Summer is the time for festivals in North America!

Here in Vancouver we have the Jazz Fest, Folk Fest, free drive-in movie events, Symphony in the Park in Burnaby, the Burnaby Blues Fest, Illuminares Lantern Parade, Chinatown and Richmond Night Markets, Summer Dance Series, Canada Day Celebrations, Celebration of Light Fireworks, Summer Dance and Music Concerts, Paddlefest (for all people interested in Kayaking and water sports), Bees And Blueberry Fest, the Salmon Stomp, Whiterock Sandcastle Competition,  On the Street Fest (where the best street performers show you their best performances), Chefs to the Field (Iron Chef Vancouver-Style), Free Music in the Park, Floating Boat Exhibition, Arts Alive! Fest, just to name a very few.

Any city will have events like the above where you and your families can go an enjoy for a very little amount of cash if you bring some snacks, water and lunch with you as many festivals or events can be attended for free or for a nominal fee.

Or, if the event is not free and not within your budget, you might be able to attend for free. How?  Volunteer!  Commit to be part of the cleanup crew or to usher people to their seats.  Or, as a friend of mine does each year with our local Folk Fest, set up your picnic blanket near the event.  The Folk Fest is held at Jericho Beach each year; they cordon off an area and ask attendees to pay to get in.  My friend realized that by placing her beach blanket a few meters away from the cordoned off area she’d still be able to hear the music from the festival from where she is sitting. This way not only does she hear the music for free but also avoids the crowds inside the paid area.  In addition, many of the booths at the Folk Fest are located outside the paid area so she is able to stroll around and poke about in some of the booths as well. It might be worth hanging around the area of some of the bigger festivals in your city as many times smaller events take place around it as well.

Check your local community newspapers and magazines for these and your own city’s events.  And have a great summer!

Looking for more tips to save some cash?  Then be sure to visit the Saving Tips section of this website.