Vancouver International Boat Show: This busy event is the biggest in Western Canada and features everything from fishing boats, cruisers, canoes, kayaks, to motor-yachts, sailboats and deck boats. There are some fun boating activities and a good seminar programme consisting of over 30 seminars for both the experienced and the novice.

International Jewish Film Festival: features over 50 films from ten countries of the best new and classic films of Jewish interest.

Annual Walking Fish Festival: this more unusual festival is held at the Up in the Air Theatre, and showcases one-act plays from some of Vancouver's best emerging actors, writers and directors.

Vancouver International Children's Festival: more than 50,000 children and parents attend this established festival every year at Vanier Park. There are numerous hands-on arts activities, dance, music, storytelling, theatre, puppetry, circus arts and much more.

International Jazz Festival: the largest jazz festival in British Columbia plays host to some big names over a 10-day period. The performances take place at various locations in the city including parks, concert halls, public plazas and community centres. In total, there are over 400 performances and 130 free concerts. The highlight is a two day street festival in the historic Gastown district.

Vancouver Pride Festival: one of the largest festivals of the year is a parade organised by the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. Over 300,000 people regularly attend to watch performances, dances and street parties.

The Powell Street Festival: is the longest running community celebration in Vancouver, held every year in Oppenheimer Park and the Firehall Arts Centre. It includes martial arts demos, folk and modern dance, taiko drumming, alternative pop/rock/urban music, sumo wrestling, film/video and a good choice of Japanese food, crafts and displays.

Vancouver Fringe Festival: is an annual alternative theatre festival featuring dance, music and alternative comedy. Stages are set up at various locations and performances run from midday through to midnight.

International Writers Festival: is one of North America's premiere literary events, held over six days on Granville Island. The festival attracts some of the world's best writers as well as local and undiscovered authors.

Storytelling Festival: this annual festival focuses on the art of oral tradition and is held in the Wise Hall and Vancouver Museum. Audiences gather to hear writers and performers tell their stories and tales. You can also watch dance, puppetry and improvisation.

Festival of Lights: this is a favourite with the local people who turn up at VanDusen Botanical Gardens every December. Over five acres of the gardens are transformed into a spectacular holiday light display.