A popular Metro Vancouver music festival that has entertained fans for over a quarter-century has announced it is coming to an end, though organizers said it could have been avoided.
Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival (MRCF) announced on its social media that it had made the “difficult decision” to close the doors on the annual summer event due to a lack of sustainable financial support.
In a message posted online, the Tropical Vibes Music Fest stated that while expenses have increased by up to 40 per cent since 2022, the cancellation was about “priorities.”
Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival
“Our festival has consistently delivered measurable economic and cultural value to Maple Ridge,” wrote MRCF. “We have attracted tourism, supported local businesses, and provided a platform for artists and cultural organizations – welcoming up to 250,000 attendees over the years. These are not abstract benefits; they are real contributions to the local economy and community identity.
“Yet, despite this track record, we have faced ongoing instability in funding and a steady decline in corporate sponsorships, driven in part by uncertainty and in part by shifting local dynamics.”
The Maple Ridge music festival is still advertising its dates of Aug. 1 and 2, 2026, on its website, along with a lineup of performers for the free event.
Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival has been entertaining fans since 2000 with artists from around the world.
Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival
MRCF claimed that the City of Maple Ridge has left long-standing, community-driven festivals to struggle for survival while allocating resources to other events such as Our Neck of the Woods.
Costs identified by the festival included artists, staging, security, and rentals.
“This imbalance has not only limited our access to public funding, but it’s also undermined our ability to secure private sponsorships,” organizers stated. “We formally requested increased grant support to reflect both rising costs and our proven impact. That request was not met.
“The result is clear: without consistent and equitable investment, culturally significant events will disappear. Maple Ridge is now losing a festival that contributed to its diversity, economy, and cultural vitality for a quarter of a century. This outcome was avoidable.”
The City of Maple Ridge told Daily Hive in a statement that it recognizes and appreciates the 25-year contribution of the Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival Society’s Tropical Vibes Music Fest to the community’s cultural, social, and economic vitality.
“City staff have met with the festival organizer to discuss their situation, convey the City’s commitment, and explore ways to support the festival and help keep it running,” said a representative for the City of Maple Ridge. “We were advised that the decision to cancel the festival has been made. Like many festivals and community events, the Tropical Vibes Music Fest has faced rising operational costs and declining sponsorship, which are challenges affecting events across the region.
“Over recent years, the City has annually provided the Society with a $7,000 grant, along with approximately $11,500 in in-kind contributions. This represents the highest level of support the City has contributed to a community event through this grant program.”
Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival
The City of Maple Ridge also shared that it uses a transparent process administered through the City’s FEST Committee to support community events, and that it is committed to supporting arts and culture.
“[We are] open to continuing conversations with partners about sustainable models for the future,” the City added.
Fans expressed their disappointment with the Metro Vancouver music festival going dark for good.
“This is sad,” said one supporter. “I’ve enjoyed going to the Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival over the years. There aren’t already enough Caribbean events, so losing this one is a real loss.”
“Thank you so much, Deddy, and all the hard-working volunteers that kept this event going for an outstanding 25 years, despite all the hoops to jump through and various challenges keeping a free festival going,” added another. “Thanks for supporting local talent. Gonna miss the tropical vibe.”
In a poster, MRCF shared gratitude for their fans for all the support over the past 25 years.
“Thank you for this incredible journey. We will miss you all.”
Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival
The MCRF isn’t the only B.C. summer music event that was forced to cancel this year.
Pentastic Jazz Festival Society (PJFS) announced in April that it is cancelling the annual Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival due to a “combination of insurmountable challenges.”
“Significant issues related to U.S. band travel across the border, a decline in grant funding, rising operational costs, and an aging demographic were all major factors considered in reaching this conclusion,” said PJFS in an announcement on its social media channels.
Victoria Jazz Society (VJS) also announced on its website and social media earlier this spring that it had made the “difficult decision” to cancel the 2026 edition of the Harbour Blues’ n Roots Festival, formerly known as the Vancouver Island Blues Bash.