Leave your work behind this weekend and get ready for some fun times!
RELATED: 101 Things To Do & See In Vancouver This Summer
From delicious food festivals to giant outdoor slides, here are 32 Metro Vancouver events to check out this weekend.
Metro Vancouver Events This Weekend
Friday, July 20
19+ | Playland Adult-Only Nights
This summer, Playland is bringing back their popular adults-only nights.
Every Friday from June 22nd to July 27th, Playland is going to be hosting six evenings that will be 19+ amusement, complete with food, drinks, midway games, and of course, the thrilling rides. More than 30 rides will be open, including The Beast and the Hellevator.
Photography | Mattie Gunterman
Presenting the paintings of Emily Carr with forty-eight photographs by US-born photographer Mattie Gunterman, this exhibition draws on the Gallery’s deep holdings of Carr’s work to reflect her engagement and affection for BC’s landscape.
Art | Definitely Dali Exhibition
Opened in 2005, Chali Rosso Art Gallery focuses mainly on works from Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Degas, and more.
The Gallery is holding a free Salvador Dali exhibition starting this May up until September. As part of the Definitely Dali Project, two iconic Dali sculptures will be arriving at the Chali-Rosso Art Gallery this summer: Woman Aflame and Surrealist Piano.
Yoga | Free Outdoor Yoga At Kits Beach + Riley Park
The classes will be held on the North side of the beach, at the corner of Maple Street and Ogden Ave. The location is different than past years, and offers a better view of the ocean and downtown Vancouver.
The daily free yoga classes are organized by Mat Collective. Not to mention, they will feature 1-3 classes each day with a variety of different levels.
Exhibit | Haida Now
Guest curated by Haida Curator Kwiaahwah Jones in collaboration with Viviane Gosselin, Co-curator and Director of Collections & Exhibitions at MOV, this exhibition features an unparalleled collection of Haida art boasting more than 450 works created as early as 1890.
Culture | Culture at the Centre
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC presents a groundbreaking collaboration between six First Nations Communities with the illuminating new exhibition Culture at the Centre, on display from Sunday, March 18th – Monday, October 8th, 2018.
Co-curated by Jill Baird and Pam Brown, the collective effort offers insight into the important work Indigenous-run cultural centres and museums in BC are doing to support their language, culture, and history.
Night market | Fridays On Front
Fridays on Front, an epic weekly community experience, is back in New Westminster!
The market will run every Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. for eight consecutive weeks (July 6th – August 24th) on the 600-block of Front Street.
This family friendly community experience will feature artisan vendors from New West Craft, live music curated by the New Westminster Arts Council, and of course, your favourite food trucks from the Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest!
Amusement park | Playland
Playland is here! Get prepared for a summer of fun by purchasing a One-Day admission or Season Pass online or at retailers. If you buy online, you’ll save up to $5 compared to purchasing at the gate. Please note that some of the top attractions are currently not in service.
Admission to Playland gives you unlimited access to over 35 rides and attractions, including three of the newest rides!
Art | Shigeru Ban
Offsite: Shigeru Ban is a new exhibition at Vancouver Art Gallery’s Offsite location (1100 West Georgia Street) featuring the full-scale version of renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban’s Kobe Paper Log House, on view May 11 to October 8th.
Outdoor music | Music at the Cannery
Come out every Friday from July 13th to August 31st at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.) for an evening of music at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Each week will feature a different musical act, catering to a wide range of musical tastes, from blues, jazz, folk and more.
Public exhibit | Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
The exhibition has been shown in places such as Paris and Stockholm, and has been seen by over 25 million visitors worldwide.
The event explores the Titanic’s human stories, which are told through more 120 authentic artifacts and and extensive room re-creations. Additionally, the exhibition commemorates the centennial of the maiden voyage and of life’s fragility.
Guests get to travel back in time and experience one of the world’s largest ship in all its glory.
Concert | Blind Pilot
Portland folk band Blind Pilot performs at The Imperial. Tickets are $25.
Kayaking | Deep Cove Friday Night Lights
Close your eyes for a second, and imagine the rippling surface of water paired with the illuminated sky. There’s arguably nothing more tranquil or picturesque.
And you can experience this firsthand! Deep Cove Friday Night Lights offers visitors the real thing. It’s a kayaking experience led by a guided tour, starting at dusk and lasting 2.5 hours.
Night market | Shipyards Night Market
Visitors will find fresh food, locally made products, musicians, art and entertainment every Friday night. The festivities in the Square kick off at 5:00 p.m. on Friday nights. In addition, there is live music until 10:00 p.m. on the Shipbuilders’ Stage, showcasing talent from all over BC.
There’ll be over 100 food stalls, and 200 retail vendors. Sink your tastebuds into the classic tornado potatoes, and try your hand at mango desserts, squid, bubble waffles, dragon’s beard candy, and so many more! Here’s a guide to the must-try food this summer.
Outdoor Shopping | Richmond Night Market
The wildly popular market always features incredible, mouthwatering cuisine, as well as live performances on their 50 foot stage.
People visit from all over the country for this unique market, similar to the nightlife and delicacies found in Asia.
LEGO Exhibit | People Gotta Move
The free New Westminster LEGO exhibit is now open and has people moving to see what it’s all about. The New Westminster Museum and Archives latest exhibition is about transportation in New West and is composed of LEGO, artifacts and an assortment of historic photos.
The exhibit is now open until November 16th, 2018. Guests can also take part in themed tours, talks and programs.
Driving | Cascadia Expodition
Cascadia Expodition is a four-wheel drive event taking place in Chilliwack. It runs from Wednesday, July 18th – Saturday, July 22nd, 2018.
It includes organized single-day and multi-day overnight runs and a 4WD trade-show at Chilliwack Heritage Park.
Dancing | SummerFest 2018: Salsa Fridays with Salsa Studio
Every Friday night this year during SummerFest, Roger from Salsa Studio will be hosting a fun, easy and social dance experience. You will learn the foundations of this dance in a two hour lesson.
Bartending | Intro to Bartending Class
In just 3 hours, this basic bartending class quickly introduces students to what really happens behind the bar. Each person gets up behind the bar to mix a couple cocktails, and also learns why that ideal margarita should be shaken or how easily a perfect martini can be prepared. Students finish the class not only knowing how to make a few drinks themselves, but also leave being much more knowledgeable customers.
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Saturday, July 21
Outdoor performances | Summer in the Square
The Summer in the Square series features local artists who will regale and entertain you in Norman MacKenzie Square through the warm summer months.
Performances will be twice a week, from June 30th to September 4th. So grab a beer at BierCraft or a refreshing iced drink from Blenz and sit out on their patios, or take a seat in Norman MacKenzie Square, and enjoy the amazing performances!
Antiques | Antique and Collectable Market
This market features a select group of vendors bringing you all kinds of treasures! You’ll find coins, stamps, postcards, ephemera, costumes, jewelry, old toys and dolls, and much much more!
Fresh produce | UBC Farm Farmers’ Market
Discover the UBC Farm through your tastebuds! Get your local, certified organic, farm-fresh seasonal veggies, fruits, herbs, flowers and free-range eggs straight from the UBC Farm.
Food festival | Vancouver Thai Festival
Western Canada’s biggest Thai Festival returns July 21 and 22 with tantalizing food and fun activities.
The free weekend-long cultural festival is packed with delectable food, fun, live entertainment, vendors and prizes. Organized by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Vancouver, the festival will showcase numerous aspects of the rich Thai culture.
Admission is free!
Movies | Cineplex Family Favourites
Movies will be screened every Wednesday and Saturday in July, August, and September at 11AM.
The best part? Films will be the mere price of $2.99, and a portion of the proceeds go towards supporting WE Charity.
Community festival | Newton Days
Throughout July, Newton Days will be taking over the Newton Grove on Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
It returns for a second summer complete with a farmers market, kid fun zone, face painting, food trucks, henna and Science World demonstrations. All four days will also have a BBQ serving up delicious bites.
Admission is free!
Horse racing | Deighton Cup
The day long event goes from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and sees ladies and gents don their best attire – from funky bowties, flashy blazers, wild mesh hats, feather hair pieces and dainty dresses.
The Style Stakes Best-Dressed Awards will announce the best-dressed woman and man at The Deighton Cup.
Earls will also have a pop-up kitchen on location, while Hawksworth will be catering food for individuals in VIP suits. Many more tasty lunch options will be available to choose from, giving you much more selection than past years.
Cultural festival | Surrey Fusion Festival
Taking place on Saturday, July 21st and Sunday, July 22nd, it’s an opportunity for people to explore, see, and taste the world’s diverse cultures.
Both days will feature music, fun booths, kids activities, live performances, tasty bites, and much more!
Street entertainment | Uptown Live Music Festival
Visitors can expect a full schedule of live concert performances, a Cariboo Beer Garden, delicious food trucks plus a host of interactive exhibits and art installations!
There are lots of interactive games and activities for kids located throughout the site plus craft and face-painting stations.
Waterslide | Slide The City
Fun City festival is bringing its legendary 1,000 foot long water side back to North Vancouver this summer. And, as organizers boast, “the biggest slip and slide ever to hit asphalt” is fully cushioned and plenty of fun.
The slide is part of a weekend long community celebration that turns Lower Lonsdale into a pedestrian and slider zone filled with vendors, food trucks, live music, DJs & entertainment.
For the past four years, the popular event has attracted thousands of people to the slippery surface. Now, it returns to Lower Lonsdale on Saturday, July 21st and Sunday, July 22th, from 10 am to 6 pm for two full days of festival fun.
Outdoor entertainment | River District Summer Series
Come out to River District’s Town Centre Plaza for four fun-filled events! It features free music, entertainment, giveaways, a market, photobooth, favourite local food trucks and more!
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Sunday, July 22
Biking | Vancouver Mural Festival Bike Ride
Together with Vancouver Mural Festival, organizers have handpicked the best route to go to as many murals as possible. You will start at the Mobi by Shaw Go station at 10th & Cambie at 11am.
This is a free event!
Cars | German Car Festival 2018
The 18th annual German Car Festival takes place this weekend on July 22 at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver. This event is a fundraiser and a co-operated event with the Porsche, Audi, Mercedes and BMW clubs. Join other German Car Club members and enthusiasts for a day of schmoozing, photo ops and fun in a beautiful setting.
Typical attendance includes approximately 150+ German cars.
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Upcoming Events
July 28 | Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest
This is the largest one day food truck fest in Canada, featuring 150 vendors, 6 beer gardens and live music along Columbia Street in historic Downtown New West.
In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a variety of other activities aside from the food trucks.
Swing by the Anvil Centre to discover a wide range of goodies. These include unique handmade beauty crafts, and edible goodies in the Artisan Market. Visitors can also stroll through the New West Farmers Market to buy farm-fresh produce.
July 28 | Caribbean Days
Each year, during the last weekend of July, the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC presents the Caribbean Days Festival.
Visitors can expect a weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture as only the Caribbean can offer. Not to mention, it’s one of the biggest cultural events of its type in BC; tens of thousands of attendees expected throughout the weekend.
