Home Holiday Activities BC Day August Long Weekend in Vancouver

BC Day August Long Weekend in Vancouver

July 20, 2025

A lot happens on the BC Day long weekend in Vancouver in August. Lower Mainland events include boat parties, parades, community festivals and other events.

In 2026 BC Day is on Monday, August 3rd. All that weekend special events happen all over the place!

This article includes information about the following events:

Click any of the above links to jump to information about a specific topic, or continue reading to learn all about the Lower Mainland’s top BC Day long weekend events.

BC Day Long Weekend

BC Day takes place on the first Monday of August each year. In 2026 the August long weekend runs from Friday, July 31st, until Monday, August 3rd.

Events and activities taking place over the weekend this year include Celebrate BC festivals in both Port Moody and Coquitlam. There is also the Abbotsford Agrifair, Brigade Days at Fort Langley, Chilliwack Corn Festival, the Vancouver Pride Parade and the Squamish Days Logger Sports Festival. The EMV Summer Festival has concerts on the long weekend. There are also special activities at the Britannia Mine Museum.

Other events happening on the August long weekend include the Vancouver Pride Boat Party, Playland at the PNE, the White Rock Sea Festival, Tsawwassen Sun Festival, Harmony Arts Festival and so much more. There’s live theatre at Theatre Under the Stars, Bard on the Beach and The Improv Centre on Granville Island. For sports enthusiasts, there is a basketball game and backyard BBQ event with the Vancouver Bandits as well as baseball games with the Vancouver Canadians.

See below for details about the above and other events on the August holiday weekend in the Lower Mainland.

Celebrate BC

Celebrate BC is a BC Day celebration on the holiday Monday. It takes place at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park on August 3rd in 2026. New for this year, there’s a second event at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park two days earlier, so on August 1st. Both events are free to attend.

The Celebrate BC event featured food trucks, games, live music and workshops. There’s also a massive salmon barbecue, dog races, and an Indigenous market.

See our article about Celebrate BC or visit celebratebc.ca to learn more about the celebrations.

Brigade Days at Fort Langley

Brigade Days at Fort Langley is an annual event on the Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend, so on August 1st and 2nd in 2026.

At the National Historic Site there are historical re-enactments in 19th-century-period costumes. In addition to regular summer fort activities, highlights of the weekend include demonstrations of fort-related activities and music.

See our article about Brigade Days at Fort Langley or visit the parks.canada.ca website for more information.

Chilliwack Corn Festival at Greendale Acres

Greendale Acres hosts its third annual Chilliwack Corn Festival in 2026. The event features sweet corn on the cob and other delicious corn-based dishes. There are corn shucking and eating competitions as well as live music to enjoy.

The event runs on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the long weekend in 2026. It then returns the following weekend on August 8th and 9th.

Click Chilliwack Corn Festival for more details about the event.

Abbotsford Agrifair

The Abbotsford Agrifair is a community fair that includes agricultural displays and amusement rides.

In 2026 the Agrifair takes place from July 31st to August 2nd, so from the Friday to the Sunday of the long weekend. It happens at Exhibition Park in Abbotsford and includes rides, concerts and other family-friendly activities.

The Agrifair is a popular event. In a typical year it features everything from Canadian wrestling to logger shows, farm animals to look at and live entertainment. There are also amusement rides, live concerts, food vendors and all kinds of fun activities.

See our article about the Abbotsford Agrifair for further details.

Abbotsford Agrifair Midway — Abbotsford Agrifair

Britannia Mine Museum

Britannia Mine is a national historic site that used to be a copper mine. It’s one of British Columbia’s biggest, best and most interesting museums.

The museum is normally open every day on the BC Day long weekend. On the holiday Monday the day is celebrated with a special event and live music.

In 2026 The Little Mountain Brass Band performs between noon and 2:30 pm. There are also special games to play on-site between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. The extra fun and live entertainment is included with general admission.

Check the Britannia Mine Museum‘s website for the latest details about the BC Day event.

Vancouver Summer Festival

The Vancouver Summer Festival is a music festival that features works by a variety of composers. It used to be called the Vancouver Bach Festival, but changed its name (which makes sense because there are concerts with music by Bach, but also by other composers).

The 2026 festival runs from July 31st until August 7th, and there are shows on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend.

See our article about the Vancouver Summer Festival to learn more about the concerts and festival in general.

Long Weekend Pride Boat Party

A popular way to spend the long weekend for young adults is out on the water on a party boat dancing and drinking with friends. Vancouver Boat Parties hosts a nightclub-style Pride Boat Party Cruise with a 2SLGBTQIA+ theme.

In 2026 the event takes place on the Burrard Queen on Saturday, August 1st. The ship departs from 760 Pacific Boulevard at 7:30 pm and cruises until 10:30 pm.

Playland at the PNE

Playland is Vancouver’s favourite amusement park with rides and midway games. It runs from June until August. The attraction isn’t a special event specifically for BC Day as it takes place during most of the summer. However, it’s an exceptional place to be, especially if you like rollercoasters and other amusement park rides.

Playland is open on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August long weekend. The park’s operating hours are from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on the Friday and Saturday, and from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on the Sunday.

Note: On Friday, July 31st, there is Summerween at Playland (which is a Halloween-themed event, but in the summer).

See our article about Vancouver’s Playland to learn more about this attraction.

Emancipation Day Celebration at the Vancouver Maritime Museum

Located in Vanier Park, the Vancouver Maritime Museum is an educational attraction showcasing the boating history of the region. The museum hosts several events throughout the year, including the Emancipation Day Celebration on the 2026 BC Day long weekend.

This year’s event takes place on August 1st between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. It commemorates the abolition of slavery with a variety of activities presented by the Afro Van Connect Society. On the museum’s terrace, guests can browse market vendors, purchase food, and enjoy cultural showcases and live music. Admission to the outdoor event is free. However, regular rates still apply to go inside the museum.

For more information about the special event and the attraction in general, see our article about the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

White Rock Sea Festival

The seaside resort town of White Rock celebrates White Rock Sea Festival & Semiahmoo Days on the August long weekend. The free event typically includes children’s activities, a torchlight parade, fireworks and tons of live entertainment.

The festival happens on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of July 31st to August 2nd in 2026. It’s held across the waterfront at three different venues. That includes the White Rock Pier, Memorial Park and Bayview Park.

Below are some tips to keep in mind for the event.

TIP #1: If you can’t stay all day and evening, but you really want to enjoy the beach during your visit, try to be in White Rock at low tide when the sand seems to go out forever. When the tide is out the beach is especially spectacular.

TIP #2: If you go on the Sunday combine your trip with a visit to the White Rock Farmers Market which is a great market at 15154 Russell Avenue.

TIP #3: The torchlight parade and fireworks are well worth staying for when they happen on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

See our article about the White Rock Sea Festival for more information about this event.

Theatre Shows and Concerts

The BC Day long weekend is also a wonderful time of year for live theatre. There are a variety of shows to check out in early August.

For example, Bard on the Beach hosts Shakespearean shows at Vanier Park. Place des Arts in Coquitlam is where you’ll find Summer Theatre Troupe performances.

Also happening over the long weekend are the Theatre Under the Stars musicals at Stanley Park, as well as hilarious improvisational theatre at The Improve Centre on Granville Island.

For people who like live music, events to check out on the Friday of the long weekend normally include the Live & Local Concert Series and Shipyards Night Market on the North Shore. All weekend there is also live entertainment at Kitsilano Showboat.

Tsawwassen Sun Festival

The Tsawwassen Sun Festival is a three-day community event that features a slow-pitch tournament and a range of other sports and family-friendly activities.

The main day of the festival is definitely the holiday Monday. That’s when the parade takes place as well as the pancake breakfast, classic car show and Main Stage performances.

In 2026 the festival runs from August 1st to 3rd.

Click Tsawwassen Sun Festival for more information.

Summer Lights in English Bay Fireworks

While the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks event is sadly no more, there’s a new English Bay fireworks event that’s sprung up to take its place.

Summer Lights in English Bay is a free, one-day event happening on July 31st in 2026. It features a massive fireworks show over the water in the same place where the Celebration of Light used to happen.

The show will begin at sunset (around 10:00 pm). It’ll be loud and crowded down at English Bay, with people enjoying the fireworks from the beach as well as other viewing spots around the area.

Click Summer Lights in English Bay for more.

Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival

Vancouver and its 2SLGBTQIA+ community celebrates the 48th Pride Festival on the BC Day long weekend in 2026. The big parade is set for Sunday, August 2nd.

This year’s Vancouver Pride Parade starts at Concord Pacific Place and finishes along Davie Street.

Also related to the Pride Festival, Really Gay History Tours with Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours happen on the Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Click Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival for more information about these and similar events.

Harmony Arts Festival

The Harmony Arts Festival is a multi-day arts festival that usually starts on the August long weekend. The event features live music, art displays and all sorts of things for people of all ages to see and do.

General admission to the Harmony Arts Festival is free and it takes place in West Vancouver along the waterfront between Ambleside and John Lawson Park. In 2026 the Harmony Arts Festival runs from July 31st to August 9th.

TIP: If you go on a Sunday, be sure to check out the Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market at Ambleside Beach.

See our article about the Harmony Arts Festival for more information.

Squamish Days Festival

The Squamish Days Logger Sports Festival is a small-town community event featuring logging industry-related activities. For example, there’s a kettle boil contest, a chili cook-off, and bed races through the town. Squamish Days runs from July 30th until August 2nd in 2026.

On the Saturday there is a Kids’ Festival downtown at Junction Park on Cleveland Avenue during the day. On the Sunday there is a pancake breakfast in the morning, a parade in the middle of the day, and the Open Loggers Sports Show and Rotary BBQ in the afternoon at Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds.

TIP #1: The Squamish Farmers Market is an exceptional market on Saturdays at the corner of Victoria Street and Cleveland Avenue in Squamish. It’s worth visiting any weekend in the summer but especially when there are other activities also going on in town.

TIP #2: The Railway Museum of BC is a great museum and it’s open on the Saturday and Sunday of the BC Day long weekend (so on the same weekend as the logger sports festival). Britannia Mine is also in the area and highly recommended, especially on the holiday Monday when it hosts special activities and live music.

See our article about Squamish Days for more information about the festival.

Other BC Day Weekend Events

In addition to the above major events, there are many other great activities going on throughout the Lower Mainland on the BC Day August long weekend. Some are special events just for the holiday weekend, while others are some of Vancouver’s best events that take place every weekend in the summer.

The following events are happening on the August holiday weekend in 2026.

Friday Events

Live & Local Concert Series – in 2026 the musician HB Wild performs at Panorama Park in Deep Cove in North Vancouver.
Shipyards Night Market – food trucks, market vendors and live music in North Vancouver. On the night of the long weekend there’s live music and other entertainment.
Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays against Spokane at Nat Bailey Stadium.
The Emperor’s New Threads – Place des Arts’ Summer Theatre Troupe presents a play in Coquitlam.
Bard on the Beach – Shakespearean theatre at Vanier Park.
Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre in Stanley Park.
Flyover at Canada Place – the attraction in downtown Vancouver where you can fly across the country in a multi-dimensional film.
Richmond Night Market – market activities in the evening at 8351 River Road in Richmond.

Saturday Events

Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays against Spokane at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Flyover at Canada Place – the attraction in downtown Vancouver where you can fly across the country in a multi-dimensional film.
The Emperor’s New Threads – Place des Arts’ Summer Theatre Troupe presents a play in Coquitlam.
Bard on the Beach – Shakespearean theatre at Vanier Park.
Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre in Stanley Park.
Richmond Night Market – market activities in the evening at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – farmers, artisan vendors and live music in the parking lot at Burnaby City Hall (not far from Deer Lake Park and Burnaby Village).
Other Saturday Farmers Markets – in Abbotsford, Fort Langley, Maple Ridge, Riley Park, Squamish, Trout Lake and the West End.

Sunday Events

Flyover at Canada Place – the attraction in downtown Vancouver where you can fly across the country in a multi-dimensional film.
The Emperor’s New Threads – Place des Arts’ Summer Theatre Troupe presents a play in Coquitlam.
Bard on the Beach – Shakespearean theatre at Vanier Park.
Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre in Stanley Park.
Richmond Night Market – market activities in the evening at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – a market at Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver.
Brentwood Artisan Farmers Market – a market at the Amazing Brentwood Mall in Burnaby.
Other Sunday Farmers Markets – in Coquitlam, Kitsilano, Steveston Village, Whistler and White Rock.
Vancouver Bandits Basketball – the professional basketball team plays against Winnipeg at the Langley Events Centre.
Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays against Spokane at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Monday Events

A few events take place on the BC Day long weekend, but most of them are on the Saturday and Sunday. Not so much happens on the holiday Monday. Below, though, are our top picks of things to do on the Monday.

Flyover at Canada Place – the attraction in downtown Vancouver where you can fly across the country in a multi-dimensional film.
Richmond Night Market – market activities in the evening at 8351 River Road in Richmond.
Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre in Stanley Park.

Other Information

Check out Vancouver’s August Events Calendar for a list of other great things to do later in the summer. Or, see the Festivals & Events Calendar for a list of major events throughout the year.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following: