We Take Our Hats Off to the Community!
VIEW EVENTSABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Hats Off Day has been a grassroots festival celebrating the best of the Burnaby Heights community since the early 1980s. Today, the event has gradually grown from a small sidewalk event to a day-long celebration that begins with a Family Fun Dash, followed by a mainstreet-style Parade and Street Festival.
OUR HISTORYLOCATION
Hastings St
From Boundary Rd To Testing Ave.
DATE
June 1, 2025
From 9:30am to 4pm.
COST
Free
For all guests
2025 Theme
Get ready to groove as Hats Off Day goes Disco Fever!
Break out your bell bottoms, sequins, and platform shoes, and join the fun.
Enjoy live music, roving entertainers, the Family Fun Dash, Show & Shine, and the signature Hats Off Day Parade—all with a groovy 70s twist!
Scroll down to learn more and start planning your disco day!
Festival Components
Get Involved
You’ve come to the right place. Hats Off Day would not be possible or fun without you! Please see below for ways to be part of the festival.
Volunteering
Hats Off Day needs a couple of hundred volunteers: from manning barricades, to assisting with the parade, to distributing volunteer lunches and other materials around the festival site, we need you! You can work for a half-day shift or a full-day shift. Volunteers receive a Hats Off Day t-shirt (barricade volunteers receive a Hats Off Day limited edition baseball hat). Lunch is provided. Youth receive hours toward their volunteering credits for graduation. Barricade volunteers also receive a special gift card thanks.
Not-for-profit societies, local cultural groups, and local amateur sports teams are invited to volunteer as a group of 6 or more, to be barricade volunteers. These groups will receive a donation to their organization as a way of thanks.
Sponsorship
Community-minded organizations help make Hats Off Day possible. We are so grateful to our many past sponsors and take our hats off to them. Please contact the Heights Merchants Association to inquire about sponsorship eligibility and recognition opportunities.
Entertainment
Our festival entertainment varies from local community bands, to high school performers, to professional musicians, roving entertainers and so many others. Much of our entertainers are hired by individual merchants, and some of it is hired by the Heights Merchants Association. Please click on the button below to learn more about being considered for this, or future Hats Off Days’ entertainment roster.
Community Display Zone
The Community Display Zone of Hats Off Day is where Burnaby-based charitable and not-for-profit groups are showcased and have an opportunity to be involved in the festivities. Space is limited and demand may be high, so apply early. Please click on the button below to learn more about being considered for this element of Hats Off Day!
Parade Participation
The Hats Off Day Parade is the highlight of Burnaby’s most vibrant street festival, kicking off the event with a showcase of community pride, creativity and fun! Featuring Burnaby Heights BIA businesses, local non-profits, schools, places of worship, sponsors, and government agencies, the parade celebrates the heart and soul of our community.
Please click on the button below to learn more about being considered for this element of Hats Off Day!
Show & Shine Car Show
Since 2002, the Show and Shine has been the ultimate stage for car lovers to flaunt their wheels and wow thousands of spectators.
Got the car that turns heads? Please click on the button below to learn more about being considered for this element of Hats Off Day!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hats Off Day?
Hats Off Day is Burnaby’s biggest annual street festival where the Heights businesses take their “hats off” to their community to thank them for their support.
Hats Off Day was started in the early 1980s by Clay Budd, Larry French, Jack Kuyer and Ed Wood, four merchants on Hastings Street in Burnaby. Watch the History of Hats Off Day movie, here.
The festival now attracts over 50,000 attendees every year. There is a colourful parade, vintage car show, thrilling race, live music, fun entertainment, delicious food, and lots of activities appropriate for all ages.
Where & When is Hats Off Day?
The festival has activities planned on Hastings St, all the way from Boundary Rd. to Gamma Ave.
It takes place Saturday, June 1, 2024 – the festival almost always falls on the first Saturday of June.
What are the main events, and how can I find more information?
The program changes each year. Visit the Event Program page on our website for more info.
Family Fun Dash
The 550 metre kids race kicks off Hats Off Day and celebrates health, wellness, families, and fun in Burnaby! This is a fundraiser for the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society. Click here for more info.
Time: 9:45 a.m.
Place: On Hastings St. in Burnaby, the start line will be at Madison Ave. and the finish line at Macdonald Ave.
Parade
The parade begins at 10 a.m.
Street Party
Hang on to your hats for one of the biggest, most popular community festivals in the region. Hastings St. is shut down to traffic, but open to excitement, live music and entertainment, kids activities, yummy treats, and much more! Click here for details.
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Place: All along Hastings St. between Gamma Ave. and Boundary Rd.
Show & Shine
Check out the annual Show & Shine with classic and custom vehicles, trucks, and motorcycles. Click here for more info.
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Between Gamma Ave. and Willingdon Ave. on Hastings St.
What is the cost to attend?
It’s FREE! Spectators can enjoy the parade, vintage car show, and live entertainment along Hastings St. at no cost thanks to our sponsors, community, and merchants.
*If you would like to participate in the Family Fun Dash, entry is $5 and all proceeds benefit the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society. Click here for more details.
Will the festival still take place if it rains?
Rain or shine, Hats Off Day is on!
Is there an Information Booth? Where?
Yes, it is located between Gilmore Ave and Macdonald Ave at 4019 Hastings St.
Where are the bathrooms?
There are portable washrooms at the intersections listed below, either to the north or south of Hastings St. Look for directional signage.
- Esmond Ave (SE)
- MacDonald Ave (SE)
- Madison Ave (NW)
- Alpha Ave (SW)
- eta Ave (SE)
What do I do if I get injured, or need medical attention?
If it’s a minor incident, go to the St. John’s Ambulance located at Hastings St. and Carleton Ave. (next to 4198 Hastings St.). If it is an emergency, phone 9-1-1. There is a first aid station on Alpha street.
What do I do if I lost someone?
Go to the RCMP Community Police Office located at 4191 Hastings Street (next to the Dairy Queen) to report the lost child/person. Follow their instructions on how to proceed.
What do I do if I found a lost child/person?
This is a two-step process:
- DO NOT LEAVE THE CHILD. We do not want to re-lose them.
- Walk with the child to the RCMP Community Police Office located at 4191 Hastings Street (next to the Dairy Queen). If the child is unwilling to travel with you, have one person stay with the child, have another person travel to the RCMP office to retrieve help from the RCMP.
Where is the lost & found located?
For lost items, go to the Burnaby RCMP Community Police Office at 4191 Hastings St. or the event information booth located at 4019 Hastings St. Contact the Heights Merchants Association after Hats Off Day at 604-294-8899 to inquire if your item was turned into the HMA office, or the RCMP Hastings-Brentwood Community Office in the Heights at 604-646-9533.
Wheelchair accessibility?
Hats Off Day is mostly well accessible by wheelchairs, with no stairs to go up or down. If you have input for the organizers about ways we can improve accessibility, please contact the organizers after the festival, at 604-294-8899.
I am participating in the parade - where do I take my parade entry to line up?
Small vehicle and pedestrian entries should enter off of Gamma onto Albert Street and settle on Albert at the Parade Assembly area. Large Vehicle entries should enter at Gamma and Hastings, and park along Hastings Street, lining up to Beta. Parade entries must all register with the Parade Coordinator (high-vis vest) at Beta and Hastings.
I am participating in the Show & Shine with my car/motorcycle - where do I go?
Alpha Secondary School (Parking Lot), from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Where do I catch the bus?
Is there bicycle parking?
Are there handicapped parking?
There are two handicapped parking spots
- Carleton – Both sides (Pender to laneway to the north)
- City Parking Lot at Alpha & Pender
My vehicle has been towed. Where do I find it?
Vehicles may be picked up at Confederation School off Dundas (west of Gamma), before noon. After 12 p.m., the vehicles will be moved to Mundie’s Towing at 5938 Kingsway at Griffiths, where a towing charge will be applied.
Is there bicycle parking?
There are bike racks along Hastings Street that you may use.
Contact Us
Hats Off Day is produced by the Heights Merchants Association. The Heights Merchants Association is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to foster the economic development of the Heights business district in cooperation with the community. They organize this special festival as a way to unite the community, celebrate what we have together, and give back.
Contact Info
What Is Hats Off Day?
Hats Off Day is Burnaby’s biggest annual street festival where the Heights businesses take their “hats off” to their community to thank them for their support.
Hats Off Day was started in the early 1980s by Clay Budd, Larry French, Jack Kuyer and Ed Wood, four merchants on Hastings Street in Burnaby. Watch the History of Hats Off Day movie, here.
The festival now attracts over 50,000 attendees every year. There is a colourful parade, vintage car show, thrilling race, live music, fun entertainment, delicious food, and lots of activities appropriate for all ages.
What Day Is Hats Off Day?
Rain or shine, Hats Off Day is on!
When Is The Main Event?
There are portable washrooms at the intersections listed below, either to the north or south of Hastings St. Look for directional signage.
- Esmond Ave (SE)
- MacDonald Ave (SE)
- Madison Ave (NW)
- Alpha Ave (SW)
- Beta Ave (SE)
Is There Any Information Booth?
Alpha Secondary School (Parking Lot), from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
What Do I Do If I find A Lost Child?
Alpha Secondary School (Parking Lot), from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
For all other inquiries, please fill out the form.
Tel. 604-294-8899
