Photo via @celeboflight / Instagram
It’s officially the season of outdoor markets, street parties, and some of the city’s most beloved summertime traditions. So grab your pals, lawn chairs, and party hats – here are 16 of the best free and cheap things to do in and around Vancouver this July.
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One of the country’s largest Canada Day celebrations is returning to Steveston Village on the first of the month this year, and it’s bringing together a full day of live music, family fun, and over 20 food trucks. Yes, we’re talking about this year’s Steveston Salmon Festival!
Now in its 77th year, the beloved annual celebration will once again feature the classic Pancake Breakfast, Salmon Bake, and Chow Mein near the Steveston Community Centre, in addition to tasty on-site food trucks.
When: Monday, July 1st
Where: Steveston Village, BC
Cost: Free admission, $20 for Salmon Bake
Western Canada’s largest Canada Day celebration will take place at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Surrey, and offer visitors a full afternoon of live music, including from headliners Sass Jordan and The Sheepdogs.
There will also be amusement rides, a pop-up ‘tavern’ with brews and wines, food trucks, a kid’s zone, and an Indigenous Village, where guests can learn more about Indigenous cultures through storytelling, music, art, and dance.
When: Monday, July 1st
Where: 17728 64th Avenue, Surrey
Cost: Free to attend
Thanks to a new partnership with BMO, the Vancouver Art Gallery is set to launch free admission to the public on the first Friday of every month, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The first free Friday night will be on Friday, July 5th – so mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy some after-work art!
When: Friday, July 5th
Where: 750 Hornby Street
Cost: Free admission
Carnaval del Sol is the largest Latin American festival in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s taking place at Jonathon Rogers Park this year. So get ready to be immersed in the vibrant music, dance, food, and traditions of Latin America at this three-day celebration!
One-day passes are priced at $20 a pop if you secure them in advance, with children and seniors able to enter for free.
When: Friday, July 5th to Sunday, July 7th
Where: Jonathon Rogers Park
Cost: $20
Vancouver’s largest free music festival is back this month with an incredible lineup of local talent, which has been put together by Zulu Records this year. The all-day celebration lines West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano with over 50 food vendors, pop-up shops, art displays, and beer gardens – and it’s a summer staple!
When: Saturday, July 6th
Where: West Broadway, Kitsilano
Cost: Free admission
You don’t have to be an expert biker to enjoy this exciting summer event. So grab your bikes and helmets, and get ready to enjoy a free festival with activities for the whole family to enjoy – the Tour de Concord is back in downtown Vancouver!
When: Sunday, July 7th
Where: 88 Pacific Boulevard
Cost: Free
The beloved Vancouver Chinatown Festival returns to downtown Vancouver for two days this month, and you won’t want to miss it. With live entertainment, an artisans’ market, tasty food truck eats, and an all-new Cultural Zone and Children’s Theatre, there will be plenty to enjoy here!
When: Saturday, July 13th and Sunday, July 14th
Where: Keefer and Columbia Street
Cost: Free admission
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With plenty of summer and fall markets under its belt (including the city’s first beachside night market), the Vegan Night Market by Peaces.ca is back this July and you won’t want to miss it. The next market takes place on July 4th at Locarno Beach, followed by bi-weekly summer events until August 29th.
When: Thursday, July 4th And bi-weekly until August 29th
Where: Locarno Beach
Cost: $2 minimum donation
This free-to-enter summer fair will have an array of food and beverage vendors, hand-made jewelry, art, vintage clothing, woodwork, books, games, and houseplants to check out. So if you’re looking to support local this month, consider heading to the Brock House Society Summer Fair!
When: July 13th
Where: 3875 Point Grey Road
Cost: Free admission
There’s nothing like bubble tea to cool you down in the summer, and we can’t help but get excited for the return of Canada’s largest bubble tea festival. The popular Burnaby festival brings the best of the scene to the Swangard Stadium, where you’ll be able to catch an outdoor movie as well – all with free admission!
When: July 19th to 21st
Where: 3883 Imperial Street, Burnaby
Cost: Free admission
Drawing thousands of local and international visitors every year, the Celebration of Light is a huge deal for lovers of fireworks, as it’s not often that Vancouver’s skies light up with dazzling displays.
This year, Team Macedos Pirotecnia of Portugal will kick things off on July 20th, followed by Team Pyro Tact from Malaysia on July 24th, and a grand finale on July 27th by the UK’s Pyrtotex Fireworx.
When: July 20th, 24th, and 27th
Where: English Bay
Cost: Free
From Summer Movie Nights in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery to Sunset Cinema at The Shipyards, to Evo Summer Cinema at Stanley Park – Metro Vancouver residents can take their pick from a plethora of free outdoor movies this summer. So grab your blankets and lawn chairs, and get ready to unwind under the stars!
When: Weekly this July
Where: See locations above
Cost: Free admission
Vancouver’s newest public marketplace is almost here, which will feature a mix of rotating food trucks, artisan vendors, and live entertainment. Oh, and refreshing sips from the market’s ‘Sipping Container!
Taking place at Granville Square from June 28th to September 29th, Junction Public Market will operate from Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, including holiday Mondays.
When: June 28th to September 29th
Where: 200 Granville Street
Cost: Free admission
Yes, another free market to add to your list! The Community Market at the Hastings Racecourse and Casino is on every Friday and Saturday until August 10th. Visitors can peruse local artisans and makers while surrounded by the excitement of horse racing.
When: Fridays and Saturdays this July
Where: 188 North Renfrew Street
Cost: Free admission
The beloved Shipyards Night Market is on every Friday until September 13th, so get ready to enjoy the iconic beer garden and outdoor market, and peruse many mouthwatering food trucks.
When: Every Friday from May 10th to September 13th
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Baseball season is now in full swing, no pun intended. This month, the Vancouver Canadians are up against the Everett AquaSox, Spokane Indians, and the Tri-City Dust Devils.
When: Games throughout July
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium
Cost: $20+
So there you have it, bargain hunters! Enjoy your July!
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