This time of year is usually building with anticipation of the coming season’s outdoor music festivals. However with the cloud of COVID-19 and physical distancing restrictions hanging heavy over us, most of the annual festivals will not be returning this summer. While a few have not announced cancellations or changes, you can be sure that any events happening this summer will be unlike those of the past.
Here’s a look at what has and hasn’t been officially cancelled or postponed:
Victoria International Jazz Festival – CANCELLED
Vancouver International Jazz Festival – CANCELLED
Malkin Bowl Concerts – Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, Vancouver BC – Rock/Pop/Blues – PENDING June 5 – Jhené Aiko, June 6 – Chris Lake, September 6 – Louis The Child
Laketown Shakedown – Laketown Ranch, Youbou, BC June 26 – 28, 2020 – Hip-Hop/R&B/Pop – PENDING (Probable Cancellation) – scheduled to appear, Wu-Tang Clan, Nelly, Ludacris, Third Eye Blind, and more
FVDED in the Park – Holland Park, Surrey, BC July 10 – 11, 2020 – Electronic/ Dance/Pop – CANCELLED
Calgary Stampede 2019 – Multiple Stages, Calgary, AB July 3 – 12, 2020 – Rock/Country – CANCELLED
Vancouver Island MusicFest – Comox Valley Fairgrounds, Courtenay, BC POSTPONED (to 2021)
Harrison Festival of the Arts – Multiple Stages, Harrison Hot Springs, BC CANCELLED
Vancouver Folk Music Festival – Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver, BC CANCELLED
Capital Hill Block Party – Capital Hill, Seattle, WA CANCELLED
Mission Folk Music Festival – Heritage Park, Mission, BC CANCELLED
Squamish Constellation Festival – Hendrickson Field, Squamish BC, CANCELLED
Merritt Rockin’ River Music Fest– Merritt, BC July 30 – August 2, 2020 – Country – PENDING – scheduled to appear: Keith Urban, Travis Tritt, Jon Pardi, and many more
Sunfest Country Music Festival – Laketown Ranch, Youbou, BC July 30 – August 2, 2020 – Country – PENDING (Possible Cancellation) – scheduled to appear: Keith Urban, Dallas Smith, Jon Pardi, and others.
Harmony Arts Festival – Multiple Stages, Ambleside, West Vancouver, BC CANCELLED
Deer Lake Festival Lawn – Deer Lake Park, Burnaby BC – Rock/Pop/Blues –PENDING August 7-8: Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival featuring Brandi Carlile, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Tonya Aganaba and more.
Shambhala Music Festival – Salmo River Ranch, Salmo, BC POSTPONED (to 2021)
Salmon Arm Blues & Roots Festival – Salmon Arm Fairgrounds, Salmon Arm, BC POSTPONED (may return online)
Ambleside Retro Music Festival – Ambleside Park, West Vancouver, BC – August 14,15, 16, 2020 – Classic Rock – Scheduled to appear: Aldo Nova, April Wine, Dennie DeYoung & The Music Of Styx, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Glass Tiger, Nazareth and others
Cumberland Wild– Cumberland, BC August 14, 15, 16, 2020 – Pop/Rock – PENDING
Bumbershoot Festival – Seattle Centre, Seattle, WA September 4-6, 2020 – Multi-Genre – PENDING (announcement due “Spring 2020”)