23 things to do in Vancouver this weekend

Here are some of the top events to check out in Vancouver between August 28 and 30. For a complete list of events, check out our Vancouver Events Calendar.

The Fair at the PNE

What: The annual Fair at the PNE is back with memorable old and new attractions, including over 50 rides, the Beatles Memorabilia Exhibition, Broadway’s Peter Pan, delicious food and drinks, concerts and many more. Take in a Vancouver tradition.
Where: Pacific National Exhibition – 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
When: Monday, September 7 (closed August 24 & 31); 11 a.m. till late.

PNE Summer Concerts

What: This year’s Summer Night Concerts feature an exciting array of artists that are sure to please fans of all genres. Pop stars, Country favorites, R&B icons, and Rock ‘N’ Roll legends, will all be showcased at the 2015 PNE Concert series.
Where: PNE Amphitheater inside the PNE Fair grounds, Vancouver
When: Nightly between August 23 and September 7

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 St., 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.

Sins of the City – Vice, Dice & Opium Pipes

What: Experience the world of a cop in the 1920s when Vancouver was a seething hub of sex, drugs, booze and organized crime. Your 90-minute walking tour takes you through the streets and alleys of Chinatown on the lookout for brothels, bootlegging joints, gambling houses and opium dens. This is a must-see tour for anyone looking for the edgier side of this great city!
Where: Vancouver Police Museum – 240 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
When: Friday, August 28; 3 to 5 p.m.

N.W.A. Pop-up Store

What: A pop-up shop to auction off some rare hip-hop memorabilia, including platinum and gold records from N.W.A, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr.Dre and other Priority Records artists. Half of the proceeds from the sales will go to the YMCA.
Where: Fortune Soundclub’s pop-up shop – 147 East Pender Street, Vancouver
When: Saturday, August 29; 7 to 11 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.

Full Moon Party

What: A full moon party is in the works again this year, despite last years controversies. Full moon parties are popular among tourists in Thailand and are known for getting wild and lasting all night.
Where: English Bay, Vancouver
When: Saturday, August 29

Deep Cove Daze Festival

What: Revel in the beauty of Deep Cove, to the tunes of some of Metro Vancouver’s best performers, at the Deep Cove Daze Festival. On top of the music there will be food trucks, a pie-eating contest, a cardboard kayak race, children’s entertainment, artisans, and a beer garden, featuring craft beer from Deep Cove’s very own Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers.
Where: Panorama Park – 2402 Panorama Drive, North Vancouver
When: Sunday, August 30; noon to 8 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.

Free Drive-In Movie: The Outsiders

What: In Vancouver’s new River District, Fresh Air Cinema and Wesgroup are airing four classic movies, evoking one of the most cherished and personal eras of cinema. This weekend’s flick is The Outsiders, starring young Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze.
Where: River District – East Kent Road and Boundary Road, Vancouver
When: Sunday, August 30; 7 p.m.

Recurring events

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.

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.

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.

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.