Kitsilano Beach will become one big outdoor playground this August when KitsFest returns for four days of sport, wellness, and family-friendly fun.
Running from Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 9, the 18th annual festival will bring athletes, spectators, and beachgoers together for competitions and activities across the waterfront.
Pickleball opens the festivities on Thursday with men’s and women’s doubles, followed by mixed doubles on Friday. Now in its second year at KitsFest, the tournament will feature players competing across several skill levels in a round-robin format.
Friday’s schedule also includes a youth beach volleyball tournament, the beginning of the tennis competition, and lululemon Sunset Yoga. The all-levels yoga session runs from 7:15pm to 8:45pm, giving participants a chance to stretch out beside English Bay as the sun goes down.
The action picks up over the weekend with the Volleyball Adult Provincial Beach Championships, scheduled for 8am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tennis continues through Sunday, while the festival’s popular basketball tournament brings youth, women’s 3×3, and men’s competitive divisions to the landmark oceanfront courts.
Flag football is also joining the weekend lineup. The Redzone Flag Football Championship will feature youth and girls’ divisions on Saturday before the men’s competition takes over the sand on Sunday.
Families can visit the Family Fun Zone from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Located on the grassy area between the Rick Hansen Playground and the basketball courts, the zone will offer face painting, children’s yoga, music, games, and other activities.
Young hockey fans can check out Jr. Canucks Street Hockey beginning at 10am on both weekend mornings, with open play and scheduled games throughout the day. Former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kirk McLean and team mascot Fin are also scheduled to make appearances.
The broader festival lineup includes chess, spikeball, ultimate, skateboarding, lacrosse, live dance, DJs, and performances on the School of Rock Beach Stage.
Organized by the Canada One Athletic Foundation, KitsFest promotes active living, diversity, and community participation. The organization has also supported improvements around Kits Beach, including upgrades to the area’s basketball and tennis courts.
Some competitions require advance registration, while schedules remain subject to change. Visit kitsfest.com for the latest event times, registration details, and programming updates.
