Events in Burnaby
Be together in Burnaby!
Burnaby is home to some of the biggest and best festivals in the region. Along with smaller community events, these are chances to celebrate, to enjoy the arts and other activities, and to be with family, friends and neighbours.
Plan your event in Burnaby
Burnaby is the place to be for any type of event! We can help you with planning a community event, parade, festival, block party, sporting event, wedding, celebration, corporate event and more.
Take part in City of Burnaby events
Our civic special events program features large scale destination events, neighbourhood celebrations, and community partnered programming that support the cultural economy, animate public spaces, and strengthen community connections.
Have your event in Burnaby
At the City of Burnaby we can help you with the following plus much more!
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Festivals Burnaby grant program
Supporting neighbourhood initiatives, festivals and events within Burnaby.Lean more -
Community grant program
Supporting cultural, athletic and volunteer assistance groups that provide a service or promote activities beneficial to Burnaby's residents.Learn more -
Sport hosting grant
Supporting Burnaby’s amateur sport organizations with the costs of hosting tournaments and competitions in the city.Learn more
Public safety resources for event organizers
Safety measures and recommendations to consider when planning events and public gatherings.
Community special event health and safety plan template
Public resources
The following resources are from trusted organizations and support recommendation 3 (page 31) in the Government of British Columbia's report of the Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety. These resources can assist event organizers to develop a culture of safety for any size event in Burnaby.
- Government of British Columbia major planned events and public health guidelines
- British Columbia major planned events guidelines document (Emergency Management BC)
- Crowd management standards (Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) and Event Safety Alliance (ESA))
- "Be Crowdwise" campaign (Global Crowd Management Alliance)
- Hostile vehicle mitigation measures (Ontario Traffic Council)
- Vehicle incident prevention and mitigation security guide (Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CISA))
- Parade safety standards (Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) and Event Safety Alliance (ESA))
- Event communications standards (Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) and Event Safety Alliance (ESA))
- Weather preparedness standards (Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) and Event Safety Alliance (ESA))
- Lightning and hail safety bulletin (Actsafe Safety Association)
- Severe rainfall and flooding safety bulletin (Actsafe Safety Association)
- Snow storms and ice storms safety bulletin (Actsafe Safety Association)
- Wind safety bulletin (Actsafe Safety Association)
- Working in wet or cold weather (Actsafe Safety Association)
- Heat exposure control plan (Actsafe Safety Association)
- "Be Weatherwise" campaign (Global Crowd Management Alliance)
City of Burnaby events—celebrate with us!
City of Burnaby produced events take place throughout the year in various locations across our city. These unique, diverse, and free events are an important piece of our goal of being a world-class city committed to creating and sustaining the best quality of life for our entire community.
Burnaby consistently delivers accessible, safe and diverse special events that:
- reflect the community’s cultural aspirations
- contribute to vibrant parks, streets, neighbourhoods
- create memorable experiences for residents and visitors
Our civic events
Performer, artisan, community group and partnership opportunities
We offer many ways for individuals and groups to take part in our civic special events program.
We’re inviting local artisans and makers to be part of our family friendly signature events and festivals. Help us build diverse, inclusive markets that reflect the talent and creativity of our local community.
Who we're looking for:
Artisans and Makers
- Ceramics, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, printmaking
- Specialty foods and natural wellness products
- Other unique, high quality, handcrafted goods
What you can expect:
- Support including program promotion, artist/vendor fee and contract, and set up and take down support
Burnaby Blooms Artisan Market–Application update
Thank you to everyone who applied to participate in the Burnaby Blooms Artisan Market. All application notifications have now been sent, and all accepted vendors have confirmed their participation. We appreciate the time, effort, and creativity shown by every applicant. If you did not receive an acceptance email and have not yet applied to our other markets, we encourage you to apply again for future opportunities. Thank you for your interest and continued support.
Artisan Markets:
- Burnaby Blooms: Sunday, May 3, 2026, 11 am–4 pm
Application deadline is now closed. - National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD): Saturday, June 20, 2026, 1–5 pm
Application deadline: April 17, 2026 by 4 pm *Indigenous artisans only - Burnaby Blues + Roots: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 3:30–9 pm
Application deadline: May 29, 2026 by 4 pm - Burnaby Car Free Day: Sunday, August 30, 2026, 12pm–5 pm
Application deadline: June 19, 2026 by 4 pm
Bring your craft to thousands of families, friends, neighbours and visitors throughout the year!
Before applying, please review the Artisan Market guidelines.
We are seeking a diverse range of performing talent from emerging and mid-career artists and artist teams/collectives to bring excitement and energy to our family-friendly signature special events and festivals throughout the year. We welcome artists who enjoy the opportunity to interact with thousands of families, friends, neighbours and visitors from various communities!
Types of performances may include:
- music
- performance arts
- dance
- magic
- combination of disciplines
Compensation will be provided based on time/duration of engagement, artistic merit, group size, market rates and industry standards and other factors. We provide comprehensive support to artists, including program promotion, artist fee and contract, as well as access to power, set up and tear down for event as appropriate.
We invite diverse community groups, including non-profit organizations, ad hoc groups, cultural organizations, charities and businesses, to bring excitement and energy to family-friendly signature special events and festivals. You'll have the opportunity to engage with thousands of families, friends, neighbours and visitors from various communities!
Activation ideas include:
- Interactive activities that invite families to participate together such as games, sports, crafts, photo booths, or costumes.
- Interactive outreach, demonstrations, distinctive display materials, and booth installations.
- Engaging ways to share knowledge, arts and culture.
General information:
- Internet, WiFi, power and lighting will not be provided as a standard offering.
- Activations must be open for the entire event duration and have staff present at all times.
- Unauthorized sales of goods and distribution of food and beverages are strictly prohibited.
- Any use of sound devices (such as microphones or speakers) must be communicated in advance for approval.
- Selected groups will be allocated a standard 10’x10’ space. If you require a larger arrangement, please provide more information in the application form.
Community Groups Application Form
Please note: A nominal registration fee may apply to participate with some exceptions. Registered not-for-profit organizations or charities are exempt from the registration fee. Further details regarding the fee structure will be provided upon acceptance, and participants will be informed of any applicable charges.
From July 14 to August 27, the City of Burnaby is inviting registered non-profit organizations, collectives and individuals to activate vibrant, welcoming community spaces at Confederation Park with free, engaging public programming. Successful applicants may receive a one-time funding opportunity of $1,000 to $5,000 to host small-scale activities on select dates, helping transform the park spaces into a lively park that supports health, wellness, social inclusion, and community connection.
Programming will take place on Tuesdays to Thursdays at Confederation Park, offering opportunities to showcase creative, inclusive activities that reflect the community’s needs and aspirations. Applications are open until May 31, 2026.
Who we're looking for:
- Registered non-profit organizations, collectives and individual art practitioners.
What you can expect:
- Support including program promotion and funding.
General information:
- Internet, WiFi, power and lighting will not be provided as a standard offering.
- Activations must be open for the entire duration and have staff present at all times.
- Unauthorized sales of goods and distribution of food and beverages are strictly prohibited.
- The use of sound amplification devices, including microphones and speakers, is not permitted during the activation.
- Selected groups will be allocated a standard 10’x10’ space. If you require a larger arrangement, please provide more information in the application form.
The Community Partner Program applications will be open from Wednesday, April 1 to Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Deadline for submissions: Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Before applying, please review the Community Partner Guidelines.
Submissions are accepted year-round. We are currently accepting submissions for 2026 events. Applications received before March 15, 2026 will be prioritized for 2026 programming. We will reach out to applicants who have been shortlisted. However, all applications received will be retained for future consideration.
Preference will be given to:
- Burnaby based artists, organizations or local community groups who are in good standing with the city.
- Activation that enriches the city’s event diversity to represent a wide range of cultures, activities and services.
- Engaging and interactive family friendly activities.
Please see individual deadlines for Performer application and Community Groups application.
Contact Burnaby's civic events team
City of Burnaby produced events take place throughout the year in various locations across our city.
Email: [email protected]