10 must-attend events at the 2018 Vancouver Mural Festival
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With the 2018 Vancouver Mural Festival just a few days away, the city can soon expect to be dazzled and brightened up with a number of eye-catching murals.
Beautiful pieces of art, displays, and countless events for Vancouverites will soon be taking over city streets, including a street party on Mount Pleasant and a massive outdoor concert.
To help you find some of the best events to check out during the festival, here’s a curated list of the top 10 events, crafted by yours truly – Daily Hive.
1. 71/2 Lane
VMF 2016
This year’s festival includes a series of focused murals in an alleyway that runs east to west between Main Street and Jonathan Rogers Park, creating the perfect concentrated photo-op.
Those with tickets to the Park Show can also pass by the newly-added alleyway on their way down to the show, but consider leaving time to hang out at the Grolsch Lounge for more live art and graffiti murals.
Where: 7th Avenue between Main Street and Johnathan Rogers Park
When: All festival long
Cost: Free
2.The Art of Brewing Craft Beer Garden by Vancouver Craft Beer Week
Strathcona Street Party
Murals and craft breweries have become iconic elements of the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood.
Attendees of the 2018 Vancouver Mural Festival are invited to join Vancouver Craft Beer Week at the north end of the festival to try a wide selection of beer from more than 10 local breweries.
Where: Main Alley & 4th Avenue
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Cost: Free to enter
3. Official Vancouver Mural Festival Walking & Bike Tours
VMF 2016
With so many beautiful pieces of art created for the festival, there’s a lot to cover on foot – and by bike. Learn the untold stories of the festival, art and artists who make it all happen.
Bike Tours
Festival organizers have partnered with Mobi Bikes to help visitors reach some of the biggest and best murals of the event on the comfort of two wheels. These free guided tours take guests off the usual festival path to the False Creek Flats and Strathcona, simply sign up online or at Mobi’s tent on 6th and Main.
Where: 6th and Main
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Cost: Free of charge, via Eventbrite
Walking Tours
On Saturday, August 11th join a special edition walking mural tour. Learn about the VMF story and learn about some of the past and present artists.
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018 – Every half hour starting at 1 pm, last tour leaves at 5:30 pm.
Cost: $10 suggested donation – sign-up at the VMF info booth (Main & 10th)
After the festival, you can join weekly walking tours every Sunday until August 26. These 90- minute tours take you through Vancouver’s largest display of public art and showcase the colourful transformation of the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood while connecting you with artists visions and behind-the-scenes stories.
When: Every Sunday until August 26, at 3 pm and 5 pm
Cost: $20, or $15 for students/seniors/youth, tickets via Eventbrite
4. Four Elements of Hip Hop
Celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the birth of Hip-Hop on August 11 with street dancers, graffiti artists, emcees, and DJs. Demos, Tutorials, Battles, and more make this one of the festival’s most memorable events.
Where: Main Alley at East 4th Avenue (the Craft Beer Garden)
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Cost: Free of charge
5. Holden Courage Memorial Graffiti Jam
VMF 2017
Visitors can speak with and enjoy the work of some of Vancouver’s best graffiti artists, all in memory of Holden Courage, a young graffiti writer who passed away a short time ago.
Graffiti artists fight an immense amount of stigma as they work in this equally popular and contentious style.
Where: The alleyway behind 108 East Broadway
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Cost: Free of charge
6. Grolsch Live Art Lounge
This outdoor art gallery will come to life before your eyes with painters, graffiti artists, and more all around. Visitors can enjoy an ice-cold beer and take advantage of countless photo opportunities.
Where: 43 East 8th Avenue
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Cost: Free to enter
7. The VMF Main Street Main Stage
Strathcona Street Party
The Street Party’s main stage will feature opening speakers and performances by acclaimed musicians such as Shamik, Schwey, The Belle Game, and Juno Award nominee Hannah Georgas.
Guests can also grab a drink from Granville Island Brewing’s family-friendly beer garden adjacent to the stage.
Where: Main & 11th Avenue
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Cost: Free of charge
8. Super Snag Art Battle
Guests are invited to kick off the mural season with a star-studded crew of Vancouver public art luminaries in a now annual tradition.
Live art painted by VMF alumni is up for raffle and auction while two artists compete in our live mural battle.
There’s art, music, drinks, food, games, and even a live human model to draw. Attendees are invited to come and connect with official VMF artists, staff, and the local alternative arts scene for a free night of festivities at the American Bar.
Where: The American Bar – 926 Main Street, Vancouver
When: Tuesday, August 7
Time: 8 pm to 1 am
Cost: Free of charge
9. Aurora Oasis: Chill and Dance
VMF 2016
Aurora brings some welcome greenery to the events incredibly popular Oasis in two alleyways for this year’s street parties.
The green spaces offer a different vibe for attendees who are feeling chill, as well as to those who are ready to dance the day away.
Where: Alleyways behind Main & 6th and Main & 10th
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Cost: Free of charge
10. The Park Show
FVDED In The Park at Surrey’s Holland Park is also organized by Live Nation Canada. (Live Nation Canada)
Live Nation brings a major concert event to Jonathan Rogers Park for the first time with music from Juno Award winners, A Tribe Called Red, along with Charlotte Day Wilson, and Teen Daze.
Where: Johnathan Rogers Park – 110 W 7th Avenue, Vancouver
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Cost: $30 a ticket; $100 for four tickets
Daily Hive is a proud media sponsor of the 2018 Vancouver Mural Festival