Where to busk for free in Vancouver

Did you know you can busk without a license in Vancouver? 

(Okay, maybe you did, smarty pants. But I didn't.)

You need a street entertainment permit to perform on most Vancouver's sidewalks, but considering a yearly permit costs $117.14 and the city requires all kinds of personal info (and valid ID) to issue one to you, I'm all about finding free spots to hang out and peddle my musical wares. 

Here's where you can busk license-free (or, conversely, how to avoid buskers in Vancouver who are too cheap to buy a permit):

Any Vancouver park—"unless specifically prohibited", so watch the city-approved signs. You may ignore crudely built signs made by cranky people reading "BUSKERS GO HOME".

At Library Square: use the sidewalks in the 300-block of West Georgia Street and the 700-block of Homer Street.

On the sidewalks outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre; use the 200-block West Georgia Street and the 600-block Hamilton Street.

The west side of Quebec Street near Science world, although you probably want to hang out less near the busy road and more near the bike path.

Anywhere along the seawall from Science World to Cambie Bridge; please leave room for joggers, cyclists, and itinerate children.

Terry Fox Plaza; use the sidewalks on the 700- and 800-blocks of Beatty Street.

On the sidewalk on the Robson Street side of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

And finally, at SkyTrain stations, specifically the sidewalks adjacent to the stations. Well, unless a TransLink employee asks you to leave, which they will if you don't stop playing "House of the Rising Sun" over and over and over.

Other general busking rules to be aware of:

• Don't be annoying (this is also a good life rule)
• Rotate your spot every 60 minutes
• You can only busk between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on city streets
• If you're busking in a park, observe park hours
• No fires, knives, or chainsaws in your act—yes, chainsaws are specifically prohibited

As soon as this rain stuff clears up, me and my ukulele are hitting the park; I'll begrudgingly leave my chainsaw at home.