It’s hard to believe another weekend has already rolled around, but this one is truly for the books. Khatsahlano returns to West 4th Avenue with 10 blocks of live music, FVDED kicks off this Friday, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is serenading hundreds of beach-goers with a free concert at sunset. Here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this weekend (July 4 to 6).
Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival is taking over West 4th Avenue this weekend! With over 50 live performances by Vancouver’s top artists, an array of local artisans, and food trucks galore, the beloved summertime fest will span 10 blocks. So don’t forget your comfiest shoes for walking and dancing.
When: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: West 4th Avenue
Cost: Free admission
One of Vancouver’s most beloved summertime traditions, Symphony at Sunset, is back at Sunset Beach Park for its sixth year. The free concert brings together the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and hundreds of beach-goers for a magical evening of live orchestral music.
When: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: 1204 Beach Ave.
Cost: Free
The Vancouver Art Book Fair (VABF) is the longest-running international art book fair in Canada, and it’s on this weekend at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre. Here, visitors will find a diverse array of zines, monographs, and other art book formats.
This year, new exhibitors include the very first gallery in Hong Kong that’s dedicated to illustration and graphic arts, ODD ONE OUT, and Now Place, an independent publisher from San Francisco.
When: Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6, 2025
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Where: 181 Roundhouse Mews
Cost: Free admission
From mini markets to plaza concerts to outdoor yoga, there are a ton of free events to check out in South Granville all month long. This weekend, check out a free Bend & Flow Community Yoga session at VSB Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
When: Sunday, July 6, 2025, and events throughout July
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
Where: Fir Street and West 10th Avenue
Cost: Free
FVDED In the Park is back with a star-studded lineup of EDM artists this weekend, and the festivities kick off on Friday, July 4, 2025. So get ready for non-stop dancing, music, friends, and party vibes.
When: Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 2 to 11 p.m.
Where: 13428 Old Yale Rd., Surrey
Cost: $190.94 to $213.65 for a one-day pass
The Malkin Bowl at Stanley Park is once again transforming into a magical summertime destination for this year’s Theatre Under the Stars program, which weaves Stanley Park’s beautiful surroundings with the stories of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde from June 27, 2025 to Aug. 16, 2025, with performances alternating every evening in between.
When: Friday, June 27 to Aug. 16, 2025
Time: Varies per show
Where: 610 Pipeline Rd.
Cost: $35 to $69
The 2025 Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival has kicked off with Much Ado About Nothing and The Two Gentlemen of Verona at Vanier Park, and now a third has arrived on the stage: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]. So you have plenty of chances to brush up on your Shakespearean lingo!
When: Until Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1695 Whyte Ave.
Cost: $35 to $88 per person
Starting Saturday, June 28, 2025, Playland is officially kicking off its extended summer hours, now open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. So get ready for some classic summertime fun with over 30 rides and attractions to check out.
When: Open Wednesday to Sunday starting Saturday, June 28, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on select days this July and August
Where: 2901 East Hastings St.
Cost: $36.70 to $42 per person
Sunwave hosts pop-up EDM parties at locations across the city, and their upcoming event at Koerner’s Pub at UBC is sure to get the summer vibes flowing. Guests can expect a night of music by artists like Claire, Nancy Dru, and K.A.S.H, all under the stars.
When: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: 1758 West Mall, UBC
Cost: $27.96 to $40
Gastown Sunday Set is a car-free series that’s transformed the cobblestone streets of Gastown into a pedestrian haven. For 12 consecutive Sundays this summer, there will be a variety of open-air parties, concerts, and live events to check out.
When: Every Sunday until Aug. 31, 2025
Time: Varies per event
Where: Water Street in Gastown
Cost: Free admission
The Vancouver Art Gallery offers free admission to the public on the first Friday of every month, from 4 to 8 p.m. The next free Friday night will be on July 4, 2025 — so mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy some new exhibits.
When: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: 750 Hornby St.
Cost: Free admission
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