Summer may be winding down, but September is full of events, from those trying to squeeze every last sunny evening out of the season to those celebrating the arrival of autumn.
These are just 17 of the events taking place across the region, and offer a variety of options and activities, from free live music (including Sam Roberts) to cultural events focusing on kimchi and flamenco (not combined, but let's put a pin in that idea), to a moonlit labyrinth.
Vancouver Fringe Festival
One of the most creative and unusual events all year, the Vancouver Fringe Festival gives many a chance to showcase their work and new creative performing arts.
"We are committed to breaking traditional barriers and offering a welcoming and accessible setting for audiences of diverse backgrounds to experience the magic of live performance," reads the fringe festivals site.
The shows, which are picked by lottery, number 87 in Vancouver this year. That includes dark stand-up comedy, eastern European influenced dance, and Shakespeare scenes reimagined in a variety of locations (including the Wild West).
When: Sept. 4 to 14
Where: Various stages around Vancouver
Cost: Tickets vary; most are between $16 and $20.
Kimchi & K-Food Festival
It's the first time this Korea-centric festival is taking place, and it aims to be a big one.
“It will be the largest Korean food-focused event ever held in Western Canada,” says festival chair JaeHwan Kim.
Food lovers can make their own kimchi, and sample popular Korean street food items like tteokbokki and hotteok at the K-Street Food Zone.
There will also be 80 food trucks, multicultural performances on stage, and traditional Korean cultural displays.
When: Sept. 5 and 6, from noon to 9 p.m.
Where: The parking lot by Lougheed Town Centre Skytrain Station - 9755 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby
Cost: Free
Our Neck of the Woods Festival
Canadian rock star Sam Roberts headlines a free festival in Maple Ridge as the community invites Metro Vancouver out to their part of the region.
"Our Neck of the Woods is back with a free, all-day festival that will transform the downtown core into a vibrant, walkable entertainment district. With two stages, food trucks, a family fun zone, licensed areas – it offers something for everyone," according to the event webpage.
Also performing will be Hey Ocean, Jojo Mason, and Danielle Ryan.
When: Sept. 6, from 2 to 10:45 p.m.
Where: Memorial Peace Park - 11930 224 St, Maple Ridge
Cost: Free
Car Free Day Commercial Drive
Commercial Drive is often a bustling street with people dashing across the road, but on Saturday, Sept. 6 it'll be worry (and car) free.
More than a dozen blocks will be shut down to vehicles and opened up to pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. Cars, trucks, busses and other vehicles will be replaced by vendors, performers, artisans and other displays (and you might be able to grab a few TransLink trading cards).
When: Sept 6, from noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Commercial Drive between Grandview and East 1st Avenue, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Flats Fest 2025
The fest will have two stages of live music and a DJ stage, with local indie band Yukon Blonde headlining the main stage at 8 p.m. Also playing throughout the day will be Pony Gold, Adam Robert Thomas, Surf Hat, and others.
Given the local high-tech companies in the area, Flats Fest will have an innovation zone with groups like EA, the Centre for Digital Media, and Buffalo Buffalo.
And, given the locale, there's also going to be a student marketplace with artwork and handmade items from students at Emily Carr and the Centre for Digital Media.
When: Sept. 6, from noon to 9 p.m.
Where: 565 Great Northern Way, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Downtown Block Party
One last summer Public Disco dance party is taking place in early September. The six-hour event will see a mix of electronic music from local DJs DANE, Kozue, Cool Underground Music, Andrè Rose, and Beiti. House, disco, and groovy techno are all on the auditory menu.
The licensed event will include pop-up bars and food trucks for those looking for drinks and eats, including ice cream, tacos and bannock.
When: Sept. 6 from 2 to 10 p.m.
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (the north plaza at Vancouver Art Gallery) - 750 Hornby St, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Coho Festival
The festival celebrates the salmon’s annual return to the North Shore rivers and streams while also raising funds for local environmental groups.
It includes a "Coho Swim" race that mimics the migration of local fish in the morning before the main festival kicks off.
The day-long festival will have the coho salmon barbecue with community leaders as chefs alongside a Coho Garden offering local craft beers, cider and wine. There will also be salmon-related kids' activities and displays, alongside Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) displays.
The Squamish will also have a traditional "blessing of the salmon" at 1 p.m.
When: Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Coho Swim starts at 9 a.m.)
Where: Ambleside Park - 1150 Marine Dr, West Vancouver
Cost: Free
Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival
While the big finale will happen in early October, the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival begins in mid-September with several smaller events like lantern workshops, a nature scavenger hunt, and a full moon labyrinth walk.
When: Sept. 12 to Oct. 4
Where: In and around Renfrew Ravine and Renfrew Community parks, Vancouver
Cost: Free (though $10 donations are recommended)
Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival
Ok, so this one is a bit further out, but for those looking for a good, old-fashioned fall fair, consider the drive.
There's also a hay bale decorating competition (with cash prizes), a "farmers' Olympics" that will pit farmers against West Coast Robotics, and more, including, fittingly, a farmers' market on Saturday.
The community event includes a parade on Saturday morning, a midway, and exhibits of the best locally grown fruits, vegetables and more.
When: Sept. 12, from 4 to 10 p.m., and Sept. 13, from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. (Parade starts at 10 a.m.)
Where: 6800 Pioneer Ave, Agassiz
Cost: Varies. Entrance at the gate on Saturday is $10 for adults. There are discounts for advance passes and children.
stɑl̓əw̓ pow-wow
Out in Langley, the stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society will be holding its fourth annual pow-wow.
Everyone is welcome, say organizers, to enjoy three days of competitive dance, drumming, and an arts and crafts market.
"The purpose of our pow-wow is to celebrate Indigenous culture, traditions, music, regalia and art. It is a time to celebrate and preserve our rich heritage and keep traditional ways alive," explain organizers.
When: Sept. 12, from 6 to 10:30 p.m., Sept. 13, from noon to 10:30 p.m., and Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Langley Events Centre - 7888 200 St, Township of Langley
Cost: Single-day tickets are $10, weekend passes are $20.
Barnside Harvest Festival
One of the last big music festivals of the season in Metro Vancouver, Barnside is bringing some big names to South Delta, including Walk Off the Earth, Arkells, and The Dead South.
Other highlights in the Canadian-laden lineup include Bedouin Soundclash, Royal Oak, Ruby Waters, Jesset Roper, and one of the best small-town bands in B.C., Shred Kelly.
Along with the near-constant live music, there'll be a heritage pavilion, craft beer corner (with 20 different brewers), and the Paw Pals Picnic. The Paw Pals Picnic is a festival inside a festival with a dog-positive focus.
As with many other festivals, expect food trucks, an artisan market, and a kids' zone.
When: Sept. 12, from 4 to 10 p.m., and Sept. 13 and 14, from noon to 10 p.m.
Where: Paterson Park - 5800 Clarence Taylor Cres., Delta (Ladner)
Cost: Tickets start at $87 for Friday and $97 for Saturday and Sunday. Full weekend passes start at $189.
Car Free Day Main Street
The street will be shut down to vehicles for 20 blocks as pedestrians rule Mount Pleasant and beyond for one Sunday in mid-September.
Like the other Car Free Days, Main Street will be filled with vendors, live music, and more.
When: Sept 14, from noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Main Street between East 10th and East 30th avenues, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Vancouver International Flamenco Festival
The annual Vancouver International Flamenco Festival is celebrating 35 years in 2025 with nine days of performances from groups of local and visiting dancers and musicians.
The festival will kick off with a series of free weekend afternoon performances at Granville Island on Sept. 20 and 21 at the Picnic Pavilion Stage.
The programming will feature artists from Spain, the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Iran, Morocco and Canada, say organizers.
When: Sept. 20 to 28
Where: Various locations around Vancouver
Cost: Free events on Sept. 20 and 21. Ticketed shows cost between $34 and $70 (including fees).
Mini Renaissance Festival
Due to the expected popularity of this little Renaissance fair, a new venue has been secured for a day of seriously old-school revelry.
Among the festivities, there'll be a combat oval with friendly swordplay, wandering minstrels, a roving wizard, and more, along with areas like "the Mermaid's Grotto," the "Mystic's Hollow," and the "Village Stockade" (which looks to be an actual stockade).
Attendees are encouraged to "don attire befitting the age, be thee a noble, rogue, peasant, or fae," and, if the mood strikes, bring trading trinkets (like beads, polished stones or tiny figurines).
When: Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Fraser River Heritage Park - 7494 Mary St., Mission
Cost: Free
Come Toward the Fire
Also called ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl, a name chosen by a Musqueam elder, the Come Toward the Fire festival is a celebration of Indigenous culture.
"It suggests a movement of returning Indigenous voices to the forefront—and bringing them back to the centre, the fire, the heart of the community, following a generation of removal due to residential schools," reads the festival's website.
The family-friendly event will have two days of free live music performances during the daytime, along with film screenings, speakers, artisans, food and more.
On Sunday evening, a ticketed concert will feature two Juno award-winning musical acts.
When: Sept. 20 and 21.
Where: The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts - 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver
Cost: Daytime programming is free
Come Toward the Fire finale concert with Northern Cree and Tia Wood
When: Sept. 21, at 7 p.m.
Where: The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts - 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver
Cost: Tickets start at $30.
Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival
The ever-popular Vancouver Cheese and Meat Festival is returning this fall with additions like a Canadian cheese showcase and a third sitting (since it sells out each year).
Dedicated to the two classic food groups, the festival goes a bit beyond Lunchables with 150 curated pairings fit for the charcuterie board. It also includes all the items that might surround cheese and meat on a platter.
When: Three sessions (starting at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
Where: The Pipe Shop - 115 Victory Ship Way (North Vancouver)
Cost: Tickets start at $72
With files from Abby Luciano and Ashley Kim
