Wondering what to do in Vancouver this weekend? Despite the coronavirus, a few events are still happening and many attractions have reopened.

See below for a list of what’s happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Note: Especially in this rapidly changing world, the status of events and other details are subject to change. See official venue websites for the most up-to-date details.)

Whatever you do this weekend, have fun, but remember to keep safe and be responsible!

This Weekend in Vancouver

Highlights of the weekend of July 30th to August 2nd include the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival, Playland, Imagine Van Gogh, Da Vinci Experience and various BC Day Long Weekend activities. The Hawaii From Above film is also showing at FlyOver Canada.

Also this weekend there are Lower Mainland Parks to explore, Beaches to swim at, guided walking tours with Forbidden Vancouver, and adventure games with Vancouver Mysteries.

Places like the Vancouver Maritime Museum, Britannia Mine Museum, Roedde House Museum, Bill Reid Gallery, Vancouver Art Gallery and a number of other attractions are also open. As always, Granville Island and North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay are great places to explore.

Note: Event details are subject to change (especially given today’s rapidly changing world). For a list of other Lower Mainland venues that have resumed operations see our article about Open and Reopening Vancouver Places.

Friday, July 30, 2021

• BC Day Long Weekend – a long weekend with various celebratory activities taking place throughout the Lower Mainland.
• Squamish Days Bed Races – while the main Loggers Sports Festival is cancelled, this one event is taking place. Sign up with a group of five and race hospital beds down Cleveland Avenue.
• Art Downtown – local artists display their art today between 11 am and 5 pm in downtown Vancouver (assuming good weather).
• Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For tickets, see the official Imagine Van Gogh website.
• Abbotsford Agrifair – an agricultural fair that normally includes a midway, amusement rides and animals at Exhibition Park in Abbotsford.
• Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park at the PNE.
• FlyOver Canada – films show at the multi-dimensional theatre at Canada Place. One of them is Hawaii From Above which is new for 2021.
• Vancouver Pride Festival – a series of events celebrating Vancouver’s LGBTQ community.
• Chilliwack Sunflower Festival – acres of beautiful sunflowers to admire at 41310 Yale Road in Chilliwack.
• Harmony Arts Festival – an arts festival featuring live music and art displays in West Vancouver.
• Tsawwassen Sun Festival – a community festival that features a softball tournament in Tsawwassen. (TBD)
• Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver. Today’s tour is the Lost Souls of Gastown.
• Da Vinci Experience – a touring attraction showcasing the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci at Tsawwassen Mills.
• ACTIVITIES WITH EXTRA SAVINGS
  • Vancouver Mysteries – outdoor adventure games in downtown Vancouver. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
  • Vancouver Maritime Museum – use the promo code BEST21 to get 2-for-1 pricing for a limited time at this family-friendly museum.
  • For other ways to save, see our article about Vancouver on a Budget.

SAVE BIG AT VANCOUVER HOTELS!

For a limited time, book a night at a participating downtown Vancouver hotel and get up to $125 in Visa gift cards for your first night, plus $50 per night for additional nights. See the StayVancouverHotels.com website for full details.

Saturday, July 31, 2021

• BC Day Long Weekend – a holiday weekend with celebratory activities throughout the Lower Mainland.
• Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For tickets, see the official Imagine Van Gogh website.
• Vancouver Mysteries – outdoor adventure games in downtown Vancouver.
• Abbotsford Agrifair – an agricultural fair that includes a midway, amusement rides and animals at Exhibition Park in Abbotsford.
  
• Chilliwack Sunflower Festival – acres of beautiful sunflowers to admire at 41310 Yale Road in Chilliwack.
• Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park at the PNE is open.
• Powell Street Festival – a festival celebrating Japanese-Canadian culture in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
• Vancouver Pride Festival – a series of events celebrating Vancouver’s LGBTQ community.
• Harmony Arts Festival – an arts festival featuring live music and art displays in West Vancouver.
• Da Vinci Experience – a touring attraction showcasing the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci at Tsawwassen Mills.
• Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided walking tours in downtown Vancouver.
• FlyOver Canada – films show at the multi-dimensional theatre at Canada Place. One of them is Hawaii From Above which is new for 2021.
• Vancouver Maritime Museum – use the promo code BEST21 to get 2-for-1 pricing for a limited time at this family-friendly museum
• Saturday Farmers Markets – in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Fort Langley, Lonsdale Quay, Maple Ridge, Riley Park, Squamish, Trout Lake and the West End.
• Vancouver Flea Market – at 703 Terminal Avenue.

Sunday, August 1, 2021

• BC Day Long Weekend – a holiday weekend with various celebratory activities taking place throughout the Lower Mainland.
• Chilliwack Sunflower Festival – acres of beautiful sunflowers to admire at 41310 Yale Road in Chilliwack.
• Abbotsford Agrifair – an agricultural fair that includes a midway, amusement rides and animals at Exhibition Park in Abbotsford.
• Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
• Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided tours in downtown Vancouver. Today’s tours are the Dark Secrets of Gastown, Forbidden Vancouver and Really Gay History Tour.
• Vancouver Maritime Museum – the family-friendly museum at Vanier Park is a great place to visit rain or shine.
• Da Vinci Experience – a touring attraction showcasing the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci at Tsawwassen Mills.
• Sunday Farmers Markets – at Ambleside, Coquitlam, Kitsilano, Mt. Pleasant, Steveston Village, Whistler and White Rock.
• Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park at the PNE.
• Vancouver Pride Festival – celebrating Vancouver’s LGBTQ community in Vancouver’s West End.
• Harmony Arts Festival – an arts festival featuring live music and art displays in West Vancouver.
• Powell Street Festival – a two-day festival celebrating Japanese-Canadian culture in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
• Tsawwassen Sun Festival – a community festival in Tsawwassen. (This year it’s primarily an online event, although today there is an outdoor drive-in movie.)
• Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
• Free Jazz Vespers – at St. Andrews-Wesley United Church in Vancouver. (TBD. If taking place though it will likely just be online.)

Monday, August 2, 2021

• BC Day – a statutory holiday with various celebratory activities throughout the Lower Mainland.
• Harmony Arts Festival – an arts festival featuring live music and art displays in West Vancouver.
• Tsawwassen Sun Festival – a community festival that normally features a softball tournament, parade, family-friendly activities and antique car show in Tsawwassen. (This year it’s primarily an online event, although today there is a drive-by car cruise event.)
• Vancouver Mysteries Games – play an outdoor adventure game in downtown Vancouver. There are also games you can play online. Use promo code BESTPLACES2021 and save 10% on games with 3 or more people.
• Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided tours in downtown Vancouver. Today’s tour is the Lost Souls of Gastown.
• Vancouver Maritime Museum – the family-friendly museum at Vanier Park is a great place to visit rain or shine.
• Imagine Van Gogh – an immersive touring art exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
• Da Vinci Experience – a touring attraction showcasing the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci at Tsawwassen Mills.
• Chilliwack Sunflower Festival – acres of beautiful sunflowers to admire at 41310 Yale Road in Chilliwack.
• Lower Mainland Beaches – beaches at Ambleside, Crescent Beach, White Rock, Stanley Park, Kitsilano, Belcarra Park and elsewhere are especially popular this time of year.

UPCOMING EVENTS

In case you were interested, activities taking place on the weekend of August 6th to 8th include the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival, Playland, Imagine Van Gogh, Da Vinci Experience, Carnaval del Sol, and various other events. FlyOver Canada is also open with a show about Hawaii.

Other Information

Whatever you plan to do, be safe! Maintain appropriate physical distancing, wear a mask when needed, wash your hands frequently, don’t touch your face, and stay home if you aren’t feeling well!

For a list of things to do on other days this month and next, check out Vancouver’s July and August calendars of events.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following:

• • • Vancouver Shows & Entertainment
    • Lower Mainland Festivals & Events
    • Vancouver on a Budget
    • Best Places for Kids
    • Vancouver Rainy Day Activities
    • Lower Mainland Parks & Nature