StrideFest 2026

March 21 - 28

Burnaby, British Columbia

Just Wonder!

An art installation in a library? Poetry in the streets? Tiny artworks for the taking in a free little art gallery? Expect diverse art forms in unexpected places as festival host The Long Table Society and Burnaby’s creative community present StrideFest 2026, a celebration of curiosity, creativity and connection.

Enjoy visual and live performing arts, workshops, demos and more! With accessible and FREE family-friendly programming and experiences spreading across Burnaby, StrideFest is a colourful reminder that creativity happens all year long.

Let’s connect with the arts and with each other during StrideFest — not an art fair but an arts platform and arts showcase amplifying our city’s creative voices.

 Just Wonder!

Team StrideFest is working hard behind the scenes to bring you all the info you’ll need to enjoy this year’s festival (events calendar, Art Walk map, artist profiles, etc.). Follow @stridefest on IG and FB for updates, event teasers and workshop registration links and watch for our promo posters around the city.

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FEATURED ARTISTS
Events

Events

Just Wonder! — StrideFest Arts at the Shadbolt

More Info

Just Wonder! — Lighting Up the Night

More Info

Art Walk

More Info

Burnaby Art Calling (Free Little Art Gallery)

More Info

Poets Corner

More Info

Frequently Asked Questions

Why StrideFest? Why March?

We all need the power of the arts more than ever – to inspire, to unite, to invite wonder. StrideFest began in 2019 and Team Stride’s dream team of volunteer creatives, innovators and community builders continues to work hard with the motto building community through the arts. 

Oh. Why March? In western Canada, summer through fall is the regular festival season. Unexpected art in unexpected places at unexpected times, remember?

Isn’t the festival just for artsy people?

Nope. StrideFest is for everyone! 

Some features will be in traditional venues like the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts but most will be simply where people go every day. Think community centres, libraries, storefront windows and high visibility locations on the street – no arts experience required. Imagine a city full of engaging encounters with art. That’s StrideFest!

Festival within a Festival: Just Wonder! Together

March 28

10:00AM - 4:00PM

Location: Carl Mortensen Manor Auditorium
Address: 4035 Norland Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 4T7

Burnaby’s Dania Home plays host to this special StrideFest event, a final gathering before the curtain falls on another exciting festival. This day of visual, interactive and performing arts will be a reminder of the power of the arts to connect us and energize us for the year ahead.

Accessibility notice: The auditorium entrance off Kincaid is down a set of stairs. Please review our Dania map for elevator access.

Just Wonder! - StrideFest Arts at the Shadbolt

Extended art exhibition

March 16 - April 14

Location: Atrium of the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

The most StrideFest art in one place! Opening before and closing after StrideFest, this extensive exhibition in the Shadbolt atrium features exciting visual artworks by many of our festival creatives. During StrideFest week from March 21-28 add a visit to nearby Christine Sinclair Community Centre, one of our many Art Walk host sites.

Find Shadbolt location & hours here. Find CSCC location & hours here.

Just Wonder! - Lighting Up the Night

City of Burnaby light display

March 22 from dusk to dawn (off from 8:30-9:30pm for Earth Hour)

Location: City Hall and BC Parkway (Skytrain line) near Metrotown

This open air, dazzling nighttime display connects every Burnaby citizen through the human language of art. It’s a luminous celebration of community and will remind everyone who sees it that creativity never sleeps. Our yellow, red and blue primary colours motif is an artful metaphor for the multitude of ways each of us can contribute to something bigger than ourselves.

StrideFest Art Walk

March 21 - 28, 24/7

Multiple Locations

On our popular Art Walk you’ll discover diverse visual artworks from photography to painting to sculpture – all made by local artists and visible from the sidewalk. Don’t forget to check out the products and services on offer inside our many Art Walk host venues and keep your eyes peeled for Poets Corner written works. Stroll through this outdoor art gallery guided by our Art Walk map.

Burnaby Art Calling (Free Little Art Gallery)

Open 24/7, 365

Location: Outside the Heights Dairy Queen at 103-4191 Hastings St and under the neon eagle sign.

A decommissioned phone booth in Burnaby Heights is now the city’s smallest community art gallery. Make art, take art or leave art. Sharing something small in the FLAG can have a big impact in the neighbourhood. Maybe you’ll find the newest piece for your budding art collection in this ever-changing exhibition curated by YOU. Free!

Birthday announcement: Burnaby Art Calling will be 3 in 2026! Here’s to all who have been giving and taking home mini artworks over the years. You make our community awesome. Keep it up!

Poets Corner

March 21 - 28, 24/7

Multiple locations: Outdoor advertising columns on each Hastings Street corner between Ingleton and Madison Ave.

Experience the art of the written word as you shop and stroll the Heights. Look for our bright yellow poems written by talented Burnaby wordsmiths. It’s one more way to add art to your day.