Are you a foodie in Vancouver looking for the city’s biggest culinary events? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We have all the details on what’s in store for you, including the most anticipated food festival happening in Vancouver this year.
So, grab your calendar to secure those dates and schedules to enjoy the best of Vancouver’s food scene. Afer that, we’ll start with the answers to a few of the most common questions people ask us about Vancouver food fests. Either way, let’s get smacking!
The Top Vancouver Food Festivals in 2024
There’s nothing quite like experiencing the taste of Vancouver’s food scene than joining our food festivals. Here are the top Vancouver food festivals this year that you shouldn’t miss!
Dine Out Vancouver
Website: https://www.dineoutvancouver.com/
Address: Restaurants across Vancouver
Dates: January 17, 2024 – February 4, 2024
Types of Food: Asian, European, Latin American, North American, Pub fare, Vegetarian/Vegan, Seafood, Desserts
Ticket Prices: From $19 to $59 per person
This year’s Dine Out Vancouver was recently held on January 17th and concluded on February 4th. While the 2024 festival has ended, keep your eyes peeled for updates on the 2025 dates, usually dropped on their site in late summer or early fall.
This event is all about chowing down without breaking the bank, with prices ranging from $19 to $59 for a bunch of courses, so it’s the perfect chance to explore new spots or revisit your favorites with some special menus.
Loads of participating restaurants also elevate the atmosphere during the festival, creating the perfect setting for a special date night, gathering with friends, or enjoying a fun outing with family.
Once you know when the next event is, check their website for participating restaurants, menus, prices, and locations. This way, you can plan your foodie adventure according to your cravings, budget, and favorite spots in the city.
Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
Website: https://hotchocolatefest.com/
Address: Various cafes and bakeries in Vancouver (check website for participating stores)
Dates: January 13, 2024 – February 14, 2024
Types of Food: Hot chocolate, Sweet treats and snacks
Ticket Prices: Free admission
The 14th Annual Hot Chocolate Festival is back in Vancouver this year! It’s a month-long celebration of all things hot chocolate, held annually in January and February.
Here, you’ll get to enjoy unique hot chocolate creations crafted by participating cafes, bakeries, chocolatiers, and even ice cream shops, giving you a delightful array of flavors to savor.
This year, the festival is stepping up its game with 12 new vendors and over 160 flavors spread across 10+ neighborhoods in Greater Vancouver. Plus, they’re hosting a special Instagram contest with sweet prizes like gift certificates valued at $1,700 from participating vendors.
Win, and you could be sipping on chocolatey treats all year long! The winners will be drawn and announced on Valentine’s Day, which marks the end of the festival.
There are no tickets required for the festival itself. Simply visit any of the participating vendors during the festival dates and order their special hot chocolate creations.
Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival
Website: https://greatervanfoodtruckfest.com/
Dates: April 4, 2024 – April 5, 2024 at UBC Commons, In Front of The AMS Nest | April 19, 2024 – April 21, 2024 at KPU Langley Campus
Types of Food: Wide range of street foods
Ticket Prices: Free admission
Can’t get enough street food? Then don’t miss out on the series of events happening across the Lower Mainland by the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival.
Here are the latest confirmed events this year: the Food Truck Festival at UBC, set for April 4th and 5th, followed by Food Truck Wars in Langley from April 19th to 21st. Dates and details about other events in 2024 are still yet to be confirmed.
Admission to the venue is usually free, but sometimes it’s by donation, and of course, you pay for whatever food you buy.
Bring your friends or the whole family and feast on everything from ice cream to pizza, mini donuts, and a variety of ethnic cuisines. There’s Greek, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and more – all while enjoying live music in the background.
Plus, there are usually craft activities and a face painting station for the kids to enjoy.
Richmond Food Truck Festival
Website: https://greatervanfoodtruckfest.com/events/richmond-fusion-food-festival/
Dates: April 2024
Types of Food: Wide range of street foods
Ticket Prices: Free admission
This event, brought to you by the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival, is a fun and tasty one. The Richmond Food Truck Festival is totally free to attend and should definitely be on your list of family-friendly things to do in Vancouver this April.
Although we’re still waiting on the exact date and venue announcement, last year’s event went down at Lansdowne Centre, just to give you an idea.
There’s plenty to do at this food festival. First things first, you have to dive into the delicious offerings from the 14 or more food trucks on site.
Plus, there’s a market with a cool lineup of local vendors where you can shop comfortably, knowing you’re supporting small local businesses. And let’s not forget the live entertainment – it’s always a highlight!
To get in on the fun, snag a ticket on their website – but don’t stress, as mentioned, tickets are free! The organizers just prefer you to grab one so they can get an idea of how many people will be there.
La Pizza Week
– Media by natalinospizzabc
Website: https://lapizzaweek.com/
Dates: May 2024
Types of Food: Pizza
Ticket Prices: Free admission (pay as you order)
While there’s no official announcement for 2024 yet, La Pizza Week typically takes place in Vancouver every May. It’s a week-long restaurant festival that celebrates the best pizza in Canada.
During this event, participating restaurants across the city (and the entire country) are invited to create a special pizza for La Pizza Week. And really, does it ever get better than pizza?
You can join in on the fun by visiting or ordering from these restaurants. Of course, the highlight is trying out delicious pizzas, sharing your experiences on social media, and voting through their website.
TJ Fest Taiwanese Festival
Website: https://tianjintemple.org/en/tjfest/
Address: Tian-Jin Temple, 3426 Smith Avenue, Burnaby
Contact details: (604) 568 – 9880
Dates: May 4, 2024 – May 5, 2024: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Types of Food: Taiwanese street and festival foods
Ticket Prices: Free admission
Celebrating the city’s multiculturalism and highlighting Taiwanese cuisine in particular, TJ Fest is a highly-anticipated annual event in Vancouver, with this year’s edition set for May 4th and 5th.
The “TJ” in TJ Fest stands for Tian Jin, the name of the temple that hosts the event each year.
It’s a great outing to enjoy with friends and family, as there are several activities to partake in. Most years, there’s a small market featuring local vendors representing various cultures.
You’ll also find a delicious selection of Taiwanese street and festival foods available for purchase.
We’re talking Taiwanese pork belly burgers, vegetarian burgers, popcorn chicken, and a few different bento boxes. There were also noodles, deep-fried pork chops, pork sausages, buns, and more to enjoy.
Additionally, outdoor performances, some of which are traditional and culturally significant, provide everyone with the opportunity to appreciate art forms from various countries.
Spot Prawn Festival
Website: https://spotprawnfestival.com/
Address: False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf, 1505 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
Dates: May 2024
Types of Food: Spot prawn dishes
Ticket Prices: Free access to the docks, viewing of cooking demos and more
$10: 10 oz of Spot Prawn Bisque
$79: Spot Prawn Brunch
The Spot Prawn season is relatively brief, lasting only six weeks from roughly the beginning of May, which makes its arrival each year all the more highly anticipated.
Although there’s still no official announcement for 2024 yet, you might want to keep your calendar clear for mid-May for this year’s event.
For those unfamiliar, this festival is the Chefs’ Table Society’s annual fundraiser. This allows them to provide scholarships and cover their operating costs while at the same time, celebrating the season of this delectable seafood.
So, you not only get to enjoy good food here but also contribute to their cause!
Just like the previous festivals, you can expect live cooking demos with some of Vancouver’s top chefs, kid-friendly activities, live music, and, of course, lots of delicious spot prawn dishes.
Vancouver Bubble Tea Festival
Website: https://www.vanbubbleteafest.ca/
Address: Swangard Stadium — 3883 Imperial Street, Burnaby
Dates: July 19, 2024 – July 21, 2024
Types of Food: Bubble tea, Asian street food
Ticket Prices: 1-Day Pass: $9.99
3-Day Pass: $14.99
Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult
The Vancouver Bubble Tea Festival is back this year for another round of all things boba! From July 19th to 21st, get ready to indulge in a wide range of unique bubble tea options that will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.
Beyond the tasty drinks, the Vancouver Bubble Tea Festival also brings together people who share a love for boba. You can connect with other bubble tea fans, seek advice from experts, and learn about the history and evolution of the drink.
And that’s not all – aside from bubble tea, there’s a promise of delicious Asian street food such as fried Taiwanese chicken, BBQ eats, Indonesian cuisine, sushi tacos, and more. You’ll definitely leave here with a full stomach.
FAQs for Food Fest Fans in Vancouver
What is the world’s biggest food festival?
– Media by bestdatefood
The world’s largest food festival is the Taste of Chicago, held annually in September. It makes way for hundreds of vendors offering everything from classic deep-dish pizza to international flavors in the iconic Grant Park.
Alongside the delectable dishes, attendees are also treated to live music, cooking demonstrations, and cultural performances, making it an immersive experience for all the senses.
What about here in Vancouver, though? In Vancouver, the biggest food festival is arguably Dine Out Vancouver. As Canada’s biggest annual celebration of food and drink, this event transforms the city into the ultimate food lover’s paradise.
Is Dine Out Vancouver still on?
Dine Out Vancouver is still going strong every year in the city, usually starting up in mid-January. Take note if you’re a foodie, so you can fly to Vancouver during this time.
The latest festival ran from January 17th to February 4th, 2024. During that period, loads of restaurants all over town offered special multi-course prix-fixe menus at great prices, attracting both locals and tourists alike.
Thanks to its huge success, Dine Out Vancouver has evolved into a promotional powerhouse, bringing together nearly 400 restaurants, wineries, craft breweries, suppliers, and more for a three-week season of dining.
Notably, it’s considered one of the most significant culinary events in Canada. And of course, one of the most fun things you can do if you love food like us!
When did Dine Out Vancouver start?
Dine Out Vancouver started back in 2002 as a collaboration between food and wine enthusiasts and Destination Vancouver. The goal was simple: to boost the restaurant business during the slower winter months.
Initially, 57 restaurants participated, offering fixed-price menus to entice diners. Over the years, it has blossomed into a massive event, now featuring more than 250 restaurants offering menus at $20, $30, and $40 price points.
Additionally, there are over 80 culinary events to choose from. These include a street food celebration, neighborhood tasting tours, cooking lessons, and themed dinners paired with exotic beverages, art, or even a movie.
So, the next time you participate in Dine Out Vancouver, take a moment to appreciate the passionate group that sparked this annual tradition over 20 years ago. How? By enjoying the food, of course!
Why is Vancouver food so good?
– Media by xtinepaige
Vancouver food is so good because of the abundance of fresh, local ingredients, particularly Pacific seafood. Additionally, its diverse population contributes to a culinary landscape where global flavors seamlessly merge.
Vancouver’s strong commitment to sustainability a;lso ensures that every meal is not only delicious but also environmentally responsible.
Finally, the city is home to a wealth of culinary talent, with chefs continuously pushing the boundaries of flavor and technique.
Given these factors, it’s no surprise that Vancouverites have a deep love for their food. Whether it’s indulging in seasonal spot prawns, savoring juicy prime steaks, or slurping up a comforting bowl of ramen noodles, it’s all about the culinary experience.