We’ve got another long weekend coming up, Vancouver, and there’s plenty to do in the city to show for it. Whether you want to celebrate Pride and check out the annual parade, do some late-night shopping, or check out a street festival or two – you’ve got no shortage of options here. And if you’d rather make your escape from the city for some quality time in nature, we’ve got some scenic road trip destinations that would fit the bill!

So with that in mind, here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this weekend (August 4-7).

Vancouver Pride Festival & Parade

 

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Get ready for this year’s exciting Pride festivities, which include ticketed events as well as the free Vancouver Pride Festival and Parade, which occur on August 5th and 6th. This year, Concord Pacific Place will be transformed into a two-day outdoor festival with DJs, drag and more – including performances by Haus Bukuru, RiceCake, and Normie Corp!

Also new this year is the adjusted route for the Pride Parade – which will begin at the intersection of Davie and Denman Streets, and will move down Beach Avenue and Pacific Street, reaching its end at the festival site at Concord Community Park.

When: Saturday, August 5th and Sunday, August 6th
Where: Concord Pacific Place and False Creek, and locations around Vancouver

Powell Street Festival

And to round out the street fests, we’ve got Powell Street Festival! It’s similar to Sakura Days, in that it’s Japanese-focused, but expect some incredible food vendors alongside the events and activities going down.

When: August 5th and 6th
Where: Powell Street

Vancouver Black Pride 

Afroqueer YVR is a QTBIPOC-inclusive event celebrating the Black community by holding space for queer Black individuals, and the celebration looks to be an exciting one, complete with Drag, Afrobeats, House and Hip Hop music, and much more.

When: Saturday, August 5th
Where:1100 Bute Street
Cost: $45 (discounted tickets available upon request)

Vancouver Mural Festival 

With the Vancouver Mural Fest underway starting August 5th, it’s a great time to prepare for upcoming events, like the Astro Alley pop-up party taking place from August 5th to 7th. This free, all-ages party will set up behind Astro Studio, where artists will be playing all day long.

When: August 5th to 7th
Where: 163 West 4th Avenue
Cost: Free

Late-night shopping at McArthurGlen

Maybe a bit of shopping is what you’re after this long weekend, and you’ll be sure to find it at the McArthurGlen Outlet, which is hosting Vancouver’s first-ever Late Night Shopping event. On Saturday, August 5th and Sunday, August 6th, guests will be able to shop numerous designer brands (Adidas, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, Oak & Fort, etc) between 10 am and 10 pm.

Some special late-night deals to look out for? 10% off purchases made at Nike between 5 and 10 pm, 15% off of the entire Michael Kors store, and a 10% off purchase and gift with purchases over $500 at Moose Knuckles.
Shoppers can also enjoy live music from 6 to 10 pm, as well as sips from the outlet mall’s first craft beer garden – which certainly takes the edge off of shopping if you’re not a mall person!

When: Saturday, August 5th and Sunday, August 6th
Where: 7899 Templeton Station Road #1000, Richmond

Brigade Days at Fort Langley

This long weekend, you can step back in time and experience BC’s Hudson’s Bay Company era at Fort Langley. Here, re-enactors will perform traditional music, tell stories, and showcase some of the most practical and crafty skills of the times.

When: Saturday, August 5th to Monday, August 7th
Where: 150 Copper Drive, Britannia Beach
Cost: $8.50 GA

Free nights at Vancouver Art Gallery 

Thanks to a new partnership with BMO, the Vancouver Art Gallery has launched free admission to the public on the first Friday of every month, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The next free Friday night will be on July 7th – so mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy some after-work art!

When: Friday, August 4th and every first Friday of the month
Where: 750 Hornby Street

Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival

This Saturday, August 5th marks the last day of the Early Music Fest – so if you haven’t gotten around to checking it out yet, now’s your chance! Every year, Early Music Vancouver’s concerts bring some of the most renowned artists in the early music genre to the stage, from all around the globe.

This year focuses on female artists who made and continue to make waves in the industry and beyond. So get ready to brush up on your early music history and learn about some of the most fascinating, revolutionary artists of their time.

When: July 27th to August 5th
Where: Multiple venues
Cost: $19 to $68 for Early Bird tickets

Shipyards Live

 

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Shipyards Live is an ongoing concert and market series taking place at the Lonsdale Quay. Do some shopping, try a food truck, and hit the beer garden as you enjoy the sounds of some fantastic local artists. And, best of all, it’s free to attend!

When: Saturday, August 5th
Where: Lonsdale Quay Area

BC Day at Burnaby Village Museum 

From 11:30 am to 4 pm, Burnaby Village Museum is celebrating BC Day with a slew of live entertainment, historical displays, and interactive demonstrations. From Indigenous weaving and crafts to going on a scavenger hunt, to riding on the carrousel ($2.52 per ride), there is tons of family-friendly fun to be had.

When: Monday, August 7th
Where: 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Cost: Free

And that’s a wrap on the long weekend, Vancouver! Time to get out there and soak it all in – happy BC Day!

Curiocity Staff

With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. We help you get the most out of your city and focus on the easy-to-miss details so that you’re always in the know.
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