Shipyards Night Market guide: Friday evening food trucks in Lower Lonsdale

The Shipyards Night Market is a seasonal Friday-evening market on the North Vancouver waterfront, in the Lower Lonsdale area. It sits beside the old shipyards site, a short walk from Lonsdale Quay, with views across Burrard Inlet to the downtown Vancouver skyline. Admission is free, and the event is aimed at families, couples and groups who want to eat outdoors with a drink and some music.

Season dates change each year. In 2026 it ran every Friday from mid-May to mid-September, in the afternoon and evening, and it moved to a nearby street for part of the summer because of other events. Check the organizer's site for next year's dates.

What can you eat at the Shipyards Night Market?

The core of the market is food trucks and stalls, giving a spread of street food from different cuisines, plus desserts. Vendors vary from week to week, so look at the lineup the organizers post for each Friday. Typical categories include:

• grilled meats and skewers
• tacos, burritos and other Latin American food
• Asian street food, such as dumplings, noodles and Japanese snacks
• burgers, hot dogs and fries
• ice cream, doughnuts and other sweets

Because several food trucks operate at once, a good approach is to go with a friend or two, buy something different from each truck and share.

Is there a beer garden?

Yes. There has been a licensed beer garden at the market, where you can buy local beer, cider and wine. Alcohol rules apply, so you must be 19 or older to buy a drink in British Columbia, and you should bring ID. Drinks usually have to be consumed inside the licensed area.

What else is there to do?

Live music and artisan vendors are part of the draw, and the setting is a pleasure by itself. Before or after you eat, walk the waterfront, visit Lonsdale Quay Market, a few steps away, or watch the sunset from the pier. The Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood also has restaurants and breweries if you would rather sit down.

How do you get to the Shipyards?

The easiest way is the SeaBus, the passenger ferry that crosses Burrard Inlet between Waterfront station in downtown Vancouver and Lonsdale Quay. The crossing takes roughly 12 minutes and runs frequently. From Lonsdale Quay it is a short walk to Shipbuilders' Square. Parking in Lower Lonsdale can be hard on a busy evening, so transit is a wise choice. Check TransLink for current times.

Is it good for children?

It is family friendly in the early evening, with space to move around and food most children will eat. Crowds and noise rise later. Bring a jacket, since evenings by the water can be cool even in summer.

Do food trucks take cards?

Most food trucks accept cards and contactless payment, but a few small vendors are cash only, and mobile signal can be unreliable in crowds. Carry a little cash. Expect truck prices to be higher than a restaurant lunch.

What are the allergy considerations?

Food trucks have small kitchens, so cross-contact is a real risk. Ask the cook directly about your allergy and the oil or surfaces used, and do not rely on a menu board. If you cannot get a confident answer, choose another truck.

What if it rains?

The market is outdoors and some events carry on in light rain, but heavy weather can cause a cancellation. Check the organizer's social media on the day.

Is it good for a date or for friends?

It works for both. For a date, arrive a little before sunset, share a few small plates, and walk to the end of the pier afterwards. For a group, the market's open layout makes it easy to split up, buy different things and regroup at a table. Because there is no entry charge and no reservation, it is also one of the easier ways to meet someone casually. Bring a layer, since the breeze off the water can chill the evening, and keep a little cash in your pocket for vendors who do not take cards.

How to plan an evening

1. Take the SeaBus across at around 5 pm.
2. Walk along the waterfront to the market.
3. Split a few dishes between friends and find a table.
4. Finish with dessert and watch the sun go down over the inlet.
5. Take the SeaBus home before the last crowds.

How do you keep track of the best truck?

A Friday on the waterfront means several trucks, several dishes and a fast-fading memory of which taco was the good one. In the Mosey app you rate the dish, not the truck, so the grilled skewer and the dessert are scored separately and you can say which one was worth the queue. Tag what stood out, save a list of the Lower Lonsdale places you want to try sitting down, and share it with the friends who split the plates with you. Rate your favourite plate from the evening before you catch the SeaBus home.

More guides to read next:

• Holiday dining in Vancouver: the Christmas Market, festive menus and booking tips
• Fraser Street food guide: Filipino, Vietnamese and neighbourhood eats in East Vancouver
• Kerrisdale food guide: bakeries, cafés and Asian restaurants on West 41st Avenue

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