The sun is back, and it looks like it’s here to stay! So grab your sunnies and lawn chairs and get ready to enjoy a mix of free concerts, festivals, and shows. From one of Mount Pleasant’s biggest events of the summer to the final days of the Harmony Arts Fest and Chilliwack Corn Fest, here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this weekend (Aug. 8-10).
One of Mount Pleasant’s biggest events of the year is coming up this weekend. Pleasant Day Festival transforms a section of Main into a vibrant celebration of art, music, community, and food, with local food trucks and restaurants lining the streets and live music across multiple stages.
This year, guests can expect over 25 local acts, from indie rock to brass bands.
When: Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Main Street from 16th to King Edward Avenue
Cost: Free admission
Ready to continue the outdoor music fun? Edgemont Village and Lynn Valley Village are transforming for another afternoon of their Live and Local Summer Concert Series, which brings free community experiences to outdoor sites across North Vancouver. This Friday, kick off your weekend with a free concert by Emmett Jerome from 7 to 9 p.m. at Lynn Valley Village, or Headlong Hearts from 7 to 9 p.m. at Edgemont Village.
When: Friday, Aug. 8, 2025
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Outdoor locations across North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
West Vancouver’s free-to-enter visual arts festival is back starting this week. Visitors can enjoy a mix of local art, vendors, live music by world-class performers, children’s workshops, and food trucks at Millennium Park.
When: Friday, Aug. 1 to Aug. 10, 2025
Time: Various start times until 10 p.m.
Where: 1564 Argyle Ave., West Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Let’s keep the good times rolling at the Nat! Our home team is up against the Hillsboro Hops again all weekend long, so it’s worth catching a game if you’re looking to enjoy some classic summertime fun.
When: Tuesday, Aug. 5 to Friday, Aug. 8, 2025
Time: 1:05 and 7:05 p.m.
Where: 4601 Ontario St.
Cost: $22+
It’s a bit of a trek from the city, but the second and final weekend of the Chilliwack Corn Fest is well worth it. The two-day celebration will include corn shucking and eating contests, face painting, live music, and a fully licensed area with afternoon drinks. Oh, and don’t forget to check out this year’s bee-themed corn maze.
When: Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Where: 41905 Yale Rd. W., Chilliwack
Cost: $18 online, $21 at the door
Playland is still open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, if you want to get in a couple of rounds of rides, carnival games, and mini donuts before summer ends.
When: Open Wednesday to Sunday until Aug. 15, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on select days this August
Where: 2901 East Hastings St.
Cost: $36.70 to $42 per person
The Malkin Bowl at Stanley Park has transformed 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 to Aug. 16, 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 is in full swing, and you can check out one of four iconic productions: Much Ado About Nothing, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], and The Dark Lady.
When: Until Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1695 Whyte Ave.
Cost: $35 to $88 per person
The beloved Richmond Night Market is in its 25th year, complete with hundreds of international street food booths, local retail vendors, and a first-of-its-kind zipline.
When: Open 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
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
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