A scenic Metro Vancouver park is transforming for a free outdoor concert by the lake

Symphony in the Park is a time-honoured summer tradition in Burnaby, transforming Deer Lake Park into a free concert by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. If you can’t make it to Vancouver’s free Symphony at Sunset on July 11, this is a fantastic alternative — and a summer favourite in its own right.

The free, family-friendly concert attracts visitors from across Burnaby and the Lower Mainland, filling the air with classical music in a location that already feels like a fairytale.

Now a tradition for over 30 years, the day kicks off at 3 p.m. with family programming that teaches participants about musical instruments from the VSO team.

Between then and when the concert starts at 7:30 p.m., there will be plenty of bites to grab from participating food trucks, including Bao Buns YVR, Cravings Kettle Corn, Rocky Point Ice Cream, Cuba Street Food, Coffee After Dark, Dos Amigos, and more.

While parking in the area is limited, there is no official capacity at Symphony at the Park, so get ready to grab your picnic blankets and low-rise chairs and fill up the park’s Festival Lawn.

As this event is known for drawing large crowds, visitors are highly encouraged to leave all pets at home, unless they are service animals.

Which songs will be played at Symphony in the Park?

Here are all the songs that will be played at this free outdoor concert:

• Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op. 67 (I. Allegro con brio) – Beethoven
• Enigma Variations (Variation IX: Nimrod) – Elgar
• Introduction and Rondo capriccioso with violin soloist Corina Deng – Saint-Saens
• Letter from the Afterlife – Wijeratne
• Symphony No.7 in A Major, Op. 92 (II. Allegretto) – Beethoven
• Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 (IV. Allegro con fuoco – Andante – Tempo I) – Tchaikovsky
• Intermission
• Symphony No. 2 in E minor (II. Allegro molto & III. Adagio) – Rachmaninoff
• Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi Theme – Williams
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Williams
• Hook: The Flight to Neverland – Williams
• Flying Theme from E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial – Williams
• Encore: Eugene Onegin: Polonaise – Tchaikovsky

Symphony at the Park will take place on Saturday, July 18, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Deer Lake Park’s Festival Lawn.

Note that there is no public parking available, aside from those with SPARC passes.

Mark your calendars, classical music lovers!

Symphony in the Park 2026 

When: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
Cost: Free

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