The Shipyards Festival is set to return with a bang this weekend with fun for the whole family to enjoy – including a killer band lineup, site-wide beer garden with local brews, and plenty of activities to keep the kids happy.
North Vancouver’s waterfront will come alive on Sept. 25 when the free music festival takes over The Shipyards District and Lonsdale Quay from noon until 10 p.m.
“This is great news for the community, businesses, and the bands – we are all eager to get back to celebrating and enjoying large events together,” Greg Holmes, executive director of the Lower Lonsdale BIA, the organization behind the popular event, said.
“When we hosted this event in 2019, more than 15,000 people attended so we knew we had to bring the festival back.”
For 10 straight hours, bands will play across four stages, with the entire event included in a site-wide liquor licence.
The band line-up offers a mix of music genres, with a little something for everyone. You'll hear from homegrown talent, crowd favourites and emerging artists from around Canada, including Toronto reggae and ska band Bedouin Soundclash, Vancouver indie rock band The Zolas and Astrocolour, a musical group known for their niche sound described as 60s lounge-music mixed with Balearic beat and electronica.
Also on the list is XL the Band, a Western Canadian hip hop, jazz, alternative fusion side project of 4-time JUNO Award-winning Vancouver group Swollen Members.
Plus, you'll also hear British-Canadian R&B singer IAMTHELIVING, Vancouver rock band Small Town Artillery, Vancouver-based Indie Pop band Harlequin Gold, Canadian eight-piece band MNGWA, East African singer Turunesh, and more. See the full band lineup below.
The festival will also feature artisan vendors to browse and plenty of food trucks to indulge in. As well as being able to watch some up and coming bands, the Burrard Dry Dock will also feature Celtic performances to celebrate World Maritime Day.
To quench your thirst, the site-wide beer garden will feature local breweries North Point Brewing Co., Wildeye Brewing and La Cerveceria Astilleros, serving up some of North Vancouver’s favourites.
Kids will be able to enjoy the Seaspan Family Zone in the Pipe Shop with Ginalina, the Robin Reddy Show and juggling virtuoso Mike Battie as well as glitter tattoos, a bounce house and crafts.
Are vaccine cards required?
Yes. But only for one indoor area. The only area at the festival that will require vaccine cards and masks for entry, for those 12 years and older, will be the Pipe Shop, as it’s an indoor space. Vaccine cards are not required for other event elements because it's an outdoor festival.
Here's the full band and entertainment lineup
Commons Stage: Bedouin Soundclash, XL the Band, Small Town Artillery, MNGWA, Turunesh, Francis Arevalo, Redwoods, NIMKISH, Ben Cotrill
Shipbuilders Square Stage: The Zolas, Astrocolor, IAMTHELIVING, Harlequin Gold, Via Barcelonia, BridgeHill, Grade School, The Della Kit, Bukola Balogun
Seaspan Family Stage: Ginalina, Robin Reddy Show, Mike Battie, Burrard
Dry Dock Pop-Up: Celebrating World Maritime Day with North Shore Celtic Ensemble, Early Spirit,
Market Stage: Ivan Hartle, Myc Sharratt, Michaela Slinger, Bukola Balogun, noon to 5 p.m.
