Best Music Festivals in British Columbia 2025

Rifflandia Festival

Rifflandia has been running for 15 years in Victoria. It’s got a good mix: big international acts plus local bands you should check out. The crowd is pretty diverse, from students to families to music industry folks.

They’ve had major acts like Iggy Pop, Post Malone, and Lorde over the years. The festival happens downtown, so you can walk to restaurants and hotels easily. It doesn’t feel like a typical city festival, though – Victoria’s chill vibe carries over.

The venue at Matullia Lands works well with multiple stages but everything stays close together. They’re good about booking different genres rather than sticking to one style.

2025 Details:

• When: September 11-14
• Who’s Playing: Public Enemy, Alessia Cara, Shakey Graves, Sleater-Kinney
• Cool Feature: 15% of ticket money goes to local charities
• Tickets: Regular admission or VIP “Pods” with couches
• Size: About 25,000 people

This year is their 15th anniversary and they’re putting more money toward community programs.

Barnside Harvest Festival

Barnside happens on a real working farm in Ladner. The brewery grows their own beer ingredients, which is pretty cool. It feels like a big community picnic with good music.

The crowd is mostly families and people wanting a relaxed time. Kids run around, you can bring dogs on Sunday, and multiple generations enjoy the same acts. Food and drinks come from local producers instead of festival chain vendors.

They keep it manageable size-wise so it doesn’t lose the community feel. The artisan market has real local crafters, not mass-produced festival stuff.

This year’s info:

• When: September 12-14
• Who’s Playing: Walk off the Earth, Arkells, The Dead South, Shakey Graves
• Price: $169 for three days (kids under 10 free)
• Special: Dog-friendly Sunday with a costume contest
• Vendors: 40+ local artisans and food trucks

The lineup focuses on Canadian acts which fit their local support theme.

Squamish Constellation Festival

The Squamish Constellation Festival had a strong start in 2019. It was a new highlight on the Squamish BC music festival scene, known for great environmental practices – like 94% waste diversion – and acts like Jessie Reyez. It was exciting to see this fresh Squamish rock festival bring something special to the local music community.

But then COVID hit. The festival lost steam and changed direction, turning into a one-day country event in 2023. Since then, updates have been confusing. The website keeps saying “festival updates coming soon,” but nothing new has been shared for months.

2025 Status:

• Current Situation: No confirmed dates or lineup
• Problem: Website keeps saying “announcements coming soon” for months
• Reality Check: Probably not happening this year

So, for now, we’re putting a hold on this one – no plans until they clear up what’s going on. Let’s hope this Squamish festival finds a way to come back strong someday.

Shambhala Music Festival

Shambhala is Canada’s biggest electronic music festival. 26 years running, happens on a 500-acre ranch in the mountains. The outside world disappears when you’re there.

Six permanent stages, each with its own vibe and music style. Production quality matches major international festivals but feels intimate because of the forest setting. They don’t take corporate sponsors, so they book based on music quality alone.

The “Farmily” community really does look after each other. Their harm reduction and medical services are top-notch. Drug testing, medical tents everywhere, people genuinely helping strangers.

This year’s update:

• When: July 25-28
• Status: Completely sold out (tickets were $540-579)
• Size: 20,000+ electronic music fans
• Camping: From free spots to $3,395 luxury yurts
• Bonus: Pre-party June 28th

Sells out every year within hours. This festival has become a pilgrimage for electronic music fans.

Edge of the World Music Festival

This is the most unique festival in BC. Happens on Haida Gwaii, 170km off the coast. Getting there takes real effort – flights or ferries to remote islands.

No alcohol or drugs, family-friendly, and deeply connected to Haida culture. Haida Dancers open and close each day. Local musicians play alongside visiting artists. The whole town of Tlell (200 people) basically becomes the festival.

It’s volunteer-run and stays small by design. This isn’t trying to grow into something bigger – it serves the island community and welcomes visitors who get what makes it special.

What’s up for 2025:

• When: August 8-10
• Where: Tlell, Haida Gwaii
• Getting There: Fly from Vancouver or ferry from Prince Rupert
• Vibe: Alcohol/drug-free, family event
• Important: No ATM in town – bring cash

You need to really want this experience because getting there is complicated.

FVDED in the Park

FVDED is BC’s biggest commercial electronic festival. They get major acts like Tiësto and Post Malone. If you want to see the same DJs who play big US festivals, this is it.

Happens in Surrey right by the SkyTrain station. No camping – you go home each night. The crowd is younger and it’s more party atmosphere than community vibe. Focus is purely on the music without festival lifestyle stuff.

This year’s dates:

• When: July 4-5
• Who’s Playing: Tiësto, Zedd, Disclosure, Kaytranada, RL Grime
• Age: 16+ to get in, 19+ for VIP
• Getting There: Direct SkyTrain access
• Style: 100% cashless, metal detectors

The strongest lineup they’ve had yet. Multiple headliner-level acts on both days.

Wicked Woods Music Festival

Wicked Woods happens in the Canadian Rockies over four days. It’s electronic music but in a mountain setting with hot springs nearby. After 16 years, it has a loyal community but stays intimate.

Four themed stages with massive sound systems. The extra day lets them do workshops on movement and creative stuff alongside the music. Good mix of camping and glamping options.

Festival schedule:

• When: August 29 – September 1 (Labour Day weekend)
• Who’s Playing: Felix Cartal, [IVY], Drezus, Stylust
• Price: $389 for four days
• Camping: Multiple zones from party-close to mountain-view quiet
• Special: Indigenous arts funding program

Four-day format is unique among BC electronic festivals. Good mix of music and outdoor activities.