20 things to do in Vancouver this weekend: August 26 and 27

The last weekend of August is here, so don’t let it slip away! From Steveston Dragon Boat Festival, Monstercat Compound 2017, Harambecouver, and more, here are 20 things to do this weekend, Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27, 2017.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Steveston Dragon Boat Festival 2017

• What: The eighth annual Dragon Boat Festival is taking place in Richmond’s Steveston neighbourhood on Saturday, August 26. And this year the event is set to be bigger and better than ever before, with an estimated 15,000 spectators anticipated on the shores of the Fraser River, where they’ll watch more than 1,100 local and international athletes compete against each other in a series of races.
• When: August 26
• Where: Steveston – Richmond, British Columbia
• Price: Free

MUJI Grand Opening

• What: The 7,770-sq-ft store is scheduled for an opening on Saturday, August 26. It will be Canada’s largest MUJI store, occupying a ground-level mall space across from the Disney Store and Sephora near Hudson’s Bay.
• When: August 26
• Time: 10 am to 9 pm
• Where: Metropolis at Metrotown

Vancouver Canadians vs Boise Hawks

• What: Catch the Vancouver Canadians in action against the Boise Hawks in a five-game homestand. There will also be a fireworks show after the game.
• Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver
• When: August 26 to 30
• Tickets: Online, $14-$25

Gastown Laneway ‘Backyard BBQ’ 2017

• What: This Saturday, the diagonal laneway between Cordova Street and Cambie Street, behind The Greedy Pig restaurant, will be transformed into a pedestrian-oriented party space. According to the organizers with Vancouver Public Space Network, there will be a BBQ, lawn games, live music, and upcycled furniture and other flea market finds to turn the urban space into a “suburban dream”.
• When: August 26
• Time: 12 to 9 pm
• Where: Laneway between Cordova Street and Cambie Street – 401 West Cordova Street, Vancouver
• Admission: Free

Monstercat Compound 2017 

• What: The first ever Monstercat Compound event is taking place at the firm’s headquarters in Railtown on Saturday. It will feature everything from Monstercat music, to gaming, art, digital media and design, demonstrations, and displays, plus tons of activities that highlight the city’s bustling creative scene.
• When: August 26
• Time: 2 to 9 pm
• Where: Monstercat HQ – 380 Railway Street
• Price: Free – RSVP online now

Wild Salmon Celebration

• What: Join the Chefs’ Table Society of British Columbia and the BC Salmon Marketing Council for a celebration of an iconic BC product. This feast will feature dishes showcasing BC wild salmon prepared through the collaboration of well-known Canadian chefs.
• When: August 26
• Time: 6 to 9 pm
• Where: False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf – 1505 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
• Tickets: $49; buy via Eventbrite

Movie Under The Stars – Beauty and the Beast

• What: Grab a blanket and a friend and head down to Holland Park for Movies Under the Stars – Beauty and the Beast. The family friendly event also features activities, games and entertainment from local performers. Activities begin at 5 pm, and the movie starts at dusk.
• When: August 26
• Time:  5 pm to Dusk
• Where: Holland Park – 13428 Old Yale Road, Surrey
• Cost: Free

Public Disco Volume 3

• What: Public Disco pop-up events turn outdoor spaces into a buzzing dance party. Volume 3 artists include MA/AM, Miniski, Queensyze, Andy Soloman and a sparkle station by Jena jac. Wear your brightest apparel, this is a safe space to express yourself and set your body free!
• When: August 26,
• Time: 1 to 7 pm
• Where: McSpadden and Commercial Streets
• Price: Free

Free Outdoor Cello Concert Series

• What: Clara Shandler, Vancouver’s Sidewalk Cellist, draws mysterious directions on sidewalks and plays her cello in public parks. She provides listeners with a cello-based musical smorgasboard, from Bach to Nirvana, jazz to metal, and everything in between.
• When: August 26
• Time: 4 pm
• Where: Heather Park – 702 West 18th Avenue, Vancouver
• Price: Free

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Harambecouver Multicultural Parade 2017

• What: Harambecouver is set to celebrate the diversity of different cultures prominent in Vancouver. Enjoy a wide range of attractions from fashion, dance, music, food, public art installations, live painting pieces, and much more. You can check out the full schedule of events online before you hit up the festival.
• When: Now to August 27
• Where: Thornton Park, Main Street, Science World Station – 1399 Main Street, Vancouver
• Price: Free

Go Topless Day Vancouver 2017

• What: A shirtless march is scheduled to make its way down Robson Street for this year’s Go Topless Day, an event created in protest of female nipple censorship. Though it is legal in Vancouver for both women and men to display bare chests, women rarely exercise this right due to the social stigma surrounding uncovered breasts. Men are invited to participate in the march, though are encouraged to don pasties or tape on their own chests as a mark of solidarity.
• When: August 27
• Time: 12 pm
• Where: Meet in front of the Safeway on Robson Street, east of Denman. Walk on Robson St. from Denman to Hornby

Die Antwoord

• What: South-African rap-rave group Die Antwoord (Ninja, Yo-Landi Vi$$er, and DJ Hi-Tek ) are hitting up Vancouver this summer as part of their ‘Love Drug’ world tour. Expect madness.
• When: August 27
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: UBC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre–6066 Thunderbird Boulevard, Vancouver
• Tickets: On Ticketmaster, $32.50-$49.50

SIXFEST and Incredible Pie Competition

• What: The Incredible Pie Competition is operating alongside the 5th annual SIXFEST, a family friendly street party and mini-festival to celebrate the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. Taste and vote for the best creations in categories including sweet, savoury, sculptural, vegan, and best in show.
• When: August 27
• Time: 2:30 to 10 pm
• Where: 6th Avenue between Ontario and Manitoba
• Price: $5-$10 donation

Farm to Table Dinner Series

• What: The event will be a five-course, farm-to-table menu. All ingredients used for this feast is from Southlands Heritage Farms, which will be the location of the event as well. The menu will be paired with wine, all sourced through Poplar Grove Winery.
• When: August 27
• Time: 6 to 8:30 pm
• Where: Southland Heritage Farm – 6767 Balaclava Street, Vancouver
• Cost: $90; Contact Food At Third Street on Facebook, or email [email protected] for more info

6th Annual Scootfest 

• What: Artists in attendance, free admission, and refreshments served. Presented by Kickstart Disability Arts & Culture.
• When: August 27
• Time: 11 am. Registration at 9 am.
• Where: Rotary POMO SK8 Park at Rocky Point Park
• Registration: $10 on site. Free to watch

Pet-A-Palooza

• What: Lower Mainland’s largest pet festival. The day’s activities include the always-popular Running Of The Bulls (French and English bulldog races), Wiener dog races, and a puppy stampede. Pet-A-Palooza is a fundraiser for the Just Love Animals Society.
• When: August 27
• Time: 11 am to 4 pm
• Where: 1100 Mainland Street, Vancouver
• Admission: Free

Game of Thrones 19+ viewing party at The Rio

• What: The East Vancouver venue will screen the last two episodes of this season, and GOT fans are invited to come check it out. The best part? The first-come, first served event is free. Those keen to secure a spot can retrieve an advance GOT pass (maximum of two per person) at the box office during regular box-office hours. Episode 6 will be screened at 9:30 pm, a brief intermission will follow, and then episode 7 will begin. Of course, costumes are highly encouraged.
• When: August 27
• Time: 9:30 pm (doors open at 8:30 pm)
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• Admission: Free

BC Art Fest: Poetry Forum and Dance Night

• What: Showcasing the beauty and diversity of languages and sharing cultures through art, this event is dedicated to poetry, prose, and dance – so if you’re creative then this one’s worth your time.  If you’re a young poet or writer then you’ll want to apply so you can participate and present your piece to a live audience. This will then be followed by a lively Disco Night with DJ Kookum. But what’s really cool about this event is that anyone can participate and present their poems or prose in native language, which will be translated into English or French on a screen. You can also present a famous piece, but in a creative and artistic way.
• When: August 27
• Time: 4 to 9 pm
• Where: Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Mary, 10765 135A Street, Surrey
• Register: Online for free, Free to attend, Free Ukrainian-style dinner provided

Jidenna

• What: Crafting a sound all his own, Jidenna’s music effortlessly collides genres and eras, uniting bright EDM and highlife on one song, and bouncing trap beats under smooth Nat King Cole vocals on another. His debut record, The Chief, was released in February of 2017
  
• When: August 27
• Time: 9 pm
• Where: Venue – 881 Granville St, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $27.50

Social Sundays at VanDusen – Day Trippers

• What: Pack a blanket and bring your friends to VanDusen Botanical Garden for Social Sundays this August. Day Trippers, signature cocktails, and lawn games will get you grooving on Sunday afternoon. All ages event, but ID is required for liquor purchase. 
• When: August 27
• Time: 3 to 5:30 pm
• Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden – 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
• Price: Free with regular garden admission