10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this week (July 13-17)

Get ready for another beautiful week, Vancouver! Gastown is coming alive with free live music and coffee parties, Stanley Park is spotlighting live theatre under the stars, and there’s a summer hot chocolate festival to check out, if you can believe it! Here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this week (July 13-17).

This summer, two beloved musicals known for their feel-good music and inspiring storylines take the stage at Vancouver’s Malkin Bowl. Theatre Under the Stars is officially back for its 86th year of live theatre, showcasing Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

When: Friday, July 3 to Aug. 22, 2026
Time: Various showtimes
Where: 610 Pipeline Rd.
Cost: $35 to $69 for GA

The iconic Shakespeare comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor is kicking off this year’s Bard on the Beach program, and you won’t want to miss it. The music-filled adaptation is set in the community athletic centre of a (fictional) Vancouver suburb that happens to be obsessed with soccer. In it, the main character, John Falstaff, attempts to woo two married women so he can steal their husbands’ fortunes, but the two women instead come together to turn the tables on him.

When: Shows throughout July
Time: Showtimes at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1695 Whyte St.
Cost: $30 to $103 per person, depending on seating

Every week, there’s a Shrek-themed rave at The Pearl, and guests are encouraged to “unleash their inner ogre.” If the Shrek franchise made a huge impact on you, this is the event to bookmark.

When: Friday, July 17, 2026
Time: 10:30 p.m.
Where: 881 Granville St. 
Cost: $22.23+

Fans can dive into how both early adjustments and more recent innovations have changed the way we experience professional soccer. This Science World exhibition also highlights the host nations of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with objects connected to Canada’s recent international football history on display.

When: Friday, May 15, 2026, to Sept. 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 1455 Quebec St. 
Cost: $37.50 per adult

From July 1 to Aug. 4, Metro Vancouver’s Koolfest is here to keep you cool during the warmer months with refreshing, chocolatey, and creative iced drinks ranging from milkshakes to mochas to affogato. Satisfy your sweet tooth and try something new!

Where: Participating locations across Metro Vancouver

Vancouver’s annual Greekfest has taken over Boundary for two weekends, and kicks off again this Thursday, July 16. So whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner, or want to check out some free live music, there’s plenty of fun to enjoy here.

When: Thursday, July 9, to Sunday, July 12, and Thursday, July 16, to Sunday, July 19, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., or later on Fridays and Saturdays
Where: 4541 Boundary Rd.
Admission: Free admission

This year is a big one for the iconic Shipyards Night Market, a.k.a. North Van’s free-to-enjoy weekly spring and summer event. Grab a beer from the brewery district, a bite from a rotating roster of local food trucks, and take it all in.

When: Every Friday from May 15 to Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission

If you’ve always wanted to book a private yacht tour for you and your friends, this is your opportunity to do just that. This small-group journey spans three hours total, beginning at the Museum and then journeying across Vancouver’s beautiful harbour for two hours of sailing.

When: Select Thursdays and Sundays in June, July, August, and September
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: The yacht departs from Vancouver Maritime Museum — 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver
Cost: $1,099 per group (up to eight passengers)

Ice cream crawl, anyone? The Vancouver Ice Cream Fest is the perfect way to try a wide range of scoops from as many ice cream shops as your heart desires. It’s Metro Vancouver’s largest self-guided ice cream and frozen dessert festival for a reason.

Where: Participating ice cream shops across Vancouver

The zipline is back, the less-than-$10 happy hour items are back, and tons of exciting new attractions await at this year’s Richmond Night Market.

When: Opens Friday, April 24, 2026, operates Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Time: 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11 p.m. on Sundays
Where: 8351 River Rd., Richmond
Cost: $7 for GA

And that’s a wrap on the week, Vancouver!

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