The Grey Cup is fast approaching, but first, Vancouver is preparing for the festival that will take place the week before.
While the game doesn’t take place until November 17, the arrival of the Grey Cup Trophy on November 10 kicks off the party.
Fans will have access to many fun and exciting events during the Grey Cup Festival, including a drone show, a special water-crossing zip line, and much more. Perhaps the best part about the loaded schedule is that many of the events are 100% free.
Canada’s largest-ever drone show
- Date: November 13
- Time: 8:30 pm
- Location: Coal Harbour
The Grey Cup Festival will feature a drone show made from 1,000 units, making it the largest ever in Canadian history. Head down to Coal Harbour on the evening of November 13 to take in the spectacle.
The show will last 12 minutes and light up the night sky. It needs good weather to go on, and if conditions are not good, it will be postponed to November 15.
Water-crossing zip line
- Date: November 13 to 16
- Time: 4 to 8 pm on November 13, 11 am to 9 pm on November 14 to 16
- Location: Canada Place
Thrill-seekers will get the chance to try an exciting new experience, as a zip line has been installed at Canada Place.
The journey goes over water between the East and West Convention Centres, and riders will be suspended five stories above the ground.
First trip out on to the line!#GreyCupFestival #AllRoarsLeadToThis pic.twitter.com/LHKHgzCZbc
— The Grey Cup Festival (@GreyCupFestival) October 28, 2024
More than 20 free concerts
- Date: November 13 to 16
- Time: 4 to 6:30 pm on November 13, 11:15 am to 7:30 pm on November 14 to 16
- Location: Entertainment Stage (Canada Place)
Music lovers will appreciate the chance to see more than 20 free concerts throughout the Grey Cup Festival. The tunes won’t stop as names like Chad Brownlee, Dear Rough, Delhi 2 Dublin, and more rock out.
The three latter days at the Entertainment Stage will each have a different theme.
- November 14: Global Sounds (celebrating diverse genres and cultures)
- November 15: Best of BC (artists born in BC)
- November 16: Wild West Coast (country music)
Kickoff party
- Date: November 13
- Time: 6 to 8 pm
- Location: Canada Place
This is the first official event of the Grey Cup Festival and it should be a fun one. DJ Felix Cartal, known for his pop-up shows in Vancouver, will be performing for free to get the party started.
The end of the kickoff party will coincide with the start of the drone show.
Gameday backyard street party
- Date: November 17
- Time: 10 am to 3 pm
- Location: Terry Fox Plaza
There will be a party at Terry Fox Plaza just outside the arena before the Grey Cup. This is similar to the parties that have been hosted in the same area before BC Lions games all year. This one will feature cheap food and drinks as well as some free live music.
Cheer team extravaganza
- Date: November 16
- Time: 12 pm to 2 pm
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (East)
All nine CFL teams will be represented by their dance teams, who will perform at the cheer extravaganza.
Street festival
- Date: November 13 to 16
- Time: 4 pm to 8 pm on November 13, 11 am to 9 pm on November 14 to 16
- Location: Canada Place
The street festival will feature water-crossing zip lines, free concerts, food trucks, and other sponsor-led activities throughout the week.
Esports entertainment
- Date: November 13 to 16
- Time: 4 pm to 6 pm on November 13, 11 am to 9 pm on November 14 to 16
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (East)
Gamers will be able to test their skills with daily esports tournaments inside the convention centre during the Grey Cup Festival. Fans can try out a Nintendo Switch or experience a real-life race car simulator.
Family zone
- Date: November 13 to 16
- Time: 4 pm to 8 pm on November 13, 11 am to 9 pm on November 14 to 16
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (East)
The family zone has something for fans of all ages. There will be a mini football field, a mini zip line, and other activities designed for children.
Ultimate CFL fan experience
- Date: November 13 to 16
- Time: 4 pm to 8 pm on November 13, 11 am to 9 pm on November 14 to 16
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (East)
The CFL fan experience will be held inside the convention centre and offer fans a chance to test their skills. There will be a 40-yard dash, a passing test, a catching challenge and more.
There will also be a variety of displays showcasing the history of Canadian football, both nationwide and in a British Columbia-specific lens.
Indigenous marketplace
- Date: November 13 to 16
- Time: 4 pm to 8 pm on November 13, 11 am to 9 pm on November 14 to 16
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (East)
Fans will be able to browse crafts from 17 unique Indigenous vendors and purchase a variety of goods.
First-ever Grey Cup Festival Indigenous Marketplace presented by Destination Indigenous 🧡#GreyCupFestival | #AlROARSLeadToThis pic.twitter.com/i6m80IChpH
— The Grey Cup Festival (@GreyCupFestival) November 7, 2024
Global pavilion
- Date: November 13 to 16
- Time: 4 pm to 8 pm on November 13, 11 am to 9 pm on November 14 to 16
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (East)
Local British Columbia culture will be displayed in this exhibit located inside the convention centre. It will have performances and displays showcasing the host province.
Commissioner addresses CFL fans
- Date: November 15
- Time: 10 am to 11 am
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (West)
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie is holding a Q&A with fans.
Game day fan march to the stadium
- Date: November 17
- Time: 10 am to 3 pm
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (East) to Terry Fox Plaza
Fans will march with Ambrosie, the Grey Cup handler, and the trophy from the convention centre to the stadium on game day.