Car Free Day Port Coquitlam 2026: Everything You Need to Know
- POCO LIVING
- Aug 17
- 7 min read
Downtown Port Coquitlam is getting ready to give the streets back to pedestrians for one of the city's biggest late-summer community events.
Car Free Day Port Coquitlam 2026 takes place Saturday, August 29 from 1 to 8 PM, transforming McAllister Avenue and surrounding parts of Downtown PoCo into a pedestrian-friendly street festival filled with live entertainment, food, local vendors, family activities and community displays.
Presented by TransLink, this year's event will be the fourth annual Car Free Day in Port Coquitlam and will have an expanded footprint that reaches onto part of Shaughnessy Street as well as Leigh Square.
Whether you're planning to spend the afternoon with the family, catch some live music, grab something to eat, or simply experience Downtown Port Coquitlam without regular vehicle traffic, here's everything to know before heading to Car Free Day Port Coquitlam 2026.
Car Free Day Port Coquitlam 2026: Date, Time and Location
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: McAllister Avenue and surrounding Downtown Port Coquitlam
Family Stage: Leigh Square
Admission: Free
McAllister Avenue will serve as the center of the festival, while activities extend into Leigh Square and, new for 2026, part of Shaughnessy Street.
The larger footprint is intended to create more space for entertainment, food, activities, and local businesses throughout downtown.
What to Expect at Car Free Day
Car Free Day turns a section of Downtown Port Coquitlam normally used by vehicles into a community space where people can walk through the streets and explore the festival.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, visitors can expect:
Live music and entertainment on two stages
Family-friendly performances
Food trucks and food vendors
A beverage garden
A local vendor market
Community booths and interactive displays
Electric vehicle displays
Games
Arts and crafts
Roving performers
Leigh Square Fountain Shows
The Main Stage runs throughout the event on McAllister Avenue, while Leigh Square becomes a second entertainment area specifically geared toward kids and families.
Car Free Day 2026 Main Stage Schedule
The Main Stage on McAllister Avenue will feature live music from 1 PM until the festival ends at 8 PM.
Main Stage Lineup
1:00–1:45 PM — The Crayons
1:55–2:40 PM — Cat Murphy Band
3:10–3:20 PM — Mayor and Council Welcome
3:20–4:20 PM — Top City
4:40–5:55 PM — Canyon Riders
6:15–7:00 PM — Rain City 6
7:15–8:00 PM — Rain City 6, Second Set
With performances continuing into the evening, visitors can arrive at different points throughout the day and still catch live entertainment downtown.
Family Stage at Leigh Square
Families will also find a full afternoon of entertainment at the Family Stage in Leigh Square, running from 1 to 6 PM.
Family Stage Schedule
1:00–1:45 PM — DJ Ira Dance Party
2:00–2:20 PM — Parvaneh Dance
2:00–6:00 PM — Magic Max, Roving
2:30–3:15 PM — DJ Ira Dance Party
3:00–3:25 PM — Lola Loops, Roving
3:30–4:00 PM — Club Aviva
3:45–4:10 PM — Lola Loops, Roving
4:00–4:45 PM — Magic Max
4:30–4:55 PM — Lola Loops, Roving
5:00–6:00 PM — Baron
The Leigh Square portion of the event also includes space for families to enjoy activities and the fountains while moving between the square and the rest of the downtown festival.
Food at Car Free Day Port Coquitlam
Food is another major part of Car Free Day, with several vendors scheduled to serve visitors throughout the festival.
The City's current food vendor lineup includes:
Gordo's Concession
I Heart Souvlaki
Rocky Point Ice Cream
Morrison Smash & Grab
Me N Eds
Gary's Kettle Corn
Access Youth BBQ
With the festival running for seven hours, visitors can make Car Free Day an afternoon outing or stay downtown into the evening for dinner and entertainment.
Beverage Garden
Adults will also find a beverage garden featuring local beverage producers.
Visitors choosing to take part in the beverage garden should enjoy responsibly.
Local Market and Community Displays
Car Free Day isn't only about entertainment. The festival also provides an opportunity to discover businesses, artists, organizations and community groups from Port Coquitlam and around the region.
Dozens of vendors and organizations are expected in the market and community display areas.
Participants listed by the City include local and regional organizations such as Art Focus, Cora Miko Studio, PoCo Heritage Museum, Pedalheads, Port Coquitlam Football Club, The Hive Climbing, local makers, community organizations and other businesses.
Visitors planning to shop at the market are encouraged to bring reusable bags.
Interactive displays will also be set up throughout the event, including exhibits connected to transportation and electric vehicles.
Games, Arts and Family Activities
Beyond the stages and market, Car Free Day will include a dedicated games area along with arts and crafts for children and families.
Roving entertainers will also move throughout the event area, meaning entertainment won't be limited to the scheduled stage performances.
The combination of activities, live entertainment and the pedestrian-only festival environment makes Car Free Day an event that can be explored at your own pace rather than requiring visitors to follow one specific schedule.
Leigh Square Fountain Shows During Car Free Day
Car Free Day will continue into the evening with two fountain shows at Leigh Square.
The fountain shows are scheduled for:
7:30 PM
8:30 PM
The first show takes place while Car Free Day is still underway, making Leigh Square a natural place to finish the evening after exploring the festival.
The second fountain show begins at 8:30 PM, shortly after Car Free Day officially ends.
How to Get to Car Free Day
With the event built around exploring alternatives to driving, visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle, or take public transit to Downtown Port Coquitlam.
Those arriving by bicycle will have access to a free bike valet in the small parking lot at the corner of McAllister Avenue and Donald Avenue.
The bike valet provides a convenient option for people who want to cycle downtown without having to keep their bikes with them while exploring the festival.
Car Free Day Port Coquitlam Road Closures
Drivers should be aware that several downtown roads will be closed for the event.
According to the City's 2026 Car Free Day announcement, the following closures will be in effect on Saturday, August 29:
Shaughnessy Street between McAllister Avenue and Leigh Square Place
McAllister Avenue from Shaughnessy Street to Mary Hill Road
Donald Street from McAllister Avenue to Wilson Avenue
The Shaughnessy Street closure is new for 2026 and is being introduced to accommodate the expanded festival area.
Detours will be in place, and drivers travelling through Downtown Port Coquitlam should plan ahead and allow additional time.
Where Is Car Free Day in Port Coquitlam?
The festival takes place in the heart of Downtown Port Coquitlam, primarily along McAllister Avenue with activities extending into Leigh Square and the surrounding downtown streets.
This puts visitors within walking distance of many of the shops, restaurants and public spaces around the downtown core.
Because streets within the festival footprint will be closed to vehicles, walking through the area will be one of the easiest ways to move between the Main Stage, market, food vendors and Leigh Square.
A Different Way to Experience Downtown Port Coquitlam
Car Free Day offers a very different view of Downtown PoCo.
Instead of vehicles travelling through McAllister Avenue, the street becomes a place for people to walk, gather, eat, listen to music and connect with the community.
It also gives local businesses and organizations another opportunity to meet residents in the heart of downtown while encouraging people to consider walking, cycling and public transit as ways of getting around.
Car-free events take place in communities across the region, with the broader idea of encouraging people to experience familiar streets from a different perspective and explore alternative forms of transportation.
Car Free Day Port Coquitlam 2026 FAQ
When is Car Free Day in Port Coquitlam in 2026?
Car Free Day Port Coquitlam takes place Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 1 to 8 PM.
Where is Car Free Day in Port Coquitlam?
The main festival takes place along McAllister Avenue in Downtown Port Coquitlam, with additional activities in Leigh Square and an expanded event area reaching onto part of Shaughnessy Street.
What time does Car Free Day start?
Car Free Day begins at 1 PM. The Main Stage continues until 8 PM, while the Family Stage in Leigh Square runs until 6 PM.
Is there live music at Car Free Day?
Yes. The Main Stage on McAllister Avenue features live music throughout the afternoon and evening, while Leigh Square hosts family-focused entertainment.
Will there be food at Car Free Day?
Yes. Several food vendors are scheduled, including Gordo's Concession, I Heart Souvlaki, Rocky Point Ice Cream, Morrison Smash & Grab, Me N Eds, Gary's Kettle Corn and Access Youth BBQ.
Are there activities for kids?
Yes. Car Free Day includes a Family Stage, games, arts and crafts, roving entertainment and other family-friendly activities.
Are there road closures for Car Free Day?
Yes. Portions of McAllister Avenue, Donald Street and Shaughnessy Street will be closed to vehicles during the event. Drivers should expect detours around Downtown Port Coquitlam.
Can I bike to Car Free Day?
Yes. Visitors are encouraged to cycle, and a free bike valet will be available at McAllister Avenue and Donald Avenue.
Are the Leigh Square fountains running during Car Free Day?
Yes. Special fountain shows are scheduled at 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM on August 29.
Plan Your Visit to Car Free Day Port Coquitlam 2026
With live music, family entertainment, local food, vendors, community organizations and streets opened up for pedestrians, Car Free Day Port Coquitlam 2026 will bring another full afternoon of activity to Downtown PoCo.
The festival runs Saturday, August 29 from 1 to 8 PM, with events centred on McAllister Avenue and Leigh Square.
Those attending should consider walking, cycling or taking transit, and drivers travelling through downtown should keep the scheduled road closures in mind.
Poco Living will be sharing more from Car Free Day and around Port Coquitlam. Follow along on social media for local events, businesses, parks, community stories and more from around the city.
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