Music and Movies
Down below is a compilation of different music and movie events that are happening in the city.
Be sure to also check out our Arts & Culture events.
Be sure to also check out our Arts & Culture events.
Free Movies at Vancouver public libraries
Film Screenings
The Vancouver Public Library shows a variety of popular feature films and documentaries that spark ideas and conversation. Their film selection selection features both current and classic movies designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences. Screenings include family-friendly movies, senior events, and evening movies for 18+ audiences. Details:
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Jazzy Jams on Davie
Looking for something a little different to get you out of the house? We've teamed up with the West End BIA to bring you Jazzy Jams, a free jazz jam session open to musicians of any skill level.
You’ll find us on Davie and Bute at Jim Deva Plaza on six Fridays throughout the summer for this free open jam series. Grab your instrument and join the jam, or simply come and enjoy the music! Finish off the session with a patio sesh on Davie street and a Friday night stroll down to English Bay. Note: In the event of rain, the jam will be moved to the following week. Location: Jim Deva Plaza, 1200 Bute Street, Vancouver Upcoming:
Details: If you don't plan to play, we invite you to come, listen, and enjoy a brew at a nearby patio! |
Wednesday Night at the Movies
Everyone is welcome to enjoy a free film at the nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch! A variety of films are shown on alternating Wednesday nights.
Location: 730 East Hastings St., Vancouver Time: 6 pm - 8:15 pm Cost: Free Details: Space is first-come first-serve Email: [email protected] Phone: 604-665-3967 |
Weekend at the Movies
Enjoy a free movie on the big screen every Saturday morning at the Mount Kensington VPL Branch. Note: featured movies range from PG to R ratings.
Dates: Friday mornings Time: Starts at 10:30 am Location: 1428 Cedar Cottage Mews, Vancouver Cost: Free, but seating is limited Email: [email protected] Phone: 604-665-3961 |
Free Family Movie Night
Enjoy a free family-friendly movie on the big screen Friday evenings at the Renfrew VPL Branch. Featured films include recent family-friendly blockbusters.
Dates: Fridays Time: Starts at 3:30 pm Location: 2969 East 22nd Ave, Vancouver Cost: Free, but seating is limited Email: [email protected] Phone: 604-257-8705 |
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
When people talk about music festivals in Vancouver, chances are, they’re talking about the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. One of the city’s biggest summer celebrations, the festival takes over the city for 11 days in late June and early July, attracting over 500,000 jazz fans. Big name headliners like Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Erykah Badu, and Buddy Guy share the stage with a line-up of the world’s best jazz, funk, Latin, fusion, and world music artists.
In all, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival brings together 1,800 artists for 300 concerts in 35 venues, indoor and outdoor, around the city. The event is accessible to all, with many free concerts that will see you tapping your toes down at the Vancouver Art Gallery, celebrating at Granville Island on Canada Day, or getting your groove on at David Lam Park over the festival’s closing weekend. For music lovers, this festival will be a highlight of your time in Vancouver. Dates: June 21 - 30, 2024 Cost: Free - $120 Location: Various locations around the Greater Vancouver Area, please check the website Phone: 604-872-5200 or 1-888-438-5200 Fax: 604-872-5250 Email: [email protected] |
The VIMFF Summer Fest
We're celebrating Canadian Multiculturalism Day with a free, family-friendly outdoor event. Come on out for film screenings, live performances, artisan market, food trucks, a beer garden, and fun activities for the whole family.
Festival Details:
Current event: VIMFF Summer Fest Dates: June 22 from 1pm - 8pm Cost: Ticket prices vary by event |
Relaxed Screenings
Relaxed Screenings welcome audiences across the sensitivity spectrum to a safe and comfortable theatre experience. The screenings feature accommodations to improve the movie experience for all audiences.
What to Expect:
Note: Dates and movies vary from month-to-month Location: VIFF Centre - Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver |
Vancouver Folk Festival
The Vancouver Folk Festival is a weekend music event where the community gathers together to enjoy folk and roots music from across Canada and around the world. The festival is internationally renowned and features popular and lesser-known artists.
Festival Features:
Dates: July 19 – 21, 2024 Location: Jericho Beach (4th Ave, west of Alma St.) Cost: Ticket prices range from $95 - $175 |
Cineplex Family Favourites
Cineplex's Family Favourites program runs every Saturdays at selected Cineplex cinemas in the city for only $3.99 plus applicable taxes (in-theatre price).
Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas Location: 88 West Pender, 3rd Floor Cineplex Cinemas Metropolis in Burnaby Location: 4700 Kingsway Cost: $3.99 See more dates and movies via the button below! |
Indigenous Film Collection
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Where the Caribou Roamed - Terry Mann
Watch the short film, “Where the Caribou Roamed," created by Terry Mann living in Dillingham, Alaska. My film is about the caribou and industry with my personal experience about what happens when companies come in and start using the land and what happens to a migratory animal like the caribou.
The film is a part of the Native Youth Media Project, which works with existing Native youth organizations to engage the 7th generation of Native American and Alaska Native talent in making media. The Project provides media training for youth to discover a creative outlet that can inspire a media career or educational pursuit while nurturing their artistic talent with career film makers as mentors. |
UBC Contemporary Players
The Contemporary Players Ensemble is a dynamic and eclectic program of music featuring world-renown contemporary masterworks, as well as newly commissioned works by UBC composers. They perform the music of our time, combining masterworks of the chamber repertoire by internationally acclaimed composers with the world premieres of works by UBC’s outstanding composition studio.
The concerts are led by Director Dr. Paolo Bortolussi. Upcoming Dates and Times:
Location: Roy Barnett Recital Hall (Chan Centre for the Performing Arts), 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver Cost: Free |
Chan Centre Virtual Stage
The Chan Centre for Performing Arts offers virtual viewing for numerous performances free of charge. The majority of concerts are classical music, but there are contemporary pieces as well. Simply scroll through the library and stream performances on demand.
Performances include:
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"Drunk on Too Much Life" Documentary: A Journey of Discovery
"Drunk on Too Much Life" Documentary: A Journey of Discovery
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VIFF Centre and Vancouver International Film Festival
The VIFF Centre encourages understanding of the world's cultures through the art of cinema. Each year, hundreds of screenings, discussions, and community partnerships are held at the Vancity Theatre, Studio Theatre, Media Lab, VIFF Connect streaming platform, and Education Suite.
The annual Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) is an internationally known event that showcases exceptional cinema. It features some of the best films from around the globe, along with live performances, talks, conferences and other unique events celebrating film and film culture. VIFF runs a Community Access Ticket program that makes films available to all audiences and strives to remove barriers to inclusion. These tickets are available through different community organizations, but not directly to individuals. Additionally, VIFF offers a limited number of complimentary tickets to individuals who self-identify as Indigenous. Location: 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver Cost: Prices vary by event |
The Cinematheque
The Cinematheque, also known as Pacific Cinémathèque Pacifique, is a Vancouver-based film institute, media education facility, and film exhibitor that was established in 1972. It is a charitable and non-profit organization.
The goal of the Cinematheque is to:
Location: 1131 Howe Street, Vancouver Cost: General admission: $14 Seniors: $12 (65+) Students: $10 Phone: 604-688-8202 Currently celebrating the Third Annual Vancouver Greek Film Festival! Dates: June 6 - 27 All screenings are 18+ unless otherwise specified. |
Live Music at The Silvia Hotel
Tubi - Free Streaming Movies and TV
Tubi is an ad-supported video-on-demand service with more than 35,000 movies and TV shows, 95+ local and live news channels and 250+ entertainment partners, including content from nearly every major Hollywood studio.
Details:
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Pluto TV - Free Streaming Service
Watch your favourite TV show or movie for free from the comfort of your home. Pluto TV is a free streaming service that is supported by advertisements.
Details:
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Kanopy - Free TV & Movies with Your Library Card
Vancouver Public Library cardholders can access Kanopy, a streaming service that offers over 20,000 documentaries, classic, independent, and international films, including selections from the Criterion Collection and PBS.
To use Kanopy:
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Live Music at Guilt & Co
Love live music but find the cover charges too much to afford? Willing to queue early?
Guilt & Co. offers weekly live music events featuring local and international artists. Tickets are not required, simply pay for the amount of time you are at the venue. 100% of the funds go directly to the artists. Guilt & Co. also holds GroundUp Thursdays, where all revenues go to Downtown Eastside support organizations and music education initiatives. Dates: Two shows daily Location: 1 Alexander St., Vancouver (Gastown) Cost: $6 per set, plus food and beverages |
Frames of Mind - A Monthly Mental Health Film Series
The monthly mental health film series is a unique opportunity to watch interesting and relevant films about mental health issues, followed by a talk or panel discussion on the film and related issues in Vancouver. The intention of the series is to promote community and professional education of issues pertaining to mental health and illness.
Presented by The Cinematheque and the Institute of Mental Health, UBC Department of Psychiatry. Upcoming Films:
Location: The Cinematheque, 1131 Howe Street., Vancouver Cost: $14/adult, $10/student, $12/senior To learn more about the series and upcoming films, topics, and themes through the website. To stay informed about future films and events, you can also join their mailing list. |
St. Andrews’s Wesley – Jazz Vespers
Where Jazz meets the Spirit! Spend an hour listening to the area's finest jazz musicians, plus a chance to reflect on life's mysteries and beauty through spoken word. Admission is free.
Location: Note that during renovations, the location for Jazz Vespers is:
Note: Events include themes of spirituality and theology. |
Sound of the City - Music Curated by Artists During Covid
The Sound of the City was originally a music series held during the Covid-19 pandemic, which celebrated Vancouver's vibrant music scene. Created in partnership with the City of Vancouver and Stir, the series featured a different local artist or act every Friday. It provided a unique opportunity to discover and connect with creatives, while also emphasizing BIPOC and underrepresented artists.
Each installment of the series includes a curated Spotify playlist by the featured artist for listeners to enjoy. Listeners can explore a diverse range of music and get to know local artists on a more personal level. |
Interesting links to consider:
Movie times in Vancouver
Movie times in Vancouver