Folk, fusion and ribs: Festivals headline weekend events in Metro Vancouver

A previous year's Surrey Fusion Festival is seen in this photo from the event's website. (surreyfusionfestival.ca)

A trio of multi-day festivals is taking place across Metro Vancouver this weekend. Here’s what you need to know about each one, as well as some other events you may want to check out.

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

The 49th annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival is taking over Jericho Beach Park this Friday through Sunday, bringing dozens of Canadian and international artists to four performance stages across the site.

In addition to headlining performances on the main stage, attendees can experience workshops and collaborative performances, browse an artisan market and community village and enjoy food from local vendors.

Schedule and ticket information can be found on the festival website.

Port Moody Ribfest

Head to Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park this weekend for Ribfest, the annual three-day fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Port Moody.

Featuring live music, a park-wide beer garden, a family fun zone and, of course, barbecue ribs, the event runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission is by donation and more information can be found on the Ribfest website.

Surrey Fusion Festival

Another food-forward festival is unfolding south of the Fraser this weekend, with Surrey Fusion Festival returning to Holland Park from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The festival features 50 pavilions run by local groups from different cultural backgrounds, each offering food and arts from their country of origin. There will also be an Indigenous village, a “cultural cooking arena” and eight stages set up throughout the park.

Admission is free. Visit the festival’s website for a complete schedule of events.

Eastside Arts Festival

This weekend is also the start of a less centralized festival that runs until July 26.

The Eastside Arts Festival is a 10-day series of events and activities taking place across Vancouver’s Eastside Arts District. Organizers describe it as an “interactive art-making event” that will bring together “local visual artists, musicians and the community to explore, learn, and create” in MacLean Park and at studios and breweries throughout the neighbourhood.

Events begin Friday and culminate with a free concert in the park on July 25. Learn more on the Eastside Arts website.

Symphony and opera in the park

A pair of al fresco performances are scheduled for Deer Lake Park’s festival lawn in Burnaby this weekend.

On Saturday, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s free Symphony in the Park concert takes place at 7:30 p.m., though family friendly programs begin at 3 p.m.

On Sunday, it’s Vancouver Opera’s turn. Opera in the Park is also free and also starts at 7:30 p.m.

Vancouver Greek Summerfest

This is also the last weekend of the 40th annual Vancouver Greek Summerfest, which the Greek Orthodox Community of East Vancouver is hosting at its Boundary Road home.

Featuring live music and dance performances, delicious food and community vendors, the free event serves as a fundraiser for the church.

The festival opens at 11 a.m. Thursday through Sunday.

For the sports fans

The World Cup’s last hurrah is this weekend, with France taking on England in the third-place match on Saturday and Argentina playing Spain in the final on Sunday. The FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE will be open for both matches, and other watch parties abound across the region.

If you’re looking for a live sporting event happening locally, consider heading to the Langley Events Centre on Friday night for the Vancouver Bandits against the Montreal Alliance. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.