Vancouver This Weekend

Wondering what to do in Vancouver this weekend? Lots of events are happening in the Lower Mainland including festivals, theatre performances and more.

See below for a list of what’s taking place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For a list of what’s happening on other days of the month, see our August calendar of events.

Click on any of the following to skip to a specific section:

Weekend Overview | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Other Upcoming Events

Events This Weekend in Vancouver

Highlights of the weekend of August 14th to 16th include Ribfest Langley, Symphony in the Park, Arts Alive Festival and Chilliwack Mural Festival in the Fraser Valley. There is also the Circo Osorio Circus in Tsawwassen, BC Dumpling Festival in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam Car Show, Port Moody Car Free Day and the Shipyards Night Market.

For those who like sports, this weekend there are baseball games with the Vancouver Canadians and a soccer match with Vancouver Rise FC.

For folks who want to see a show, there is improvisational theatre at The Improv Centre at Granville Island and the films Awaken Canada and Call of the Canadian Rockies at Flyover. There is also Theatre Under the Stars, Bard on the Beach, and Live & Local in North Vancouver. In Langley, meanwhile, there is Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding, and in Steveston Village Music at the Cannery.

Also happening this weekend there are amusement rides at both Playland in Vancouver and Cultus Lake Adventure Park in the Fraser Valley as well as waterslides at Cultus Lake Waterpark.

Other things to do this weekend include walking tours with Forbidden Vancouver, games with Vancouver Mysteries, outdoor adventures with WildPlay in Maple Ridge, and indoor virtual reality battles with Zero Latency. There are also lots of great museums to visit including the Chinese Canadian Museum, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Fort Langley, Britannia Mine, Museum of Surrey and many others.

See below for a list of what’s taking place, when and where. As you’ll see, so much is happening in the Lower Mainland!

Friday, August 14th, 2026

Ribfest Langley – a family-friendly community event hosted by Langley Rotary Clubs. Festivities include live entertainment, a KidZone, beer garden and lots of great food! Admission is by donation.
Symphony in the Park – a free outdoor concert at Abbotsford’s Mill Lake Park.
Circo Osorio Circus – an international touring circus with acts from around the world in a giant big top outside Tsawwassen Mills Mall. (TIP: You can get 1 free kids’ ticket per paying adult!)
Shipyards Night Market – live music and market activities at Shipbuilder’s Square in North Vancouver.
Chilliwack Mural Fest – murals, self-guided tours and other activities in downtown Chilliwack.
Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays against Tri-City at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park at the PNE.

Shows & Entertainment

Music at the Cannery – live music with the Halifax Wharf Rats at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Richmond.
Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre in Stanley Park. Today’s show is Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Live & Local in North Vancouver – free live music takes place today on the North Shore.
Summer Sounds at Wesbrook Village – free live music takes place at Norman MacKenzie Square at UBC as well as outside Body Energy Club at 6111 University Boulevard.
Kitsilano Showboat – free live entertainment on the outdoor stage at Kitsilano Beach.
Bard on the Beach – Shakespearean theatre at Vanier Park. Today’s shows are Goblin:Oedipus, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Bard After Dark (where there is Shakespearean-themed improv theatre starting at 10 pm).
The Improv Centre – live comedy theatre at Granville Island.
Symphony in the Park – a free concert at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford.
Circo Osorio Circus – family-friendly circus acts take place in a big top at Tsawwassen Mills Mall.

Vancouver Sightseeing Tours

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features The Forbidden Vancouver and The Lost Souls of Gastown tours.
Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours through Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
Great Canadian Trolley Company – hop-on, hop-off tours around the City of Vancouver (and other tours too).

Featured Museums & Historic Sites

Vancouver Maritime Museum – the family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%.)
Chinese Canadian Museum – a relatively new museum full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and admission is free this summer).
Gulf of Georgia Cannery – the national historic site in Steveston Village. (Note: Admission is free this summer!)
Railway Museum of BC – a large museum with trains and railway artifacts in Squamish.
Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).

Other Featured Attractions & Activities

WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
Cultus Lake Adventure Park – amusement rides and more family-friendly things to do.
Cultus Lake Waterpark – water slides and other activities at BC’s biggest waterpark at Cultus Lake.
Flyover at Canada Place – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience in downtown Vancouver.
Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP10.)
Vancouver Mysteries Games – outdoor adventure games in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games.)
Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
The Legend of the Gastown Gold – an indoor detective game that’s played at a hotel in downtown Vancouver.

Saturday, August 15th, 2026

Ribfest Langley – a family-friendly community event hosted by Langley Rotary Clubs. Festivities include live entertainment, a KidZone, beer garden and lots of great food! Admission is by donation.
Circo Osorio Circus – an international touring circus with acts from around the world in a giant big top outside Tsawwassen Mills Mall. (TIP: You can get 1 free kids’ ticket per paying adult!)
BC Dumpling Festival – a free cultural festival with a dumpling theme at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam.
Arts Alive Festival – an arts-themed street festival with live entertainment and family-friendly activities in downtown Langley.
Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding – an immersive dinner theatre show in Langley.
Motors & Music Car Show – a car show at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Langley with tribute band entertainment.
VIAS Cars & Coffee – a gathering of collectible and luxury cars at Starlight Casino in New Westminster. Admission is free.
Bowen Island Heritage Cruise – a boat tour hosted by the Vancouver Maritime Museum from Vancouver to Bowen Island.
Red Truck Concert Series – multiple performances at Red Truck Brewery in Vancouver.
Chilliwack Mural Fest – murals, self-guided tours and other activities in downtown Chilliwack.
Chilliwack Flight Fest – a community event with planes to see and aerial shows at the Chilliwack Airport.
Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – farmers, artisan vendors and live music at The City of Lougheed.
Other Saturday Farmers Markets – in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Fort Langley, Horseshoe Bay, Maple Ridge, Riley Park, Squamish, Trout Lake and the West End.

Sports Events

Vancouver Rise FC Soccer Game – the Vancouver women’s professional soccer team plays against Halifax at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.
Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays against Tri-City at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Music, Live Theatre & Other Shows

Bard on the Beach – Shakespearean theatre at Vanier Park. Featured productions include Macbeth and Antigone. There’s also a Bard Explored session in the morning.
Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre in Stanley Park. Today’s show is Sister Act.
The Improv Centre – live comedy theatre at Granville Island.
Summer Sounds at Wesbrook Village – free live music takes place at Norman MacKenzie Square at UBC as well as outside the Body Energy Club at 6111 University Boulevard.
Sundown Music Series – live music takes place at Greendale Acres Farm in Chilliwack.
Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding – an immersive dinner theatre show happening at the Langley City Hotel & Convention Centre.
Kitsilano Showboat – free live entertainment on the outdoor stage at Kitsilano Beach.
Flyover at Canada Place – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience in downtown Vancouver.

Walking Tours & Outdoor Adventures

WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park, Downtown Sinners & Sweets, Forbidden Vancouver and The Lost Souls of Gastown tours.
Vancouver Mysteries Games – outdoor adventure games in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games.
Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours through Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
Great Canadian Trolley Company – hop-on, hop-off tours around the City of Vancouver (and other tours too).
Bowen Island Heritage Cruise – a boat tour hosted by the Vancouver Maritime Museum from Vancouver to Bowen Island.

Featured Museums & Historic Sites

Railway Museum of BC – a large museum with trains and railway artifacts in Squamish.
Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).
Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and admission is free this summer).
Gulf of Georgia Cannery – the national historic site in Steveston Village. (Note: Admission is free this summer!)
Vancouver Maritime Museum – the family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%.)
Chinese Canadian Museum – a museum full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

Other Featured Attractions & Activities

Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park at the PNE. Today is Wellness Day which features a run through the park and other special activities.
Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP10.)
Cultus Lake Adventure Park – amusement rides and more family-friendly things to do.
Cultus Lake Waterpark – water slides and other activities at BC’s biggest waterpark at Cultus Lake.
The Case of the Hotel Detective – a murder-mystery game that’s played at a hotel in downtown Vancouver near Gastown.
Camping Opportunities – there are lots of great campgrounds in the Lower Mainland (providing you can find a spot).
Lower Mainland Beaches – beaches at Ambleside, Crescent Beach, White Rock, Stanley Park, Kitsilano, Belcarra Park and elsewhere are especially popular this time of year.
Lower Mainland Parks – if good weather, various parks and places in nature are “best places” to be!
Vancouver Golf Courses – check out our list of top places to hit a ball around outdoors in the fresh air.

Sunday, August 16th, 2026

Ribfest Langley – a family-friendly community event hosted by Langley Rotary Clubs. Festivities include live entertainment, a KidZone, beer garden and lots of great food! Admission is by donation.
Circo Osorio Circus – an international touring circus with acts from around the world in a giant big top outside Tsawwassen Mills Mall. (TIP: You can get 1 free kids’ ticket per paying adult!)
Family Day at the Bard – matinee Shakespearean shows with special pricing and kid-friendly activities. Featured productions include Goblin:Oedipus and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Bowen Island Heritage Cruise – a boat tour hosted by the Vancouver Maritime Museum from Vancouver to Bowen Island.
Chilliwack Mural Fest – murals, self-guided tours and other activities in downtown Chilliwack.
Chilliwack Flight Fest – a community event with planes to see and aerial shows at the Chilliwack Airport.
Vancouver Canadians Baseball – the team plays against Tri-City at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Port Coquitlam Car Show – a car show featuring hundreds of cars in downtown Port Coquitlam. Admission for the public is free.
Port Moody Car Free Day – a free event along a few blocks of Johns Street in Port Moody.
Corn Mazes – farms with family-friendly activities including mazes to get lost in at various venues throughout the Lower Mainland.

Theatre, Music & Other Shows

Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre in Stanley Park. Today’s show is Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Kitsilano Showboat – free live entertainment on the outdoor stage at Kitsilano Beach.
Port Moody Summer Sundays – free live music at Rocky Point Park.

Featured Museums & Historic Sites

Vancouver Maritime Museum – the family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%!)
Chinese Canadian Museum – a relatively new museum full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Gulf of Georgia Cannery – the national historic site in Steveston Village. (Note: Admission is free this summer!)
Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and admission is free this summer).
Britannia Mine – the historic mining museum at Britannia Beach (which is half an hour north of Horseshoe Bay on the way to Squamish and Whistler).

Vancouver Sightseeing Tours

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided tours in downtown Vancouver. Today features the Forbidden Vancouver, Lost Souls of Gastown and Really Gay History tours.
Historical Chinatown Tours – walking tours through Vancouver’s Chinatown with Judy Lam Maxwell.
Great Canadian Trolley Company – hop-on, hop-off tours around the City of Vancouver (and other tours too).
Bowen Island Heritage Cruise – a boat tour hosted by the Vancouver Maritime Museum from Vancouver to Bowen Island.

Other Featured Attractions & Activities

Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park at the PNE.
WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
Vancouver Mysteries Games – outdoor adventure games in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games.).
Flyover at Canada Place – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience in downtown Vancouver.
Capilano Suspension Bridge – the world-famous attraction is a great place to visit. (TIP: BC residents can get an annual pass for the same price as a single-day ticket!)
Zero Latency – a virtual reality games centre where you can battle zombies, aliens and other creatures in Vancouver and Langley. (TIP: Save 10% when you book your game with the promo code VBP10.)
The Case of the Hotel Detective – a murder-mystery game that’s played at a hotel in downtown Vancouver near Gastown.
Cultus Lake Adventure Park – amusement rides and more family-friendly things to do.
Cultus Lake Waterpark – water slides and other activities at BC’s biggest waterpark at Cultus Lake.

Sunday Markets

Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – farmers and other food and artisan vendors are at beautiful Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver.
Brentwood Artisan Farmers Market – a market at the Amazing Brentwood Mall in Burnaby.
Other Sunday Farmers Markets – in Clayton Heights, Coquitlam, Kitsilano, Steveston Village, Whistler and White Rock.
Vancouver Flea Market – at 703 Terminal Avenue.
Cloverdale Flea Market – a massive market at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

Highlights of the weekend of August 21st to 23rd include the Salmon Sessions Music Festival, Water Lantern Festival, Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival and Summer Music & Fireworks Festival. There is also the PNE Fair, Richmond Maritime Festival, Taste of Cloverdale, and Sundown Music Series at Greendale Acres.

For folks who like collectible vehicles, there is the Heritage Classic Car Show in Langley and Cruise the Shore in West Vancouver as well as the Fort Langley Car Show.

Next weekend there is also the Shipyards Night Market as well as fun times at Playland in Vancouver as well as at both Cultus Lake Waterpark and Cultus Lake Adventure Park in the Fraser Valley.

Other things to do this time of year include walking tours with Forbidden Vancouver, outdoor adventure games with Vancouver Mysteries, indoor virtual reality games with Zero Latency, and ropes courses and ziplines at WildPlay in Maple Ridge. There are also lots of great museums to visit including the Chinese Canadian Museum, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Fort Langley, Britannia Mine, Museum of Surrey and many others.