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Enjoy Summer Fun in Burnaby!

Summer-Fun_Burnaby. Source: City of Burnaby

Discover a Variety of Events and Affordable Activities in Burnaby

Source: City of Burnaby

Events in Your Community

Parkway Alive

Event Date:

  • Sat, May 25, 2024, 11 am – 2 pm
  • Sun, Jun 23, 2024
  • Daily on Wednesday and Sunday until Wed, Aug 28, 2024
  • Upcoming: Wed, Jun 26, 2024

This summer, the section of BC Parkway between Boundary Road and Metrotown SkyTrain Station will come alive! Starting on May 25, enjoy free, family-friendly activities along the Parkway all summer long. Temporary furniture installations will make the space more welcoming, allowing visitors to linger and enjoy music, games, arts and crafts, recreation activities, cultural experiences, food trucks, and more. Each week offers new experiences, making Parkway Alive a part of your summer routine!

When and Where:

  • Metrotown SkyTrain Station:
  • Sundays, 11 am-2 pm (June to August)
  • Wednesdays, 5-8 pm (June to August)
  • Patterson SkyTrain Station:
  • Sunday, June 2, 11 am-2 pm
  • Sunday, July 7, 11 am-2 pm
  • Sunday, August 4, 11 am-2 pm
  • Wednesday, August 28, 5-8 pm

Girolino

Event Date: Sun, Jun 23, 2024, 7:30 am – 1 pm

Source: City of Burnaby

The spirit of the Giro di Burnaby is alive with the return of the Girolino for kids presented by Appia Development. Burnaby brings a pedal and dash event open to all kids aged 5-11 at Confederation Park. Helmets are mandatory and bikes must be in good working order to participate.

Cost: $5 (Registration is full. Add your name to the Wait List)

Location: Confederation Park

Course Lengths:

  • Mini course (5-6 years old): 350 m bike/200 m run
  • Medium course (7-8 years old): 700 m bike/500 m run
  • Long course (9-11 years old): 1050 m bike/500 m run

Schedule:

  • 7:30-8:30 am: Bike check-in*
  • 8:45 am: Pre-race meeting
  • 9 am: The race starts with staggered age groups
  • 10:15 am: Medal presentations by Burnaby City Council
  • 11 am: Barbecue by the Burnaby Firefighters (proceeds to the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society)

*Note: Training wheels are not permitted. Wear running shoes and dress appropriately.

Sounds Like Summer

Event Date: Fri, Jul 5, 2024

  • Daily on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday until Fri, Aug 30, 2024
  • Upcoming: Wed, Jul 10, 2024

Enjoy live music in public spaces throughout the city. Watch for pop-up performances from local musicians every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon until August 30.

Summer Cinema

Event Date: Fri, Aug 2, 2024, 8:15 – 10 pm

  • Daily on Friday until Fri, Aug 30, 2024
  • Upcoming: Fri, Aug 16, 2024, 8:15 – 10 pm

Movie magic time! Summer Cinema kicks off at Confederation Park on August 2 and continues at Civic Square on Friday evenings in August. Bring a blanket or chair, snacks, and enjoy the show. Free admission, rain or shine. Movies start at 8:15 pm.

At Confederation:

  • Friday, August 2 – Mean Girls

At Civic Square:

  • Friday, August 16 – Barbie
  • Friday, August 23 – Wonka
  • Friday, August 30 – Sonic 2

Free underground parking at the Bob Prittie Metrotown library, with portable washrooms on-site. Arrive early for a double feature of fun with costumed characters and come dressed in costume!

Summer Stages

Event Date: Tue, Jul 9, 2024

  • Weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until Thu, Aug 29, 2024
  • Upcoming: Wed, Jul 10, 2024

Celebrate summer with a free live performance series! Join at Confederation Park (by the spray park). Two show times every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 11:30 am and 2 pm.

Summer Season at Burnaby Village Museum

Event Date: Sat, Jun 22, 2024, 11 am – 4:30 pm

  • Weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Mon, Sep 2, 2024
  • Upcoming: Sun, Jun 23, 2024, 11 am – 4:30 pm
Source: City of Burnaby

Explore historical exhibits and live demonstrations all summer long at Burnaby Village Museum. Ride the restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel, enjoy a picnic lunch, visit a replica Japanese Ofuro, or check out the exhibit: Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby.

Location: Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave
Phone: 604-297-4565

Open Tuesday to Sunday, plus statutory holidays. Admission is free. Carousel rides $2.52 plus tax.

Edmonds City Fair

Event Date: Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 11 am – 3 pm
Location: Edmonds Community Centre, 7433 Edmonds Street
Phone: 604-297-4838

Visit Edmonds Plaza and Park for country fun in the city! Free, family fun for the whole community. Enjoy farm animals at the petting zoo, music, entertainers, food trucks, and classic cars.

Willingdon Community Fair & Movie Night

Event Date: Wed, Aug 28, 2024, 5 – 10 pm
Location: Willingdon Community Centre, 1491 Carleton Avenue
Phone: 604-297-4526

Willingdon Community Fair returns with plenty of community booths, local sports groups, classic cars, and family-friendly activities. Food trucks will be on-site. The event will take place rain or shine. Dress appropriately.

Summer Celebrations in Burnaby

Every summer, the city comes alive with incredible events and festivals. Here are some of the highlights taking place this summer:

National Indigenous Peoples Day

Event Date: Fri, Jun 21, 2024, 3 – 7 pm
Location: Civic Square, 6100 Willingdon Avenue
Recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. The celebration features an Indigenous artisans market, family activities, and performances including dance, music, spoken word, and storytelling. The schedule includes performances by Spakwus Slolem, Git Hayesk, Tsatsu Stalqayu, Shawn Bullshields, and Sekawnee.

Canada Day

Event Date: Mon, Jul 1, 2024

Source: City of Burnaby

Locations:

  • Edmonds Plaza and Park: 11 am-2:30 pm, 7433 Edmonds Street
  • Celebrate with live entertainment, kids’ activities, games, and cake.
  • Performance Schedule:
    • Opening ceremony: 11-11:45 am
    • Rainshadow: 11:45 am-12:30 pm
    • Tumble City Athletics Inc.: 12:30-12:50 pm
    • K.!! & Co.: 12:50-1:05 pm
    • Amid Hossain Chowdhury and Mr. Ravi: 1:10-1:30 pm
    • Youth Performers: 1:35-1:45 pm
    • Rhythm Resource: 1:45-2:30 pm
  • Burnaby Village Museum: 11 am-4:30 pm, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
  • Enjoy multicultural family entertainment, displays, demonstrations, and more.
  • StreetFest on Central: 6:30-10:30 pm, Civic Square, Central Boulevard and Central Park
  • Family fun with kids’ entertainment, activities, food trucks, music, dance, live performances, and a fireworks finale.
  • Performance Schedule:
    • Tiger Really: 6:30 pm
    • Hayley Wallis: 7:10 pm
    • Tanika Charles: 8:00 pm
    • Welcome & Speeches: 8:45 pm
    • Dear Rouge: 9:10 pm
    • Fireworks: 10:15 pm

Symphony in the Park featuring the VSO

Event Date: Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue

Source: City of Burnaby


For over 30 years, Symphony in the Park has delighted audiences with exceptional symphonic music performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. This year’s performance includes works from Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar Suite, John Williams’ Star Wars Suite, and more. Bring a blanket or chair and a picnic to enjoy the evening.

Opera in the Park featuring Vancouver Opera

Event Date: Sun, Jul 14, 2024, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue

Source: City of Burnaby

Experience the return of Opera in the Park with performances by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Enjoy music from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, and other classics. The event includes a pre-concert celebration and food trucks.

Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival

Event Date: Sat, Aug 10, 2024, 4 – 10 pm
Location: Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue
The Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival returns, offering free admission and a lineup of fantastic performances. This festival is one of Burnaby’s marquee summer events, bringing together the community for a day of music and fun.


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Protecting the Great Blue Heron Colony at Deer Lake Park

Heron. Source: Canva

A Call to Action: Protecting the Great Blue Heron Colony at Deer Lake Park

Sources: Burnaby Now, Vancouver City News,

Deer Lake Park. Source: Canva

Nestled within the urban landscape of Burnaby lies a natural treasure – Deer Lake Park, a sanctuary for a colony of great blue herons.

However, this tranquil haven is now at the center of a heated debate involving a proposed development project that could potentially disrupt the peace of these magnificent birds.

The Threat to the Habitat

The great blue herons, known for their impressive stature and beauty, have made Deer Lake Park their home, a testament to the ecological diversity of the area. The heron colony began in about 2005 when four nests were identified at Deer Lake1In 2022, a biologist counted 68 nests and, in 2023, an additional nest was counted1. However, a planned development in the vicinity of the park has sparked concerns among the local community. The fear is that the construction activities could disturb the herons, disrupting their nesting patterns.

The Controversial Development

The controversy deepens with the construction of a new childcare centre, a project that necessitated the removal of decades-old trees. These trees, apart from being an integral part of the park’s ecosystem, could have provided additional nesting spaces for the herons. The loss of these trees has been a significant point of contention in the ongoing dispute.

The Power of Community

In a bid to halt the project, a group of committed activists has initiated an online petition. The petition, which has already received nearly 12,000 signatures, is a testament to the community’s resolve to protect the heron colony. The activists are encouraging the public to exert pressure on the city officials to reconsider the location of the development. You can sign the petition HERE

The City’s Stand

Despite the outcry, the City of Burnaby insists that the development does not pose a risk to the heron colony. They assert that the site clearing did not impact any nesting sites and that the work was carried out before the heron nesting season, adhering to the recommended buffer zone guidelines.

Final Thoughts

The unfolding situation at Deer Lake Park serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between urban expansion and environmental preservation. It highlights the importance of community engagement and thoughtful planning in decision-making processes. As we await the outcome, we hope for a resolution that respects the needs of both the city’s inhabitants and its wildlife.


For more local news and information about new projects, please visit our BLOG PAGE

To view Geoff Jarman’s Listings CLICK HERE