Home Special Events Free Vancouver Events in August

Free Vancouver Events in August

July 27, 2024

In August there are numerous free events in Metro Vancouver including festivals, Outdoor Movies, markets, parades and Outdoor Summer Concerts.

This year in the Lower Mainland there are art displays to enjoy with the Art Downtown Summer Program. There are also a number of free live music events happening at various venues around the region.

There are also free attractions like Burnaby Village, the Museum of Surrey, Pavilion 374 Train Museum, Shipyard Pals walking tours and Stanley Park, as well as Beaches to hang out at and Nature to explore. August is also a great time to visit Farmers Markets and events like the Shipyards Night Market.

Best FREE Activities in August

The following is a list of the top free festivals, events and other activities in Vancouver and the surrounding area in August in 2024. 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 lists of other inexpensive things to do, see our articles about Vancouver on a Budget and Lower Mainland Parks and Nature. Other good places to find free activities are Vancouver Outdoor Movies and Free Summer Concerts.

Saturday, August 31st (2024)

Bands on the Beach – an event with live music at Harrison Hot Springs.
Nikkei Matsuri – a Japanese festival at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby.
TAIWANfest – an Asian-themed multicultural festival featuring events at various locations in downtown Vancouver. Today features free activities outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and along Granville Street. There is also a talk at the Vancouver Public Library and a show at the ANNEX.
Cates Park Concert Series – free live music takes place from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Cates Park in North Vancouver.

Saturday Markets

Abbotsford Country Farmers Market – in downtown Abbotsford.
Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm outside Burnaby City Hall.
Fort Langley Village Farmers Market – outside St. Andrews Historic Church.
Haney Farmers Market – at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge.
Junction Public Market – from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at Granville Square.
Riley Park Farmers Market – at Vancouver’s Riley Park.
Squamish Farmers Market – in downtown Squamish.
Trout Lake Farmers Market – at John Hendry Park.
West End Farmers Market – in Vancouver’s West End.
Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $2 to $4 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.

Other Inexpensive Things to Do

Vancouver on a Budget – other places to explore include the following:
- Fort Langley – the national historic site is very affordable, especially for children and youth under the age of 18 who get in for free.
- Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
- Engine 374 Pavilion – an indoor train museum with a real locomotive and free admission at the Roundhouse in Yaletown.
- Museum of Surrey – an interesting museum with free admission in Cloverdale.
- Harrison Sasquatch Museum – a free attraction with exhibits about local folklore and culture.
- Other places that are either free or with admission by donation on various days of the week include Granville Island, Old Hastings Mill Store Museum, London Farm, Britannia Heritage Shipyard, Polygon Gallery, Maple Ridge Museum, Mackin House, Port Moody Station Museum and Stewart Farm. (See attraction articles and websites for details about hours and admission.)

Sunday, September 1st (2024)

Labour Day Weekend – a number of free events happen throughout the Lower Mainland this weekend.
PNE Fair – Vancouver’s annual summer fair isn’t free, but for what you get it’s a really good deal.
TAIWANfest – various activities and live entertainment happen along Granville Street and outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver. Today there are also a few documentary films.
Shipyard Pals – free walking tours happen today in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District. They are hosted by MONOVA (a.k.a. the Museum of North Vancouver).
Bands on the Beach – free outdoor concerts at Harrison Hot Springs.
Victory Square Block Party – a free event featuring live music in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side.
Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Heritage Harbour at the Maritime Museum – you can wander around on the docks and admire the boats in front of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for free. Also, if you want to go inside the museum, use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER when purchasing your tickets online to save 25%.
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.

Sunday Farmers Markets

Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.
Chilliwack Farmers Market – at 9360 Mill Street from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm in downtown Chilliwack.
Kitsilano Farmers Market – between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Kitsilano Community Centre in Vancouver.
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market – from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 8th Avenue & Guelph Street.
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 in the Upper Village Stroll.
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 $2 to $5 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
Cloverdale Flea Market – between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm at Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Admission is $2, but free for children ages 12 and under.

Monday, September 2nd (2024)

Labour Day – a statutory holiday with various events happening throughout the Lower Mainland this weekend.
PNE Fair – Vancouver’s annual summer fair isn’t free, but for what you get it’s a really good deal.
TAIWANfest – various activities and live entertainment happen along Granville Street and outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver. There is also a free talk at the ANNEX.
Labour Day at Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum celebrates its final day of the summer season.
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.
Heritage Harbour at the Maritime Museum – you can wander around on the docks and admire the boats in front of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for free. Also, if you want to go inside the museum, use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER when purchasing your tickets online to save 25%.

Tuesday, September 3rd (2024)

Cheap Movie Night – at various movie theatres throughout Metro Vancouver (so although not free, it is less expensive than usual).
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.
Brahm’s Tam Drum Circle – drumming takes place at Stanley Park’s Third Beach if the weather is sunny from early evening until sunset. Free!
Heritage Harbour at the Maritime Museum – you can wander around on the docks and admire the boats in front of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for free. Also, if you want to go inside the museum, use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER when purchasing your tickets online to save 25%.

Wednesday, September 4th (2024)

Shipyard Pals – free walking tours happen today in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District. They are hosted by MONOVA (a.k.a. the Museum of North Vancouver).
Downtown Farmers Market – held outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in the North Plaza from 2:00 until 6:00 pm.
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.
Heritage Harbour at the Maritime Museum – you can wander around on the docks and admire the boats in front of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for free. Also, if you want to go inside the museum, use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER when purchasing your tickets online to save 25%.

Thursday, September 5th (2024)

Circo Osorio Circus – the circus is at the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre in Abbotsford today. The shows aren’t free, but they are very affordable (especially as 1 child can get in for free per paying adult when you purchase your tickets one).
New Westminster Farmers Market – a market at Tipperary Park between 3:00 and 7:00 pm.
False Creek Farmers Market – from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Concord Community Park near False Creek.
Port Coquitlam Farmers Market – a small market at the Terry Fox Hometown Square outside the Port Coquitlam Community Centre from 3:00 until 7:00 pm.
Heritage Harbour at the Maritime Museum – you can wander around on the docks and admire the boats in front of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for free. Also, if you want to go inside the museum, use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER when purchasing your tickets online to save 25%.
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.

Friday, September 6th (2024)

Everything Electric Canada – a large electric vehicle and home energy exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. You have to buy tickets to the indoor event, but if you use the promo code VANBEST20, you can save 20%.
Opening Reception at Place des Arts – an event celebrating the opening of three new exhibitions at the arts centre in Coquitlam.
Circo Osorio Circus – the circus is at the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre in Abbotsford today. The shows aren’t free, but they are very affordable (especially as 1 child can get in for free per paying adult when you purchase your tickets one).
Shipyards Night Market – artisan vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.
Bill Reid Gallery – free admission at the Bill Reid First Nation’s art gallery between 2:00 and 5:00 pm (because it’s the first Friday of the month).
Vancouver Art Gallery – admission to the city’s main art gallery at 750 Hornby Street is by donation today (because it’s the first Friday of the month).
Kerrisdale Days – a small community event that features a free outdoor movie in the evening.
Heritage Harbour at the Maritime Museum – you can wander around on the docks and admire the boats in front of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for free. Also, if you want to go inside the museum, use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER when purchasing your tickets online to save 25%.
Lower Mainland Parks – if it’s nice out, then enjoy the outdoors in one of the region’s best parks and places in nature.

Saturday, September 7th (2024)

Polish Festival Vancouver – music, dancing, food and other cultural activities in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District. Admission is free!
Port Coquitlam Car Free Day – a free street party with market vendors, live entertainment and family-friendly activities on McAllister Avenue.
Circo Osorio Circus – the circus is at the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre in Abbotsford today. The shows aren’t free, but they are very affordable (especially as 1 child can get in for free per paying adult when you purchase your tickets one).
Everything Electric Canada – a large electric vehicle and home energy exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. You have to buy tickets to the indoor event, but if you use the promo code VANBEST20, you can save 20%.
Recovery Day BC in New West – a free street party in New Westminster between 12:00 and 5:00 pm. It features information about mental health and addiction issues as well as live music.
Commercial Drive Car Free Day – a free street party along Vancouver’s Commercial Drive.
Kerrisdale Days – a small community event in Vancouver.
Heritage Harbour at the Maritime Museum – you can wander around on the docks and admire the boats in front of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for free. Also, if you want to go inside the museum, use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER when purchasing your tickets online to save 25%.

Saturday Markets

Abbotsford Country Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 12:00 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 9:00 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 $2 to $5 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.

Sunday, September 8th (2024)

Grandparents’ Day
Everything Electric Canada – a large electric vehicle and home energy exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. You have to buy tickets to the indoor event, but if you use the promo code VANBEST20, you can save 20%.
Circo Osorio Circus – the circus is at the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre in Abbotsford today. The shows aren’t free, but they are very affordable (especially as 1 child can get in for free per paying adult when you purchase your tickets one).
Shipyard Pals – free walking tours happen today in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District. They are hosted by MONOVA (a.k.a. the Museum of North Vancouver).
Heritage Harbour at the Maritime Museum – you can wander around on the docks and admire the boats in front of the Vancouver Maritime Museum for free. Also, if you want to go inside the museum, use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER when purchasing your tickets online to save 25%.

Sunday Farmers Markets

Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.
Chilliwack Farmers Market – at 9360 Mill Street from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm in downtown Chilliwack.
Kitsilano Farmers Market – between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Kitsilano Community Centre in Vancouver.
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market – from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 8th Avenue & Guelph Street.
Nikkei Garden Farmers Market – fresh produce and artisan vendors at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby.
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 in the Upper Village Stroll.
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 $2 to $5 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
Cloverdale Flea Market – between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm at Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Admission is $2, but free for children ages 12 and under.