StrideFest: Just Wonder!
Founded in 2019, StrideFest is a volunteer-led arts initiative dedicated to building community through the arts in Burnaby, BC. Through accessible programming and imaginative placemaking, StrideFest continues to amplify local creative voices and spark meaningful connections across the city.
An art installation in a library? Poetry in the streets? Tiny artworks for the taking in a free little art gallery? Expect diverse art forms in unexpected places as festival host The Long Table Society and Burnaby’s creative community present StrideFest 2026, a celebration of curiosity, creativity and connection.
Enjoy visual and live performing arts, workshops, demos and more! With accessible and FREE family-friendly programming and experiences spreading across Burnaby, StrideFest is a colourful reminder that creativity happens all year long.
StrideFest at the Shadbolt: Opening before and closing after StrideFest, this extensive exhibition in the Shadbolt atrium features exciting visual artworks by many of our festival creatives. During StrideFest week from March 21-28 add a visit to nearby Christine Sinclair Community Centre, one of our many Art Walk host sites.
Opening Reception and Panel Discussion
When: Opening reception Thursday, March 19 (6:30-8:30PM)
Where: Shadbolt center for the Arts, Studio 103
Panel Discussion Title: Cultivating Wonder – The Joy, Ecology, and Practice of Artmaking
This StrideFest “soft opening” offers a sneak peek at what’s coming in our upcoming Art Walk.
The evening will include an artist panel on the theme of Wonder, featuring visual artists Dawn Livera, Marika Morissette, Nickie Lewis, and Bicram Rijal. 4 artists working across diverse mediums, they will discuss how wonder appears in their artistic process and practice, and how it is reflected in their work.
Meet the artists and organizers, and learn more about how the arts help fuel healthy communities.
Free and family friendly. We will have registration to gauge attendance. The registration will be through the Shadbolt.
Opening Night! – Live Irish Tunes and Tales
Where: Overlynn Mansion, 401 N Esmond Ave
When: Saturday, March 21, 6 – 8 PM
Registration required
We’ll kick off StrideFest 2026 with Irish Tunes and Tales at Burnaby’s Overlynn Mansion – a heritage home with its own stories to tell.
Seasoned StrideFesters will remember local performing arts trio Phillomena Jordan, Marilyn Noort and Dave Holloway from our popular Celtic Kitchen Party series. Marilyn and Dave will share some soulful and lively Irish tunes on fiddle and guitar, while Philomena delights with stories, poetry, and songs from Ireland’s rich cultural heritage.
Meet many of our StrideFest artists, creatives and presenters and celebrate old and new traditions with neighbours and friends.
Family-friendly. Registration required.
Just Wonder! Lighting Up the Night
City of Burnaby light display
Where: City Hall and BC Parkway (Skytrain line) near Metrotown
When: Sunday, March 22 from dusk to dawn (off from 8:30-9:30pm for Earth Hour)
This open air, dazzling nighttime display connects every Burnaby citizen through the human language of art. It’s a luminous celebration of community and will remind everyone who sees it that creativity never sleeps. Our yellow, red and blue primary colours motif is an artful metaphor for the multitude of ways each of us can contribute to something bigger than ourselves.
Poets Corner
Where: Multiple locations (outdoor advertising columns on each Hastings Street corner between Ingleton and Madison Ave.)
When: March 21-28, 24/7
Experience the art of the written word as you shop and stroll the Heights. Look for our bright yellow poems written by talented Burnaby wordsmiths. It’s one more way to add art to your day.
Burnaby Art Calling (Free Little Art Gallery)
Where: Outside the Heights Dairy Queen at 103-4191 Hastings St and under the neon eagle sign.
When: 24/7, 365
A decommissioned phone booth in Burnaby Heights is now the city’s smallest community art gallery. Make art, take art or leave art. Sharing something small in the FLAG can have a big impact in the neighbourhood. Maybe you’ll find the newest piece for your budding art collection in this ever-changing exhibition curated by YOU. Free!
Birthday announcement: Burnaby Art Calling will be 3 in 2026! Here’s to all who have been giving and taking home mini artworks over the years. You make our community awesome. Keep it up!
WORKSHOP INFO: Art of Bookbinding: Coptic Stitch Binding (workshop)
Where: McGill Library, 4595 Albert St.
When: Saturday March 21, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Registration required
For ages 13+
In this hands-on session, participants will explore a stitching style with a bold, open aesthetic. The Coptic stitch, developed by early bookbinders, produces journals that lie completely flat and feature an elegantly exposed spine, ideal for sketching and showcasing decorative thread work.
Over the course of the workshop, participants will be guided through material preparation and the signature chain-like sewing pattern that makes this method so distinctive. There’s no prior experience needed from participants, just curiosity and a willingness to try something new!
Water Weaving Workshop
Where: Cranberry Commons Community Room, 4272 Albert Street
When: Saturday March 21, 1 – 4 PM
Registration required
Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Join multi-disciplinary Artist and Activist Sara Ross to weave a small tapestry on the theme of water. All instruction and materials will be provided, including a box loom and gorgeous, locally sourced, soft-fibre weaving materials. Beginner to advanced weavers welcome. Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Can we experience water with our heart, mind, body, and spirit? Through our weavings, and through our time together we will wonder about our connections to water. What waters do we love? What waters raised us? Do we ever connect with or praise water? How?
Participants in Sara’s Water Weaving Workshops will be invited to contribute their weaving to become part of the Water Blanket – gift to Ye-Ye – but only if they wish! Learn more about Honouring Our Grandmothers Healing Journey, a multi-year creative movement led by visionary Nlaka’pamux/Secwepemc artist Nadine Spence → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWKcBHSf6Tc
We are woven with water. Water carves stone, pounds beaches, cleanses our face after tears. We are held by water in our mothers bellies. Water flows through our bodies, and through every living being on earth as part of the great water cycle. #WaterIsLife
Inkmaking with Invasive Trees
Where: Dania Gardens Multi-Purpose Room, 4277 Norland Ave
When: Sunday March 22, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Registration required
Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Collaborating and working with European Mountain Ash, we will learn how to make our own black ink from upcycled sticks. Conversation will be led on the history and story of these introduced plants to the Lower Mainland. Attendees will take home their own mini jars of handmade ink.
Though spills are unlikely please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty.
Making Comics with Stephanie Broder
Where: Bob Prittie Metrotown Library – Community Room 1
When: Sunday March 22, 2:30 – 4:30 PM
Registration required
Under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Whether you have lots of experience in writing and drawing or none, there is a place for YOU in comics! Come and learn about this magnificent medium through a series of introductory exercises and playful experiments. Together, we will make mini zines filled with your unique comics and ideas. All supplies provided and no previous experience required. Just bring your imagination and curiosity!
Registrants under 12 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Seeds to Carry Forward – Embodied Practice and Caring Card-Crafting
Where: Cranberry Commons Community Room, 4272 Albert Street
When: Sunday March 22, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Registration required
For ages 13+
“Seeds to carry forward” is a 1.5-hour workshop by multidisciplinary artist and educator Ligia Di Froscia, that combines gentle sensory games with collective card-crafting as a way of learning through embodied experience. Inspired by Theatre for Living practices, the session uses movement and relational awareness to invite participants to reflect on connection, care and the conditions that shape how we create and grow together.
These moments lead into a calm, guided card-making process, offering participants a tangible reminder to carry forward – supporting reflection and grounding beyond the workshop, within the shared forest of everyday life.
Please note that the session involves gentle movement and some walking, with flexible options to adapt, observe and participate in ways that work for different bodies and capacities. Masking is encouraged and appreciated, and remains optional.
Mixed Media Poetry Collages – poetry workshop
Where: Burnaby Public Library – McGill Branch, 4595 Albert St, Burnaby
When: March 25, 6 – 8 PM
Registration required
Create hybrid poetry collages in the Program Room with award-winning poet and master of fine arts graduate Cynthia Sharp.
You’ll learn about, create and then physically cut and paste parts of your own ekphrastic and interdisciplinary poems onto artwork inspired by provided paintings or printouts of your own personal photos or artwork from home. Participants will leave with several versions of their initial poem and the painting they choose to write to.
The library will provide all materials but you are invited to bring blank paper to write your poem on, scissors, fast-drying clear glue or tape and coloured pencils, markers, etc..
Creating Abstract Photos with your Mobile Phone
Where: Outside CIBC Bank (corner of Gillmore Ave. and Hastings St.)
When: Thursday March 26, 6:30 – 8pm
Register here
For ages 13+
Join Burnaby photographer Jillian Chateauneuf for a hands-on workshop exploring how to use your iPhone’s long exposure feature to turn everyday neighbourhood sights into expressive works of art.
In this 1.5-hour session, you’ll review your iPhone camera features then head onto the street, where you’ll experiment with the technique of ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) – a method in which the camera is deliberately moved to blur, distort, or abstract the scene.
Jillian will be joined by fellow photographer Bicram Rijal (for android users) and under their supervision, you’ll try motions such as panning, tilting, and rotation to replace sharp realism with painterly streaks of light, colour, and atmosphere. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a few unique art images and the confidence to continue exploring this playful, expressive approach to photography.
Please note that the workshop will be held outdoors, so participants should dress appropriately. We will gather and close out the workshop in the Community Room at the Janet Routledge Office.
Community Contradance
Where: Capitol Hill Community Hall – 361 Howard Ave
When: Friday, March 27, 7 – 9 PM
No registration required.
Come join us for a family-friendly participatory dance. The Stride Festival Stringband – Leith Davis (fiddle), Connie Balaz (piano) & Rob McGregor (mandolin) – will provide lively fiddle music for your dancing pleasure. All dances will be taught on the spot by our caller, Katie Pinter. No experience necessary. Just bring your family, friends and neighbours and be ready for an evening of amazing dancing fun.
Festival Closing Event: Just Wonder! Together
10am-4pm
Where: Carl Mortensen Manor Auditorium, 4175 Norland Ave
When: Sunday, March 28 10AM – 4PM
Burnaby’s Dania Home plays host to this special StrideFest event, a final gathering before the curtain falls on another exciting festival. This day of visual, interactive and performing arts will be a reminder of the power of the arts to connect us and energize us for the year ahead.
Accessibility notice: The auditorium entrance off Kincaid is down a set of stairs. Please review our Dania map for elevator access.
The StrideFest Popup Exhibition
10 AM – 2:30 PM
A rare opportunity for art fans, art collectors, and the art curious to experience multiple visual art styles all under one roof and to connect with the talented Burnaby creatives behind the work. For free, for all ages, and for one day only!
Pieces of me, Flamenco Performance
3 – 4 PM
Lili Flamenco is looking forward to sharing the art of flamenco dance with you. Flamenco dance is an expression of passion and emotion; with it, the feelings that make us human are honoured and celebrated. From pure joy to the deepest sorrow, flamenco encompasses the full spectrum of human emotions.
Accompanied by a talented flamenco guitarist and singer, Lili Flamenco (Liat Har lev) will take you on a journey through four Flamenco dance solos, each with a distinct rhythm and style. Each piece is a direct reflection of this dancer’s personal experiences and is a vehicle for self expression.
All events are free. All are welcome. Wonder is required.
For the full event calendar, Art Walk map, artist profiles, and registration links, follow @stridefest on Instagram and Facebook.