Home Special Events Free Vancouver Events in August 2020

Free Vancouver Events in August 2020

Modified date: August 15, 2020

In August there are usually numerous free events in Metro Vancouver including festivals, outdoor movies, markets, parades, fireworks and concerts.

There are also free attractions like Burnaby Village Museum, the Polygon Gallery and Stanley Park, as well as beaches and nature to explore.

A lot of things that don’t cost a lot happen most years in August. 2020, however, is not a typical year. Because of the coronavirus, numerous events have been cancelled. There are still free things to do in the Lower Mainland this year – just not as much as usual.

Best FREE Activities in August

The following is a list of the top free festivals and events in Vancouver and the surrounding area in August, both in 2020 and in years when there isn’t a pandemic. Most activities are completely free, although a few are by donation or for a nominal fee.

(Note: Schedules and details are subject to change.)

For a list of attractions and events that you can still enjoy, see our article about Vancouver, COVID-19 and Open Places.

For lists of other inexpensive things to do, see our articles about Vancouver on a Budget and Lower Mainland Parks and Nature.

Saturday, August 15th (2020)

Fort Langley Mardi Gras Parade – a small live procession in downtown Fort Langley in the leadup to the Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival which takes place online on September 4th and 5th.
Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Saturday Farmers Markets
- Abbotsford Country Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm in downtown Abbotsford.
- Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm outside Burnaby City Hall at 4949 Canada Way.
- Fort Langley Village Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at 9025 Glover Road in the parking lot of St. Andrews Historic Church.
- Haney Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge.
- Riley Park Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Vancouver’s Riley Park at 50 East 30th Avenue across the street from Nat Bailey Stadium.
- Squamish Farmers Market – from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in downtown Squamish.
- Trout Lake Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at John Hendry Park in the north parking lot.
- West End Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at 1100 Comox Street in Vancouver’s West End.
Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
Pinoy Fiesta – a free Filipino parade and festival at Memorial South Park in Vancouver. (To be confirmed, but likely cancelled.)

SPECIAL HOTEL DEALS IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER

StayVancouverHotels is a website that offers special deals at downtown Vancouver hotels. Currently they have an offer where you can get a $75 gift certificate for the Pacific Centre Shopping Mall with each reservation. Or, if you prefer, you can get a $100 credit voucher toward a selection of Vancouver tourist attractions.

We checked the website on July 29th and found close to a dozen places on the August holiday weekend for less than $150 per night (before taxes and fees), including at some 4-star places! There are some pretty amazing deals available! Click StayVancouverHotels.com for details.

Sunday, August 16th (2020)

Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Sunday Farmers Markets
- Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.
- Kitsilano Farmers Market – between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Kitsilano Community Centre in Vancouver.
- Poirier Street Market – from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
- Steveston Village Farmers Market – in the parking lot of the Steveston Community Centre at 4111 Moncton Street from 10:30 am until 3:30 pm. (CANCELLED for the season.)
- Whistler Farmers Market – between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm outside the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in the Upper Village near the base of Blackcomb.
- White Rock Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at 15154 Russell Avenue in the Miramar Plaza.
Flea Markets
- Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant market with primarily (but not exclusively) second-hand goods between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm in Surrey. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under.
- Abbotsford Flea Market – a large flea market at Abbotsford Exhibition Park between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Summer Sundays – free outdoor concerts at Rocky Point Park in the afternoon. (CANCELLED)

Monday, August 17th (2020)

Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.
Vancouver Beaches – especially if the weather is good, Lower Mainland beaches are also great places to visit. Just be sure though to maintain appropriate physical distancing from other people!

Tuesday, August 18th (2020)

Vancouver Art Gallery – admission to the gallery is by donation tonight between 5:00 and 8:00 pm.
Cheap Movie Night – at various Metro Vancouver cinemas (so it’s not free, but it is extra cheap).
Stanley Park Summer Cinema – a free movie starts just after dusk at Ceperley Meadow by Stanley Park’s Second Beach. (CANCELLED)

Wednesday, August 19th (2020)

Main Street Farmers Market – a small to medium-sized market with about 3 dozen vendors outside Central Pacific Station from 2:00 until 6:00 pm.
Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.
Vancouver Beaches – especially if the weather is good, Lower Mainland beaches are also great places to visit. Just be sure though to maintain appropriate physical distancing from other people!

Thursday, August 20th (2020)

Farmers Markets
- Granville Island Farmers Market – a small market on Granville Island. (CANCELLED for 2020.)
- New Westminster Farmers Market – a larger market at Tipperary Park at 315 Queens Avenue between 3:00 and 7:00 pm. (OPEN)
Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Beaty Nocturnal – admission to UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum is by donation tonight between 5:00 and 8:30 pm. (CANCELLED)

Friday, August 21st (2020)

Squamish Wind Festival – today the event features live music and a drive-in movie.
Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.
Vancouver Beaches – especially if the weather is good, Lower Mainland beaches are also great places to visit. Just be sure though to maintain appropriate physical distancing from other people!

Saturday, August 22nd (2020)

Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Saturday Farmers Markets
- Abbotsford Country Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm in downtown Abbotsford.
- Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm outside Burnaby City Hall at 4949 Canada Way.
- Fort Langley Village Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at 9025 Glover Road in the parking lot of St. Andrews Historic Church.
- Haney Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge.
- Riley Park Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Vancouver’s Riley Park at 50 East 30th Avenue across the street from Nat Bailey Stadium.
- Squamish Farmers Market – from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in downtown Squamish.
- Trout Lake Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at John Hendry Park in the north parking lot.
- West End Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at 1100 Comox Street in Vancouver’s West End.
Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.

Sunday, August 23rd (2020)

Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Sunday Farmers Markets
- Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.
- Kitsilano Farmers Market – between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Kitsilano Community Centre in Vancouver.
- Ladner Village Market – a large farmers and artisan market from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm in downtown Ladner. Because of COVID-19, however, only food vendors are participating.)
- Poirier Street Market – from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
- Whistler Farmers Market – between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm outside the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in the Upper Village near the base of Blackcomb.
- White Rock Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at 15154 Russell Avenue in the Miramar Plaza.
Flea Markets
- Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant market with primarily (but not exclusively) second-hand goods between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm in Surrey. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under.
- Abbotsford Flea Market – a large flea market at Abbotsford Exhibition Park between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Summer Sundays – free outdoor concerts at Rocky Point Park in the afternoon. (CANCELLED)

Monday, August 24th (2020)

Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.
Vancouver Beaches – especially if the weather is good, Lower Mainland beaches are also great places to visit. Just be sure though to maintain appropriate physical distancing from other people!

Tuesday, August 25th (2020)

Vancouver Art Gallery – admission to the gallery is by donation tonight between 5:00 and 8:00 pm.
Cheap Movie Night – at various Metro Vancouver cinemas (so it’s not free, but it is extra cheap).
Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.
Vancouver Beaches – especially if the weather is good, Lower Mainland beaches are also great places to visit. Just be sure though to maintain appropriate physical distancing from other people!

Wednesday, August 26th (2020)

Main Street Farmers Market – a small to medium-sized market with about 3 dozen vendors outside Central Pacific Station from 2:00 until 6:00 pm.
Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.
Vancouver Beaches – especially if the weather is good, Lower Mainland beaches are also great places to visit. Just be sure though to maintain appropriate physical distancing from other people!

Thursday, August 27th (2020)

Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Farmers Markets
- Granville Island Farmers Market – a small market on Granville Island. (CANCELLED for 2020.)
- New Westminster Farmers Market – a larger market at Tipperary Park at 315 Queens Avenue between 3:00 and 7:00 pm. (OPEN)
Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.
Vancouver Beaches – especially if the weather is good, Lower Mainland beaches are also great places to visit. Just be sure though to maintain appropriate physical distancing from other people!

Friday, August 28th (2020)

Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.
Vancouver Beaches – especially if the weather is good, Lower Mainland beaches are also great places to visit. Just be sure though to maintain appropriate physical distancing from other people!

Saturday, August 29th (2020)

Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Saturday Farmers Markets
- Abbotsford Country Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm in downtown Abbotsford.
- Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm outside Burnaby City Hall at 4949 Canada Way.
- Fort Langley Village Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at 9025 Glover Road in the parking lot of St. Andrews Historic Church.
- Haney Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge.
- Riley Park Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Vancouver’s Riley Park at 50 East 30th Avenue across the street from Nat Bailey Stadium.
- Squamish Farmers Market – from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in downtown Squamish.
- Trout Lake Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at John Hendry Park in the north parking lot.
- West End Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at 1100 Comox Street in Vancouver’s West End.
Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.

Sunday, August 30th (2020)

Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum at Deer Lake is open to the public and offers free admission.
Sunday Farmers Markets
- Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.
- Kitsilano Farmers Market – between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Kitsilano Community Centre in Vancouver.
- Poirier Street Market – from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot at 624 Poirier Street in Coquitlam.
- Whistler Farmers Market – between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm outside the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in the Upper Village near the base of Blackcomb.
- White Rock Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at 15154 Russell Avenue in the Miramar Plaza.
Flea Markets
- Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
- Cloverdale Flea Market – a giant market with primarily (but not exclusively) second-hand goods between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm in Surrey. Admission is $1.50, but free for kids ages 12 and under.
- Abbotsford Flea Market – a large flea market at Abbotsford Exhibition Park between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Summer Sundays – free outdoor concerts at Rocky Point Park in the afternoon. (CANCELLED)

Monday, August 31st (2020)

Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.
Vancouver Beaches – especially if the weather is good, Lower Mainland beaches are also great places to visit. Just be sure though to maintain appropriate physical distancing from other people!