Powell Street Festival

Powell Street Festival 【パウエル祭】Japanese Canadian art & culture summer festival, plus year-round programs and events! The Powell Street Festival takes place every BC Day long weekend.

Powell Street Festival (PSF) is the largest event of its kind in Canada and the longest running community arts festival in the Lower Mainland. We provide a venue for emerging and established, professional and amateur, and traditional and contemporary artists in the Japanese Canadian and Asian Canadian communities. We also participate in co-presentations with other arts organizations throughout the year and produce our own programming as part of an annual season.

03/26/2025

SAVE THE DATE! 📣 Sumo Sundays is thrilled to bring back our basho for a second year on Monday, May 19, 2025 (Victoria Day).

With support from Powell Street Festival, and sponsored by Fujiya Japanese Foods and DMCL Chartered Professional Accountants, we’re hosting a full day of sumo entertainment, including six brackets of live matches and comic sumo demonstrations.

New this year, we’re introducing space for participants with limited experience in sumo (beginners welcome), as well as those looking for a more competitive experience. We also have open gender brackets and brackets specifically for women, non-binary and gender-diverse folks.

NOW OPEN:

✸ Register to compete ($20/bracket, max. 2 brackets per person)
✸ Sign up to volunteer
✸ Purchase an early bird ticket to watch ($15+ and $5 for children 12 and under)

Hosted at the historic Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall, this is one event you won’t want to miss. 🔥 To sign up to compete, volunteer or grab a ticket, visit sumosundays.ca/basho

03/14/2025
🌸 Hanami 2025: Celebrating the Cherry Blossoms 🌸Join us for a heartwarming afternoon at Hanami, our annual community car...
03/13/2025

🌸 Hanami 2025: Celebrating the Cherry Blossoms 🌸

Join us for a heartwarming afternoon at Hanami, our annual community care event! 🌿

📅 Sunday, April 13th, 2025
🕧 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Oppenheimer Park
🎟️ FREE EVENT

Come celebrate the beauty of spring beneath the cherry blossoms! Enjoy a bowl of Japanese curry-rice, get creative with button-making and origami, and join us for a special tribute to the late Elder Clint, who played a vital role in past community care events ❤️
All materials are provided, and everyone is welcome! Let's gather, connect, and celebrate the season together. 🌸✨

🧡 Special thanks to our partners: Carnegie Community Centre, WePress, and the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall.

[[ Update on Feb 27 - Tickets sold out! Thank you! Waiting list is available :) ]]Powell Street Festival Society proudly...
02/11/2025

[[ Update on Feb 27 - Tickets sold out! Thank you! Waiting list is available :) ]]

Powell Street Festival Society proudly co-presents 13’2” Between Us, a powerful multi-media performance blending radio play, choreography, and animation, created by Cindy Mochizuki in collaboration with an incredible team of local artists.

📅 March 1 & 2, 2025
📍 Vancouver Buddhist Temple Gymnasium (220 Jackson Ave.)
⏰ Doors at 6:45 PM | Show at 7:00 PM
🎟️ Sliding scale: $15–$50 (Limited seating!)
🔗 Tickets & info:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/powellstreetfestivalsociety/1554847

13’2” Between Us is a 40-minute immersive performance that explores the call and response of letters and poetry—both real and fictionalized—that bridge the distance between two siblings: Mochizuki’s paternal grandfather and his brother, a pole vaulter who placed 5th in the 1932 Summer Los Angeles Olympics. Separated by the vast Pacific Ocean and the upheaval of WWII, their fate and livelihoods were profoundly shaped by history. Their stories intertwine with the sound waves of two other exiled figures: a translator, writer, librarian, critic (Shiho Sakanishi) and a mysterious radio disc jockey (Tokyo Rose).

Part immersive radio play, part interactive experience, audience members sit within the imagined international sporting event of both remembering and forgetting. Two sibling performers and trapese through portals of letters, poems and dreams as 4D sound and animation elements unveil branching perspectives, bringing to light personal narratives erased from official histories.

Join us in Paueru G*i (Powell Street) for this one-of-a-kind event!

✨ Thank You for Celebrating Setsubun with Us! ✨A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our 3rd Annual Setsubun ce...
02/09/2025

✨ Thank You for Celebrating Setsubun with Us! ✨

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our 3rd Annual Setsubun celebration! ❄️💛 The winter weather made for a cozy gathering as our community came together around the warmth of a sacred fire, a comforting meal of Japanese curry rice, and the lively mamemaki (豆まき) bean-throwing ritual to welcome a year of good fortune. 🍀✨

We are deeply grateful for the generosity of Athiana Acres, Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm, and Fujiya, who donated the fresh ingredients that made our curry meal extra special. 🍛💛 Your support helped nourish our community in more ways than one!

Thank you to everyone who joined us, lent a helping hand, and brought their energy and smiles to this event. We couldn’t have done it without you! 💕

30 Days Left to Apply for the 2025 Japanese Canadian Youth Cohort! 📣📣📣This is an incredible opportunity to connect with ...
01/29/2025

30 Days Left to Apply for the 2025 Japanese Canadian Youth Cohort! 📣📣📣

This is an incredible opportunity to connect with your heritage, gain mentorship, and build hands-on skills in cultural event production.

If you are Japanese Canadian, aged 19–29, and live outside a 100-mile radius of Oppenheimer Park, Vancouver, this program is for you!

✨ Program Benefits:
✅ Cultural Workers Training & hands-on event production experience
✅ Networking with Japanese Canadians across the country
✅ Mentorship from elders and non-profit professionals
✅ Strengthening ties to Japanese Canadian history & your furusato
✅ Hybrid format: Remote training + in-person Production Residency in Vancouver (July 27–Aug 6, 2025)

💻 All expenses are covered, including travel, accommodation, and per diem.

📝 Apply by February 28, 2025 via online form, written application, video, or audio submission.

🔗 Apply now ➡️ https://powellstreetfestival.com/japanese-canadian-youth-cohort/

📢 Please spread the word! Tag a friend who might be interested, or simply share this post!

This program is made possible by the generosity of our community—THANK YOU for your support!

✨ Winter Care Package Programme Update ✨Thanks to the generous support of our amazing donors, the City of Vancouver gran...
01/29/2025

✨ Winter Care Package Programme Update ✨

Thanks to the generous support of our amazing donors, the City of Vancouver grant, and the help of community peers, we assembled and distributed 160+ Winter Care Packages last week! 💙

Even without a dedicated fundraising campaign for this initiative, we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to making this possible. Your kindness ensures these packages provide warmth and care to those who need it most this winter. 🧤🧦

Through our community partners, the packages were distributed to unhoused and precariously housed community members, offering essential supplies to help them through the season.

This year, the care packages were packed in Community Land Trust tote bags (designed by Kathy Shimizu), beautifully screen-printed by The Hive Printing.

Once again, a huge thank you for your continued support!

🫘👹 3rd Annual Setsubun is Almost Here! 👹🫘Swipe through to relive some fun moments from 2024 Setsubun! From the excitemen...
01/24/2025

🫘👹 3rd Annual Setsubun is Almost Here! 👹🫘

Swipe through to relive some fun moments from 2024 Setsubun! From the excitement of mamemaki (豆まき) — where kids and grown-ups tossed soybeans to chase away bad luck 🍀 — to enjoying a cozy, delicious meal of Japanese curry rice together 🍛.

We can’t wait to make even more happy memories this year! Join us on Sunday, February 2 at Oppenheimer Park for this FREE family-friendly event filled with fun, food, and traditions you will love 🥰

✨ Volunteers Needed! ✨
Want to make this day extra special? We’re looking for a few more 🧹 Take-down helpers at the park and 🧽 clean-up helpers at the Vancouver Japanese Language School kitchen.

It’s a wonderful way to support the community while being part of the celebration! DM us or visit our website:
https://powellstreetfestival.com/get-involved/volunteer/.

A big thank you to our amazing partners: Oppenheimer Park, Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall, Carnegie Community Centre, City of Vancouver, and WePress.

🌟 The Wait Is Over! Applications for the 49th Powell Street Festival Are NOW OPEN! 🎉✅ Professional & Community Artists⁠✅...
01/21/2025

🌟 The Wait Is Over! Applications for the 49th Powell Street Festival Are NOW OPEN! 🎉

✅ Professional & Community Artists⁠
✅ Martial Arts Groups⁠
✅ Display Booths⁠
✅ Community Tent Booths⁠
✅ Food Booths⁠
✅ Craft & Marketplace Booths⁠

📅 Festival Dates: Sat & Sun, Aug 2–3, 2025
📍 Location: Oppenheimer Park and surrounding areas in Paueru G*i (Powell Street)

📌 Applications deadline: Sun, March 9
👉 See our website or link in bio for the application forms.⁠

Interested in volunteering? 🤩 Applications open in May... stay tuned!

01/10/2025

🌟 Join us for Setsubun (節分)! 🌟
🗓️ Sunday, February 2
⏰ 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
📍 Oppenheimer Park | 488 Powell St.
🧡 FREE Event

Mark your calendar! Join us for Setsubun, featuring a sacred fire led by Elder Veronica and the Japanese tradition of mamemaki (豆まき) — the fun ritual of throwing roasted soybeans to chase away bad luck and welcome good fortune for the new year. Also, enjoy a delicious meal of Japanese curry rice to keep you warm and connected! 🍛
This is a family-friendly event and everyone is invited!!

🌟 CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS 🌟
We’re looking for helping hands to make this day extra special! If you're available to support with setup, serving food, or cleanup, we’d love to have you on our team. Please DM us or visit our website > Get Involved > Apply to Volunteer! to sign up!

A big thank you to our amazing partners: Oppenheimer Park, Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall, Carnegie Community Centre, City of Vancouver, and WePress.

🎉 Happy New Year! 🎉New year's feast awaits,layers of Osechi shine,hope wrapped in each biteAs we welcome 2025, we want t...
01/01/2025

🎉 Happy New Year! 🎉

New year's feast awaits,
layers of Osechi shine,
hope wrapped in each bite

As we welcome 2025, we want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you—our volunteers, sponsors, donors, and supporters—for your invaluable contributions to the Powell Street Festival Society.
Your dedication and generosity have fueled our ability to create vibrant programs, celebrate Japanese Canadian arts and culture, and foster meaningful connections within our communities.
Here’s to a new year filled with opportunities, growth, and continued collaboration. From all of us at Powell Street Festival Society, we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous Year of the Snake 🐍🎍

明けましておめでとうございます

おせち重
ひとつひとつに
希望込め

新しい年が皆様にとって幸多き一年となりますようにお祈りいたします。ボランティア、スポンサー、ドナーの皆様、昨年中はパウエル祭協会へのサポートをありがとうございました。今年もパウエル祭をはじめとして、様々なコミュニティープログラムを予定しております。本年もどうぞよろしくお願い申し上げます。

Postcard artist: https://www.instagram.com/ellitearu/

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible community of volunteers, sponsors, ...
12/30/2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible community of volunteers, sponsors, donors, and friends. Your unwavering support has made this year truly unforgettable. From the 48th Annual Powell Street Festival 🎉 to our year-round Community Care programs, your dedication has made it all possible. Thanks to you, we've been able to create, celebrate, and connect in ways that uplift our community and strengthen our shared values. We are beyond thankful for your continued belief in our mission. 💛🙏

The end of the year also marks a meaningful transition for the Powell Street Festival Society as we extend a very special thank you to Emiko Morita, our outgoing Executive Director, for her extraordinary leadership over the past decade. Emi’s vision, passion, and dedication have been a catalyst for growth, helping PSFS build stronger connections 🤝, expand our programming, and deepen our engagement with the community. Her tireless work has shaped the Society into what it is today—stronger 💪, more inclusive 🌍, and deeply connected. ✨

Emi, thank you for shaping our organization and community in ways that will endure long after your time as Executive Director. We are excited to continue working alongside you and are deeply grateful for your ongoing involvement in the community. 💛

Here’s to an exciting 2025 ahead, as we build on this strong foundation and continue to create, celebrate, and connect! 🙌🎉

12/27/2024
12/06/2024

📣📣📣Announcing the 2025 Japanese Canadian Youth Cohort!

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we’ve reached our $10,000 goal for the Japanese Canadian Youth Cohort program! Your generosity ensures that this vital program continues to thrive, empowering young Japanese Canadians to connect with their heritage and gain valuable mentorship.

And there’s more exciting news—Applications for the Japanese Canadian Youth Cohort are now OPEN!

📢 We are accepting applicants aged 19–29 who are Japanese Canadian and live outside a 100-mile radius of Oppenheimer Park, 400 Powell Street.

Program Benefits:

✨ Build hands-on skills in live cultural event production

✨ Educational and personal growth through Cultural Workers Training

✨ Networking with Japanese Canadians across the country

✨ Strengthen connections to Japanese Canadian history and your furusato (hometown)

✨ Mentorship from elders and non-profit professionals

✨ Diverse volunteer experience with over 200 Festival volunteers

💻 🛫 This hybrid, expenses-paid program spans June to early August, with weekly online remote training sessions, culminating in an in-person Production Residency in Vancouver from Sunday, July 27 to Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Travel, accommodation, and per diem are provided.

📝 Applications will be accepted now through February 28, 2025 by online or written application form, video, or audio.

👉 Read more and APPLY NOW at our website: https://powellstreetfestival.com/japanese-canadian-youth-cohort/

🌟 Happy International Volunteer Day! 🌟December 5th is a day to celebrate and honour the incredible contributions of volu...
12/05/2024

🌟 Happy International Volunteer Day! 🌟

December 5th is a day to celebrate and honour the incredible contributions of volunteers worldwide.

At Powell Street Festival Society, we are endlessly grateful for our dedicated volunteers who play a vital role in bringing the annual Powell Street Festival to life and supporting year-round programming in the Downtown Eastside. You are the heart of everything we do. Your passion and hard work uplift our community and make our mission possible. 💛

As we look forward to the festival’s 50th anniversary, we want to thank everyone who has volunteered over the years—you’ve helped shape one of Canada’s longest-running arts and culture festivals.

A big thank you to all our past and present volunteers—you inspire us every day. 🙏

📸 Photo Credits:
Top 2 photos: Marco Gazzoli
Bottom left: Yohei Shimomae
Bottom right: Matthew Chun

Address

410/111 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC
V6B1G4

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

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