INDIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL to Return for 16th Edition with 90+ Artists Across Vancouver

Indian Summer Festival has announced programming for its 16th annual edition, which will take place July 9–19 at venues across Vancouver, Burnaby, and Surrey. The festival will bring together more than 90 Canadian and International Artists for a range of events spanning music, comedy, theater, literature, and interdisciplinary performance.

Curated by Executive Artistic Director Am Johal, the 2026 festival is themed Ragas for a Ruptured World, exploring artistic expression and collective meaning in a time of political, social, and ecological uncertainty.

Among the festival's headline events are the Vancouver debut of Sri Lankan comedian Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa as part of his Paradise Gothic Tour and a performance by Punjabi singer and composer Rashmeet Kaur during her first North American tour. Both events will take place at the Vancouver Playhouse.

Additional featured programming includes an evening with filmmaker and writer Julian Brave NoiseCat, a site-specific performance by Tarun Nayar's Modern Biology at VanDusen Botanical Garden, a literary conversation between Sonora Jha and Minelle Mahtani, a new immersive work by Anita Majumdar, and a comedy performance by Abby Govindan.

The festival will also present a variety of free public events, including the Gong Library installation, video works by Farheen Haq, the exhibition Keerat Kaur: If Gardens Could Dream at Surrey Art Gallery, the community gathering Apna Mela, and the closing event Rishta in Vancouver's Punjabi Market.

Festival Highlights

Opening Night!: Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa

July 9 | Vancouver Playhouse

The festival opens with comedian Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa, joined by Canadian comedian Charlie Demers and interdisciplinary artist Piu.

Julian Brave NoiseCat: We Survived the Night

July 10 | Waterfront Theatre

The Academy Award-nominated filmmaker and author will discuss his acclaimed memoir in conversation with Am Johal.

Sacred Sounds, New Worlds: Rashmeet Kaur

July 11 | Vancouver Playhouse

Rashmeet Kaur will make her Vancouver debut with a performance blending folk, Sufi, hip-hop, and R&B influences. The evening will also feature Asad Khan's Sammah Project.

Why We Work Out

July 15–18 | The Fishbowl

Created by Anita Majumdar and directed by Brian Quirt, this immersive performance incorporates dance, mythology, and reflections on physical training and performance practice.

Ragas Reimagined

July 17 | Surrey Arts Centre

The concert brings together Raga Echoes and the Juno Award-nominated ensemble Raagaverse for an evening of South Asian and jazz-inspired music.

Strings of Solace: Mohamed Assani Quartet

July 18 | Ismaili Centre Vancouver

Led by Mohamed Assani, the quartet explores intersections between Indian, Pakistani, and Western musical traditions.