The annual PNE Fair is British Columbia’s longest running and largest ticketed event, and is open daily until September 4, 2023, promising fun for everyone of all ages. The 2023 Fair continues with its tradition of showcasing a diverse entertainment lineup featuring appearances by internationally acclaimed musicians and performers as well as custom designed programming created specifically for the PNE Fair. 

The Summer Night Concerts run every evening the Fair is open on the Chevrolet Stage in the PNE Amphitheatre. All concert goers need a Fair Gate Pass as well as a paid concert ticket. There is a combination of reserved seats and standing room only floor tickets. Ticket prices starts as low as $20.00 and can be purchased via www.TicketLeader.ca. 

The star power includes Billy Idol, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, and the Stars of Drag, an all-ages extravaganza hosted by Crystal Methyd and featuring Alyssa Edwards and Raja. If you’re here for the nostalgia, then grab your tickets for Aqua, Boney M featuring Maizie Williams, Doug and the Slugs with the VSO, or Pink Martini featuring China Forbes! Canada’s own Billy Talent, Tenille Townes, Walk off the Earth, and Blue Rodeo round out the stellar line-up.

REVIEW – Billy Idol 

View the full setlist here.

REVIEW – Pat Benatar

View the full setlist here.

Other entertainment includes a partnership with Just For Laughs to bring several nights of unparalleled comedic talent in the Pacific Coliseum. The new Immersive Monet Art Exhibition features more than 400 of Claude Monet’s artworks that are thrillingly brought to new life in Beyond Monet, a unique and exhilarating multimedia experience. This family-friendly immersive exhibition wraps guests in light and colour that focuses and refocuses into the flowers and landscapes of Monet’s brilliant masterpieces. 

Knights of Valour Back features full contact, un-choreographed, real live jousting. This is a thrilling show of horsemanship, bravery and chivalry like you’ve never seen before. Remix Inferno – A Pyro Music Spectacular is a brand new, never before seen nightly pyro music celebration! Feel the beat as high-flying hits erupt into hot musical mash-ups in the sky. Nightly at Festival Park: 9:30pm 

Dueling Pianos is back by popular demand. A music experience unlike any other, don’t miss Canadian Event Awards Entertainer of the Year as two piano players crank up the sound in Festival Park, playing everything from hard rock and 80’s retro to the latest Top 40! Request your favourite tune, raise a glass and sing-a-long – it’s a roaring good time every night at Dueling Pianos. Nightly at Festival Park: 7:00pm, 8:15pm & 9:45pm 

For the Love of Drag is a tribute show of Legendary Icons. This 30-minute energetic show features a cast of drag queens who not only recreate, but duplicate the likenesses of stars ranging from Freddie Mercury and Dolly to Shania, Lady Gaga, Diana Ross and more. Daily at the Coca-Cola Stage: 4:30pm & 6:00pm 

All events are free with paid admission.

SCHOOL OF ROCK’S BIG GUITAR ROCKOUT lets you be part of a record setting event, and rock out at the PNE in the Summer of ’23!  Join over 500 musicians who will bring the Pacific Coliseum to life on August 27th with Bryan Adam’s hit “Summer of ‘69”! Everyone from beginner to advanced guitarists can register to participate in this huge event! All you need is an electric guitar and a small guitar amp. School of Rock Vancouver will provide the music transcriptions, online tutorials and more through their revolutionary School of Rock Method App, so you can learn and practice before the big day. Register

Food, Glorious Food

As always, alongside the usual PNE staples that fairgoers have enjoyed for 113 years, there are a variety of new dishes to check out! To close out your summer, take a trip around the world and enjoy internationally inspired confections like sushi tacos or birria grilled cheese. From the tried and true to the unexpected and new, there are options for every palate.

The TASTE Pavilion is new to the 2023 Fair and is home to the Safeway Cooking Stage. Be sure to check out the website for demonstration times, and visit the many different booths in this area. There’s also a daily BC Wine Happy Hour. See below for just a small sampling of what’s in store this year. Be sure to arrive hungry!

Lickity Drippity – Ice Cream & Cotton Candy

Try the cotton candy blanket, a surprise waffle biscuit with googly eyeballs and marshmallow on the ice cream will leave your eyes widen. Nanaimo based, and first time available in Vancouver.

Taco Nori – California Nori Tacos

Deep fried nori seafood shell filled with sushi rice, cucumbers, soy sauce mix, spicy/wasabi mayo, imitation crab topped off with massago, sesame seeds and green onions. Other options available, including spicy salmon.

Diggity Dogs – Coaster Dog

To celebrate Playland’s iconic Wooden Roller Coaster’s 65th anniversary this year, the PNE launched a new hotdog, aptly named the ‘58 Special. This flavoursome dog is topped with Hickory Sticks to commemorate the Canadian Douglas Fir in which the coaster was originally constructed. To top it off, the dog is wrapped in a newspaper clipping from early 1958, in which the front page of the Vancouver Sun featured a photograph of the coaster getting ready to launch to the public. Be sure to wash it down with a commemorative Coaster Crush Beer from Parallel 49 Brewing, only available at drink stations throughout the grounds.

Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck – Birria Grilled Cheese

Mom’s signature dish is a collaborative effort between Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck and Top Rope Birria, a six-hour braised beef recipe is made from scratch using high quality local ingredients.

Little Devils Wood Fire Pizza – Duck Meat Pizza Skewers

A family-run wood fire pizza company with roots in the British Columbia food & beverage sector! Making Neapolitan-style, hand-stretched, wood fire-oven pizza using homemade dough. The Little Devils food truck actually has a rolling pizza oven on board!

Mo Bacon – Bacon Jammer

Mo Bacon is a locally owned and operated bacon inspired food truck that has been serving the lower mainland since 2016. The company was featured in the Hallmark movie “You’re Bacon Me Crazy” (2020). If you like bacon, this is your stop!

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About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.