Categories: Things To Do

A massive free block party is taking over this Vancouver street with over 30 murals and live DJs

Photo via Jeremy Au Yeung / Astro Arts Festival

The second annual Astro Arts Festival is coming up in early August, giving the city back a piece of the Vancouver Mural Fest, which used to take place every summer. Hosted at the Astro Club Artist Facility, the Astro Arts Festival is a free, all-ages block party and celebration of local art and talent in Mount Pleasant, complete with over 30 experimental murals painted live.

This year, the block party will flow into the street, with West 4th Avenue closed to traffic starting at Columbia Street.

The fun kicks off with a gallery exhibition, 100 Amigos, on Friday, Aug. 7, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Curated by Pablo Zamudio, Drew Young, Douglas Coupland and Graeme Berglund, the late-night exhibition will be the perfect opportunity to explore various works of public art across mediums, alongside live music by DJ Hubbz.

Photo via Jeremy Au Yeung/Astro Arts Festival

On Saturday, Aug. 8, a free block party will unveil six large-scale murals in Astro Alley. From noon to 10 p.m., the event will showcase live mural painting and a graffiti jam, featuring 30+ artists, according to organizers.

“Visitors can see how large-scale public art comes to life and meet the artists transforming Mount Pleasant,” say organizers in a recent release. “Whether you’re an art enthusiast, fellow creative, or just curious, come and connect with the people and processes behind Vancouver’s public art scene.”

Festival-goers will also find an artisan market curated by Make Good Party and a vintage market curated by Cabreezy Curates, with plenty of locally-made goods and second-hand finds up for grabs.

In between touring the street art, talking to local artists, and perusing the markets, you can grab a cold beverage from a block-wide beer garden and enjoy live music by Ricecake.

The festivities continue with a second block party on Sunday, Aug. 9, so you’ve technically got two days’ worth of live art, music, dancing, and car-free vibes to look forward to.

If you’ve been missing the Vancouver Mural Festival and want to explore similar summer events, this is absolutely one to bookmark. And if you’re looking for more free festivities to check out in the city the same weekend, there’s also the Summer Social River District to make note of!