Annual Events Highlights
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Heritage Week In New Westminster
February
Western Canada's Oldest City, New Westminster celebrates Heritage Week in a big way. Look for special events, children's hands-on heritage programs, and walking tours. Contact the Irving House Historic Centre at 604.527.4640.
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Hyack Antique Car Easter Parade
This nostalgic look at almost 200 vintage cars of yesteryear is sponsored by the Totem A&T Car Club, and is the largest Easter Car Parade in the Pacific Northwest. Every Easter Sunday, enjoy the entertainment at the Quay, then watch as the cars head off to wind their way through city streets to Queen's Park. There you can have an afternoon of family fun with an Easter Surprise Hunt, Children's Rides, Face Painters and more, all put on by the New Westminster Parks and Recreation Department. And, of course, the Easter Bunny himself will be in attendance — you may even have your photo taken with him! For more information, contact the Hyack Festival Association at 604.522.6894 or Parks and Recreation at 604.777.5121.
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Hyack Festival WEEK
May Long Weekend
Starting on the Victoria Day weekend in May, the Hyack Festival Association presents its traditional project: the Hyack Festival. This annual spring community festival mixes some of New Westminster's best-loved traditions with a kaleidoscope of modern events.
Dozens of events occur during the Hyack Festival — some are organized by the Hyack Festival Association, and others are organized by our fellow community groups. There's entertainment, parade, fireworks, sporting events, street fairs, rides and carnival games. The list goes on and on. It's what Hyack is all about: a community of volunteers working together to produce over sixty family-oriented events for our residents and our thousands of visitors to enjoy. But don't take our word for it — come out and enjoy it all yourself. Be sure to pick up your Hyack Festival guide and schedule.
Contact Hyack Festival Association 604.522.6894 or http://www.hyack.bc.ca.
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Queensborough DayS
May
This annual community celebration is filled with fun, food and activities for the entire family. There is entertainment, rides and crafts. The highlights of the day, according to many, are the diverse food venues representing several cultural groups within the community.
Contact the Queensborough Community Centre at 604.525.7388
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Arts in the Park
June
Arts in the Park fills Moody Park with artists, performers, music and dance — and you can be a part of everything. Let your creativity soar or get some coaching from professional artists. Watch a performance or join in yourself. Fun for kids of all ages.
Call the Arts Council of New Westminster at 604.525.3244.
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Sapperton Day Street festival
June
The Sapperton Day Street Festival is a non-profit community event that brings over 10,000 visitors into Sapperton. Admission is FREE & proceeds go to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
There will be Live Music, Craft Fair & Market Place, Info Booths, Kids Zone and Silent Auction, prizes, give aways, tests of skill & daring! Enjoy the Pancake Breakfast, Hot Dogs & Mini Donuts, get your dog a Doggy Pawdecure, let loose the kids in the Bouncy Castles, Soccer Shootout & Race Track, win a prize at the Carnival Games then climb the Rock Wall.
The Festival is blocks away from 2 Skytrian Stations: both Braid St. & Sapperton Stations are just a short walk from the Festival site. Leave your car at home & enjoy the day. Come on out and help celebrate Sapperton!
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YAM JAM
June
Every summer, Hyack Square is awash with budding artists and entertainers at this annual youth arts festival in New Westminster. YAM (Youth Arts Movement) JAM, showcases the talents and creativity of our young artists, through displays, performances and interactive workshops.
Contact the Arts Council of New Westminster at 604.525.3244.
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Canada Day
July 1
Western Canada's Oldest City, New Westminster always celebrates with a Happy Birthday Canada party in Queens Park. Bring the kids out for some fun and entertainment.
Contact the New Westminster Parks and Recreation 604.527.4567 http://www.nwpr.bc.ca
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hyack Fraserfest
July
Don't miss this celebration of our maritime heritage — it's a great time to have fun along the river. There's an entertainment stage, display booths, artists at work, face painting, food sampling, children's rides, and a mascot parade along the boardwalk. Cheer on your favourite team at the wet and wild Tricycle Races; take a harbour tour and see New Westminster from the river; be wowed by two nights of spectacular Fireworks on the Fraser, and don't miss the Workboat Parade, a spectacular wave of color and sound, as tug boats, fish boats, pleasure boats, steam boats, and more, form a decorated flotilla that stretches for miles along the river.
Contact the Hyack Festival Association at 604.522.6894.
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Annual royal city Show and Shine
July
This is a great event for lovers of vintage vehicles. This event features a trade show and swap meet at Queens Park, and an evening cruise along Columbia Street and social, leading up to the big day. This brings hundreds of antique, custom and hot rod cars and trucks to Columbia Street and other designated streets and parking lots. It's fun for the whole family! Contact the Downtown New Westminster Business Association at 604.524.4996 or visit http://www.newwestbia.com.
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New Westminster Cultural Crawl
August
This Artful Adventure kicks off over the BC Day long weekend, and is a grassroots celebration of Super Cultural BC hosted by local artists and cultural attractions. It's a self-guided tour, so all you need is a free copy of the Arts & Cultural Guide to BC in hand and a keen sense of adventure. A full listing of Cultural Crawl participating communities are available on the Arts & Cultural Guide website at http://www.art-bc.com or call 604.521.7887 for more information.
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Royal city farmers market at tipperary park
June to October
A summer-long Farmer’s Market chalk full of chard and fresh chevre, the weekly Royal City Farmer's Market in Tipperary Park beside City Hall is certainly worth a visit. Pick up bags of locally grown peppers, handcrafted goods, kettle corn and free range meats at this bustling community gathering. Held every Thursday from 3pm to 7pm.
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Urban Farmers Fall Fair
September
It's a little bit of country, in the middle of the City! Put on your overalls and your straw hat and get ready to kick back for an old time country fair. Compare your picks with the judges' as local gardeners proudly compete for biggest tomato, most colourful vegetables and tastiest preserves. Buy some fresh-cut flowers, or fruit and vegetables direct from the growers. And don't miss the entertainment stage, where there are performances all day long. Be sure to stay for the pie auction at days end — your chance to bid on the prize winners. Contact the Queensborough Community Centre at 604.525.7388.
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Christmas Magic at the Manor
November
Urban Academy (formerly Robson Manor) is proud to present Christmas Magic at the Manor, annual craft fair. Join us in the lovely decked out mansion for shopping, tea, a chance to win some fabulous prizes, and sign up for photos and storytime with Santa. So much more wrapped up in a weekend!
Located at 101 3rd Street or visit http://www.urbanacademy.ca
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A Very Victorian Christmas
November through January
Irving House, built in 1865, is open year round, and dresses up for the holidays with traditional decorations, including a tree in the Large Parlour. You can enjoy seasonal music, Victorian family teas, and hands-on heritage programmes for the children.
Contact the Irving House Historic Centre at 604.527.4640.
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Hyack SANTA CLAUS PARADE OF LIGHTS
December
Gather at the Fraser River in front of Westminster Quay Public Market for the traditional arrival of Sinterklaas in the morning, then in the afternoon take your place along Columbia Street, and get caught up in the whirl of bands, floats, and holiday cheer, at B.C.'s largest Santa Claus Parade. Starting at dusk, the lights of the parade transform Downtown into a twinkling fairyland.
Contact the Hyack Festival Association at 604.522.6894, the Westminster Quay Market 604.520.3881 or the Downtown New Westminster Association at 604.524.4996.
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