INDIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL to Return for 16th Edition with 90+ Artists Across Vancouver
The festival will feature Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa and Rashmeet Kaur at the Vancouver Playhouse.
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.
For a full schedule and ticket information, visit the festival website.
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The Movie Star Black Box Theatre Co. (8/13-8/23) |
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Jack and the Beanstalk Surrey Arts Centre (12/18-12/27) |
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Jack and the Beanstalk Massey Theatre (12/31-1/03) |
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Menopause The Musical Great Canadian Casino Vancouver (9/22-9/22) |
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Ballet Vancouver Unveils 2026/27 Inaugural Season Vancouver Playhouse (9/01-5/31) |
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DanceHouse announces 2026/27 season, October 2026 through April 2027. DanceHouse (10/01-4/30) |
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Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring In Concert at Queen Elizabeth Theatre Queen Elizabeth Theatre (8/28-8/29) |
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The Reluctant Princess & Her Extraordinary Band of Pirates Surrey Arts Centre (3/12-3/14) |
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An Evening of Comedy & Hypnosis with Jonathan Mangum & Asad Mecci Sagebush Theatre (9/05-9/05) |
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Murder for Two Surrey Arts Centre (9/25-9/27) |