24 things to do in Vancouver this weekend

Here are some of the top events to check out in Vancouver between August 7 and 9. For a complete list of events, check out our Vancouver Events Calendar.

Squamish Valley Music Festival

What: This summer’s festival, produced by Live Nation Canada in partnership with brand.LIVE, will return to Logger Sports Grounds and Centennial Fields in Squamish for three days from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9. Headliners include Drake, Mumford & Sons and Sam Smith.
Where: Logger Sports Grounds and Centennial Fields, Squamish
When: Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9

Harmony Arts Festival

What: The 10-day festival attracts over 130,000 people. You can expect 70 free concerts this year from some of Canada’s most memorable artists.
Where: John Lawson Park, West Vancouver
When: Until Sunday, August 9

Ballroom dancing lessons at Robson Square

What: DanceSportBC’s Robson Square sub-committee will be hosting 10 nights of free dancing, lessons and performances beginning in June.
Where: Robson Square Ice Rink – 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
When: Every Friday of the summer, beginning June 26; 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Friday Night Live at Hastings Racecourse

What: Hastings Racecourse brings back their popular Friday night races every Friday in August. Join the fun with a live DJ, food and drink specials and racing beginning at 7 p.m.
Where: Hastings Racecourse – 188 North Renfrew Street, Vancouver
When: Every Friday in August; 6 p.m.

International Summer Night Market

What: Each weekend over 20,000 visitors hit up this massive summertime night market in Richmond and experience the diverse array of booths, food and drink vendors, kids’ play area, and live entertainment.
Where: 12631 Vulcan Way (behind Home Depot on Sweden Way), Richmond
When: Friday, May 8 to September 27; Fridays and Saturdays 6 to 11 p.m. and Sundays 6 to 10 p.m.

Richmond Night Market

What: Drawing crowds from all over Metro Vancouver, the Richmond Night Market is located within easy access of the Canada Line’s Bridgeport Station. Roam the aisles to find games, food, and all sorts of wares for sale. Late nighters take note, this is the only local night market open until midnight (Fridays and Saturdays).
Where: 8351 River Rd. (nearby Bridgeport Station)
When: May 15 to October 12, 2015; Fridays and Saturdays 7 p.m. to Midnight, Sundays and holiday Mondays 7 to 11 p.m.

Shipyards Night Market

What: The Shipyards Night market features food trucks, live music, numerous vendors and a beer garden.
Where: Shipbuilders’ Square – 138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
When: May 1 to September 25; Fridays, 5 to 10 p.m.

Surrey Night Market

What: Surrey Night Market is an open air event for local residents to sell and consume a variety of local foods, services and goods.
Where: Cloverdale Exhibition Grounds – 17726-62 Ave., Surrey
When: Friday, May 29 to Sunday, September 20; Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 6 to 11 p.m.

TD Vancouver Chinatown Festival

What: Markets, walking tours, food tastings, stage performances, and a talent show encompass the 2015 Chinatown Festival. This year’s theme is Flair for Fashion.
Where: Chinatown, Vancouver
When: Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9

Abbotsford Air Show

What: Hosted in Abbotsford, this is the region’s biggest celebration of flight, complete with hundreds of airplanes and dozens of air displays.
Where: Abbotsford International Airport – 1595 Townline Road, Abbotsford
When: Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9

KitsFest VII

What: The 7th annual KitsFest returns to Kits Beach with beach volleyball, tennis, basketball, Zumba, yoga, cycling classes and a new water polo tournament.
Where: Kits Beach – Arbutus Street and Cornwall Avenue
When: Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9

Trout Lake Farmers’ Market

What: This is the farmers’ market that started up in 1995 and became the cornerstone of the Vancouver Farmers’ Market collective of markets.
Where: Lakewood Drive and 13th Avenue, East Vancouver
When: Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; May 9 to October 24

West End Farmers’ Market

What: The West End’s relaxed Saturday market is a great meeting spot for locals. Grab a cup of coffee, peek at the adjacent community gardens, and take a stroll with your purchases at Nelson Park.
Where: Comox Street (between Bute and Thurlow), Vancouver
When: Saturdays, May 30 to October 24; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kerrisdale Farmers’ Market

What: The Kerrisdale Farmers’ Market lines East Boulevard every Saturday, bringing out the locals in one of Vancouver’s oldest communities. Stroll, shop, and eat at this vibrant weekend gathering.
Where: East Boulevard (between 37th and 41st Avenues), Vancouver
When: Saturdays, June 10 to October 13; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

River District Farmers’ Market

What: This market offers a unique riverfront gathering place in a burgeoning local community. Shop from vendors and artisans, and soak up some local colour.
Where: Kerr Street Plaza, 8683 Kerr Street
When: Saturdays, May 30 to October 10; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Burnaby Blues Festival

What: Held in Deer Lake Park, this daylong event features a multitude of bluesy concerts set in the outdoor theatre.
Where: Deer Lake Park, Burnaby
When: Saturday, August 8; noon to 10 p.m.

Vancouver’s Largest Water Fight

What: Looking for a way to cool off this summer? Grab your buckets, fill your Super Soakers and get your trigger finger ready for the 9th annual Vancouver Water Fight.
Where: Lumberman’s Arch, Stanley Park
When: Saturday, August 8; 1 p.m.

Cates Park Concert Series

What: Visit Cates Park in North Vancouver and spend a beautiful summer day enjoying some of the finest entertainers North Van has to offer. Featuring performances from local bands and headliners, the free concert series will run Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. untilAugust 29.
Where: Cates Park – 4141 Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver
When: Saturdays in August; 2 to 5 p.m.

Plaza of Nations Saturday Night Market

What: The Plaza of Nations transformed into an outdoor marketplace, complete with food trucks, craft beer, and local bands
Where: Plaza of Nations – 750 Pacific Boulevard
When: Every Saturday, June 20 to September 12, 2015; 5 to 10 p.m.

Food Cart Fest

What: Over 20 of Vancouver’s most popular food carts will gather in one spot every Sunday this summer for the return of the Food Cart Fest in Olympic Village.
Where: 215 West 1st Avenue, Olympic Village, Vancouver
When: Sundays, starting June 28, 2015 from noon to 5 p.m.

Kitsilano Farmers’ Market

What: The Kits market takes place Sundays in the parking lot of the Community Centre, and has a Bike Valet for shoppers on two wheels, and lots nearby for families to do.
Where: West 10th Ave (between Larch and Balsam), Vancouver
When: Sundays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; May 10 to October 25

Mt Pleasant Farmers’ Market

What: The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market is one of the newer kids on the Vancouver Farmers’ Market’s block, but it has quickly become a focal point of the community, bringing familiar vendors and neighbourhood faces together Sundays.
Where: 2300 Guelph Street, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
When: Sundays, June 14 to October 11; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m

Free Yoga at Dude Chilling Park

What: Yoga instructor Solomon Montijo, along with ten other teachers, hosts free classes daily at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. in Dude Chilling Park.
Where: Dude Chilling Park – 2390 Brunswick St., Vancouver
When: Daily; 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Free salsa dancing at Robson Square

What: Free lessons begin earlier on in the day taught by professional salsa dancers, which are followed by a dance show at 5 p.m. filled with some of Vancouver’s best performers.
Where: Robson Square Ice Rink – 800 Robson St., Vancouver
When: Every Sunday from July 5 to August 30, 3:30 to 7 p.m.