Free Events Around Downtown Vancouver This Summer
Looking for fun and free things to do in Downtown Vancouver this summer? Whether you’re a local or just visiting, the city comes alive with warm-weather activities that won’t cost you a dime. From lively outdoor festivals and waterfront concerts to art walks and pop-up markets, there’s something happening around every corner.
Free Events Around Downtown Vancouver This Summer
These events are in or around Downtown Vancouver, in case you’re heading to the beach for the day, to a show, or hitting a patio. These are great, low-cost destinations or stops along the way during your summer adventures.
Note: These activities may have paid components to them, but admission was listed as free at time of publishing. All prices and fees on-site are to be adhered to versus this post.
One-Time Events
- Kick-off summer with the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival June 20-22 – the continent’s biggest dragon boat race plus, free concerts at the TD Main Stage and Concord Community Stage, cultural pavilions, food truck festival, and outdoor waterfront patio, and more.
- St Andrews downtown is hosting a Teddy Bear Picnic for families on June 21.
- Vancouver International Jazz Festival is hosting several free shows across the city from June 20 to July 1.
- Canada Together at Canada Place on July 1 is full of activities, performances, shopping, and more.
- Vancouver Art Book Fair is on July 4-6 at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre.
- Khatsahlano Street Party on July 5 is Vancouver’s largest block party featuring a lineup of music, art, food, shopping, and community celebration.
- There is a free Indigenous concert showcase happening at Grandview Park on July 6.
- The VSO’s Symphony at Sunset at Sunset Beach Park on July 6.
- Celebration of Light firework shows features a lineup of Canadian teams; free viewing locations can be found around English Bay July 19, 23, and 26.
- The Eastside Arts Festival will have one free day of activities with the Strathcona BIA, stay tuned for details of the event on July 26.
See also: National Indigenous Peoples Day Events Around Vancouver (June 21)
Ongoing
- Outdoor Summer Movie Nights outside the art gallery every Thursday night from July 3 to August 14. Join in the festivities before the screenings featuring live music, performances, a photo booth, face painting, and more.
- First Free Friday Nights at the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Bill Reid Gallery. Admission to both galleries is free on the first Friday of each month.
- The Strathcona Art Walk is a self-guided studio tour that happens on the first Saturday of every month.
- Vancouver Maritime Museum and the Museum of Vancouver offer Pay What You Can Sunday on the first Sunday of every month.
- Shop local with Downtown Farmers Markets on Wednesdays in front of the art gallery or the Junction Public Market open Tuesdays to Sundays.
- Kitsilano Showboat is celebrating its 90th Anniversary with a calendar full of performances all summer, Wednesdays to Sundays.
- Gastown Streetside Sessions is car free Sundays featuring Coffee, DJs, shopping, and community. The street will be set with seating and pop-ups every Sunday this summer.
- Take a free Zumba class in one of the most scenic settings in the city! Zumba at Canada Place runs weekly in July and August, the schedule is TBD.
- Summer Cinema bring free outdoor movies to Stanley Park on Tuesdays from July 8 to August 26.
- Summer Sounds: Free Open Air Concerts July 10 to August 14 feature a line-up of exciting local collaborations, world-class artists, DJs, a sneak preview of Vancouver Folk Music Festival, and more.
- There are a series of free-admission pop-up markets in the West End, at the 1800 Davie Plaza at English Bay and at Jim Deva Plaza at Davie and Bute from June to August.
- Join Dance Dance Dance for free outdoor dance classes July 18 to August 15, no experience required.
- Sunset Cinema showcases outdoor screenings of Shrek, The Wild Robot, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Mean Girls throughout the month of August.
- And the widest scope of our “kind of around Downtown Vancouver” list includes the new Mount Pleasant Day Street Festival on August 9.
This list of free events around Downtown Vancouver this summer will be updated throughout the season so if you have anything to add, feel free to send it in to be included and check the monthly list (June, July, August) for more events.
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