It just wouldn’t be summer in White Rock without the annual White Rock Sea Festival & Semiahmoo Days. For over 70 years, on the BC Day long weekend, Sea Fest, as it is known by locals, has drawn thousands of people to White Rock’s beaches to celebrate summer in our seaside community with live music, family-friendly activities and fireworks!
On August 5 & 6, 2023, from West Beach to East Beach, the waterfront will be buzzing with activity!
Kick the weekend off with an outdoor movie at Semiahmoo Park on August 4.
Semiahmoo Days takes over Semiahmoo Park with the Kids Zone, traditional Salmon BBQ, Indigenous cultural exhibit, Indigenous market and, on Sunday, the Westcoasters Car Club annual car show will run until 4pm. Classic live entertainment will be on the Spirit Stage all weekend long. Performances kick off with the opening ceremonies at 11 am on Saturday, followed by Kwel Eng Sen Kids Dance troupe, a lineup of talented local performers, and headliners Take it to the Limit, an Eagles Tribute Band on Saturday, and local favourite Daniel Wesley on Sunday.
Then head to the beach for full days of entertainment and activity. All weekend visit the East Beach Environmental Zone to learn about the natural habitat in Semiahmoo Bay and the vendor marketplace along the White Rock promenade. White Rock Sea Tours will be running boat tours ($25) of the White Rock waterfront, and Kayotic Skimboards will be on the beach giving skimboarding lessons. Take some time to watch a beautiful mermaid sand sculpture come together in front of the White Rock Museum, and don’t miss the live music all weekend long on the P’Quals Memorial Park Stage. A full schedule of amazing local talent will take to the stage, with Vancouver-based band Dr. Strangelove headlining on Saturday and Ladies Singing the Blues wrapping things up on Sunday.
And don’t miss the fireworks show that will light up the skies over the bay on August 5 (10:15 pm).
Follow this link for the complete schedule of activities and events.
Tips for attending Sea Festival:
Tip #1: Go early if you want to find parking anywhere near the beach, but remember that traffic will be busy, and access in and out of the area may be limited.
Tip #2: Instead of worrying about tip #1, take public transit if you can. (Please note that there will be no free trolley service)
Tip #3: Check out the entire event. Sea Festival & Semiahmoo Days span from West Beach all the way to Semiahmoo Park at East Beach.
Tip #4: Bring your patience. It’s going to be busy, both on the beach and in the restaurants and ice cream shops.
Tip #5: If you want to take a break from the beach, the White Rock Farmers Market takes place on Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. It’s in Miramar Plaza, just up the hill (about a 20-minute walk).
Tip #5: Have fun!
We can’t wait to see you there! Don’t forget to use our hashtag #explorewhiterock when posting all your fabulous photos!
White Rock Sea Festival & Semiahmoo Days
August 4 – 6, 2023
White Rock’s Waterfront