Music under the stars: Top outdoor summer concerts in Vancouver

by Megan Jones

Each summer in and around Vancouver, locals look forward to musical performances under the stars. Here are our top picks for outdoor concerts this summer. [Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver/Dannielle Hayes]

The Vancouver Folk Festival (July 13-16) is more than an outdoor summer concert – it’s a Vancouver cultural institution. The festival takes over the grassy fields adjacent to Jericho Beach each summer, featuring performances by acclaimed folk artists from around the world. Headliners for 2017 are mind-blowingly good (as usual) and include Barenaked Ladies, Roy Forbes, Tift Merritt, The Belle Game and Blind Pilot.

Here’s a perfect summer day: a picnic with friends at Burnaby’s gorgeous Deer Lake Park followed by the laid-back tunes of beloved recording artist Jack Johnson. Johnson will be joined by special guest John Craigie for this July 23rd concert, which is sure to please fans and new listeners alike.

This annual festival features local, national and international blues artists and groups. Performing at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby on August 12th, this year’s headliners include Matt Andersen, Trombone Shorty & New Orleans Avenue and Sue Foley, among dozens of others.

Did you know that on warmer days, B.C. Place retracts its roof to convert into an outdoor venue? That means if the weather looks good on August 14th, then audiences will enjoy the sounds of Metallica under the starry sky. That’s right – the iconic heavy metal band is coming to Vancouver on their North American tour.

Vancouver’s classic rock festival in West Vancouver’s picturesque Ambleside Park has an incredible lineup of acts including April Wine, Harlequin and Randy Bachman from The Guess Who. Rock out over the course of three days (August 18-20). Day and weekend passes are available.

In the heart of Stanley Park, the outdoor concert venue Malkin Bowl welcomes internationally-acclaimed pop rock icons Spoon. Fans of Spoon won’t want to miss this rare chance to see the band perform solo in the great outdoors on September 2nd.

Also at Malkin Bowl, legendary folk band Fleet Foxes will perform from their long-anticipated new album Crack-Up. The show is on September 13th, so grab a blanket and enjoy the sounds of one of North America’s favourite bands on a late summer night.

Surrounded by ocean, beaches and mountains, Vancouver is an ideal location for enjoying music in the great outdoors. Don’t miss your opportunity to catch one of the many great concerts taking place under the stars this summer.