23 free things to do in Vancouver this September

Sep 1 2017, 6:55 am

September is here and we’re your hookup to fun and free events happening in Vancouver! From FAÇADE Festival to Heritage Apple Day and Farmer’s Markets, here are 23 free things to do around the city this month.

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

Digitalistic: Bloghouse Revival Party

  • What: A dance party dedicated to the dynamic electronic dance scene of the early-to-mid 2000s with DJs Trevor Risk and Waspy, plus Phil David in the Projection Room.
  • When: September 2
  • Time: 10:30 pm
  • Where: The Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, Free RSVP – valid before 11 pm, or $8

Nomadic Tempest Tall Ship Circus Show Vancouver 2017

  • What: Nomadic Tempest is a travelling nighttime acrobatic show synchronized to music and digital video projections by BC-based Caravan Stage Company. The free, all-ages spectacle takes place onboard the Amara Zee, the world’s only tall ship that doubles as a stage and backdrop for live performances.
  • When: Now to September 3 (no shows on Mondays);
  • Time: 9:45 to 11 pm. Recommended arrival by 8:45 pm.
  • Where: 299 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver (on the seawall in Southeast False Creek, between the Cambie Street Bridge and the Olympic Village)
  • Price: Free, Eventbrite

FAÇADE Festival

Facade mockup on Vancouver Art Gallery/FAÇADE Festival

  • What: Kicking off the fall arts season, FAÇADE will bringing the digital art of projection mapping to downtown. The free festival will see the facade of the Vancouver Art Gallery lit up for 10 days by as many artists. It’s the second year of the festival, which last year saw 35,000 people enjoy the new media festival in the heart of downtown.
  • When: September 4 to 10
  • Where: Georgia Street facade of Vancouver Art Gallery – 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
  • Price: Free

Music in the Park 2017

  • What: Listen to great music, visit local artists at work and soak up those last rays of summer sun, while taking in the majestic views of the North Shore mountains and the pristine Capilano Reservoir. There will be free activities for the kids and free artist demonstrations in many mediums by a selection of talented local artists – they will also have artwork for sale.
  • When: September 4
  • Time: Noon to 5 pm
  • Where: Capilano River Regional Park
  • Admission: Free

Free Walking Tour – Notable Francophones

Mountain View Cemetery

Mountain View Cemetery / Facebook

  • What: Join local culture and heritage enthusiast Maurice Guibord as you visit the final resting place of some noted local Francophones.
  • When: September 5
  • Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
  • Where: Mountain View Cemetary – 5455 Fraser Street, Vancouver
  • Admission: Free

Vancouver International Flamenco Festival

  • What: All things flamenco are at this annual festival of dance, featuring both ticketed performances and free events. The traditionally Spanish art form takes on new multicultural meaning with both Canadian and international artists. The festival’s big draw this year is La Moneta at the Vancouver Playhouse, a dancer who mixes contemporary and traditional flamenco styles.
  • When: September 11 to 24
  • Where: Various venues across Vancouver
  • Tickets: At Flamenco Festival; varies

Vancouver Fringe Festival – Fringe Bar

Vancouver Fringe Festival / Facebook

  • What: The Big Rock Brewery Fringe Bar is the Festival’s social hub. Located at Ocean Art Works, in front of Ocean Concrete and next to the Creekhouse on Granville Island, this is the best place to meet fellow Festival-goers and artists from across the country and around the world. For the 11 days of the Festival, the Fringe Bar is also Vancouver’s hottest music venue, with different live performances every night. Must be 19 years of age or older to purchase alcohol at the Fringe Bar, but all ages are welcome.
  • When: September 7 to 17
  • Where: Various venues across Vancouver
  • Price: Free

Nature Walk with Gareth Pugh

  • What: ​​Join local naturalist Gareth Pugh to walk the trails around Brae Island Regional Park and learn about the birds and animals that can be found there. Wear good walking shoes and bring your binoculars and cameras. This is an easy walk along level trails. Presented by Derby Reach/Brae Island Parks Association
  • When: September 16
  • Time: 10 am to noon
  • Where: Brae Island Regional Park
  • Price: Free

SheEO Vancouver: 2017 Launch Event

  • What: An evening of networking and #RadicalGenerosity at L’Atelier Coworking. Meet Vicki Saunders, Founder of SheEO, and learn about how SheEO is changing the landscape for female entrepreneurs. Hear from the Lunapads team, Sonia Strobel from Skipper Otto’s Community Supported Fishery, Barbara Alink from The Alinker and Patrice from Satya Organics, entrepreneurs who were funded and supported by the SheEO network. And connect with like-minded, inspiring women in the Vancouver community.
  • When: September 20
  • Time: 5 to 8 pm
  • Where: L’Atelier Vancouver Coworking – #400 319 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, Free

Uninterrupted

  • What: High-tech artwork along the entire undersurface of the Cambie Street Bridge meant to represent the “life blood” of the West Coast. Uninterrupted by director Nettie Wild, producers Betsy Carson and Rae Hull and editor Michael Brockington tells the the story of Wild Pacific Salmon’s life journey.
  • When: 25 minute shows nightly from Tuesdays to Saturdays; Now to September 24 at 9 pm
  • Where: Viewed from North Side of Cambie Street Bridge at Coopers Park
  • Price: Free, Eventbrite

Dubvision

  • What: Dutch brothers Victor and Stephan Leicher are fast conquering the world of dance music as scintillating duo DubVision. With five Beatport Main Chart Top 10s, two Beatport Progressive House Chart #1s and a Beatport Electro Chart #1 to their name, they have marked themselves out as a serious force in the dance music scene.
  • When: September 29
  • Time: 10 pm
  • Where: Harbour Event Centre – 750 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
  • Tickets: Online, Free

Heritage Apple Day

Heritage Apple Day

Heritage Apple Day / Metro Vancouver

  • What: Try your hand at old-fashioned chores, enjoy fiddlers, artists and historians, and sample a variety of apples. ​Presented by Derby Reach/Brae Island Parks Association
  • When: September 30
  • Time: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Derby Reach Regional Park. Meet at Heritage Area on Allard Crescent, north of 96th Ave, 4 km west of Fort Langley
  • Admission: Free

Eat fresh with farmers’ markets

Downtown Farmers’ Market

  • What: This local food destination is situated on the corner of Georgia & Hamilton at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza. Shop fresh weekly to enjoy quality fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs and poultry, baked goods, artisan food and craft, fresh fish, and local craft beer, wine and spirits.
  • Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
  • When: Every Thursday to October 5 from 11 am to 3 pm

Granville Island Farmers’ Market

  • What: The Granville Island Farmers’ Market is the oldest of its kind in Vancouver offering customers fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers. This market also has local craft beer and wine vendors too.
  • Where: Triangle Square (between the Net Loft and the Public Market), Granville Island
  • When: Every Thursday to September 28 from 10 am to 3 pm

Kitsilano Farmers’ Market

  • What: Tempt yourself with a myriad of vegetables, meat, cheese, seafood and music in Kitsilano.
  • Where: Parking lot of Kits Community Centre – 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver
  • When: Every Sunday to October 22 from 10 am – 2 pm

Trout Lake Farmers’ Market

  • What: The market where it all began. Come meet your friends and neighbours, pick up supplies for a picnic by the lake, or just rub shoulders with farmers who care about the future of the land as much as the food they put on your plate.
  • Where: Lakewood Drive and 13th Avenue, Vancouver
  • When: Every Saturday to October 21 to 9 am – 2 pm

West End Farmers’ Market

  • What: Located in the heart of Vancouver’s West End, this laid-back Saturday market looks onto beautiful Nelson Park and adjacent community gardens. Take the dog for a walk and enjoy the best in local produce, prepared foods and crafts.
  • Where: West End Farmers Market – 1100 Comox Street, Vancouver
  • When: Every Saturday to October 21 from 9 am to 2 pm

Main Street Station Farmers’ Market

Main-Street-Farmers-Market

Image: Vancouver Farmers Market

  • What: Located just steps from the Skytrain, this convenient Wednesday farmers’ market is ideal for local food fans seeking an easy shop on their commute. Over 85% of the vendors at Main Street Station are primary producers offering an excellent mix of fresh and organic produce, meat, eggs, handmade cheeses, and more.
  • Where: Main Street Station – 1100 Station Street, Vancouver
  • When: Every Wednesday to October 4 from 2 to 6 pm

Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market

  • What: You’ll find familiar faces like Applebarn Pumpkin Farm, Blue Comet Seafoods and Goldwing as well as new ones like Honest Food Farms, Rai Produce and Urban Digs Farm. You won’t have to elbow your way through lines to get at the cauliflower and there’s plenty of adjacent street parking. It’s also only a couple blocks from the 99 B-line.
  • Where: Dude Chilling Park – 2390 Brunswick Street, Vancouver
  • When: Every Sunday to October 8 from 10 am to 2 pm

Riley Park Farmers’ Market

  • What: Tempt yourself with a myriad of vegetables, meat, cheese, seafood and music in Riley Park neighbourhood.
  • Where: Riley Park – 50 East 30th Avenue, Vancouver
  • When: Every Saturday to October 7 from 10 am to 2 pm

River District Farmers’ Market

  • What: This one-of-a-kind market is the only riverfront market in Vancouver. Come shop for fruits and vegetables, prepared foods, and handmade products produced by farmers and artisans. Stay for live music, a delicious meal and enjoy the waterfront, playground and pier.
  • Where: Kerr Street Plaza – 8683 Street, Vancouver
  • When: Every Saturday to October 14 from 10 am to 3 pm

Ambleside Farmers’ Market

  • What: The Ambleside Farmers’ Market has a wide selection of organic and conventional produce. Prepared food vendors include baking, jams, honey, syrups, salsas and much more. The Ambleside Market has a games table, kids play area, and live music.
  • Where: Ambleside Farmers Market – 1500 block of Bellevue Street, West Vancouver
  • When: Every Sunday to October 30 from 10 am to 4 pm

Lonsdale Quay Farmers’ Market

  • What: The Lonsdale Quay Farmers’ Market has a great selection of conventional and organic produce. You also will find local artisans with jewellery, pottery, photography, kids clothing, soaps & much more. The market also has a book exchange, newspaper reading area, and live music.
  • Where: East Plaza of the Lonsdale Quay Market – 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
  • When: Every Saturday to October 29 from 10 am to 3 pm
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