Photo: Wendy D Photography
Eastside Arts Society’s (EAS) summer arts event, Eastside Arts Festival (formerly CREATE! Eastside Arts Festival) returns from July 18-27. The expanded 5th edition takes place at various Eastside Arts District (EAD) studios, breweries, and performance venues, plus an all-day outdoor musical event at MacLean Park.
A celebration of the Vancouver Eastside’a vast and varied multidisciplinary arts offerings, the 2025 Eastside Arts Festival will host the largest number of art-making workshops in festival history, as well as both ticketed and free live performances, guided walking tours, and free, interactive art activities for art lovers of all ages and abilities.
“We are thrilled to mark our 5th anniversary of the Eastside Arts Festival with our most dynamic and culturally rich exploration of the EAD’s vibrant arts and culture scene yet,” says Esther Rausenberg, Artistic Director of EAS. “We welcome arts lovers and community members, especially those familiar with our annual Eastside Culture Crawl, to dig deeper – learn about our district’s rich cultural heritage, enjoy a behind-the-scenes art-making experience, and soak in a live performance from musicians and dancers who call this incredible community home.”
The festival features an expanded list of unique and affordable art-making workshops, including a series of never-before-offered workshops, such as eco-printing, a natural textile dyeing technique using plant materials, from indigo artist Naomi Yamamoto; goldwork embroidery from textile artist Candice Weber, incorporating metallic threads in intricate designs; and felted mason jar cozy covers from felt expert Chantal Cardinal. These workshops, and many more, will run at artist studios and breweries daily throughout the festival.
In partnership with Vancouver music institution, The Rickshaw Theatre, the festival’s strong music line-up includes a show by up-and-coming artists Young Friend, Babe Corner, worrywart, and Kylie V on July 25.
On July 26, the festival, with the Strathcona BIA, brings back its popular, FREE all-day outdoor event, this year at MacLean Park. Featuring more live music presented in partnership with the Rickshaw, a Festival Shop with handmade artworks and goods from local Eastside artists, free art activities for all ages and abilities, food trucks (Midnight Joe’s and Planted Love), and a beer garden hosted by Strange Fellows Brewing.
Music continues July 27, with another free afternoon live music at MacLean Park, part of the long-running MacLean Park Music series, supported by Strathcona BIA and Eastside Arts Festival.
This year’s Eastside Arts Festival also introduces many ticketed opportunities to explore the district with guided walking tours;
July 19 & 20: 360 Riot Walk with Powell Street Festival Society & Henry Tsang
July 19 & 20: Heritage Vancouver Society
July 20 & 24: Hogan’s Alley Society
Other ticketed events include;
The Dance Deck with Belle Spirale Dance Projects celebrates its 10th Anniversary, July 19, 20, 26 and 27.
Big Print Powell Street/Paueru Gai Drop-in Carving demonstration presented with Creative Cultural Collaborations (C3) on July 24.
New this year is the Eastside Arts Society Beer Passport. Running from July 18 to August 4, passport holders enjoy a beer at four different participating Eastside breweries.
Eastside Arts Festival runs from July 18-27, 2025 throughout the Eastside Arts District. Many events including those outdoor at Maclean Park are free, art workshops are $35, walking tours are $20, and ticketed performances range from $20-$60. For a full festival schedule and to purchase workshop, guided walking tours, and live performance event tickets, or Beer Passports visit eastsideartsfest.ca