5 alternatives to Pemberton Music Festival in BC

May 20 2017, 1:28 am

Another one bites the dust.

Pemberton music festival has officially been cancelled after the organizers of the event filed for bankruptcy. The news came just over a year after it was announced that the Squamish Music Festival had also been axed.

So, where do you go now?

You shouldn’t have to empty the bank to see a music festival in the States. That’s preposterous. No, you want to stay in your own backyard and enjoy the best that BC has to offer.

So to help you fill that Pemby-shaped void in your summer schedule, here are some alternative festivals in BC that haven’t been cancelled for 2017.

Centre of Gravity

Where: Kelowna City Park/Lake Okanagan Beach

When: July 28 – 30

What: Western Canada’s biggest beach festival. Sports, sandy beach volleyball, and some of the biggest names in EDM and hip hop gather here for an epic weekend. Marshmello, Snoop Dogg and Schoolboy Q will headline in 2017. The full lineup is here.

Shambhala

Shambhala Music Festival (Ricardo Hubbs Photography/Shambhala Music Festival/Facebook)

Where: Salmo River Ranch, West Kootenays

When: August 11 – 14

What: Shambhala is a cozy festival set in the quiet farmlands outside of Nelson. Organizers pride themselves on putting together impressive lineups without large corporate donations. The full 2017 lineup is here.

FVDED in the Park

Where: Holland Park, Surrey

When: July 7 – 8

What: What began as a single day of alternative music at the PNE Amphitheatre a few years ago is now a marquee destination for festival-goers. The city of Surrey has its own gem where the greatest asset is the festival’s central location and accessibility. Previous headliners include The Weeknd, Deadmau5 and Jack Ü. The full 2017 lineup is here.

Rockin River Festival

Where: 1125 Nielson Street, Meritt

When: August 3 – 6

What: Country music will be a love/hate option for people looking for an alternative to Pemby fest. But even if Rockin River Festival’s 2017 lineup doesn’t float your boat, consider going for the beautiful camping experience that is uniquely offered in Meritt.

Rifflandia Music Festival 

Where: Victoria, BC

When: September 14 – 17

What: The multi-platinum-genre lineup is the main selling point for committing to this fall festival. Previous headliners include Mother Mother, Imagine Dragons and Wolf Parade.

Taylor DergousoffTaylor Dergousoff

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