Home Special Events Free Vancouver Events in September

Free Vancouver Events in September

August 27, 2023

September is a fabulous month to be in Metro Vancouver. The weather is still usually nice, plus there are great free events and things to do in the region.

Best FREE Places in September in Vancouver

Free (or almost free) things to do in September most years include various festivals, plus many of the summer’s regular great activities like Farmers Markets and exploring the great outdoors. There are also free attractions like Burnaby Village (in the first week of the month), the Polygon Gallery, Britannia Heritage Shipyards, Shipyard Pals walking tours and Stanley Park, as well as Beaches and Nature to explore.

Below is a list of some of the best free and extra-inexpensive things to do this month in the Lower Mainland.

(Note: Event locations, times, prices and other details listed below are subject to change. Check with each event’s website for the most up-to-date information.)

Friday, September 1st (2023)

Labour Day Weekend – a number of free events happen at various venues in the Lower Mainland this weekend.
Shipyards Night Market – artisan vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.
PNE Fair – Vancouver’s annual summer fair isn’t free, but for what you get it’s a really good deal. What makes it an even better deal? If you use the promo code VBP23, you can buy four admission tickets online for just $40 (which is less than half the full price for adults at the gate)! To redeem the offer and save up to $60, click VBP’s PNE Deal and use the VBP23 promo code.
Art Downtown – a group of local artists display their work outside the Vancouver Convention Centre in Jack Poole Plaza (weather permitting).
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).
Burnaby Village – the outdoor museum is open from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
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).
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%.

Saturday, September 2nd (2023)

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. What makes it an even better deal? If you use the promo code VBP23, you can buy four admission tickets online for just $40 (which is less than half the full price for adults at the gate)! To redeem the offer and save up to $60, click VBP’s PNE Deal and use the VBP23 promo code.
Bands on the Beach – free outdoor concerts at Harrison Hot Springs.
Taiwanfest – various activities and live entertainment happen along Granville Street in downtown Vancouver between around 11:00 am and 9:30 pm.
Orpheum Theatre Public Tours – a free tour of the Orpheum Theatre takes place from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm.
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.

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.
Lonsdale Quay Artisan Farmers Market – a market outside North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.
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 near 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 $4 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.

Sunday, September 3rd (2023)

Labour Day Weekend – a number of free events happen throughout the Lower Mainland this weekend.
Vancouver Polish Festival – music, dancing, food and other cultural activities in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District. Admission is free!
PNE Fair – Vancouver’s annual summer fair isn’t free, but for what you get it’s a really good deal. What makes it an even better deal? If you use the promo code VBP23, you can buy four admission tickets online for just $40 (which is less than half the full price for adults at the gate)! To redeem the offer and save up to $60, click VBP’s PNE Deal and use the VBP23 promo code.
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.
Taiwanfest – various activities and live entertainment happen along Granville Street in downtown Vancouver between around 11:00 am and 9:30 pm.
Victory Square Block Party – a free event featuring live music in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side. (TBC)
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 $4 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 $1.50, but free for children ages 12 and under.

Monday, September 4th (2023)

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. What makes it an even better deal? If you use the promo code VBP23, you can buy four admission tickets online for just $40 (which is less than half the full price for adults at the gate)! To redeem the offer and save up to $60, click VBP’s PNE Deal and use the VBP23 promo code.
Taiwanfest – various activities and live entertainment happen along Granville Street in downtown Vancouver between around 11:00 am and about 6:00 pm.
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 5th (2023)

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 6th (2023)

Art Downtown – a group of local artists display their work at 855 West Hastings Street in downtown Vancouver (weather permitting).
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 7th (2023)

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 up to 2 children get in for free per paying adult)!
Opening Reception at Place Des Arts – an event celebrating the opening of 3 new exhibitions at the Coquitlam arts centre.
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 8th (2023)

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 up to 2 children get in for free per paying adult)!
Shipyards Night Market – artisan vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.
Fully Charged LIVE – a large electric vehicle and home energy exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre. You have to buy tickets to the indoor event, but there are free things to see outside in Jack Poole Plaza. Also, if you use the promo code FCFIFTY, you can save 50% on tickets to the show.
Art Downtown – a group of local artists display their work outside the Vancouver Convention Centre in Jack Poole Plaza (weather permitting).
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.