September is definitely a month of transition – which we think makes for an especially fun roundup of things to do in Vancouver. Hold onto summer just a little bit longer, or dive headfirst into fall if you’re feeling extra ‘pumpkin spicy’ this year. We won’t judge.
Without further ado, here are 40 amazing things to do around Vancouver this September.
Live Events/Concerts
Light Up Chinatown
Vancouver’s Chinatown will be adorned with colourful light decorations this month in a two-day community-wide celebration. If you’re looking for an excuse to dress up in your nicest fall attire and peruse the local food & drink scene, this is it.
When: Saturday, September 10th and Sunday, September 11th
Where: 500 Columbia Street
Cost: Free!
Breakout Festival 2022
With names like Lil Uzi Vert, Polo G., and Lil Baby (& more!) the Breakout Fest at the PNE is one of the most anticipated music events of the summer, and we can’t think of a better way to close out a great season of live music.
When: Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th
Where: 2901 East Hastings
Cost: $229+
Pumpkins After Dark 2022
Ok, we’re getting into some pumpkin content, folks. And with 6,000 glowing pumpkins on display in Burnaby this month – we think this event is one heckuva way to kick off the season.
When: Thursday, September 22nd to Sunday, October 31st
Where: 3883 Imperial Street, Burnaby
Cost: $21.95 for adults, $$17.95 for youth (4-16)
Flume
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Flume is one of those artists that has made it big but whose concerts still somehow feel more intimate than other musicians and DJs to make it into mainstream culture. And if his top-charting songs and performance charisma are any indications, we’re sure this concert will be no exception.
When: Monday, September 12th
Where: 2901 East Hastings
Cost: $48.50 – $88.50+ fees
The Eagles
Yup, the Hotel California Tour is coming to Vancouver this month, and the country rock legends are sure to put on a show-stopping performance. Though we hope not literally…
When: Thursday, September 22nd
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: $187.50
Jack Harlow
A true Gen Z breakout star with ‘humble Tik Tok beginnings,’ if you will, Jack Harlow has amassed a level of fame that few viral hits have been able to replicate. And the Kentucky-born rapper now has a ton of hit singles (and die-hard fans) to prove it.
When: Saturday, September 24th
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: $202+
Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)
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We know this one’s more of a sendoff for September, but the VIFF 2022 lineup looks amazing, and we can’t wait to celebrate the best of this year’s global cinema. Guests can expect 120 features and 100 shorts, as well as multiple talks, performances, and other unique events celebrating film culture. Individual tickets will be available for purchase starting September 7th for $15 a pop.
When: Wednesday, September 29th to October 2nd
Arts & Culture
Beaded Nostalgia at the Bill Reid Gallery
The Bill Reid Gallery has a ton of inspiring exhibits on right now, including Beaded Nostalgia – a look into the past through the use of contemporary beadwork. Artists Audie Murray (Michif), Hazel Wilson (Haida), Nico Williams (Anishinaabe), and Serena Steel (Secwepemc), each use their innovative beadwork to express feelings of nostalgia and connections to their own experiences.
Pro-tip: If you’re looking to check out the rest of the gallery, note that the gallery offers free admission from 2 to 5 pm on the first Friday of every month.
When: Open throughout September
Where: 639 Hornby Street
Cost: $13 GA
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Shut up & Sit Down 2022
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Fans of rolling the dice (figuratively and literally) are in for a treat with this massive three-day board game festival. The event is coming to the Vancouver Convention Centre at the end of the month, and will bring a wide range of interactive gaming options, including social games!
When: September 30th to October 2nd
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre
Cost: $199 for a three-day ticket
Sissy That Wok
A special House of Rice drag performance is taking place this month at the Museum of Vancouver, as part of a larger exhibition on Chinese Migration to BC. Vancouver’s first all-Asian drag house will no doubt put on a memorable show, as well as dive into the ways that Asian drag artists inspire Western ideals of gender, art, and beauty.
When: Friday, September 23rd
Where: 1100 Chestnut Street
Cost: $27.54-$38.15
Saturday Skate Nights
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Although the Rolla Skate Club is currently offsite for the summer, their popular Saturday Skate Nights at the PNE are making a comeback this month starting on September 17th! Mark your calendars and lace up your roller skates – because the Rolla Skate Club has all-ages skate sessions as well as 19+ evening sessions. A little something for everyone.
When: Multiple dates in September
Where: 2901 East Hastings
Cost: On sale starting September 7th
Vancouver Art Gallery
It never hurts to see what exhibitions are going on at Vancouver Art Gallery at any given time. Right now, you can check out “Kids Take Over,” “I Bite My Tongue” by Shahla Bahrami, and much more.
When: Open throughout September
Where: 750 Hornby Street
Cost: $29 GA
Polygon Gallery
For folks who are into more adventurous, interactive art programming, there’s The Polygon in North Van. Visitors can check out Chester Fields’ Look Again until September 11th, and mark their calendars for the upcoming Stan Douglas opening celebration on September 9th. The latter exhibition explores several historical instances of social and political unrest through a panoramic photograph series.
When: Open throughout September
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: Admission by donation
Plan a romantic date
The weather is slowly but surely heating up, which means it may be time to spice up your next date night. Surprise your partner with a gourmet meal at VanDusen, a mural tour, or even a skydiving adventure in Whistler. Vancouver is your oyster.
When: Various
Where: Check out our picks above
Outdoors/sports
Go on a fall hike
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We know it’ll be a while before the leaves start turning, but we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves anyways. After all, BC is absolutely stunning in autumn, and the season will be here before you know it. Explore our beautiful province and get your steps in for the month.
Where: Check out our picks above
Visit a ghost town
With ‘spooky season’ almost upon us, there’s no better time than now to check out some ghost towns around BC & learn about their history. We say either because while some of these are just a stone’s throw from the city, others are downright impossible to get to (unless you’ve got some scuba gear handy).
Where: Check out our picks above
Go chasing waterfalls
Admittedly, we’re more about waterfalls than waterparks. Especially when BC is absolutely filled with gorgeous ones to see, from massive cliff faces to hidden forest gems. Either way, you won’t be disappointed with the latest roundup of our favourites in the province.
Where: Click the link above for our picks
Work on your short game
Mini-golf is a good option for just about anyone. Like bowling, the skill ceiling is weirdly high, but it’s so straightforward that a total novice will still have fun out there. Whether you’re looking for a date night option or a weekend that’s fun for the whole family, we’ve got you covered.
Where: Click the link above for our picks
Whistler’s Skybridge
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Whistler’s summer season is coming to a close soon, so enjoy all the peak (to peak) views you can at the Mountain Bike Park and infamous Skybridge! This would make a great last-minute day trip if you’re coming up empty on Labour Day plans.
Where: Whistler, BC
Check out a lazy river
BC has a ton of fun to be had by way of lazy rivers. And by lazy rivers – we mean action-packed water activities, as well as lazy rivers in the literal sense. So, whether you want to slowly drift downstream with a drink in hand, or want to have a more adventurous tubing experience, we’ve got plenty of options to toss your way.
Where: Check out our picks above
UBC Botanical Garden
Summer might be coming to a close this month, but there is still plenty of time to appreciate our city’s beautiful gardens. And the UBC Botanical Garden is one of the best, offering visitors acres upon acres of stunning flowers, trees, and other foliage to admire. Plus, they’ve got their own TreeWalk to check out!
When: Open throughout September
Where: 6804 South West Marine Drive
Cost: $10 for GA
Ride the Mountain Coaster
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Cypress Mountain got a whole lot cooler this summer, thanks to the addition of a brand-new mountain coaster. The Eagle Coaster zips you down the mountainside at 40 km/h. Add in a vertical drop of about 279m (900 feet), and this coaster becomes fun for all ages – not just kids.
When: Open throughout September
Where: 6000 Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver
Cost: $29 for GA (includes lift ticket)
Check out the Sea to Sky Gondola
This incredible attraction along the Sea to Sky Highway offers stunning views, mountaintop trails to explore, and plenty of food and drink options so that you can kick back and take it all in. As far as spontaneous (and worthwhile) day trips go, this is top-notch.
When: Open throughout September
Where: 36800 BC-99, Squamish
Tickets: $55.95 for GA, $14.29 for Ride-Down Only
Go camping
Without a doubt, a camping trip pretty much anywhere in BC is always a must for outdoors enthusiasts. Whether you’re sticking close to home or exploring our province’s wild side, there are tons of options waiting out there for you, including the iconic Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which was also just voted the second ‘most epic’ by Scouts Canada.
Where: See our picks above
Go glamping
Camping’s more glamorous cousin is always an option, too. Especially for folks who prefer ‘staycation vibes’ over backpacking. And who’s to say that you can’t be cozied up in a yurt and still have your sense of adventure??
Where: See our picks above
Check out the Chilliwack Corn Maze
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After you check out the Chilliwack Sunflower Fest (on until September 5th), be sure to carve out some time to check out the T.Rex-shaped Corn Maze at Greendale Acres.
Where: 41905 Yale Road West, Chilliwack
Vancouver Canadians
A hot dog, a brewski, and some baseball? If that doesn’t sound like a great way to spend an afternoon, then we don’t know what does. Plus, the prices really can’t be beat for pro sports around the city. This month, they’ll be facing off against Eugene’s Emeralds.
When: Games until September 11th
Where: 4601 Ontario Street, The Nat
Cost: $20+
Play some pickleball
Interested in learning a new, beginner-friendly sport this month? Enter pickleball, the more casual cousin of ping pong and tennis. Luckily, Vancouver has several permanent outdoor courts as well as pop-up courts throughout the city to take advantage of.
Where: See locations above
Bike around Stanley Park
Crisp air, crunchy leaves, and sunny skies make for the perfect time to bike around Stanley Park, in our humble opinion. You won’t be dripping sweat after your ride, and you’ll have a mode of transportation to take in all those changing colours.
Food & Drink
Vegan Night Market 2022
ICYMI, Canada’s first all-Vegan Night Market is back at the Waldorf this year after a two-year hiatus – and it’s bigger and better than ever before! The 19+ event features tasty food and drinks from local vendors as well as a range of compelling speakers.
When: Thursday, September 8th
Where: 1489 East Hastings Street
Half Corked Marathon 2022
While tickets for the race itself are now sold out, folks can still head to Oliver Osoyoos Winery to enjoy some local bubbles and even partake in the Party! At the Finish Line event, complete with food trucks, live entertainment, and wine tastings.
When: Saturday, September 10th
Where: 6431 Station Street, Oliver Community Park
Cost: $25+ fees
Taste of Abby
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Folks can celebrate the best of the harvest season at Abbotsford’s first-ever fall food fest this year! Think live music, a variety of food-related events, tasting menus, and limited-edition creations to devour. Oh, and the event is an evening market – so folks can expect to sip on local wine and handcrafted bevies as well.
When: Friday, September 9th to Sunday, September 18th
Where: 2552 McCallum Road, Jubilee Park
Cost: $38.15
Check out some new restos
From the much-anticipated opening of Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions to the newly launched Peruvian resto & wine bar, Suyo, here are some amazing food & drink picks that are new to the Vancouver scene this month.
Where: See what’s opening above
Explore the Nanaimo Bar Trail
We think the history of the Nanaimo bar in BC is as fascinating as it is delicious. And if you agree, you can go on this self-guided tour of Vancouver Island’s most unique Nanaimo bar-inspired treats, which includes ice cream, savoury bites, and even fancy drinks.
Where: See locations above
Richmond Night Market
It bears repeating that the Richmond Night Market is still on throughout much of fall, and with over 500 amazing food vendors to choose from, we can certainly see why the beloved market warrants multiple visits.
When: On throughout August
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Cost: $4 ($22 to skip the line)
Check out a waterfront patio
We still have plenty of gorgeous sunny days to go around this month, so we think it’s a good idea to soak it all up while we can. If you haven’t gotten the chance to hit up a good happy hour this season (or even if you have), here are some primo waterfront spots to check out.
Where: See our picks above
Get some scoops
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Nothing sums up summer more than a scoop of delicious ice cream, and Vancouver is absolutely filled to the brim with options. From plant-based treats to some truly zany flavours, you can have a scoop a week and still have stuff left on your list when summer ends. Although we personally doubt that our list will be all that lengthy by the time we’re through!
Where: Click the link above for our picks
Enjoy a boozy picnic
ICYMI, a ton of Vancouver parks have alcohol-friendly zones where folks can feel free to crack open a couple of cold ones at their next picnic. Since it’s still prime picnic season, we thought we’d give you a little nudge – if you needed one.
Where: See our picks above
Go berry picking
Who doesn’t love to pluck fresh berries from their vines in the summer and savour them as you fill up (or attempt to fill up) your U-pick barrel?! Plus, you can always freeze your pickings and use them to bake a homemade pie in the colder months. Trust us, your tastebuds will be thanking you long after you’ve gone berry picking.
Where: See our picks above
Go cafe hopping
From neighbourhood corner cafes to coffee carts along False Creek and English Bay, you’ll never be without caffeine in Vancouver. Try a new pastry at Purebread, check out Kits Beach Coffee’s new location, or even map out all the new cafes and bakeries you’ve been wanting to try, and start knocking those espresso shots back. This is a great activity to get you out of the house come rain or shine!
And that’s the roundup, folks! We hope you enjoyed this mix of end-of-summer things to do and intro to ‘spooky season.’
