Once a year, West 4th Avenue closes to traffic from Burrard to Macdonald, the exact stretch this site covers, for the Khatsahlano Street Party. The West 4th business association created it in 2011, and it has grown into Vancouver's largest free music and arts festival, drawing about 200,000 people in 2025.
The name honours August Jack Khatsahlano (1877–1971), the Squamish chief whose name, anglicized, became “Kitsilano.” The festival takes place on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
What's on
- Several live music stages along the street, programmed by Zulu Records and featuring Vancouver and BC artists. 2026 stages included Burrard, Maple and Vine.
- More than 50 food trucks, plus West 4th's own restaurants and patios
- About 300 local artisan and maker stalls, street performers and sidewalk displays from the shops
- Licensed beer gardens
- The Khats Kids Zone, with its own stage on Trafalgar St
Getting there
- West 4th is closed to traffic from Burrard to Macdonald for the day, so come by transit, bike or on foot.
- There's a bike valet on site, and Mobi bike-share stations around Kitsilano.
- Street parking is very limited. If you drive, park well outside the festival area and walk.
- Arrive early for shorter food-truck lines, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a refillable water bottle. Leave pets at home.
Shopping on the day
The stores stay open, and many set up sidewalk displays, so it's a lively, if busy, day to shop. Side streets are calmer than the main strip. Restaurants and patios on West 4th stay open after the music ends.