Free VSO concert returns to Burnaby's Deer Lake Park

Burnaby's **free Symphony in the Park** returns to Deer Lake Park on **Saturday, July 18**, giving Lower Mainland residents a no-ticket summer plan with enough logistics to sort out before they go. The concert featuring the **Vancouver Symphony Orchestra** runs from **7:30 to 9:30 p.m.** at the Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue. Burnaby says family-friendly programming with the VSO team begins at **3 p.m.**, and admission is free with no tickets required. ## What is confirmed for Saturday The City of Burnaby lists the event at Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn and says the outdoor concert is free. The VSO's own event listing also confirms the **July 18** date, **7:30 p.m.** start time, Deer Lake Park location, and free admission. For residents looking for a low-cost weekend plan, the practical details are straightforward: - **When**: Saturday, July 18, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. - **Where**: Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby - **Cost**: Free, with no tickets required - **Early programming**: Family activities begin at 3 p.m. - **Food**: Burnaby says food trucks will be on site The program listed by the city includes selections from Beethoven, Elgar, Saint Saens, Wijeratne, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and John Williams. ## Plan around transit, parking, and road changes The biggest reader job is arrival planning. Burnaby says parking near the event is limited and recommends alternate transportation, including transit, taxis, bicycles, ridesharing, or offsite parking. Public offsite parking is listed at **Burnaby Central Secondary** from **3 to 11 p.m.** and at the Deer Lake Centre public pay parking lot. SPARC parking is limited and first come, first served at the Shadbolt Centre surface lot. Drivers should also note the street plan. Burnaby says **eastbound Deer Lake Avenue**, from Deer Lake Parkway to Sperling Avenue, closes starting at **4 p.m.** After 4 p.m., access is limited and authorized only, with one-way westbound traffic on Deer Lake Avenue. A full closure begins at **9 p.m.** ## What to bring and what to expect Burnaby recommends bringing lawn chairs, a refillable water bottle, and weather-appropriate gear such as jackets, hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Outside food is permitted, but barbeques, fires, large tents, tarps, umbrellas, and professional recording devices are on the city's do-not-bring list. The city says the site includes a reserved accessible seating platform, portable accessible toilets, a drop-off zone near the Burnaby Village Museum carousel entrance, bike valet service, limited bike racks, and support through the Bettear app for hearing accessibility. Pets are discouraged because of the large crowd, though service animals are permitted. The useful move is simple: treat this as a regional event, not a neighbourhood drop-in. Arrive early if you want a good lawn spot, use transit or a bike if possible, and check the official event pages before leaving in case Burnaby posts a late update. ## Sources - [City of Burnaby event page](https://www.burnaby.ca/recreation-and-arts/events/symphony-park-featuring-vso) - [Vancouver Symphony Orchestra event page](https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/event/symphony-in-the-park/)