Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade Info, Route & Road Closures
byThe Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade will take place Saturday April 13th in South Vancouver, and everyone is invited to join the Sikh community in celebration.
Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade
- Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024
- Time: 11:00 am to 4:00pm
- Location: E 49 Avenue between Main & Fraser Street
The Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade is one of the largest Sikh parades in the world! Vancouver’s Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) started in 1979 to celebrate the revelation of the Khalsa in 1699. Attendees of all cultures are welcome at this celebratory event, which features a large number of floats, community performers, songs and live music.
Parade Route & Road Closures
The Parade will proceed from the Ross Street Temple (8000 Ross St, Vancouver) at 11:00am, turn onto Marine Drive, Main Street, follow along East 49th Street, Turn right onto Fraser Street, then onto East 57th Ave and then follow back along Ross towards the Temple for 5:30pm.
To accommodate the parade, road closures will be in effect on Saturday, April 13, from 10:00am to 6:00pm on the following streets:
- Main St closed from E 49th Ave to SE Marine Dr
- Fraser St closed from E 41st Ave to SE Marine Dr
- Westbound SE Marine Dr closed from Knight St to Main St
- 57th Ave closed from Knight St to Ontario St
Note: Transit Reroutes and Parking.
Free vegetarian meals, prepared by volunteers, are served by families along the route. This practise is in-line with the concept of Langar Seva (blessed food/communal meal and selfless service). In BC and around the world, this tradition carries forward in every Gurdwara.
“For many thousands of years, Vaisakhi has been the time when farmers have put their sickles to harvest and celebrated the coming of a new year. Since 1699, the Sikhs have had a further reason to celebrate at this time of the year. Now Vaisakhi is celebrated with even more energy, pomp and fanfare. It has become a holy day to mark the birth of the Khalsa fraternity.” Learn more here.
