August & September Events

Posted: Wednesday, August 10, 2011

There is so much to do in Whistler during the summer! With countless activities, hiking, world class golf courses and mountain biking.  In addition to the endless activities Whistler has a number of great events coming up over the next month.

Free Summer Concert Series

The Whistler Olympic Plaza is the venue for the Summer Concert Series. This was the venue where the best athletes in the world stepped up to the podium to receive their medals during the 2010 Winter Games.  It is has now been transformed into a state of the art pavilion which can accommodate up to 5000 people.

"Whistler Presents" will be hosting a number of free concerts at the Whistler Olympic Plaza throughout the summer.  Here is the schedule of events:

• Saturday August 20th
• • Concert Series
  • Key of Zee, 7 PM
  • Northern Pikes, 8:15 PM

• Sunday August 21st
• • Concert Series
  • Brother Twang, 7 PM
  • Barenaked Ladies, 8:15 PM

• Saturday August 27th
• • Grand Opening Weekend Celebration
  • Whistler Olympic Plaza official opening, 7 PM
  • Sam Roberts Band and Kathleen Edwards. Hosted by CBC's Jian Ghomeshi.

• Sunday August 28th
• • Grand Opening Weekend Celebration
  • Whistler Presents Rock 'n' Roll Picnic, 1 to 6 PM
  • Local musicians and a family-friendly jam fest. Bring a picnic and your own instruments to play along with local legends, the Hairfarmers.

Whistler Farmer's Market

The Whistler Farmer's Market is held each Sunday from 11am to 4pm and Wednesday evening from 3pm to 8pm in the Upper Village, outside the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.  The markets are held throughout the summer until the Thanksgiving Weekend.  This is a great place to buy fresh local produce as well as arts, crafts, baked goods, ice cream and clothing.  There is also live music, face painting and lots of fun and activities for families and children.

Slow Food Cycle Sunday - Pemberton

Sunday August 21st

This is one summer event not to be missed! The Slow Food Cycle starts in the Village of Pemberton and participants ride along the flat and beautiful Pemberton Meadows Road.  Along the way you can stop at a cornucopia of farms and vendors to taste some amazing locally produced food and drink.

The entire bike ride is 50km round tip and participants can do as much or as little as the ride as they want! The event has grown dramatically each year and this year they are expecting over 3000 riders.  The Slow Food Cycle starts anytime after 8am.  Just bring your bike or rent one in Pemberton at the Bike Co.  After the ride, head to Pioneer Park for the Augustfest Beer Garden hosted by the Pemberton Rotary Club.

For more information visit The Tourism Pemberton website which provides more Slow Food Cycle Sunday event details.

Great Canadian Run

Saturday August 27th

The Sears Great Canadian Run is a is a long distance running relay that brings Canadians together in the unified goal of ending pediatric cancer. It is in support of the Sears Canada Charitable Foundation and funds will be directed to BC Children's Hospital Foundation.  The run takes place on the Sea-to-Sky Trail between Squamish and Whistler.

Jazz on the Mountain

Friday September 2 to Sunday September 3

This is a new festival coming to Whistler for 2011.  If you are looking for ideas about how to spend the Labour Day long weekend - this is a festival not to be missed!  Experience a weekend filled with great music from top international and Canadian jazz artists as well as free concerts, a street festival and a master class series.

Jazz on the Mountain will feature jazz greats Kevin Eubanks Quartet, Stanley Jordan Trio, Oliver Jones Trio, The New Gary Burton Quartet, Spyro Gyra, The Rippingtons and more!  For more information see the blog post for Jazz on the Mountain.

RBC GranFondo Whistler

Saturday September 10th

This is the 2nd annual RBC GranFondo 125km bike race from Vancouver to Whistler. "Gran Fondo" is loosely translated from Italian as "big ride." These mass participation cycling events have enjoyed incredible popularity in Europe for decades.

Starting in Downtown Vancouver on the corner of Georgia Street and Burrard, riders begin the epic journey at 7am sharp.  The riders will travel west on Georgia, through Stanley Park, over the Lions Gate Bridge, up Taylor Way to reach the upper levels Trans Canada Hwy.   They then follow the stunning Sea to Sky Highway all the way up to Whistler and celebrate in style at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.

Looking for accommodation for this August or September in Whistler?

The Whistler Holiday Inn is ideally located in the heart of Whistler Village, offering a convenient location for the events happening in Whistler.  Our Whistler hotel rooms and suitesoffer kitchen facilities and great amenities for families.  Please contact our reservation staff for more information about the Whistler Holiday Inn or events in Whistler.

Photo: Mike Crane