Join us on Saturday, September 9, for Neighbours Day – UNA’s signature event that aims to bring neighbours together for a day of festivities, food and fun! Enjoy inflatables, artisan vendors, games, beer garden, performances such as dances, storytellers, live music and more!

Free admission. Bring cash for snack purchases and a picnic blanket to enjoy outdoor performances.

Activities

  • Performances

    These Main Stage performances are designed to ensure all-ages entertainment throughout the day. Performances are listed in order of show times.

    • Vancouver Okinawa Taiko
      Vancouver Okinawa Taiko has been performing in numerous festivals, charity functions and anniversary events for just about two decades. The group’s aim is to promote and preserve Okinawan style drum-dancing Eisa, and to share Okinawan cultural heritage. The membership consists of a mixed generation to reflect the presentation of grassroots folk art. We hope to deliver the Okinawan spirit through the beat of our drums and harmonies of our dance.
      Website

    • Yuki the Juggler
      Yuki the Juggler is a Japanese Canadian entertainer based in Vancouver, Canada. In his almost two-decade career, he is best known for his interactive juggling acts, collaboration shows, and freestyle dance fusion. Yuki’s achievements not only include 1st place prizes/awards but connecting the local community of misfits by producing events, serving on the board of organizations and sending students to circus school. He shows up at festivities, big and small around the globe. Juggling is his way to connect and communicate with the world.
      Website | Instagram

    • Kellie Haines Ventriloquist
      Ventriloquist and family entertainer Kellie Haines started talking to her puppets at the age of 8 and when they started talking back, she knew she had a show. Kellie is a multitalented entertainer with a background in theatre, clowning, singing and dancing. Her ventriloquist shows combine witty repartee with original songs you can dance to, and highlight important themes for kids such as never giving up, and believing in yourself! Kellie’s ventriloquist shows are hilarious and full of audience participation and spontaneity. She performs at festivals, schools and theatres across Canada and as a puppeteer for TV. Kellie’s technical skill as a ventriloquist is dazzling and will pull the audience right inside the stories she creates with her puppets.
      Website | Instagram

    • Nahualli Folklore Mexican Dance
      Nahualli (Nah-Wall-e) Folklore Society is a registered non-profit organization established in Vancouver, B.C. Canada since 2010. Our purpose is to represent and share Mexican Culture through dance. Nahualli specializes in Traditional Mexican Dance, including “zapateado” techniques and skirt twirling combined with Mexico’s most popular rhythms of El Son, El Huapango, La Música Ranchera, Banda, Indigenous music and many others.
      Website

    • Bad Toast
      Bruno, Dan, Josie, Kevin, and Tiago are Bad Toast! An early 2000s alternative rock cover band based in Vancouver, Bad Toast covers tunes from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Arctic Monkeys to Green Day. You’ll be sure to recognize a few bangers!
      Instagram

    • Midnight and the Drifters
      Midnight and the Drifters is a six-piece band that creates a sound that is both timeless and modern, blending classic rock and roll with elements of blues and pop. They will get you dancing with songs from artists like Jefferson Airplane, Johnny Lang, The Cranberries, the Rolling Stones, Sam Roberts, Big Sugar and more!

      • Tracey Buchanan – Lead vocals
      • John Buchanan – Bass and vocals
      •  Steve Tremblay – Harmonica, percussion and vocals
      • Bruce Cookson – Keyboards
      •  Perry Armitage – Guitar and vocals
      • Brian Gibbard – Drums and vocals

    Instagram


    • Vancouver Soca Xperience
      Vancouver Soca Xperience is a vibrant collective of diverse dancers coming together under the direction of Tereza Paraschivescu to bring you lively, eclectic, and culturally rich Soca dance performances. Our sets celebrate all varieties of Soca and truly embrace its multicultural aspect. From Groovy Soca to Power Soca, our summer 2023 performance portrays Caribbean emancipation, liberation and joy through dance and freedom of expression.
      Instagram

    • Gamelan Gendér Wayang
      Gamelan Gendér Wayang features Robyn Jacob and George Rahi performing traditional Balinese gamelan music associated with Wayang Kulit, the art of Indonesian shadow puppetry. As composers and performers, Robyn and George are active in Vancouver’s music community in a number of diverse projects, including building their own instruments and facilitating the ensemble Gamelan Bike Bike.
      Website
  • Fun Zone

    We’ve got fun for all ages!

    • Inflatables – A variety of inflatable structures for kids of all ages to enjoy.
    • Lawn Games – Enjoy a variety of lawn games including giant Jenga, cornhole, ladder golf and more!
    • Story Time | 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Drop-in with your child of any age to enjoy Story Time sessions presented by the Vancouver Public Library and UBC Linguistics.
    • Yoga | 11 a.m – 11:30 a.m. – Join a fun, family-friendly yoga session to stretch and zen your way into Neighbours Day.
    • Zumba | 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Get energized and dance to Latin-inspired tunes in this all-ages Zumba drop-in.
    • Human Ring Toss | 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m – In teams of 2, participants will race to throw all pool floaties onto their partner before the other teams. 
    • Three-Legged Race | 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m – In pairs, participants will run in unison from the start line to the finish as fast as possible, with legs attached.
    • Board Shoe Racing | 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m – With feet attached to wooden planks, teams of 3 must make it from point A to point B by walking in unison.
    • Bubble Soccer | 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Drop-in to play bubble soccer where participants will be inside giant inflatable balls! Games will be led by BC Bubble Ball and everyone 9+ is welcome to participate.
    • Urban Rec Beach Volleyball Tournament – Register your team to participate in Urban Rec’s co-ed 4s beach volleyball tournament!
    • Urban Rec Beach Spikeball Tournament – Register your team to participate in Urban Rec’s co-ed spikeball tournament!
  • Marketplace
  • Food
    • Granville Island Brewing Beer Garden | 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. for ages 19+ (with 2 pieces of ID)
    • UNA Snack Bar – Please bring cash for cotton candy, popcorn, and other snacks.
    • Mr. Tube Steak
    • Vera’s Burgers

Map & Schedule

For a printable version of the Neighbours Day map and schedule, use this link for a PDF file.

 

 

Getting Here

The celebration will take place in the public space next to the Wesbrook Community Centre. There are many ways to get here! We encourage everyone to take the most sustainable option available to them to help reduce the climate impact of our event.

Volunteering

We are looking for youth and adult volunteers to support Neighbours Day! Sign up to volunteer here.

  • For adults and seniors, contact Linda Quamme (lquamme@myuna.ca)
  • For youth, contact Hal Saxby (hal.saxby@myuna.ca)

Sponsors and Community Partners

Thank you to our sponsors and community partners for their contributions to Neighbours Day!