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Thousands gather for annual Vaisakhi Day Parade in Vancouver
The annual parade featured colorful floats, live music and free food from community members.
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Staff Reporter - Mon, 13, Apr 2026
- 03:13 EDT
- 20
Canada's leader of opposition Pierre Poilievre at the parade / Sukhman Gill via X
The 47th annual Vaisakhi Parade was hosted by the city of Vancouver on April 11 in South Vancouver.
Thousands gathered to celebrate Vaisakhi, one of the most important days in the Sikh calendar. The annual parade featured colorful floats, live music and free food from community members.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said in a statement, “Vaisakhi is a deeply meaningful time of faith and reflection for the Sikh community, and an occasion that brings people across Vancouver together in celebration.”
Sim continued, “I want to extend my warmest wishes for a joyful and safe Vaisakhi and Nagar Kirtan to everyone participating in this year’s festivities.”
Member of Parliament for Abbotsford–South Langley Sukhman Gill hailed the parade and said on X, “An incredible day in Vancouver with our leader Pierre Poilievre and members of our Conservative caucus at the 47th annual Vaisakhi Parade hosted by the Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver.”
ALSO READ: Khalsa Srijana Divas and celebrations worldwide
Gill continued, “It was great to meet so many families, community leaders, volunteers and residents from across British Columbia while celebrating Vaisakhi, a time that reflects faith, service, resilience and unity.”
The Conservative politician also thanked attendees and organizers and sevadars who made “another outstanding celebration possible.”
An incredible day in Vancouver with our Leader Pierre Poilievre and members of our Conservative caucus at the 47th annual Vaisakhi Parade hosted by the Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver.
— Sukhman Gill (@SukhmanGillASL) April 12, 2026
It was great to meet so many families, community leaders, volunteers, and residents from across… pic.twitter.com/tq4HsuRs9w
Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is a major Sikh festival celebrated annually to mark the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, when he initiated the first five baptized Sikhs and established the Sikh community as saint-soldiers committed to equality, justice and courage.
It is also observed as a vibrant spring harvest festival in Punjab and by Punjabi communities worldwide, symbolizing renewal, gratitude for the new crop season, and the values of community service through nagar kirtans, langar and celebrations.
A similar parade is also scheduled to take place in Surrey, British Columbia, on April 18.
The parade, centered around Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar in Surrey’s Newton neighborhood, has grown into one of the city’s biggest annual religious and cultural gatherings, drawing visitors from across Metro Vancouver and beyond, and will include floats, community stalls, performances and free food served by local residents, gurdwaras and businesses.
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