Tens of thousands celebrate Vaisakhi at annual Vancouver parade

The Guru Granth Sahibat is transported to a float as people throw flower petals at the Khalsa Diwan Society Sikh temple before the Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press)

A large crowd lined the streets of South Vancouver for the annual Vaisakhi parade Saturday morning.

After ceremonies at the Khalsa Diwan Society gurdwara on Ross Street, where B.C. Premier David Eby and federal Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre were among the crowd, the Nagar Kirtan began around 11 a.m.

Following a new route that avoided Southeast Marine Drive, the parade wound its way along 57th Avenue, Main Street, 49th Avenue and Fraser Street before returning to the temple.

Along the way, hundreds of volunteers served free meals to attendees, a practice known as Langar Seva, which is intended to build community and break down social and economic barriers, according to the society.

Marking the spring harvest in Punjab and the 1699 founding of the Khalsa, Vaisakhi is an important religious festival in Sikhism, but it is also a community celebration open to people of all faiths.

CTV News and The Canadian Press were among those in attendance at Saturday’s event, and captured the photos in the gallery below.