The Burnaby Festival of Learning brings together hundreds of curious minds each year through a diverse lineup of free, accessible events that celebrate lifelong learning. Our programming spans four core areas—arts & crafts, science & technology, gardens/environment/sustainability, and community stories—with each session designed to spark curiosity, build skills, and strengthen connections across our community.
Whether you're a hands-on learner eager to try something new, a knowledge seeker looking to explore emerging ideas, or someone who simply loves connecting with neighbours over shared interests, our festival creates space for you. Every event is free to attend, and everyone is welcome.
What We Offer
Our festival programming takes many forms, each designed to make learning engaging, interactive, and accessible. You'll find workshops where you roll up your sleeves and create something tangible—whether that's a handmade craft, a small garden project, or a piece of technology you've built yourself. Our talks feature local experts, researchers, artists, and thought-leaders sharing insights on everything from Indigenous art practices to sustainable urban planning, from the science of sound to the future of bioplastics.
Guided tours invite you to see familiar spaces through new eyes. Walk through community gardens with herbalists who reveal the medicinal properties of plants growing right in our neighbourhoods. Explore campus sustainability initiatives with students and faculty leading the charge toward greener futures. Discover hidden stories in local archives, or follow photographers as they teach you to see your surroundings as material for art.
Hands-on sessions are where theory meets practice. These are the events where you don't just learn about something—you experience it. Try your hand at traditional crafts, experiment with emerging technologies, participate in citizen science projects, or engage in collaborative art-making that brings diverse voices together.
Community-Led Learning
What makes the Burnaby Festival of Learning truly special is that our programming comes directly from the community itself. Local non-profits, small businesses, independent artists, educators, researchers, students, and passionate residents step forward each year to share their knowledge, skills, and stories. This community-driven approach means our festival reflects the real interests, expertise, and creativity that already exist in Burnaby.
We partner with trusted institutions like Burnaby Public Library, Simon Fraser University, BCIT, and numerous community organizations to deliver programming that's both high-quality and deeply rooted in local context. These partnerships allow us to access incredible facilities, knowledgeable presenters, and diverse perspectives while ensuring every event remains free and open to all.
Our event hosts are as varied as our programming. You might learn woodworking from a local craftsperson, discuss climate science with university researchers, explore textile arts with cultural practitioners, or hear personal narratives from community members whose stories illuminate broader social issues. This diversity of voices ensures that learning at our festival is never one-dimensional—it's always enriched by multiple perspectives and lived experiences.
For All Ages and Backgrounds
We design our festival to be genuinely inclusive. You don't need prior experience, special equipment, or specific credentials to participate. Whether you're five or ninety-five, whether you're new to Burnaby or a longtime resident, whether you consider yourself an expert or a complete beginner, there's a place for you at our events.
Many of our sessions are designed with families in mind, offering opportunities for children and adults to learn together. Others cater to specific interests or skill levels, allowing you to go deep on topics you're passionate about. Some events are perfect for quiet contemplation and individual exploration, while others thrive on group energy and collaborative creation.
We're committed to removing barriers to participation. All events are free of charge. Our programming takes place in accessible community locations throughout Burnaby, often with multiple sessions at different times to accommodate varied schedules. We work with our partners to ensure physical spaces are welcoming and that everyone can participate meaningfully.
How to Take Part
Attending festival events is straightforward. During the festival period, our program guide lists every session with details about what to expect, who's presenting, where to go, and whether registration is required. Some events are drop-in, allowing you to show up and participate spontaneously. Others have limited capacity and require advance registration to ensure everyone has space and materials.
We encourage you to explore beyond your comfort zone. If you've always attended arts events, try a science workshop. If you're a technology enthusiast, consider a gardening tour or a community storytelling session. The festival's greatest value often comes from unexpected discoveries—the workshop you attend on a whim that opens up a new hobby, the talk that shifts your perspective, the neighbour you meet who becomes a collaborator on future projects.
Throughout the year, we also host special events and initiatives that extend the festival spirit beyond our main programming period. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about learning opportunities as they arise, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about participating.
The Experience of Learning Together
What participants tell us again and again is that the Burnaby Festival of Learning isn't just about acquiring information—it's about the experience of discovery in the company of others. There's something powerful about learning alongside neighbours, about being in a room where everyone is a little bit vulnerable because they're trying something new, about the conversations that happen when people from different backgrounds find common ground in curiosity.
Our events create moments of connection that extend beyond the sessions themselves. Friendships form. Collaborations emerge. People discover talents they didn't know they had, or reconnect with interests they'd set aside. The festival becomes a catalyst for ongoing engagement with learning, creativity, and community.
We're grateful to everyone who makes this possible—the hosts who generously share their expertise, the partners who open their doors, and most importantly, the participants who bring their curiosity, enthusiasm, and open minds to every event. Together, we're building a culture of lifelong learning that makes Burnaby a more connected, creative, and vibrant place to live.