Huge outdoor music festivals are a beloved part of our summer schedule, and 2023 is looking stacked with events around the province.
From country to rock, the latest chart-toppers to ’90s legends, there’s a festival out there that will make you want to sing out loud. And some may be closer than you think.
Let’s get ready to soak up the sunshine and the tunes! Here are 11 huge music festivals happening around BC this summer
Laketown Shakedown
Laketown Shaketown (Colin Smith Takes Pics/Submitted)
What: Laketown Shakedown is a three-day festival held across three stages at the 275-acre Laketown Ranch, including the countryās largest permanent outdoor stage.
Music fans will want to head to the island for the event, as iconic ā90s rockers Third Eye Blind, Grammy-winners Portugal. The Man, and Reggae superstar Shaggy will be headlining the epic weekend.
Where: Cowichan Valley, BC
When: June 30 to July 2
Bass Coast
Bass Coast/Submitted
What: BCās Bass Coast Music and Arts Festival is a “thoughtfully curated boutique art and music experience” founded and run by women. French DJ and producer CloZee is the biggest headliner to be revealed so far. She creates dreamy bass sets inspired by her classical guitar roots infused with a mix of trap and hip-hop.
Where: Merritt, BC
When: July 7 to 10
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Vancouver Folk Music Festival/thefestival.bc.ca
What: Music lovers, rejoice! One of the cityās most popular summer events is officially back on for 2023.
VFMFās new and expanded board of directors is currently working with an advisory group of programmers from other folk festivals to curate a summer lineup with a diverse range of artists. Attendees can expect to enjoy a mix of local, regional, national, and international artists this summer, as well as collaborative projects and the return of the workshop stages.
Where: Vancouver, BC
When: July 14 to 16
Shambhala
Pulse Photo Canada/Instagram
What: Some seriously big names in bass, trap, and house will be at BCās iconic Shambhala Music Festival this year, including headliners Griz, RL Grime, Zeds Dead, John Summit, and Gigantic x NGHTMRE.
The festival draws thousands of people to a farm with some seriously epic permanent stages built into the mountainous landscape.
Where: Salmo, BC
When: July 21 to 24
Rifflandia
Rifflandia Festival (Facebook)
What: This end-of-summer festival takes place across downtown Victoria with 20 venues and more than 150 performances over four days. Artists for 2023 have yet to be announced but dates have been confirmed for September 14 to 17 on Rifflandia’s social media.
Where: Victoria, BC
When: September 7 to 9 and September 15 to 17
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
@coastaljazz/Instagram
What: TheĀ 38th annual Vancouver International Jazz Festival is returning to stages all over the city this summer.
This yearās festival will offer a variety of free and ticketed performances, starting with the free Downtown Jazz concert series outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and Å”xŹ·ĘĢÉnÉq Xwtlāe7Ć©nįøµ Square and culminating on Canada Day weekend on Granville Island, with events happening at Performance Works, Ocean Artworks and the Revue Stage.
Where: Vancouver, BC
When: June 23 to July 2
Victoria Ska and Reggae Festival
Victoria Ska and Reggae Festival (Colin Smith Takes Pics/Facebook)
What: The long-running Victoria Ska and Reggae Festival presents its first fest since 2019. The extensive lineup of artists and bands from around the world is headlined by Maxi Priest and Chali 2na & The House of Vibe.
Where: Victoria, BC
When: June 21 to 25
Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival
Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival/Instagram
What: Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival returns to the Festival Lawn at Deer Lake Park on Saturday, August 12, and admission will be free for 2023.
The lineup for the huge outdoor concert will be announced later this spring, with signature attractions and amenities like the family zone and food trucks slated to return.
Where: Burnaby, BC
When: August 12
Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival
Catalina Vicens (Martin Chiang/Early Music Vancouver)
What: Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival is celebrating women composers, librettists, and performers of the past and present in 2023. WomeninSight is inspired by revolutionary writer Christine de Pizan and explores the impact and the role of women throughout history through a musical lens.
Where: Vancouver, BC
When: July 27 to August 5
Sunfest Country Music Festival
Blake Shelton (Debby Wong/Shutterstock)
What: Sunfest Country Music Festival, happening in Cowichan Valley from August 3 to 6, has announced that Blake Shelton, Billy Currington, and Lainey Wilson will be headlining the popular annual event this summer.
Where: Cowichan Valley, BC
When: August 3 to 6
Rock The Lake
Rock The Lake/Facebook
What: The summer of rock takes over Kelowna from August 11 to 13 with the highly anticipated return of Rock The Lake. This year’s lineup includes Burton Cummings with his band, as well as Collective Soul, Bran Van 3000 and Everlast Presents: Whitey Ford’s House of Pain.
Where: Kelowna, BC
When: August 11 to 13
With files from Megan Devlin
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