12th Street Festival + EFry's BBQ Fundraiser

Issue #661

Author

Carla McNeil
July 18, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

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 🗞️ New West Local News - 12th Street Festival + EFry's BBQ Fundraiser

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The Silent Gardener Award from the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 36.1 1944 - Record low 7.2 1910

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

Saturday July 18, 2026

🗣️ Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🎉 Uptown Live Summer Series – 12:00 PM to 3:45 PM

🚢 Samson V Museum – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🛍️ Hyack Square Market Days – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🧺 Ivy Weaving Workshop – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🎸 Buskers on the Boardwalk – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

💃 Swingin' In The Park(let) – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎨 Cyanotype Exploration at Arrieta Art Studio – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎶 Summer Patio Sessions at Howe Sound Brewing – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🎸 Live Music Saturday at the Legion Branch 2 – 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Saturdays at Kelly & Carlos O’Bryan’s – 9:00 PM to 12:30 AM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

Sunday July 19, 2026

📚️ "Love, Panda" Book Launch Family Party – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

⚽️ Fired Up for Football - Finale Outdoor Watch Party – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🦖 Kids Pokémon League - New West – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

🎉 Uptown Live Summer Series – 12:00 PM to 3:45 PM

🚢 Samson V Museum – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🎨 Collage Workshop at Arrieta Art Studio – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🚴 Bike Wash Party – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🍽️ Community Lunch at You N Me' Cafe – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 NFMA Sunday Funday Bingo – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Monday July 20, 2026

🐶 Bluey's Backyard Bash at In Movement – 9:00 PM to 1:00 PM

⚽️ 2026 NWPD Kids Summer Soccer School – 9:00 PM to 1:00 PM

✨ K-Pop Hunters at In Movement – 9:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🌊 FRDC Summer Camps: Survival on the Fraser – 9:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

🧩 Steel & Oak Puzzle Mondays – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎨 Downtown’s Living Room at Anvil Centre – 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Music, Food and Family Fun Take Over 12th Street

One of New Westminster's biggest summer celebrations is almost here!

The 12th Street Festival returns on Sunday, July 26, transforming the West End into a lively destination filled with music, food, local shopping, and family-friendly entertainment.

Hosted by the West End Business Association in partnership with the City of New Westminster, this free community festival stretches along 12th Street from 6th Avenue to 8th Avenue, showcasing the neighbourhood's vibrant businesses, diverse culture, and community spirit.

Visitors can spend the day enjoying live performances, exploring local vendors and artisans, sampling delicious food, and taking part in activities for all ages. Whether you're discovering the festival for the first time or continuing a favourite summer tradition, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Bring your family, meet up with friends, and experience one of New Westminster's signature summer events.

📅 Date: Sunday, July 26
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
📍 Location: 12th Street (6th Avenue to 8th Avenue)
🎟️ Admission: Free

🍔❤️Community Comes Together for EFry's Second Annual BBQ Fundraiser

The smell of barbecue, the sound of live music, and the joy of neighbours coming together will once again fill Queen's Park as the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver (EFry) hosts its second annual Grill & Give Back BBQ Fundraiser on Sunday, July 26.

After a successful inaugural event last year, EFry is welcoming the community back for another day of delicious food, family-friendly fun, and heartfelt connection—all while supporting women and families across Metro Vancouver.

The fundraiser will feature freshly grilled favourites, live entertainment, activities for children, and plenty of opportunities to spend time with friends, family, and neighbours in one of New Westminster's most beloved parks.

More than just a summer barbecue, the event helps raise vital funds for the Maida Duncan Drop-In Centre and EFry's mental wellness and support programs. These services provide women with compassionate support, practical resources, and pathways toward stability, healing, and brighter futures.

Whether you come for the food, the entertainment, or simply to lend your support, every donation helps strengthen programs that make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

The event takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Picnic Shelters 1 and 2 in Queen's Park. Admission is by donation, with a suggested contribution of $15 per person.

🔔 Weekend challenge time

The Tin Man is hiding somewhere new, and the prize is still up for grabs. 👀

🎁 This week’s prize (July 16 - July 22 ):
A $50 Amazon Gift Card from Iolanda Esposito.

Visit Facebook and Instagram and drop your guess.

You play on Facebook and Instagram. You win in the newsletter.

Thanks to Dynamic Health & Fitness and Fuel Hut for sponsoring

🕵️ “The First Detective on the Scene” 🕵️‍♀️ prize!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What’s the official back-to-school weather rule? 🎒⏰ 

If it’s important, it pours. ☔️ 

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