Another week in Metro Vancouver is here, and with it is a bunch of things to do! Whether you’re on the hunt for a party or a family-friendly festival, there’s plenty of fun to go around.
RELATED: 99+ Fun Things To Do In Metro Vancouver This August
Family-Friendly Things to Do
Step Into The Solar System With Augmented Reality at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Take one giant leap for mankind at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre’s Augmented Reality Solar System Tour! This is an all-new augmented reality experience that takes visitors aged 5+ on a journey through the solar system. No screens necessary– it’s pure immersive discovery. Just walk along planets with your AR headset guide and witness the cosmos up close. The experience is included with your general admission, and is completely one-of-a-kind!
📅 Dates: Every weekend
📍 Location: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Augmented Reality Solar System Tour
Water Bike Spin Classes with Go Easy Water Bikes
With the warm weather finally here, what better way to embrace the summer season than by getting out on the water and experiencing the sunshine in an entirely new light? GoEasy’s Water Bikes is offering a chance for you to float along False Creek and English Bay with Canada’s very first water bike spin class! Packed with fun energy and a great way to get your blood pumping, this first-of-its-kind class is a must-do this summer.
These classes have certified instructors, lightweight equipment, and premium Schiller water bikes provided. They run several times a week at 9:00am, 11:00am, and 1:00pm, and can be booked on both GoEasy’s website or on ClassPass for those of you who already have a subscription. Your credits can also go toward this experience!
For a more relaxed ride, GoEasy also offers plenty of hourly rentals that make this the perfect outing this summer. Fantastic for friends, couples, and those looking for adventure, a ride along the water is the prime spot for chilling, chatting, and basking in the golden hour glow. It’s also super beginner-friendly– the water bikes’ stability means that you’ll stay dry the entire time.
Whether you’re looking to try out GoEasy’s new water bike spin classes or glide along the water during their signature sunset rides, they’ve got something for everybody.
📅 Date: Available all through summer
📍 Location: Vanier Park Boat Launch, Vancouver
🎟️ Book your ride or class: https://www.goeasyvancouver.com/book-now/
Stanley Park Mini Golf Experience
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Stanley Park is getting a new temporary Mini Golf Experience this summer! Featuring 18-holes right in the heart of Stanley Park, the attraction invites folks of all ages to enjoy a day in the sun trying to get a hole-in-one.
📅 Date: Open Sunday to Wednesday: 10 am to 9 pm | Thursday to Saturday: 10 am to 11 pm
📍 Location: 690 Pipeline Road
🎟️ More Info: Stanley Park Mini Golf Experience
The 3rd Annual Big Dirty Mud Wrestling Showdown
The 3rd Annual BIG DIRTY Mud Wrestling Showdown is back at Roots and Wings Distillery and ready to serve up an afternoon of muddy mayhem, ridiculous fun, and unforgettable bragging rights.
📅 Dates: August 22, 2026
📍 Location: Roots and Wings Distillery
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: The 3rd Annual Big Dirty Mud Wrestling
Pet-A-Palooza
Pet-A-Palooza: Day of the Dog 2026 is a day to celebrate all the furry friends in your life! Taking place in Yaletown, this event invites dog parents and dog-lovers to enjoy a day packed with festivities, fun, and plenty of celebrations!
📅 Date: August 23, 2026
📍 Location: Yaletown, Vancouver
🎟️ More Info: Pet-A-Palooza
Ongoing Family-Friendly Fun
These are events that are happening all throughout summer with reoccurring dates, so you can hit them up multiple times to maximize the fun!
- Summer in the Courtyard | Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays from July 3 – August 28
🎟️ More Info: Summer in the Courtyard - Flyover: Call of the Canadian Rockies | Open daily from 9:30am to 9:30pm
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Flyover: Call of the Canadian Rockies - Cineplex $3.99 Saturdays | Films available on select Saturdays
🎟️ More Info: Cineplex $3.99 Saturdays - Free Swimming in Surrey | Select Surrey pools are open for free, drop-in swimming sessions
🎟️ More Info: Free Swimming in Surrey - Dive-In Movie Nights + Sips ‘n Dips | Select Thursdays from July 9 – September 10
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Dive-In Movie Nights + Sips ‘n Dips - Vancouver Maritime Experience | Thursdays and Sundays
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Vancouver Maritime Experience - 2026 PNE Fair | August 22 – September 7
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: 2026 PNE
Summertime Markets to Shop At
Vegan Night Market
The Vegan Night Market is Canada’s one and only plant-based night market, with over 30 plant-based businesses offering up their goods. It’s a great place to hang out in the warm summertime. They’ve also got live music, complimentary sunset yoga, and so much more.
📅 Date: August 20
📍 Location: Locarno Beach
🎟️ More Info: Vegan Night Market
More Recurring Markets
The Lower Mainland has so much to offer when it comes to good eats, good entertainment, and fun outdoor markets. Make sure you’re up to date on all the best ones this summer season, check out our full guide here.
- Richmond Night Market in Richmond | Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from April 24 – September 20
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Richmond Night Market 2026 - Junction Public Market at Granville Square in Vancouver | Open Tuesdays through Sundays from April 30 – September 7
🎟️ More Info: Junction Public Market - Shipyards Night Market in North Vancouver | Every Friday from May 15 – September 11
Food + Drink Experiences You Have To Try
Surrey Greek Food Festival
It’s a celebration of all the sights, sounds and flavours of Greece at the Surrey Greek Food Festival. The festival runs for 9 whole days, bringing plenty of delicious food to try and entertainment to enjoy with the whole family.
📅 Date: August 15 – 23, 2026
📍 Location: 13181 96 Ave. Surrey
🎟️ More Info: Surrey Greek Food Festival
Diner en Blanc
Diner en Blanc is an elegant, large-scale picnic, but there’s a catch: you won’t know where it’s taking place until the very last minute. Mysterious, delicious, and an exciting summer staple.
📅 Date: August 20, 2026
📍 Location: TBA
🎟️ More Info: Diner en Blanc
Ongoing Food Events
The best part about being in Metro Vancouver is that there’s so much delicious food no matter where you look, and these ongoing food events are making sure that your every craving is satisfied.
- Surf & Turf Sunday at The Blarney Stone| Every Sunday from April 19 – November 29
🎟️ More Info: Surf & Turf Sunday
Free Outdoor Movies
Gather your blanket or lawn chair, grab some snacks, and get ready for a delightful evening filled with movie magic.
Summer is the best time for outdoor movie lovers! As summer approaches, outdoor film screenings are returning all over Metro Vancouver for everyone to enjoy. And here’s the best part: entry is completely free of charge! You can check out all the events here.
- Summer Movie Night | Thursday evenings between July 16 – August 13
🎟️ More Info: Summer Movie Night - Deckchair Cinema V: Hot Summer Nights and Heated Rivalries | Every Thursday between June 25 – August 27
🎟️ More Info: Deckchair Cinema V: Hot Summer Nights and Heated Rivalries - Evo Summer Cinema | Every Tuesday between June 14 – September 1
🎟️ More Info: Evo Summer Cinema - Cinema Under The Stars | Every Saturday between July 11 – September 5
🎟️ More Info: Cinema Under The Stars - Drive-In Movie Nights at Lansdowne Centre | Every Wednesday between July 22 – September 2
🎟️ More Info: Drive-In Movie Nights - Cinema in the Park | August 7 & 21
🎟️ More Info: Cinema in the Park
Free Outdoor Concerts
Free concerts are popping up everywhere throughout Metro Vancouver! No ticket is required for these shows. All you need to do is pull up and kick back as you listen to the sweet sounds. Check out our full list for all the free outdoor concerts happening this summer.
White Rock Free Summer Concerts At The Pier
This iconic free outdoor concert series is set to return to White rock’s waterfront pier this summer. Similar to previous years, this free event will be featuring a number of national touring acts, beloved local artists, and great tribute bands. Last year, the popular event drew nearly 30,000 people from across Metro Vancouver.
📅 Dates: August 20, August 27
📍 Location: East Beach, West Beach, Miramar Village
🎟️ More Info: White Rock Free Summer Concerts At The Pier 2026
Repeating Concerts
These concerts are happening more than once this August! While there may be different artists on the stage, you’ll have multiple chances to check out these shows.
- Live & Local | Every Thursday and Friday between July 2 – September 4
🎟️ More Info: Live & Local - Summer Outdoor Concert Series | Every Wednesday between July 8 – August 19
🎟️ More Info: Summer Outdoor Concert Series - Kitsilano Showboat | Every Wednesday to Sunday between June 17 – August 23
🎟️ More Info: Kitsilano Showboat - Sounds of Summer | Every Wednesday between July 8 – August 18
🎟️ More Info: Sounds of Summer - Uptown Live | Every Saturday and Sunday between June 27 – September 13
🎟️ More Info: Uptown Live - Music in the Square | Select Sundays between July 5 – August 23
🎟️ More Info: Music in the Square - Summer Sundays | Every Sunday between July 5 – August 30
🎟️ More Info: Summer Sundays - Summer Stages | Every Tuesday to Thursday until August 27
🎟️ More Info: Summer Stages
Arts, Music, and Plays
Recurring Arts Events
Metro Van’s arts scene always has something new for you to experience. These are a bunch of events that are happening all throughout the summer.
- Bard on the Beach | June 9 – September 19
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Bard on the Beach - Greg Girard at the Polygon Gallery | July 10 – October 25
🎟️ More Info: Greg Girard at The Polygon Gallery - Theatre Under the Stars | July 3 – August 22
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Theatre Under the Stars 2026
Conventions + Shows to Hit Up
Cruise the Shore Car Show
This annual car show invites you to check out a wide range of classic cars while also giving back. As a charity event, it’s a great chance for you to enjoy some community fun to help support the Kay Meek Arts Society.
📅 Date: August 22 – 23, 2026
📍 Location: Park Royal Shopping Centre
🎟️ More Info: Cruise the Shore Car Show
Westcoast Comic Con
Calling all comic lovers! Westcoast Comic Con is back again, featuring rare comics and art up for sale, cosplay contests, and even more.
📅 Date: August 23, 2026
📍 Location: Maritime Labour Centre
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Westcoast Comic Con
Parties + Festivals You Can Dance All Day At
Rooftop Remix
Hosted by the Vancouver Public Library Foundation, Rooftop Remix brings together book and library lovers who are here to give back, connect, and have a great time.
📅 Date: August 21, 2026
📍 Location: Vancouver Public Library
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Rooftop Remix
Hyack Summer Music & Fireworks Festival
New Westminster is host to a ton of great festivals, including the Summer Music & Fireworks Festival. This is a family-friendly event that features all sorts of fun activities, such as a market, live entertainment, and those ever-exciting fireworks.
This free festival will have its fireworks toward the end of the night. Running from 4:00pm to 10:00pm on August 22, you’ll want to head over to Westminster Quay along Quayside Drive for the festivities
📅 Date: August 22, 2026
📍 Location: New West Quay
🎟️ More Info: Hyack Summer Music & Fireworks Festival
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Summer Regatta
Vancouver’s waterfront is getting one more major celebration before summer wraps up. Concord Pacific and TD has revealed that they will continue the legacy of the popular Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival that is usually held in July… but with a little change.
Organized by Dragon Boat BC, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Regatta will serve as a bridge between the full-scale 2025 and 2027 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festivals. It will be a one day event featuring dragon boat racing, live music, cultural programming, local artisans and food trucks planned throughout the day.
📅 Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 9 am – 6 pm
📍 Location: Concord Pacific Place and False Creek
🎟️ More Info: Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Summer Regatta
Salmon Sessions Music Festival
Salmon Sessions Music Festival is South Surrey’s annual celebration of live music, local culture, and salmon conservation. It brings together incredible artists, artisans, food vendors, and the community for an unforgettable day.
📅 Date: August 22, 2026
📍 Location: Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club, 1284 184 St, Surrey, BC
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: 4th Annual Salmon Sessions Music Festival
A.C.C.E.S.S. Festival
Returning to Surrey Civic Centre is the Afro Caribbean Cultural Summerfest– also known as A.C.C.E.S.S.! This is a two-day free festival that is bringing the heart of the islands and Africa to Surrey, complete with music, dance, cultural food, and must-see moments.
📅 Date: August 22 – 23, 2026
📍 Location: Surrey Civic Plaza
🎟️ More Info: A.C.C.E.S.S. Festival
Water Lantern Festival
Make memories at the Water Lantern Festival this summer, where you, your friends, and your family are invited to create a water lantern and send it off into the water. You can write whatever you want on the lantern, from your hopes and dreams to a letter for someone special.
📅 Date: August 22 – 23, 2026
📍 Location: Town Centre Park
🎟️ More Info: Water Lantern Festival
Richmond Maritime Festival
Attend a fun nautical experience this summer and experience the Steveston waterfront turn into a massive shipyard. The Richmond Maritime Festival will return to the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site this August.
📅 Date: August 22 – 23, 2026
📍 Location: Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site
🎟️ More Info: Richmond Maritime Festival
Festivals Happening Again and Again
These festivals have repeat dates all throughout summer! Go to them once, go to them twice, or check them out a bunch of times!
- Richmond Sunflower Festival | Opens August 2
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Richmond Sunflower Festival - Gastown Sunday Set | Every Sunday between July 5 – September 6
🎟️ More Info: Gastown Sunday Set
Sports Events You Can’t Miss
Get front-row seats to the best adrenaline-pumping games that Metro Vancouver has to offer!
⚽ Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- August 19: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Houston Dynamo
- August 22: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. FC Dallas
📍 Location: BC Place
🏈 BC Lions
- August 23: BC Lions vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
📍 Location: BC Place
Bonus Nearby Events
Whistler Summer Concert Series
It’s not in Metro Vancouver, but if you’re in Whistler this summer, then you’ll be able to enjoy exciting summer evenings with a massive lineup of artists bringing live music to the stage. Whether you’re looking to chill out on a picnic blanket or dance the night away, each show offers something new for you to enjoy at this open-air amphitheatre setting.
📅 Date: July 1 – August 28, 2026
📍 Location: Whistler Olympic Plaza
🎟️ More Info: Whistler Summer Concert Series
Summer at Cypress Mountain
This year, Cypress is open 7 days a week for the summer season, with operations running daily from late June through Labour Day weekend. The mountain is very much open for business, and it’s serving up fresh air, ridiculous views, live music, patio hangs, and enough activities to make your group chat actually commit to plans for once.
The best part is that Cypress still feels like a proper escape without turning the day into a full road trip. You can leave the city noise behind, get into the trees, do something fun, and still be back in time to pretend you’re going to meal prep. Whether you’re chasing the Eagle Coaster, looking for sunset views, grabbing a patio drink, throwing axes with your most competitive friend, or just needing a reset in the mountains, Cypress is making a strong case for being the place to be this summer.
📅 Dates: Open 7 days a week through Labour Day weekend
📍 Location: Cypress Mountain, 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: cypressmountain.com
The Pipe Mountain Coaster
Zip along the mountains with Revelstoke’s #1 summer attraction: their Pipe Mountain Coaster! This family-friendly ride will take you up to 42 km/hr through the Revelstoke’s verdant sights, up and down and through the trees on this thrilling coaster.
📅 Date: June 5 to June 19, 2026. June 20 to September 7, 2026. September 8 to September 27, 2026.
📍 Location: Revelstoke Mountain Resort
🎟️ More Info: The Pipe Mountain Coaster Booking
Chilliwack Corn Maze + Festival
A popular fall activity for families and fun seekers, Greendale Acre returns for their 28th successful year of corn mazes. This year’s theme, “GOT CORN?”, invites families to explore acres of towering corn, take on interactive challenges, and make unforgettable summer memories together.
📅 Date: Corn Maze opened August through October, Corn Festival runs August 1–3 and August 8–9
📍 Location: Greendale Acres
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Greendale Acres Corn Maze
Want even more things to do? Check out our 604 Now Events Calendar to keep your plans looking fresh.
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