Chilliwack hosts Queer Arts Festival and Chinatown heritage event

Chilliwack will host several cultural events in October, including the second annual Queer Arts Festival and a historical commemoration titled ‘Uncovering Chinatown’.

The Queer Arts Festival, held at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, runs from October 3 through Halloween. The lineup features performances, markets, and community events celebrating LGBTQ2S+ voices. Scheduled activities include a social night with Clay & Coffee, an exhibition by Myth Valley Studio, drag performances, a Queer Night Market, and a clothing swap. The festival concludes with a screening of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and a Halloween party.

On October 3, Heritage Chilliwack will host ‘Uncovering Chinatown’ as part of the national Culture Days celebration. The event marks the installation of four new heritage plaques near Paramount Alley, commemorating the sites of businesses once operated by Chilliwack’s early Chinese-Canadian community. The day includes guided walking tours of the historic downtown area, Chinese calligraphy, and an archival display of Chinese-related artifacts at the Chilliwack Archives.