Vancouver History
Kits Pool and Kits Showboat
by Marilyn Anderson
Feb. 05, 2026
One of the most popular things to enjoy in Vancouver summers is a swim by the beach, and no place offers better surroundings and safety than the Kitsilano Pool. A saltwater, outdoor pool located near the beach in English Bay, it is open from Victoria Day weekend to mid-September. At 137 meters in length, it is one of North America's largest pools, with a shallow end for the 'little people' and plenty of space left for serious swimmers doing their laps. And after you finish your laps, you can always attend an evening performance at the Kitsilano Showboat.
The Kitsilano Showboat has been a defining piece of Vancouver’s cultural identity for more than 90 years. It serves as a free, volunteer-run performance venue that reflects the city’s community spirit, multiculturalism, and love of outdoor arts.
It was founded in 1935, during the Great Depression, as a community-built outdoor amphitheatre at Kitsilano Beach, and was meant to provide free entertainment and uplift community morale during a difficult economic period. The Showboat quickly became a summer tradition, offering nightly performances with the dramatic backdrop of English Bay and the North Shore Mountains.
Its iconic blue‑and‑white stage became a recognizable Vancouver landmark.
The theatre has been entirely volunteer-run since its inception. Admission has always been free, which adheres to its mandate of making arts and culture accessible to all. Its location beside Kits Pool and the beach creates a uniquely Vancouver blend of recreation and culture.
This organization has been run entirely by volunteers for 90+ years.
The Showboat Society collaborates with the City of Vancouver and Park Board to maintain operations. It hosts a wide assortment of music, dance, theatre, multicultural showcases, and community group performances. Performers range from Indigenous artists to military bands, youth groups, and cultural dance troupes.
In 2025, the Showboat scheduled 46 nights of performances featuring 75 performers or groups.
In April 2023, a fire destroyed much of the Showboat’s infrastructure. The City condemned the building due to structural damage. The community rallied to restore the venue, emphasizing its emotional and cultural importance. By June 2024, the Showboat reopened, blending historical preservation with modern safety upgrades. It remains one of Vancouver’s oldest ongoing community events, now entering its 90th season.
Tags: # Kitsilano Showboat, # Kitsilano Pool, #Vancouver History, #Did You Know Series, #Vancouver Parks, #Environmental Heritage, #YVR Culture
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