It’s hard to believe that July is already coming to a close, but there’s still time in the summer to get out and about and enjoy all that Vancouver and BC have to offer. This includes summer concerts, food and drink festivals, outdoor fitness classes, Vancouver Pride, and much more. So let’s dive right in: Here are 40 of the best things to do in Metro Vancouver this August.
Concerts & Live events
Early Music Vancouver: BACH UNTAMED Summer Festival
This year’s Early Music Festival consists of nearly 50 emerging and established artists, some of whom are making their festival debut this year! So gather your pals and get ready to enjoy a fusion of world music, ranging from Vancouver-based Hindustani and Jazz vocalist Shruti Ramani, to Montreal-based Lebanese-Palestinian tenor Haitham Haidar.
Here are just some of the free and ticketed performances to check out this year:
- Rondeau in the Garden (July 25th)
- Viva Vivaldi! Artists: Alon Sariel & the Baroque Orchestra Mentorship Programme (July 27th)
- Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 (August 1st)
- Cognitive Dissonance (August 3rd)
- Cameron Crozman & Meagan Milatz: The Early Romantics (August 6th)
When: July 30th to August 8th
Where: Multiple locations across Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed events
Queer As Funk!
Vancouver’s legendary LGBTQ band is celebrating its 11th anniversary and Pride with a special concert at the Orpheum on August 2nd, so get ready to dance to a tempting mix of soul, Motown, and funk.
When: August 2nd
Where: Orpheum Theatre
Cost: $53.50
Olivia Rodrigo – GUTS World Tour
Pop icon Olivia Rodrigo is bringing her GUTS World Tour to Vancouver before summer’s end, and it’s not too late to grab some tickets. Just keep checking the event page closer to the concert date!
When: August 9th
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: Check back soon
Jhené Aiko – The Magic Hour Tour
R&B singer and rapper Jhené Aiko is in town this August for her ‘Magic Hour Tour,’ and you won’t want to miss what is sure to be an enchanting show.
When: August 14th
Where: Pacific Coliseum
Cost: $55+
Music on Main: Pop-up Summer Concerts
From August 19th to 21st, Music on Main is slated to make its return to Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant Park. So why not bring your picnic blankets and spend some quality summer evenings surrounded by friends and live music?
When: August 19th to 21st
Where: West 16th Avenue at Ontario Street
Mt. Joy
Indie rock band Mt. Joy is coming to Vancouver this month, slated to perform at UBC’s Doug Mitchell Stadium.
When: August 17th
Where: UBC Doug Mitchell Stadium
Cost: $66.25
Blondie
A pioneer of the ’70s New Wave genre, Blondie is a bucket list concert if we’ve ever seen one.
When: August 21st
Where: Pacific Coliseum
Cost: $55+
Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley has practically helped shape modern country music from the start, with 12 studio albums under his belt since his debut in 1999.
When: August 23rd
Where: Pacific Coliseum
Cost: $55+
Flo Rida
Known for hits like “Low,” “Good Feeling,” “Right Round,” and “Wild One,” it’s impossible not to think of at least one Flo Rida song when reminiscing about the period of 2007 to 2015.
When: August 28th
Where: Pacific Coliseum
Cost: $75+
Ludacris
Another iconic rapper that got his start in the early 2000s, Ludacris is taking the stage at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum on August 30th.
When: August 30th
Where: Pacific Coliseum
Cost: $55+
Kings of Leon: Can We Please Have Fun
Kings of Leon are a Nashville-formed rock band consisting of brothers Caleb, Nathan, and Jared Followill and their cousin Matthew Followill – and they’re bringing their ‘Can We Please Have Fun’ tour to Rogers Arena at the tail end of August.
When: August 31st
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: $91.75
Hasting Raceway Market
Yes, another free market to add to your list! The Community Market at the Hastings Racecourse and Casino is on every Friday and Saturday until August 10th. Visitors can peruse local artisans and makers while surrounded by the excitement of horse racing.
When: Fridays and Saturdays this August
Where: 188 North Renfrew Street
Cost: Free admission
Arts & Culture
Pride Kickoff Party
From 4:30 to 7:30 pm on August 1st, Pride festivities kick off at Gastown’s Maple Tree Square, including live music, drag performances, dancing, and overall unforgettable evening filled with community spirit.
When: August 1st
Where: Maple Tree Square
Cost: Free admission
Vancouver Pride Parade
On Sunday, August 4th, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, queer-serving organizations, and allies will gather at Davie Denman to celebrate Pride, leading up to festivities at Concord Pacific.
The parade will take place from noon to 4 pm.
When: Sunday, August 4th
Where: See locations above
Cost: Free admission
Vancouver Mural Festival: Mount Pleasant Street Party
VMF is back this month with its annual free street party in Mount Pleasant, with multiple days of live music sets, food trucks, beverage gardens, and live art to enjoy.
Plus, during festival hours, many artists at the City Centre Artist Lodge will open their studios to attendees, allowing visitors to check out their works of art free of charge!
When: August 8th to 11th
Where: City Centre Artist Lodge
Cost: Free admission
Theatre Under the Stars
Who’s ready for the return of a beloved Vancouver tradition? Stanley Park’s outdoor theatre experience, Theatre Under the Stars, has officially set the stage for summer 2024 – and two iconic shows are on the roster: CATS and School of Rock.
When: Until August 24th
Where: Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park
Cost: $20 to $65 per adult (single show)
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
This one’s for outdoor theatre lovers! Bard on the Beach’s 35th season is on at Vanier Park, with four Shakespearean productions playing this month: “Twelfth Night,” “Hamlet,” “The Comedy of Horrors,” and “Measure for Measure.”
When: All August until September 21st
Where: Vanier Park
Cost: $30 to $44 per person
Free night at Vancouver Art Gallery
Thanks to a partnership with BMO, the Vancouver Art Gallery offers free admission to the public on the first Friday of every month, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The next free Friday night will be on Friday, July 5th – so mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy some after-work art!
When: Friday, August 1st
Where: 750 Hornby Street
Cost: Free admission
Twilight Tuesdays at Science World
The return of Twilight Tuesdays means visitors can now enjoy extended hours every Tuesday until 8 pm at Science World. Best of all? Those who arrive after 5 pm will receive discounted admission! Discover attractions like the popular T. Rex exhibit, or the museum’s current featured exhibit, ‘Earth Matters.’
When: Every Tuesday until Tuesday, August 27th
Where: 1455 Quebec Street
Cost: $15 GA after 5 pm, $12 for ages 3 to 12
Food & drink
Powell Street Festival
The 48th Annual Powell Street Festival celebrating Japanese Canadian art and culture is on this month, and you won’t want to miss it! With the first festival in 1977, it has since expanded to be one of the largest and longest-running community arts festivals in the country, and there’s plenty to look forward to this year.
Sample some incredible food, enjoy live music, dance, film, visual and martial arts, an amateur sumo tournament, children’s activities, walking tours, and more.
When: August 5th and 6th
Where: Powell Street
Cost: Free admission
PNE Fair
Yup, the PNE Fair is back this summer! And there’s a bunch of incredible artists slated to perform, as well as the return of local faves like SuperDogs and the pyro-musical finale. The end-of-summer tradition will also feature Dueling Pianos, drag shows, exhibits, Music in the Park – and that’s just for starters.
When: August 17th to September 2nd
Where: 2901 East Hastings Street
Cost: $20 for GA in advance, $25 the day of
Battle of the Brews
The 6th annual Battle of the Brews is coming to Surrey City Hall Plaza this August, because who doesn’t want another opportunity to sample local beers and food truck vendors before summer’s end?
Attendees will have the chance to vote for their fave brews and decide which brewers will walk away as this year’s champion.
When: August 17th
Where: 104 Avenue, Surrey Civic Plaza
Cost: $55-$85
Light Up Chinatown!
Now in its fourth year, Vancouver’s Light Up Chinatown! Festival is set to return to the city’s historic neighbourhood for two days of delicious eats, live music, and community connection.
The free-to-enter festival is all about celebrating the cultural heritage of Chinatown by bringing together esteemed restauranteurs and chefs from across the city – so make sure you come to the festival ready to eat!
When: Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th
Where: 500 block of Columbia Street
Cost: Free admission
Fridays on Front
Now we come to Fridays on Front in New West, which is back with multiple night markets this month. Each festival will have its own theme and a different lineup of food and drink vendors, as well as market vendors.
Each night market will take place from 5 to 9 pm.
When: August 9th to 23rd
Where: Front Street Mews, New Westminster
Cost: Free admission
Vegan Night Market
With plenty of summer and fall markets under its belt (including the city’s first beachside night market), the Vegan Night Market by Peaces.ca is on with bi-weekly summer markets until August 29th, with the next event coming up on August 1st at Locarno Beach.
When: Bi-weekly on Thursdays until August 29th
Where: Locarno Beach
Cost: $2 minimum donation
Fort Langley Night Market
From Island Jerky to Kona Ice from Chilliwack, to kettle corn, to vintage finds from Urban Vintage, there are tons of exciting things you’ll find at the Fort Langley Night Markets, which are officially back for 2024 starting Friday, June 28th. Admission is free, and shoppers can expect to enjoy live entertainment as they peruse the market.
When: Every Friday this August
Where: 9025 Glover Road, Langley Township
Cost: Free admission
Summer Like An Italian
Few summertime experiences can compare to an Italian summer, which is why Kitchen Table Restaurants is bringing back its popular passport program, allowing diners at 10 local restaurants to experience la dolce vita right here in Vancouver.
Passports can be obtained at any of the participating restaurants – so it’s time to start feasting and enjoying!
When: July 23rd to September 21st
Where: Kitchen Table restaurants around Vancouver
Cost: Free to reserve a passport
Junction Public Market
Vancouver’s newest public marketplace is almost here, which will feature a mix of rotating food trucks, artisan vendors, and live entertainment. Oh, and refreshing sips from the market’s ‘Sipping Container!
Taking place at Granville Square from June 28th to September 29th, Junction Public Market will operate from Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, including holiday Mondays.
When: June 28th to September 29th
Where: 200 Granville Street
Cost: Free admission
Shipyards Night Market
The beloved Shipyards Night Market is on every Friday until September 13th, so get ready to enjoy the iconic beer garden and outdoor market, and peruse many mouthwatering food trucks.
When: Every Friday this August
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Richmond Night Market
Home to literally hundreds of vendors, the Richmond Night Market has become a must for food and drink lovers, and it looks like we’re getting some great weather this week!
When: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in August
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Cost: $8.50 per person
Outdoors & Sports
Pirate Pak Day
For one day only, White Spot is bringing back one of BC’s most beloved childhood traditions, AKA the Pirate Pak – an iconic ship-shaped meal for ‘little mateys’” old and young in support of Zajac Ranch, a local charity dedicated to giving youth with chronic illnesses and disabilities an unforgettable summer camp experience.
When: August 14th
Where: Participating White Spot locations in BC
Cultus Lake Waterpark
Cultus Lake Waterpark is filled with waterslides, themed tunnels and pools, lazy rivers, and even hot tubs for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you want to lounge at one of the 150+ picnic areas and let the kids splash around “Pirates’ Cove” or “Tots Castle,” or do some splashing yourself on the waterpark’s “Tubular Terror,” there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy here.
When: Until Monday, September 2nd
Where: 4150 Columbia Valley Highway, Cultus Lake
Cost: $21-$34
Free outdoor yoga
Mat Collective offers free outdoor yoga classes all summer long at locations across BC. This month, Vancouver yogis can head to Kits Beach, Spanish Banks, Davie Street, and English Bay – just make sure to book your spot in advance before classes fill up!
When: Weekly this August
Where: See locations above
Cost: Free admission
Downtown Vancouver Summer Movie Nights
Now, we get into the season of free outdoor movies, starting with Downtown Vancouver’s Summer Movie Nights. With a giant projector screen and plenty of space to lay out your picnic blankets and chairs, the square transforms into the ultimate open-air theatre.
Note that movies begin at sundown, with performances and activities starting at 5 pm every Thursday from July 4th to August 15th.
When: Every Thursday from July 4th to August 15
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square
Cost: Free admission
Evo Summer Cinema at Stanley Park
Evo Car Share and Fresh Air Cinema are back with their free Summer Cinema series, which screens a different movie every Tuesday this summer on a 40-foot screen under the stars.
Movies are screened on the Grand Lawn at Ceperley Meadow with space for thousands of visitors! So grab your picnic blankets and lawn chairs, and get ready to rally your pals.
When: Every Tuesday night from July 9th to August 27th
Where: Ceperley Meadow
Cost: Free admission
Deckchair Cinema
Now in its third year, Deckchair Cinema brings movie-goers together on Cates Deck in front of the Polygon Gallery for weekly al fresco classic film screenings on Thursdays starting June 27th.
Screenings will begin at sunset, and will be accompanied by music and live entertainment leading up to the movie start time. So don’t forget your blankets and chairs!
When: Every Thursday from June 27th to August 29th
Where: Cates Deck, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Sunset Cinema at The Shipyards
Sunset Cinema is back at the Shipyards Commons this summer, which is a covered outdoor space. There will be public washrooms on-site as well as rotating food trucks.
When: Wednesdays from July 31st to August 28th
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Vancouver Canadians
Baseball season is now in full swing, no pun intended. This month, the Vancouver Canadians are up against the Tri-City Dust Devils, Eugene Emeralds, and the Everett AquaSox.
When: Games throughout August
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium
Cost: $20+
Visit Kitsilano Pool
Who’s ready for a cool dip? Vancouver’s beloved beachside saltwater pool is finally reopening for the season, so you’ll have about a month or two of laps to get in before summer’s end.
When: Opens August 7th
Where: Kitsilano Beach
Cost: $7.41 per adult
Check out a lazy river
BC has a ton of fun to be had by way of lazy rivers. And by lazy rivers – we mean action-packed water activities, as well as lazy rivers in the literal sense. So, whether you want to slowly drift downstream with a drink in hand, or want to have a more adventurous tubing experience, we’ve got plenty of options at the link above.
Where: Check out our picks above
And that’s a wrap on August 2024, Vancouver! Enjoy the last full month of summer.
