Let’s keep the good times rolling with even more festivals this summer and into the fall.
We kicked off this spring with a calendar full of road-trip-worthy beer festivals, and the list for the summer and fall just keeps on growing! With breweries from BC and across Canada, cideries, even a distillery or two and of course some tasty non-alcoholic options, there is plenty to look forward to.
Cheesecrafters Beer Fest • Maple Ridge
July 21
Join the folks at Golden Ears Cheesecrafters for an afternoon filled with cheese, snacks, craft brews and other drinks, pairing seminars, live music, games and more!
CrossRoads Summer Street Fest • Prince George
July 27; September 7
Summer street parties are back with live music, craft beer, delicious food, and fun! Featuring a diverse lineup of bands from across Canada, these events are held on the cross roads between historic 5th Ave and George St in downtown Prince George.
Chilling in the Park Beer Festival • Vancouver
July 27
Join the Mount Pleasant BIA for this free event in Dude Chilling Park, featuring local indie bands, some of the city’s best craft breweries, and local restaurant pop-ups (including BBQ from The Pleasant).
Phillips Backyard Music Festival • Victoria
August 9 – 11
An electrifying outdoor music festival held in the heart of one of Victoria’s best-known breweries. Beer, non-alc beer, mocktails as well as vodka and gin canned cocktails will be available alongside a lineup of entertainment sure to keep you moving.
Brewhalla New West • New Westminster
August 10
Brewhalla’s well-known festival series is coming to New West this summer with a “Life on the River” theme. There will be a best-dressed contest, a new paddleboard available to win, ride-on surf challenge, games, live music, and more. Alongside an extensive beer and cider lineup, you’ll also find an enticing non-alc bar, and rides back to the skytrain will be available for a safe way home.
Farmhouse Fest • UBC
August 10
A celebration of Saison, Sour, Lambic, Wild Ale, & Cider held at UBC Farm. From classic Saisons and Fruited Sours, to 3-year-old spontaneously fermented Lambic and Cider, there is something for everyone from breweries from BC, and around the world. To mix it up there will be some fun selections of Natural Wine, Kombucha, and plenty of ‘off-style’ beers to take a break from the wild and funky.
Vancouver Mural Festival • Vancouver
August 10 – 11
This year, the BC Ale Trail is proud to present the Craft & Canvas Corner at the Vancouver Mural Festival. Part beer garden, part beer festival, enjoy sips from your favourite local breweries and breweries from around BC. Enjoy the live graffiti art around you, with walls being transformed as part of the 7th Annual Holden Courage Graffiti Jam, or watch as a local artist creates a new beer label live!
BCNE Trade Route Ale Festival • Prince George
August 16 – 17
The BC Northern Exhibition is a 3-day fair featuring events, including Super Dogs and 4H demonstrations, a mid-way, pro rodeo, and now a beer festival! The second annual beer fest offers three different tasting sessions, featuring local breweries and cideries. Tickets on sale now.
Cowichan Craft Beer and Food Festival • Chemainus
August 17
Enjoy craft beer and cider, and tasty non-alcohol options, artisan food, and live music. There will be free shuttles running from nearby neighbourhoods, to ensure a safe ride home for everyone. And don’t forget to come by the BC Ale Trail booth to say hi!
Battle of the Brews • Surrey
August 17
The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society and 93.7 JR Country are hosting the 6th Annual Battle of the Brews. This fun charity event will offer attendees a great afternoon of craft beer tasting and food trucks. Attendees will get the chance to help choose their favourite beers and all proceeds from the event will help fund Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society youth initiatives.
Great Canadian Beer Festival • Victoria
September 6 – 7
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of one of BC’s most iconic festivals at a brand new location this year! This legendary beer festival not only showcases the incredible roster of craft breweries in BC but stretches coast to coast, flying in beers from across Canada that you can’t try anywhere else. GCBF is a tasting festival that focusses on having a diverse line up for you to choose from, this year will bring in over 200+ craft beers and cider for you to sip. In addition to exploring the best craft beer Canada has to offer, GCBF provides fun entertainment and yummy food from local vendors.
Silver Star Beer & Cider Fest • Silver Star Mountain
September 7
Celebrate Oktoberfest early this year with Silver Star’s signature craft beer and cider event— a great après to a summer of adventure. Sip some of BC’s finest brews, and enjoy food, a Polson Market pop-up, live music, games, and plenty of fun.
Barnside Harvest Festival • Ladner
September 13 – 15
The second annual, three-day festival in Ladner will feature live music from some of Canada’s most iconic bands, including the Glorious Sons, Sam Roberts Band and Loverboy. Along with tasty craft brews, the festival will include a charity BBQ to benefit the Delta Firefighters Charitable Society, plus a multitude of food trucks; an artisan market; the Delta Heritage Pavilion; the dog-friendly Paw Pals pavilion on Sunday afternoon; and so much more.
Whistler Village Beer Festival • Whistler
September 14
The 11th annual Whistler Village Beer Festival, presented by Gibbons Whistler & Brewhalla, is returning September 2024. The main event will feature 40+ craft beverage manufacturers and over 80 varieties of craft beverages, including beer, cider, and seltzers to sample at the iconic Olympic Plaza, with the mountains as your backdrop. Complete with food trucks, live music, interactive activities and thousands of fellow festival lovers, this event is always an incredible time.
vALEfest • Valemount
September 14
Stay tuned for details!
Shuswap Brewers Fest • Salmon Arm
September 14
The Shuswap Brewers Fest is a celebration of locally made craft beer, cider, and spirits. This event will bring together community supporting local businesses and highlighting what our region has to offer in the beverage industry. There will be live music, food trucks, entertainment, and beverage vendors. This event is a fundraiser for the Salmon Arm Rescue Society as they upgrade equipment to match the heightened demand on the area’s highways with first responder calls.
Fraser Valley Distillery & Beer Festival • Chilliwack
September 21
The Fraser Valley Distillery & Beer Festival is a unique event that combines lively entertainment and delicious food with the finest artisan spirits, liquors and seasonal brews. The 7th annual event appeals to a wide audience and is designed to bring the community together for one night to raise money for the Chilliwack Academy of Music, a community music school.
Oliver’s Cask & Keg Festival is back bigger and better than ever! Take part in the exciting Beer Olympics sponsored by Firehall Brewery. Taste the passion behind local Okanagan craft brews, ciders, and spirits. Indulge in delicious ‘food truck’ food and dance to live music. Cask & Kegis a day-time family-friendly event focused on celebrating the creations of local and regional breweries, cideries, and distilleries.
Steveston Beer Festival • Steveston
September 21
The annual Steveston Beer Fest will be held at the historic Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston. Partial proceeds from this event will support the Richmond Christmas Fund and other local non-profit groups. The Beer Fest will host approximately forty booths and will showcase craft beer from around BC, the United States and other countries from around the world. This event is intended to entice those who are new to craft beer as well as the experienced palate.
Cranbrook Beer Festival • Cranbrook
September (TBC)
Bringing the spirit of GCBF, Cranbrook Beer Festival will give you the experience of tasting Canadian craft beer from coast to coast in the basecamp of the Kootenay Rockies. Stay tuned for more details for the 2024 event.
Penticton Beer Week • Penticton
October 4 – 14
Get ready for a full week jam-packed with events for beer lovers everywhere. This year marks the 6th Annual Penticton Beer Week, also known as the Penticton Block Party. Penticton has a dynamic beer scene with eight craft breweries, known as the Penticton Beer Blocks, including some of BC’s oldest craft breweries and some of BC’s newest craft breweries.
Brewhalla Beer & Music Festival • Chilliwack
October 5
The ever-popular Brewhalla Beer & Music Festival is back in the Fraser Valley this fall. Sure to be a day of music, craft beer, games and good times.
BC Craft Brewers Conference • New Westminster
October 17 – 18
Bringing together BC’s craft brewing community for a weekend of seminars, building community connections, and celebration. Tickets going on sale soon!
BC Beer Awards & Festival • Vancouver
October 19
Sample a variety of BC craft beers while you cheer on your favourite breweries at the annual awards ceremony. Awards will be presented for 30+ beer categories plus top awards including Best in Show, the CBC Judge’s Choice, Rookie of the Year, Brewery of the Year, Innovator of the Year and The Legend Award, as well as the Creative Industry Awards, recognizing breweries for crafting unique items and experiences that enhance the craft beer lovers’ brand awareness.
Grab your tickets, your fellow craft beer lovers and start planning your festival outfits!
No matter where your ale-ventures take you this year, be sure to share your experiences by tagging @BCAleTrail or #BCAleTrail – and always enjoy responsibly.
