Hundreds of thousands expected for return of Vancouver Vaisakhi parade next week
One of the largest Sikh parades in the world is returning to Vancouver streets next weekend, and everyone is invited to participate in the free festivities.
The Khalsa Diwan Society Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan is happening on Saturday, April 12, with huge floats, community performers, live music, and delicious food.
Khalsa Diwan Society encourages “all walks of life” to come together with the community. Last year saw a huge crowd of an estimated 200,000 Vaisakhi celebrants.
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“Attendees of all races and cultures are welcome at this celebratory and rich cultural event,” said the society on its website.
For Sikhs in BC and around the world, Vaisakhi is a religious celebration. The holy day commemorates the birth or establishment of Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru, in 1699.
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The Vaisakhi parade will begin at the Ross Street Temple at 11 a.m., travelling along Marine Drive to Main Street, where it will travel north. The colourful procession will head along Main until it reaches 49th, where it will head east toward Fraser Street.
Parade-goers will then watch as the parade turns south on Fraser and makes its way back to the temple.
The popular community event will also pay tribute to its harvest celebration roots by providing free vegetarian food prepared by hundreds of volunteers and families along the route.
In Sikhism, only vegetarian meals are served at temples and faith-based events such as Vaisakhi.
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The practice of serving free meals to the community is an act of seva and langar, two significant aspects of the Sikh religion.
Seva translates to selfless service, and langar is the term used to describe the common kitchen where food is served at a gurdwara (Sikh temple).
Most gurdwaras in the world have a larger langar hall where people of all backgrounds, races, and religions are welcome to enjoy a free communal vegetarian meal.
Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade 2025
When: April 12, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parade will start at 11 a.m.
Where: The parade starts at Ross Street Sikh Temple – 8000 Ross St., Vancouver
Cost: Free