10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this weekend (Aug. 28-30)

Heads up, Vancouver! The rain (and possibly thunder and lightning) might be back this weekend, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole lot worth getting up off the couch for. There are still tickets left to see Mt. Joy and/or Guns N’ Roses, and Broadway is getting its first-ever block party. Here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this weekend (Aug. 28-30).

Mt. Joy is performing under the PNE’s Freedom Mobile Arch this Friday, and we can’t think of a better way to kick off the weekend if you’re a fan of indie rock. Tickets start at $49 plus fees a pop, and there are still some up for grabs!

When: Friday, Aug. 28, 2026
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Where: 2901 East Hastings St. 
Cost: $49 to $79 plus fees

There’s never been an official block party off Broadway, but all that changes this Saturday. Organized by the Mount Pleasant BIA, this free block party will feature drinks from the Lido, live music all afternoon, vintage finds, hot dogs from the Dog Meister, and wrapped “blind books” from the Perfect Match Bookshop, all on Carolina Street just off of East Broadway.

When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Broadway and Carolina Street
Cost: Free admission

Rock legends Guns N’ Roses are bringing their world tour to Vancouver this weekend, so get ready to don your biker jackets and studded boots.

When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: 6:25 p.m.
Where: 777 Pacific Blvd.
Cost: $70.80

The inaugural Soulrise Music Festival might just be Canada’s next hottest EDM festival. Taking place right by the beach at Ambleside Park, the new outdoor fest will be headlined by Anyma, who will perform his groundbreaking visual show, ÆDEN, alongside world-class techno beats.

The stacked performer lineup also includes Argy, Kevin de Vries, Korolova, Son of Son, and Daijo.

When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: 6:25 p.m.
Where: Ambleside Park, West Vancouver
Cost: $257.88 for GA

All weekend long, the Vancouver Canadians are up against the Spokane Indians at the Nat.

When: Games daily from Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
Time: 1:05 and 7:05 p.m.
Where: 4601 Ontario St. 
Cost: $28+

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: Opened 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

The beloved Shipyards Night Market is back every Friday until September, providing the perfect opportunity to hit some patios or breweries after work, enjoy some live music, and snag some food truck eats at Shipbuilders Square.

When: Every Friday until Sept. 12, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission

Organized by the Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS), Gastown Sunday Set creates numerous third spaces for people to connect, whether it’s at a drag show, a dance battle, or a live mural painting. With events slated for Sundays all summer long, there’s plenty to discover here.

This weekend, there’s another live art battle and open-air art crawl to check out!

When: Every Sunday until Sept. 6, 2026
Time: 1 to 6 p.m.
Where: Water Street in Gastown 
Cost: Free admission

The iconic Shakespeare comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor is kicking off this year’s Bard on the Beach program, set in the community athletic centre of a (fictional) Vancouver suburb that happens to be obsessed with soccer. There are also a handful of other Shakespeare-inspired productions to keep an eye out for if you’re ready to check out what’s onstage next: Macbeth (now until Sept. 18), Goblin:Oedipus (now until Sept. 19), and Antigone (now until Sept. 18).

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

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

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