A large crowd of Justin Bieber's Vancouver fans were left disappointed on Saturday after failing to coax the teen sensation into making a pre-concert appearance downtown.

Admirers learned via Twitter that the star had arrived days early for his sold out Tuesday show at Rogers Arena, and attempted to draw him out by organizing a "Bieber Bash" fundraiser for one of the R&B singer's favourite charities, Pencils of Promise.

Fans started showing up at Robson Square at 11 a.m. desperate to see, and possibly be serenaded by, the 16-year-old heartthrob – but three hours and several false sightings later, Bieber was still a no-show.

"He was in Steveston yesterday and he's been to Park Royal [Shopping Centre] and stuff," said Bryn, a 12-year-old follower. "Maybe if we cheer loud enough, he'll come."

But numerous ear-splitting screams and a group rendition of the hit song "Baby" did not conjure the Ontario-born pop star.

Bieber has made surprise appearances at malls and high schools in Canada and the U.S. since skyrocketing to stardom in 2009.

Both his seven-song debut album and full-length follow-up were certified platinum; the latter, My World 2.0, was released in March 2010 and debuted at number one.

Though many of his fans in downtown Vancouver were visibly disappointed on Saturday, they did not begrudge him for missing the event.

"We'll still love him," Bryn said.