June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Events commemorating the day in celebration of First Nation’s Culture happen all over the Lower Mainland.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a similar event. It happens on September 30th. See our article about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation for details about the day in the fall. Continue reading, however, to learn about National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Continue reading to learn about National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History Month events taking place in North Vancouver and all over the Lower Mainland in June.
EARLY INDIGENOUS EVENTS: National Indigenous Peoples Day events taking place in the Lower Mainland prior to June 21st this year include free events at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and Fort Langley National Historic Site on June 13th. There are also special events in North Vancouver including ones on June 4th, 7th, 11th, 18th and 25th. For details about these, see the official Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Fort Langley, and North Van Rec & Culture websites.
This article includes information about events in the following communities:
Fort Langley | North Vancouver | Richmond | Surrey | Harrison Hot Springs | BC Sports Hall of Fame (in Vancouver) | Bill Reid Gallery (in Vancouver) | City of Vancouver | Burnaby | New Westminster | Maple Ridge | Mission | Port Moody | West Vancouver | Whistler
In 2026 National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on Sunday, June 21st. June is National Indigenous History Month. As a result, special events celebrating Canada’s Indigenous people and their cultures take place throughout the month. In mid-June, for example, there are special events at the Fort Langley National Historic Site and Gulf of Georgia Cannery. There are special events at various venues in earlier in the month too.
Places to enjoy First Nations dancing, art and festivities in the Lower Mainland include events in Surrey, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, West Vancouver, downtown Vancouver and at various other locations. On June 21st, there is also a special event at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Fort Langley
The Fort Langley Historic Site usually has National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations on a Saturday one week before the official day. In 2026, the event happens on June 13th.
The celebrations are presented in partnership with the Stalew Arts and Culture Society. Indigenous-themed activities run from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm. There are traditional dancing and singing performances, as well as a large market with Indigenous vendors. Admission is free for everyone on the day.
See our article about Fort Langley National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations to learn more.
Watch the video below for an idea of what to expect at the Fort Langley event.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in North Vancouver
The North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission hosts a variety of free or low-cost celebrations. They take place on select dates in June.
On June 4th this year, there’s a Cedar Mat Weaving Workshop at Delbrook Community Recreation Centre. At the same location on June 7th there’s a Dreamcatcher Workshop that costs $5 per person. On June 11th, there’s a Pow Wow & Hoop Dancing Workshop at Lynn Valley Village Community Complex. Seylynn Park is where this year’s Pow Wow Zumba event takes place on June 18th, as well as the Hoop Dancing Workshop on June 25th. There’s also a self-guided art tour to do at any time.
Click National Indigenous Peoples Day Activities in North Vancouver or visit the nvrc.ca website for more details.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Richmond
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery hosts their National Indigenous Peoples’ celebration on June 13th in 2026, so about one week early. Admission is free for the whole day. Last year’s event included cultural performances, storytelling and other family-friendly activities. 2026 details may be similar.
Click National Indigenous Peoples Day in Richmond for more information about the event in Steveston Village.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Surrey
The National Indigenous Peoples Day event in Surrey used take place at Holland Park. However, the event moved to a new location last year.
The celebrations now happen at Semiahmoo Park, at 15782 Marine Drive, near White Rock. The event typically runs from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm on June 21st.
The Surrey event includes opening and closing ceremonies, a community kitchen, live entertainment and more. It’s a big event. Several thousand people attend most years, there are dozens of vendors and community stalls, and the entertainment is extensive.
See our article about Indigenous Peoples Day in Surrey for more information about this event.
Sasquatch Days in Harrison Hot Springs
The annual Sasquatch Days festival takes place close to National Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s held in the resort town of Harrison Hot Springs.
The festival runs on June 13th and 14th in 2026, so on the weekend before National Indigenous Peoples Day. Sasquatch Days typically features First Nations performances and vendors. There are also war canoe races, barbeque lunches and more most years. The festival is free to attend.
See our article about Sasquatch Days for more information about this event.
BC Sports Hall of Fame (in Vancouver)
The BC Sports Hall of Fame is home to the Indigenous Sport Gallery. There will not be a special event at this location in 2026 because it is closed for the duration of FIFA. Regardless, once it re-opens, the Indigenous Sport Gallery is a great place to visit at any time. It’s a celebration of First Nations athletes in the province.
See the BC Sports Hall of Fame website for more information about the exhibit or visit indigenoussportgallery.com for a virtual tour.
Check out the following video to see what the Indigenous Sport Gallery at the BC Sports Hall of Fame looks like.
Bill Reid Gallery (in Vancouver)
To commemorate National Indigenous Peoples Day, most years the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is free to the public on June 21st. This may be the case again in 2026. With free admission, it’s a great time to visit and see some exceptional Northwest Coast First Nations art.
The gallery also hosts an Indigenous Artisans Market on June 20th (a day early) from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm this year. Entry to the market is included with general admission to the museum and there are usually more than 15 local vendors to check out.
Click Bill Reid Gallery for more.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Vancouver
A few different National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations take place in Vancouver.
One of the most notable ones this year is a celebration at Grandview Park at 1657 Charles Street. At this event, live entertainment and an Indigenous market run from noon until 4:00 pm. In the past, there was also a Celebration Walk at 11:00 am, but that doesn’t appear to be happening in 2026.
Another event that happens each year is the National Indigenous Peoples Day Block Party hosted by the Carnegie Community Centre. The festivities at 401 Main Street begin at 10:00 am and run until 2:00 pm. There are cultural performances, giveaways, and more. See the event’s Facebook page for additional information.
See our article about National Indigenous Peoples Day Events in Vancouver for more details about these and other events in the city.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Burnaby
The City of Burnaby hosts a free community celebration on National Indigenous Peoples Day. The event runs from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm on June 20th at Civic Square in 2026. There’s lots of dance, storytelling and spoken word performances. The event also features artisan vendors and activities for all ages.
Visit the City of Burnaby‘s website for more details.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in New Westminster
Special activities happen on June 19th at Moody Park in New Westminster between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. There are arts and crafts, storytelling sessions, live entertainment and other activities. 2026 performances and entertainment include Juno Award winning Fawn Wood (at 12:05 pm) and others, such as Tyson Nahanee’s canoe teachings, the Coastal Wolf Pack drumming and singing, miyo-pimatisiwin with big drums and hoop dancing and more!
See the City of New Westminster‘s website for the latest details.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 20th in 2026.
Hosted by the Fraser River Indigenous Society, the event runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Memorial Peace Park. Festivities include drumming, dancing, storytelling, artisan vendors and other activities for all ages.
Memorial Peace Park is in downtown Maple Ridge at 11900 224th Street by McIntosh Avenue.
Click Indigenous Peoples Day in Maple Ridge for further details.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Mission
This year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations happen on June 19th. They are hosted by the Mission Friendship Centre Society. The activities run from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at Fraser River Heritage Park. Admission to the event is free and there are interactive activities, artisan vendors, live entertainment and more.
Visit the Mission Friendship Centre Society‘s website for more information about this event.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Port Moody
National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations take place in Port Moody at Rocky Point Park. As of early June, it is unclear if the 2026 event is taking place.
When it does happen, the activities run from around 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the PCT Performance Stage in Rocky Point Park which is located at the 800 block of Murray Street. The event honours the cultures, contributions and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada. This family-friendly celebration features cultural performances including drumming, singing and traditional dancing.
The program typically includes a learn-to-dance session open to all ages. Participants can also take part in a hands-on art activity inspired by the Japanese practice of rock wrapping.
Bannock bites are usually served at the conclusion of the event around 3:00 pm. All performances, activities and food are free.
Click Indigenous Peoples Day in Port Moody for more details.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in West Vancouver
National Indigenous Peoples Day activities happen at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver on June 21st.
Celebrations run from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. They take place on the traditional, unceded territories of the Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) People. Activities at the event mostly include cultural sharing and teaching through live music, storytelling, dance performances and more. Like most years, there will be a salmon dinner cooked over an open fire to enjoy as well.
See the District of West Vancouver‘s website to learn more.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is a great place to visit and learn about Indigenous culture and history any time of the year. Located in Whistler’s Upper Village at 4584 Blackcomb Way, the centre has exhibits and a really nice gift shop. The centre also offers tours daily and hosts special events for the public at various times.
This year there was an entire month of special programming in June. That included forest walks, dreamcatcher and medicine bag workshops, a vendor market and more.
The 2026 celebration takes place on Sunday, June 21st, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm with a schedule of cultural experiences. Guests can explore art, music, food and storytelling that reflect the traditions of the First Nations community. Below is the program’s schedule for 2026.
Schedule for 2026’s celebration:
- 11:00 am: Spo7ez Cultural Sharing
- 11:30 am: Storytelling
- 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm: Interpretive Forest Walk
- 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm: Dancers of Damelahamid
- 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm: Keith Bubbas Nahanee Comedy Show
See our article about the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to learn more about the venue and its events.
Other Information
The Lower Mainland is on the unceded traditional lands of the Coast Salish people. In Vancouver this includes the territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish nations.
First Nations in other parts of Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland include the Hwlitsum, Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwikwetlem, Matsqui, Qayqayt, Semiahmoo, Sto:lo, Tsawwassen and other nations.
Click Lower Mainland First Nations for information about other related events at other times of the year.
Click Festivals & Events Calendar for a list of other types of events throughout the year.
Since 2021, another holiday in both Canada and BC is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It takes place on September 30th and is a somber reflection of the cruelties of the infamous Canadian residential school system.
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