Fire Dragon Festival. | Photo by William Luk, courtesy of Fire Dragon Festival.
As summer’s vibrant colours gradually give way to the rich, warm tones of autumn, Vancouver welcomes September with an exciting array of events and festivals. The crisp seasonal air brings thoughts of cozy sweaters and pumpkin-spiced lattes, while the city buzzes with friends and families coming together to celebrate arts, culture and community. From exploring inspiring art exhibitions and watching captivating film performances to dancing the night away at lively seasonal festivals, September offers countless ways to enjoy the changing season. It’s a month to celebrate new beginnings, create lasting memories and embrace the wonderful sense of connection and togetherness that makes this time of year so special.
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Vancouver Latin American Film Festival
Sept. 10–20
This year’s edition of the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (VLAFF) will take place from Sept. 10 – 20. The festival’s mission is to provide a forum for the promotion and exhibition of Latin American cinema in Vancouver. This multi-day annual festival encourages dialogue among cultures, and explores and celebrates the art of contemporary Latin American and Latin Canadian filmmaking. For a complete list of films being shown for the festival, please visit their website.
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Word Vancouver Festival
Sept. 10–28
The Word Vancouver Festival returns this month to foster the joy of the written word and inspire creativity by bringing together readers and writers from all backgrounds in an annual, inclusive and free literary arts festival, connecting local communities and celebrating literary arts through the collective experience. They will be hosting poetry readers, comic jams, live podcast recordings and more throughout the festival. For more information about the various events, check out the festival’s website.
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stɑl̓əw̓ pow wow
Sept. 11–13
The stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society will be hosting their annual stɑl̓əw̓ pow-wow from Sept. 11–13 at the Langley Events Centre. The purpose of the pow-wow is to celebrate Indigenous culture, traditions, music, regalia and art. It is a time to celebrate and preserve the rich heritage and keep traditional Indigenous ways alive. They welcome you to share in the experience of learning the important role tradition plays and how these traditions define Indigenous culture. Please visit their website for a schedule of events and more information.
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Found in Translation: The Michael and Inna O’Brian Collection
Sept. 11–Dec. 13
The O’Brian legacy in Canadian arts and culture is profound and multifaceted. As collectors, they have amassed a significant and diverse body of work that reflects the evolution of Canadian art in the postwar period as well as innovation by intergenerational Indigenous artists from the region. As philanthropists, they have provided crucial support to institutions and individual artists alike, enabling the realization of numerous projects and initiatives. As advocates and leaders, they helped shape the direction of major cultural institutions, ensuring their relevance and vitality for future generations. This exhibition provides a comprehensive look into their celebrated collection for Vancouver audiences! For more information, please check out their website.
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Twelfth Annual Polish Festival
Sept. 12, 1–9 p.m.
Come on down to the twelfth annual Polish Festival at the Shipbuilders Square in North Vancouver for a day of family fun. Activities include puppet shows, arts and crafts, singing and dancing. Traditional cuisine will be available, as well as vendors selling Polish accessories and merchandise. Check out their website for more information.
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Rituals for Unstable Ground
Sept. 12–Oct. 10
www.centrea.org/blogs/exhibitions/rituals-for-unstable-ground
Centre A will feature Rituals for Unstable Ground, an exhibition featuring new works by Vancouver-based artists Xinwei Che, Romi Kim and Ghinwa Yassine. The exhibition brings together three distinctive approaches to material, memory and place. Across the exhibition, impressions become a way of understanding how bodies, histories and places leave traces on one another. Fragments and absences become points of attention: what remains after something has been broken, displaced, concealed or transformed. There will be an opening reception on Sept. 12 and an artist-led exhibition tour on Sept. 24. Check out the Centre A website for more information.
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Fire Dragon Festival
Sept. 18–19
The Fire Dragon Festival returns Friday, Sept. 18 to Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 in Vancouver’s Chinatown. The main performance will take place at 7 p.m. at 578 Carrall St. It will be another majestic and exciting event, welcoming visitors old and new. The event will bring the Chinatown community together past and present through celebration, cultural activities and performances, culinary exploration and the appreciation of intangible heritage. Guests are invited to come see and touch the Fire Dragon, enjoy dragon dancing workshops and witness an exciting Fire Dragon dance performance.
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Pop Up Dances Festival
Sept. 18–19
www.newworks.ca/pop-up-dances-festival-2026
Pop Up Dances Festival returns this September, bringing movement and music to unexpected stages across the city. From grand staircases to alleys, garages and cranes, this fan-favourite site-specific dance series brings two days of movement back to the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library! Grab a friend and discover familiar urban space animated in new and unexpected ways through live dance and music. Pop Up Dances happens in a mix of indoor and outdoor public spaces. Rain or shine, this festival promises to delight audiences of all ages. For specific event information happening during the festival, check out their website.
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Come Toward the Fire
Sept. 18–20
Visit the Chan Centre for the fifth annual ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl (Come Toward the Fire) festival! New this year is the free Day of Knowledge Sharing on Sept. 18, where you can learn and experience Indigenous cultures, languages and histories at the Chan Centre and at their partners across UBC campus. The main festival day happens on Sept. 19, where for this family-friendly celebration, they invite you to experience Indigenous cultures and voices from across the continent with live music, dance, film screenings, hands-on workshops, storytellers, an artisan market, food trucks and more! Finally, there will be a closing concert on Sept. 20. For tickets and more information, please visit the Chan Centre’s website.
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Culture Days
Sept. 18–Oct. 4
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September, millions of people attend thousands of free participatory arts and culture events across the country both in-person and online. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. In particular, there will be a free October 4 event at the North Delta Centre for the Arts connecting emerging filmmakers and audiences through hands-on training, networking, screenings and a live filmmaker Q&A. The next Culture Days celebration will take place Sept. 18 through Oct. 4 for a few glorious weeks of colour, creativity and community.
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