ACOUSTIC PERFORMERS

A valid busker licence must be visible at all times while performing. Merchants, visitors and CMHC Granville Island staff must be able to tell at a glance that a busker is registered.

Setup and strike MUST happen within the allotted set times – no exceptions.

Under no circumstance may a busker setup or start their set early. They must also not stay beyond their end time: this includes not being a physical presence on or near the pitch so that there is no distraction for the next busker. Even if there is no busker scheduled immediately after a busker’s set, the same rule applies. Regardless of what activity is taking place, staying beyond your end time is a violation.

There are six indoor busking locations within the Public Market and the Net Loft:

  1. Net Loft | 11:30am-4:00pm
    NOTE: The Net Loft location is reserved for solo acoustic guitar with no vocals and non-musical acts only (e.g., magic). Due to sensitive acoustics in this location, strict volume control is in effect. Only solo acts may perform in the Net Loft.
  2. A La Mode | 9:30am-7:00pm
    NOTE: The A La Mode location is reserved for non-musical acts only.
  3. Market Grill | 9:30am-7:00pm
  4. Blue Parrot | 9:30am-7:00pm
  5. Pizza Pzzazz / Terra Breads | 9:30am-7:00pm
  6. Petit Ami / Kaisereck | 9:30am-7:00pm

Sign-up sheets are posted at each indoor location by 9:30am each day. Indoor locations are available for 30 minute blocks.

No more than two buskers may perform together at any given indoor location. Buskers who regularly draw a large crowd or otherwise obstruct or disrupt pedestrian movement or business activity will not be permitted to perform at the indoor locations.

There are also eight outdoor acoustic busking locations around Granville Island. Each outdoor location is available in 60 minute blocks from 11:00am-7:00pm:

  1. Kids Market Courtyard
  2. Boatlift Lane
  3. Island Plaza (alternates hourly with amplified)
  4. Bridges Landing (no musical acts)
  5. Aquabus Steps (no musical acts)
  6. Railspur Alley at Off the Tracks Café
  7. Railspur Park (alternates with amplified)

The sign-up sheet for outdoor locations is posted by 10:30am each morning outside of 1398 Cartwright Street – Festival House building. Please note that the Aquabus Ramp and Bridges Landing locations are for non-musical acts only. No dangerous props are permitted at any of the outdoor acoustic locations.

Sign-up is in person only and spots are available on a first come, first served basis. Agents or representatives are not allowed to sign up on a busker’s behalf. Buskers may sign-up for one set per location, per day.

If a busker is late or doesn’t arrive to a set, the location will be held for a maximum of 10 minutes before it is opened up to other buskers. Buskers wishing to use unclaimed spots must call CMHC Granville Island at 604-834-1567 prior to performing. In all cases, the one-set-per-location per day and instrument restrictions still apply.