An event advertised as Western Canada’s largest halal food festival will return to Surrey this summer.
Event planners says 60,000 people could fill Holland Park for the two-day B.C. Halal Food Fest, June 22-23. Admission is free.
“The event will be showcasing over 40 diverse halal food and drink vendors, 40-plus market vendors, a full carnival ride section and live cultural stage,” Yosof Hakimi explained.
The festival will draw attendees from across Metro Vancouver, the U.S. and Alberta, he promised, with halal food from around the world in celebration of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, second of two main holidays celebrated in Islam.
Islamic dietary laws dictate whether food is “halal,” or permissible. Pork is among foods not allowed.
The festival in Surrey shows the increasing demand for halal food in B.C., according to Hakimi. Some cooked and prepared at the park, the food includes chicken, beef, burgers, falafels, tacos, ice cream and sweets, pizza, coffee, tea and more.
• RELATED: BC Halal Food Fest takes over Surrey’s Holland Park.
Video on Youtube, Instagram and Facebook shows last year’s festival, held in July at Holland Park, a year after launching in 2022 as a single-day event at Surrey Civic Plaza.
Vendors and sponsors are sought for the 2024 festival, with details on bchalalfoodfest.ca.
The halal food festival will kick off a summer of events at Holland Park including the two-day Surrey Fusion Festival (July 20-21) and Run Surrey Run (Sept. 8).