time of year is to take your journey?
Vancouver can be a great city to visit at any time of the year. But, you’ll want to make sure you’re timing your visit to get the most out of your visit to Beautiful British Columbia.
After all, around 11 million people visit the great city every year, so it can get pretty crowded if you’re not careful!
Let’s go through and find out the best time to visit Vancouver.
Consider the Events Happening Each Year in Vancouver
If you’re looking to check out specific cultural events, you’ll have to consider the time of year when you book your trip to Vancouver.
For example, if you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you may want to schedule your trip to Vancouver so you coincide with the Vancouver Pride Parade during the month of August. If you’re a big fan of Shakespeare, make sure you come in the summer for Bard on the Beach. The Cherry Blossom Festival is a beautiful celebration that runs from March through the middle of April.
People who plan to travel as a family or with kids, you cannot miss the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. It usually happens in early June each year. The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is a great hit for any music fans, and is held in late June or the beginning of July. Music lovers actually have a ton of options, since the Vancouver Folk Music Festival is also a great hit.
If your trip coincides with Canada Day, you’ll need to check out the Celebration of Light fireworks competition — just make sure you get a good view!
Boat lovers will definitely want to come to Vancouver for the Vancouver International Boat Show. Movie fans and performance art lovers should plan for the Vancouver International Film Festival and for the Vancouver Fringe Festival. These are two great events that show off some of the best in art from all over the world.
Big holiday lovers should make sure they visit for the Vancouver Halloween Parade & Expo, the Vancouver Christmas Market, or the Vancouver Santa Clause Parade.
And, late summer visitors to Vancouver cannot miss out on the Pacific National Exhibition. You’ll be able to sample amazing fare foods, fun attractions, and so much more.
Concerts and Performances Galore
You can also look for events that aren’t seasonal. The city hosts tons of amazing concerts, conferences, and so many other cool events. The Orpheum Theater, for one, often hosts the Vancouver Symphony and the Vancouver Chamber Choir along with other performers.
Queen Elizabeth Theater and the Commodore Ballroom have concerts you can check out almost every day of the year. The Queen Elizabeth Theater has featured great acts like Rufus Wainwright, Adele, the Violent Femmes, Jeff Tweedy, Tove Lo, and Peach Pit.
The Commodore Ballroom has had visitors like Carly Rae Jepson, The Mountain Goats, Jimmy Eat World, Franz Ferdinand, the Barenaked Ladies, Milky Chance, and Mother Mother.
The Vogue Theater on Granville Street is both a historic building and an amazing place to check out concerts or performances from people like Neutral Milk Hotel’s Dan Mangan or comedian Lewis Black.
For bigger performers, you’ll want to head over to Rogers Arena. Rogers Arena has been home to performances by legends like Elton John, Cher, Weezer, Fleetwood Mac, Sam Smith, Katy Perry, and Shania Twain.
The Rogers Arena has also hosted appearances from people like Oprah, President Bill Clinton, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
What Else Can I Do in Vancouver?
These aren’t all of the events that Vancouver offers. The Richmond Night Market is held from May to October. It’s filled to the brim with hundreds of amazing vendors offering food, shopping, and fun. Antique hunters will want to check out the Eastside Flea Market for the best deals in the city.
The Eastside Flea Market is usually held on a biweekly basis each spring. Block party fans should head over to the Khatsahlano! Street Party for live performances, beer gardens, and so much more while checking out the beauty of Kitsilano.
And, many Vancouver nightlife venues offer incredible special events and deals. So make sure you check out the offerings that are available when you plan to travel.
Hey There, Sports Fans
If you’re looking to check out the best sports offering in Vancouver, make sure you’ve got the right time of year for your interests. For NHL fans out, there, the Vancouver Canucks season usually runs from October to April, depending on how far they make it in the playoffs. Home games are held at Rogers Arena.
If you’re more of a CFL person, you can check out B.C. Lions games during the CFL season, usually from around June to September, at BC Place.
For people who are more interested in baseball, the Vancouver Canadians, from the Northwest League, plays from June through to September at Nat Bailey Stadium. Soccer fans can head to a Vancouver Whitecaps game during the MLS season, which runs from March to October, at BC Place.
For more unusual sports activities, you have to schedule your trip around the Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival, which also offers plenty of side activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Or, if you’re looking to actually take part in sports, you’ll want to check out the dates for the Polar Bear Swim, the Vancouver International Marathon, the Granville Island Turkey Trot, the Grouse Grind, and the Great Trek. For events that combine activity and fun, you can hang out at KitsFest to enjoy the beach while you try out various beach sports and activities.
Look for the Best Deals
Different seasons in Vancouver will also offer different deals, so make sure you look around for great savings. Places like the Sunset Inn offer great deals throughout the year, but other offerings may be seasonal.
Deals for visiting Vancouver may be especially good outside of ski season. So, if you’re not planning on participating in winter sports that is something to keep in mind while booking your trip to Vancouver.
The ski season usually runs from mid-fall to the middle of March or April, so you may want to aim for a summer trip to get the best bang for your buck.
Remember the Weather
The weather in Vancouver is usually pretty temperate, but you still want to make sure you’re hitting the right time of year. While it rarely snows in Vancouver, particularly compared to the rest of Canada, December through February does tend to be pretty rainy.
So, if you want to do a lot of outdoor activities, you may want to plan your trip to Vancouver for the spring instead. Vancouver offers a wide array of different outdoor activities. These include the Grouse Grind, the Seawall, Sunset Beach, Stanley Park, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and so many other amazing options. So, you’ll want to make sure you’re traveling during an appropriate season if you plan on engaging in any of these activities.
Vancouver doesn’t get particularly hot in the summer, either, but if you’re really sensitive to warmer climates you can delay your visit to Vancouver for the fall when it tends to cool off.
What Else Should You Consider When You Book a Trip To Vancouver?
There are other factors to consider when you’re planning a trip to Vancouver. If you’re interested in the film production industry in Hollywood North, or just want to chase after the hottest CW stars, there are options for you. You should look up the film production schedule to see what’s currently planned in Vancouver.
If you’re looking to take in the wildlife, make sure you know what seasons are best for activities like whale watching.
But, some things in Vancouver are available all year round. The beautiful views, like the oceans and mountains, are always clearly seen (as long as it’s not too foggy – or smoky — outside). Vancouver offers tons of amazing cuisine options, from sushi to vegetarian, every single day of the year (even on holidays!).
Best Time To Visit Vancouver? It’s Up To You
Clearly, it depends on your interests to decide the best time to visit Vancouver. You’ll just have to do your research and decide what works for your wants and needs!
Are you looking for a convenient and comfortable place to stay in the Vancouver area? Make sure that you contact us today for all of your accommodation needs.
