Tanabata Japanese Market Festival

Free outdoor festivals with shopping, food, even kids activities, this is what Summer is about! The Tanabata or "Japanese Star Festival" Market took place in Burnaby recently and we enjoyed our experience. 

The Family-friendly Japanese Market was located over the lawn and inside the Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre. 

We enjoyed checking out the various vendors. The Craft market and Flea market area indoors had everything from second hand items, soap, candles, traditional Japanese formal wear and jewelry.

The market featured a number of Food vendors too. Most of them were Japanese small local businesses offering delicious Japanese food and desserts, like Secret Ice Cream, Wa-Bagel, Rice Bowl Association and eF & Be Bakery. We enjoyed discovering new local and indie places!

It wasn't possible to try just one thing! We appreciated that there was an indoor eating area for older people or kids. Festival goers could sit inside to take a break from the heat at the tables and chairs. 

The Kids Corner offered some Origami crafts like making ninja stars. The staff at the kids tent were very patient with the kids! 

There were also some performances at the stage indoors!

We enjoyed our visit to the Tanabata Market which celebrated its 25th year this year! We are looking forward to the next one.

Don't forget your snacks!

Tanabata Market 

Check out their website for more info.

A Look Back at Way Out West Music and Film Festival

(This blog post was originally written in June 2021)

Unfortunately, Way Out West 2021 was  cancelled again due to the high number of Covid cases here in Sweden during the Spring. The popular Summer Music Festival that takes place in Slottsskogen in Gothenburg, Sweden was of course cancelled in 2020 too because of the Pandemic.

Way Out West is an amazing festival Experience and it's disappointing that it was canceled in 2021. It's one of the biggest festivals in the Sweden and always features some great artists and films! The good news is, it has been announced that Way Out West will be back in 2022 and tickets are already on sale.

Check out the Way Out West Website to reserve your tickets!

I have had a few opportunities to go to Way Out West over the years. I've tasted the Meat free snacks (All of the food options at the festival are Vegetarian) - the churros were one of my favorites! I've looked forward to seeing which films premiered during the festival and I've even watched a couple at the tents they set up for movie watching! 

I've also loved seeing artists such as Florence + the Machine, Chvrches, Hakan Hellström and Alicia Keys perform live infront of all of their fans! The crowd's energy at Way Out West is incredible. 

It doesn't matter if it's the main stage or one of the smaller ones, everyone seems to have a great time. The city of Gothenburg really comes to life in the summer and during the festival, there are after shows each day at various venues around the city. Who knew a small city like Gothenburg could host such a large, amazing event and draw so many great entertainers!

Alicia Keys was already in Europe for her "Girl on Fire" album tour! 

Glad she performed at Way Out West and we were able to see her.

The popular festival Way Out West drew crowds from all over, had multiple stages around the park for various artists playing at the same time. 

Live music in the sunshine. It doesn't get better than this!

I have so many great memories from Way Out West over the years! Even the years I haven't been able to attend, I could hear the music and crowds from our old place.

If you're in Gothenburg, Sweden, check out Way Out West! It's an enjoyable festival experience! Just don't forget your rainboots and ponchos! 

Happy Throwback Thursday and remember, don't forget your snacks!

Way Out West

Aug 10-13 2023

Slottsskogen Park, Gothenburg, Sweden

Check out their website for more info