Local News
Thousands gather for Vancouver’s annual Vaisakhi parade
Thousands of attendees have filled the streets of South Vancouver Saturday to take part in the annual Vaisakhi festival Saturday.
The Vancouver Vaisakhi Festival and Parade, which is an important religious event for the Sikh community, has been held annually since 1979.
“Vaisakhi celebrates the creation of the Khalsa, a spiritual order founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, a defining moment in Sikh history,” the City of Vancouver said.
“Vaisakhi also marks the beginning of the spring harvest in Punjab.”
The event runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday in the Punjabi Market area.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Vancouver Vaisakhi Festival & Parade
???? Saturday, April 12 from 10 am – 6 pm
???? Traffic will be busy in and around South Vancouver with road closures in the Punjabi Market areaExpect delays and plan ahead.
Details below???? Khalsa Diwan Society
1/2 pic.twitter.com/mAOzEN73Et— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) April 12, 2025
The following road closures will be in effect until 6 p.m.:
- Main Street between E 49th Avenue and SE Marine Drive;
- Fraser Street between E 41st Avenue and SE Marine Drive;
- WB SE Marine Drive between Knight and Main Street; and
- 57th Avenue between Knight and Ontario streets.
Another large Vaisakhi event — the Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade — will take place April 19. Organizers say this annual event is the largest Vaisakhi Parade in the world.
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