A new month is here and it’s time for festivals in the summer sunshine, live music, outdoor movies, cultural celebrations and so much more that won’t cost you a cent!
Burnaby Summer Cinema – Enjoy free family-friendly movies at Civic Square on Friday nights and Confederation Park on Saturday evenings this August. Bring a blanket or chair, grab a bite from one of the food trucks and enjoy the show. Free admission and parking. Movies start at dusk.
Family Eco-Hour at the Nature House (drop-in) – Visit the Stanley Park Nature House at Lost Lagoon on Saturdays and Sundays this month Family EcoHour which offers a fun and engaging way for children to connect with nature through hands-on learning and creativity.
Pleasant Day Festival – The Mount Pleasant BIA presents the Pleasant Day Festival on Saturday, August 8 featuring live performances across four outdoor stages, an all-local vendor market, dozens of food trucks and restaurant pop-ups, and interactive zones for all ages. Main Street will come alive from 16th Avenue to King Edward Avenue with music, activities, and community programming throughout the day.
Light Up Chinatown – The Vancouver Chinatown Foundation and RBC present this free, family-friendly two-day festival taking place on Saturday, August 8, from 11 am to 7 pm, and Sunday, August 9, from 11 am to 5 pm, along the 500-block of Columbia Street and neighbouring streets in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown.
White Rock Night Market – On select Fridays, once a month from May to September, Marine Drive comes alive with different food trucks, local makers, live entertainment and a licensed beverage garden. The next event is Friday, August 7, from 3pm to 10pm.
Green Timbers Day – Celebrate nature and community with Surrey Parks, the Green Timbers Heritage Society and Surrey’s Natural Areas Partnership (SNAP) on Saturday, August 8 from 10am to 4pm. Enjoy nature-themed activities, music, lawn games and more.
Bill Reid Gallery Summer Open House – Spend a summer afternoon surrounded by Indigenous art, creativity, and community on Friday, August 14 from 2pm to 5pm. Explore the feature exhibition, Every River Has a Mouth, and watch Mark George, Jessica Sylvie, and Crystal Sparrow at work during live artist demonstrations. Join Education Specialist Sara Louie in the Hummingbird Gathering Space for a hands-on printmaking activity for all ages.
BC Dumpling Festival – A local favourite! This festival is a celebration of the diverse community we live in and brings together families, friends, neighbours, community organizations and businesses from different cultures to share food, entertainment and laughter. It is a multicultural, family-friendly event that will showcase dumplings from different cultures. Taking place at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam on Saturday, August 15, from 11am to 8pm.
Free Zumba at Canada Place – On Mondays this month (except BC Day) enjoy a free outdoor Zumba class along the waterfront at the North Point of Canada Place from 6pm to 7pm. No dance experience or partner required, just bring yourself along with a bottle of water and some good vibes. Instructors from Zumba® Vancouver will lead you through heart-pumping routines against the backdrop of Vancouver’s iconic waterfront.
Richmond Maritime Festival – Celebrate Richmond’s diverse nautical history at the 23rd Annual Richmond Maritime Festival. Enjoy a vibrant program of free live music, maritime-themed kids activities, a display of beautifully restored wooden boats and ships, and much more. Bring the whole family to Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site in Steveston on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 from 11am to 6pm.