News brief: A guide to summer events in Surrey
Free performances, food, and sunshine is still in store for Surrey. (Northwest/Wikimedia Commons, Sukhmani Sandhu)
World Cup events may have come to an end, but summer is going strong in Surrey.
Whether you’re taking summer classes or enjoying a four month-long summer, the city has plenty of events to keep you entertained. From music to new food to try, Surrey has an event to cater to every taste.
Surrey Jazz Nights: Bea Lagrisola Meets William Sale’s String Quartet
Time: July 23, 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Location: Surrey Nature Centre
Surrey musicians William Sale and Bea Lagrisola are returning to their hometown to present a special project featuring both of their quartets. Violinist Sale and saxophonist Lagrisola are students at the University of Toronto, exploring classical and jazz music.
Both musicians are inspired by Cannonball Adderley and Strings and Vaughn and Violins. Musicians include pianist Aaron Luciano, Erin Kim on bass, drummer Sadie Koshan, violinist Nancie Wu, Joaquin Garcia will play the viola, and cellist Elaina Wai.
Surrey Jazz Nights is a non-profit that aims to provide young Surrey musicians a space to share their art. They host two monthly series at Blenz Coffee in Sullivan Heights and at Finest Cup Coffee in Fleetwood.
The event is free and by donation admission. For tickets, visit www.bit.ly/SurreyJazzNights.
BC Halal Food Fest
Time: July 24 to 26
Location: Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre
Canada’s largest halal food festival is coming to Cloverdale. The BC Halal Food Fest will celebrate its fifth anniversary with more than 100 vendors.
The food fest will kick off at 3:00 pm on July 24, until 11:00 pm. On day two, the festival will be open from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, and will close out on July 26 from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
The festival features halal dishes from around the world, along with rides, live music, cultural performances, and stage shows. This year’s event is expected to see more than 100,000 attendees. Attendees can also purchase handmade goods, fashion, and cultural items from local vendors at the marketplace.
The BC Halal Food Fest is free to attend, with optional ride wristbands for an additional cost. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/BCHalalFoodFest.
Paint the Town
Time: July 25, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Semiahmoo Peninsula
The Semiahmoo Arts Society will host a plein air, or outdoor, paint event to celebrate the South Surrey and White Rock community. Attendees can paint their favourite scene from across the Semiahmoo Peninsula — from the waterfront to neighbourhood streets, and even local landmarks.
Participants can keep their finished artwork or submit it for the Paint the Town Exhibition at the Turnbull Gallery. The exhibition will run from July 27 to Oct. 4, and will be eligible for awards and community voting, and may be included at the auction on Oct. 2.
Artists will be notified in late September if their art piece was selected for the auction. Proceeds of the auction are shared: 70 per cent to the artist and 30 per cent for Ulee’s Fund, an organization that provides financial assistance for access to arts. The juried and community vote prizes are $250 each and will be awarded at the auction.
The paint event costs $10 per person. Pick-up of art supplies is at Memorial Park and Ocean Park Village. To register, visit www.bit.ly/PainttheTown2026.
GHANAFest
Time: July 25 and 26, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Location: Bear Creek Park
In the heart of Surrey, the sounds, flavours, and energy of Ghanaian culture will bring Bear Creek Park alive. The free event is organized by the Ghanaian Canadian Association of British Columbia, and will include live music, cultural performances, games, and a soccer tournament.
Food vendors include Lariel’s Cuisine, Rapto Specials, Becks Cuisine, Marabiz Cookhouse, KAAS Foods, New Altitude Foods, and M&F Bakery.
For more information, visit www.bit.ly/ghanafest.
Sounds of Summer
Time: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Various Surrey locations
Every July and August, Surrey’s neighbourhoods can tune into a mix of music genres at a spot near them. Sounds of Summer features rock, jazz, country, and Punjabi fusion music.
Upcoming artists include headliner Mikey Jose and opener Groffie at Sullivan Heights Park on July 22 and an interactive concert from The Boot Scooters teaching line dancing, at Surrey Civic Plaza on July 29. The free events run from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
For more information, visit www.bit.ly/surreysummersounds.
Surrey Urban Farmers Market
Time: Saturdays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Royal Kwantlen Park
Until Oct. 3, local growers, bakers, and makers will set up shop at Royal Kwantlen Park. The Surrey Urban Farmers Market includes live music, food, and a kids activity zone.
The free event is run by volunteers to bring together community groups in one space. the
For more information, visit www.surreymarket.org.
