Downtown Vancouver’s free outdoor movie nights will return to šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly known as the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) this July and August with a sizzling lineup of fan favourites, appropriate for all audiences.
Photo courtesy of the Downtown Vancouver BIA
Free Outdoor Movies in Downtown Vancouver
When: Every Thursday from July 6 to August 17, 2023
Activations start at 5:00pm each night, with the film screenings starting at sundown
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly known as the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza)
Admission: Free!
“After last summer’s successful return post-pandemic, we’re thrilled to be bringing Summer Movie Nights back again this year,” says Jane Talbot, President & CEO of Downtown Van. “For the team at Downtown Van, Summer Movie Nights marks the beginning of an exciting and vibrant summer season, and we know that many in our community feel the same,” she says. “Last year’s series brought so much life to the downtown core, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of movie lovers to the plaza again every Thursday night.”
Each evening arrive early to enjoy face painting, stilt walkers, go-go dancers, mini-golf, live music, and more. Food trucks will be on-site weekly, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating.
Film Schedule – Every Thursday
July 6, 2023 – Twilight
July 13, 2023 – Bend it Like Beckham
July 20, 2023 – Legally Blonde
July 27, 2023 – The Lego Movie
August 3, 2023 – (PRIDE) Rocky Horror Picture Show
August 10, 2023 – Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
August 17, 2023 – Everything Everywhere All at Once
Follow the Summer Movies Nights Instagram account for updates.
In search of the perfect outdoor cocktail spot? Want to freshen up your “must try” restaurant list? Look no further! We have curated a list of our current culinary favourites, including a few historical finds, into one convenient spot for this month’s Vancouver Foodie Friday feature. For June we are focusing on long-awaited summer delights:
Photo Submitted
Vancouver Foodie Friday – Summer Preview
Gastronomic Gastown Tour by Vancouver Foodie Tours
Where: Gastown, Vancouver
Details: The Gastronomic Gastown Tour runs from Thursdays through Mondays, and is open year-round, from 4:00-7:00pm. Pricing for tours begin at $139 per guest, with an option to include wine or cocktail pairings for an additional $30 fee. Establishments participating in the tour include Monarca Cocina Mexicana, Kozak, Jules and Gastronomy Gastown. Guests will have the opportunity to learn the history and inspiring stories of those who are thriving in the community and a newfound appreciation for Vancouver’s iconic neighbourhood. The tour has received the Canadian Signature Experience designation by Destination Canada. A perfect group option!
Find more information on the Gastronomic Gastown Tours here.
The second annual Canada Together at Canada Place — one of the largest July 1 celebrations outside of Ottawa — features a diverse lineup of entertainment and activities and the return of the annual citizenship ceremony welcoming new Canadians.
Planned with representatives from the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, Canada Together will feature a full day of festivities, great food, family fun, and performances across multiple stages.
Canada Place July 1st – Miss604 Photo
Canada Together at Canada Place July 1, 2023
When: Saturday, July 1, 2023 from 11:00am to 6:00pm
Where: Canada Place and surrounding plazas (all outdoors)
Admission: Free!
At 11:00am all zones and exhibits, including the main stage, will open with great entertainment and activities for guests of all ages. The iconic waterfront venue will cover five city blocks, including outdoor spaces at Canada Place, Jack Poole Plaza and surrounding city streets. All programming will take place outdoors.
Event Lineup
Enjoy incredible performances from acts including headliners Tegan & Sara, The Fugitives, Pat Chessell, and Murray Porter on the main stage. The North Point Stage (at the North Point of Canada Place) will highlight local emerging artists including Bukola, Tayos, Michaela Slinger, and 24 Strings along with a set from the amazing DJ O Show.
Admire traditional weaving and carving displays by local artists from Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations on site throughout the day.
Kids’ Zone presented by CN at Jack Poole Plaza will have family-friendly entertainers and activities, including the Rock N’ Beau Dance Party, the annual mascot dance-off, and performances from Mom Bop, Vancouver Performing Stars, and more.
View the full lineup listed by time and stage online here.
Canada Place July 1st – Miss604 Photo
There will also be a variety of food trucks along Canada Place between Howe and Thurlow.
Once again, the theme of the event will be “Weaving together the fabric of a nation,” which honours Canada’s diversity and marks the day as one for gathering, celebrating, learning and sharing. Weaving is a common activity across many cultures and is a metaphor for the way the beauty, strength, and wisdom from the past can combine through multiple perspectives to create something meaningful for today and tomorrow.
The port authority encourages event attendees to take public transportation to the downtown Vancouver event, which is conveniently located near several bus routes and the Waterfront and Burrard SkyTrain stations. Canada Together will conclude at 6:00pm and the port authority is reminding the public that the event no longer includes an evening fireworks performance.
Get Involved
More than 200 volunteers help welcome over 150,000 guests who take part in the free event activities organized around Canada Place on July 1. Volunteering is a great way to build experience, get involved in your community, meet new people and show your community spirit. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
Volunteer positions are needed for the following areas:
Fiesta Blanca Salsa Cruise with Latincouver July 15
Salsa Cruise August 12 (Barbie & Ken theme)
Salsa Cruise August 26 (Hawaiian theme)
Salsa Cruise September 9 (Decades theme)
The Summer Salsa Cruise Series has been a staple of the season in Vancouver for the last 23 years! Aboard the MV Britannia, you’ll find three levels of music and dancing with Vancouvers best DJs along with the opportunity to participate in dance lessons – from salsa to other sultry Latin-style dance such as Bachata or Reggaeton.
The first salsa event will be the July 15th Fiesta Blanca Salsa Cruise in partnership with Latincouver, celebrating Latin American Week in Vancouver.
Come and find out for yourself why this has been a Vancouver tradition for over two decades! Whether it’s your tenth or first time, you’re on a date night, just visiting the city, or celebrating a birthday, or simply enjoying a night on the town– on the water.
The Salsa Cruises play a mix of all types of Latin music on the lower level and main level while the upper deck is a mix of Latin and Top 40 and Club Hits. Whether you want to partake in a night of lessons and dancing or just sit back and watch Vancouver’s stunning scenery both on and off the boat, this will be a night to remember. Savour the tropical atmosphere, themed décor, sultry rhythms, and the delicious taste of Latin American food available on board.
Afternoon Family Cruise
Don’t miss the one-of-a-kind Afternoon Family Cruise on July 2nd. This two hour boat cruise for the whole family is themed for kids of all ages with princesses, superheros, face painting, hair braiding, dancing and singing along to all your favourite songs. This year’s theme celebrates the launch of the new Little Mermaid live action movie with Ariel, Ursula and special guest The Black Panther.
Follow Salsa Cruises Vancouver on Instagram for the latest news.
Enter to Win
You can enter to win a pair of tickets to any of the five Salsa Cruise dates! Follow @miss604 and @salsacruises_vancouver on Instagram and like or comment on this post to enter to win. You can also leave a comment below on the blog for a bonus entry. I will draw one winner at 12pm on Monday, June 19, 2023. Good luck!
The Vancouver Art Gallery presents: Fashion Fictions, an ambitious exhibition exploring experimental design practices that exist at the intersection of fashion and other modes of cultural production. Featuring more than 50 designers, the exhibition explores the influence of research-based, materially driven practices on the global fashion scene, while acknowledging the proliferation of creative practices that challenge the aesthetic, material and technological conventions of fashion.
Caroline Monnet, Echoes from a Near Future, 2022, inkjet print mounted on aluminum, Courtesy of the Artist
Fashion Fictions at The Vancouver Art Gallery
When: May 27 – October 29, 2023
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St, Vancouver
The exhibition is divided into three thematic sections: Material Futures, which explores the relationship between technological and scientific innovations in material research to create fabrics. Aesthetic Prophesies, which highlights the fusion of cultural traditions with speculative creations and designers that push the boundaries of wearability with extreme fashion. And Responsible Visions, which explores the importance of sustainable discourse in fashion culture, with designers incorporating adaptive reuse, upcycling and digital design into their explorations.
Fashion Fictions is more than mannequins and dresses, it’s an exploration of creativity drawing on cultural traditions, science fiction, technology and an interest in the natural world and sustainability.
The curatorial approach favours the unexpected: established and celebrated brands are juxtaposed with emerging designers. Contributing curator, Amber-Dawn Bear Robe, selected work by several Indigenous designers and artists addressing social and environmental issues through designs.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a magazine-style publication released this summer and available online and in the Gallery Store. It will be activated through collaborations and special programs, including a creative research laboratory pop-up. This multipurpose lab, conceived and programmed by Material Matters from Emily Carr University of Art + Design, will function as a workshop, studio space and classroom showcasing current faculty and student work in process and will also serve as the site for programs, talks and design charrettes.
Fashion Fictions is a must-see for anyone interested in the future of fashion, design and cultural production!
