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 7th to 9th include the EMV Summer Festival, Chilliwack Corn Festival, Langley Pride Day and Harmony Arts Festival. There is also the White Rock Night Market, Shipyards Night Market, Chilliwack Fair & Rodeo, KitsFest, Abbotsford Airshow, and Ugly Potato Day.

For folks who like sports, next weekend there is a basketball game with the Vancouver Bandits and a soccer match with Vancouver Rise FC.

For those 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, Live & Local in North Vancouver and the Summer Concert Series in Coquitlam.

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 7th, 2026

White Rock Night Market – food trucks, artisan vendors and live entertainment by the pier and along the waterfront promenade in White Rock.
EMV Summer Festival – a music festival featuring music played on the types of instruments used when the classical pieces were performed centuries ago.
Chilliwack Fair & Rodeo – a country fair in Chilliwack.
Shipyards Night Market – live music and market activities at Shipbuilder’s Square in North Vancouver.
Harmony Arts Festival – an arts festival featuring live music and art displays in West Vancouver.
KitsFest – a sports festival at Kitsilano Beach.
Abbotsford Airshow – one of the largest airshows in Canada.

Music, Theatre & Other Entertainment

Summer Concert Series – a free concert at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam. Tonight’s live music is with Classic Elton.
Live & Local in North Vancouver – free live music takes place today on the North Shore.
EMV Summer Festival – a music festival with Early Music Vancouver. Today features Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons at the UBC Chan Centre.
Bard on the Beach – Shakespearean theatre at Vanier Park.
Kitsilano Showboat – free live entertainment on the outdoor stage at Kitsilano Beach.
The Improv Centre – live comedy theatre at Granville Island.
Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre in Stanley Park..
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.

Vancouver Sightseeing Tours

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided tours in downtown Vancouver.
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

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).
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%.)
Fort Langley – the national historic site in Fort Langley is a great place to explore (and admission is free this summer).
Chinese Canadian Museum – a relatively new museum full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Railway Museum of BC – a large museum with trains and railway artifacts in Squamish.

Other Featured Attractions & Activities

Vancouver Art Gallery – admission is by donation from 4 pm to 8 pm (because it’s the first Friday of the month).
Bill Reid Gallery – free admission at the Indigenous art gallery from 2 until 5 pm (because it’s the first Friday of the month).
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.)
Flyover at Canada Place – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience in downtown Vancouver.
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%.)
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!)
Vancouver Mysteries Games – outdoor adventure games in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games.)
The Legend of the Gastown Gold – an indoor detective game that’s played at a hotel in downtown Vancouver.
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.

Saturday, August 8th, 2026

Langley Pride Day – a 2SLGBTQIA+ celebration with free and ticketed activities at Langley’s Creekside Hall.
Chilliwack Corn Festival – a fun event at Greendale Acres Farm with corn shucking and eating competitions, cornhole games, live music and other family-friendly activities.
Chilliwack Fair & Rodeo – an annual fair in Chilliwack.
Harmony Arts Festival – an arts festival featuring live music and art displays in West Vancouver.
Abbotsford Airshow – one of the largest airshows in Canada.
Ugly Potato Day – an event in Surrey where farmers from across the region gather to share their “ugly” produce and help feed the community.
Pleasant Day Festival – a street festival on Main Street in Vancouver.
Vancouver Thai Festival – a free festival celebrating Thai music, culture and food in the North Plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Squamish Arts Festival – a community event featuring art, music and performing arts.
Saturday Farmers Markets – in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Burnaby, 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 Calgary at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.
Vancouver Bandits Basketball – the team plays their CEBL Conference playoff game at the Langley Events Centre.
KitsFest – a sports festival at Kitsilano Beach.

Music, Live Theatre & Film

Sundown Music Series – live music takes place at Greendale Acres Farm in Chilliwack.
Bard on the Beach – Shakespearean theatre at Vanier Park.
The Improv Centre – live comedy theatre at Granville Island.
Flyover at Canada Place – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience in downtown Vancouver.
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.
Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival – a music festival at Deer Lake Park featuring various bands.

Vancouver Sightseeing Tours

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided tours in downtown Vancouver.
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

Chinese Canadian Museum – a relatively new museum full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
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).
Railway Museum of BC – a large museum with trains and railway artifacts in Squamish.
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).
Vancouver Maritime Museum – the family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%.)

Other Featured Attractions & Activities

Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park at the PNE.
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!)
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.
WildPlay Element Park – ropes courses and ziplines at the outdoor adventure facility in Maple Ridge. (TIP: Use the promo code VBP15 and save 15%.)
The Case of the Hotel Detective – a murder-mystery game that’s played at a hotel in downtown Vancouver near Gastown.
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 9th, 2026

Chilliwack Corn Festival – a fun event at Greendale Acres Farm with corn shucking and eating competitions, cornhole games, live music and other family-friendly activities.
Chilliwack Fair & Rodeo – a country fair in Chilliwack.
Harmony Arts Festival – an arts festival featuring live music and art displays in West Vancouver.
KitsFest – a sports festival at Kitsilano Beach.
Vancouver Thai Festival – a free festival celebrating Thai music, culture and food in the North Plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Abbotsford Airshow – one of the largest airshows in Canada.
Playland – Vancouver’s amusement park at the PNE. Today is PADS Day which celebrates the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society.
Lower Mainland Beaches – beaches at Ambleside, Crescent Beach, White Rock, Stanley Park, Kitsilano, Belcarra Park and elsewhere are especially popular this time of year, as are the Outdoor Swimming Pools.

Theatre, Live Music & Other Entertainment

Theatre Under the Stars – outdoor musical theatre in Stanley Park.
Bard on the Beach – Shakespearean theatre at Vanier Park.
The Improv Centre – live comedy theatre at Granville Island.
Kitsilano Showboat – free live entertainment on the outdoor stage at Kitsilano Beach.
Port Moody Summer Sundays – free live music at Rocky Point Park.

Vancouver Sightseeing Tours

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours – guided tours in downtown Vancouver.
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

Chinese Canadian Museum – a relatively new museum full of information and things to see in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
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 Maritime Museum – the family-friendly museum at Vanier Park. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTVANCOUVER and save 25%.)
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!)

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%.)
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!)
Vancouver Mysteries Games – outdoor adventure games in downtown Vancouver. (TIP: Use promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on games.)
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.
Flyover at Canada Place – a multi-dimensional flying theatre experience in downtown Vancouver.
The Case of the Hotel Detective – a murder-mystery game that’s played at a hotel in downtown Vancouver near Gastown.

Sunday Markets

Ambleside Artisan Farmers Market – the market at Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver is always a really good one, and at such an awesome venue.
Brentwood Artisan Farmers Market – a market at the Amazing Brentwood Mall in Burnaby.
Other Sunday Farmers Markets – in Coquitlam, Kitsilano, Ladner, 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 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 Shipyards Night Market.

For those who like sports, next 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, Live & Local in North Vancouver and the Summer Concert Series in Coquitlam. In Langley, meanwhile, there is Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding.

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.