20 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this week: Aug. 17 to 23

We’re heading toward the end of August, and there are so many fun things to do around Vancouver!

Plan your week with our rundown of 20 great events happening around town from Aug. 17 to 23, including the PNE Fair, a fireworks festival, epic concerts, and more.

Be sure to view our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.

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PNE Fair

What: The PNE Fair in Vancouver is gearing up for a big 2026, and you’ll want to prepare your summer schedule accordingly.

A highlight of the fair every year is the huge summer night concerts. Music lovers won’t want to miss the exciting mix of legends and rising stars coming to the new amphitheatre.

When: Aug. 22 to Sept. 7, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: 2901 E. Hastings St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online

Chilliwack Corn Maze

Chilliwack Corn Maze, a popular destination for families and adventurers, is now open for another season of fun.

Greendale Acres’ iconic maze is celebrating its 28th year in 2026, and the new design of the massive cornfield has longtime fans buzzing with excitement. In addition to the giant corn maze, there are tractor and hay rides, farm animals, children’s activities, and more.

When: Now until Oct. 31, 2026
Time: Various times. Check opening hours online
Where: Greendale Acres – 41905 Yale Rd. W., Chilliwack
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online. Ages 2 and under and those over 75 years are free. Memberships are also available.

Plaza Pours Wine Tastings

What: Enjoy an outdoor evening wine tasting session hosted by a local sommelier from the Stable House Bistro. Doors open and the tasting starts at 5 p.m., running for one hour. Admission is completely free, but advance registration is required due to limited space and beverage quantities.

When: Aug. 20, 2026
Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
Where: South Granville Plaza West – Granville Street and West 13th Ave., Vancouver
Admission: Free, but advanced registration is required

Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Summer Regatta

What: The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Regatta will help keep the action going with a huge one-day festival this month.

The free community celebration will be held at Concord Pacific Place and False Creek on Saturday, Aug. 22, with racing, culture, music and more.

Attendees will enjoy a special headliner hometown show by internationally acclaimed EDM artist Hoang in celebration of the end of summer. In addition to the aquatic action, there will be activities and displays from Chinatown and Indigenous groups and artisans, local makers, and food trucks to check out.

When: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Concord Pacific Place and False Creek, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Houston Dynamo

What: Cheer on the ‘Caps as they face the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at BC Place.

When: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online

Fridays on Front

What: Fridays on Front, the popular free block party series, is firing back up in August on Front Street Mews in Downtown New West.

One of the region’s best street parties, Fridays on Front highlights artisan vendors, musical performances, and, of course, a lot of great food. And it’s a quick walk from both the New Westminster and Columbia Skytrain Stations.

When: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Front Street Mews in Downtown New Westminster
Admission: Free

The Strokes

What: Julian Casablancas, Albert Hammond Jr., Nikolai Fraiture, Fabrizio Moretti, and Nick Valensi are hitting the road in support of their upcoming seventh studio album, Reality Awaits.

It follows their Grammy win for Best Rock Album for 2020’s The New Abnormal, a top 10 album in six countries and number one in Scotland.

The Strokes also recently performed at Coachella, and have headlining sets lined up at Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and more.

When: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Tickets for sale online

Burnaby Central Railway

What: Burnaby Central Railway is welcoming passengers to climb aboard its 3-km track near Confederation Park every weekend until this fall. Your ride will take you across tunnels, bridges and viaducts. And while you’re there, stop by the ever-growing Garden Railway.

British Columbia Society of Model Engineers (BCSME) built and operates the mini railway, with three different types of locomotives pulling the rideable trains.

When: Weekends and stat holidays through Thanksgiving weekend
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 120 N Willingdon Ave., Burnaby
Cost: $4.50 for a single ride for all passengers three years old and up. $40 for a 10-ride pass

Summer Music and Fireworks Festival

What: Head down to New Westminster’s waterfront on Saturday, Aug. 22, for the Summer Music and Fireworks Festival.

The family-friendly event, presented by the Hyack Festival Association, features a day full of activities, entertainment, and, of course, a huge fireworks display at the end of the evening.

When: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: 4 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Westminster Quay, New Westminster
Cost: Free

Theatre Under the Stars

What: A longtime Vancouver theatre tradition returns to Stanley Park with a pair of iconic Broadway musicals.

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS)’s 2026 season, its 86th year at the Malkin Bowl, will feature Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Get swept up in the magic this summer.

Bend & Flow Community Yoga 

What: Find your center with refreshing, fresh-air movement classes. Admission is entirely free;  participants just need to bring their own yoga mat.

When: July 12 and 26, August 9 and 23, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: South Granville Plaza East – Granville Street and West 14th Avenue, Vancouver
Admission: Free (Bring your own mat)

The Artistic Journey of Our Seniors

What: Gaia Community Care and Wellness Society presents a four-day public art exhibition celebrating the creativity, resilience, and lifelong learning of seniors in the community.

This year’s theme is “Learning, Creating, Collaborating,” and features paintings and recycled art projects from the participants. Guests will also have a chance to meet some of the artists, and there will also be interactive art workshops throughout the exhibition.

When: Aug. 19 to 22, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Chinese School – 499 E. Pender St., Vancouver
Cost: Free

Pet-A-Palooza – Day of the Dog

What: North America’s largest dog festival is returning to Vancouver this weekend, and it’s shaping up to be a paw-some time!

When: Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 1100 Mainland St., Vancouver
Cost: Free

Salmon Sessions Music Festival

What: The fourth annual Salmon Sessions Music Festival, presented by the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce and Penmar Community Arts Society, will be held at Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club (SFGC) on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Guests will enjoy great live music, explore the Little Campbell Hatchery, food vendors and beer garden, and more at the all-ages event. Performers this year include Wailin’ Walker Band, James Shepherd Band, Three Nines Five, Generous Thieves, Westwood Theory, and Rowan.

When: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: 3 to 9 p.m.
Where: Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club – 1284 – 184th St., Surrey
Tickets: Various prices, available online

Richmond Night Market

What: The Richmond Night Market is back for its last summer, and with it, it’ll be bringing the world’s first night market zipline, an all-new Trading Card Zone, and over 500 food items to try.

The theme for this year’s market is “Little Wonder World,” which the market describes as a “dazzling, globe-trotting adventure filled with iconic landmark decorations, vibrant displays, and a stunning themed wall designed for unforgettable moments.” There will also be a giant soccer display.

When: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays until Sept. 20, 2026
Time: From 7 p.m.
Where: 2431 Number 3 Rd., Richmond
Cost: $7 general admission, $40 Zoom pass. Free for children under 7 years and seniors 60 years and up

The Guess Who

What: One of Canada’s biggest rock bands of all time is coming to one of Vancouver’s newest stages this weekend.

Legendary classic rockers Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman are heading out on the road as The Guess Who, and will be playing the Freedom Mobile Arch as part of the 2026 PNE Fair.

It will be the first time in 23 years that Cummings and Bachman are touring under the name The Guess Who.

When: Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026
Where: Freedom Mobile Arch at The PNE — 2901 E. Hastings St.
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Harrison Lake Inflatable Waterpark

What: Harrison Lake Inflatable Water Park has reopened for the new season, and be prepared to get wet during your visit.

When: Open daily until Sept. 6, 2026
Where: 100 Esplanade Ave., Harrison Hot Springs
Tickets: Available online from $39.99. Book online

BC Lions vs Saskatchewan Roughriders

What: BC Lions continue the CFL season at BC Place this weekend when the Saskatchewan Roughriders roll into town on Aug. 23.

When: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Time: 4 p.m.
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online

DJ Diesel

What: Shaquille O’Neal is coming to town, but not to play basketball. The 15-time NBA All-Star also performs EDM as “DJ Diesel,” which is what will bring him to Vancouver in August.

O’Neal is performing at Harbour Event Centre on Aug. 21, as part of his “Summer of Shaq 2026” tour. The tour will see the 54-year-old travel to Spain, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Croatia, and multiple spots in the United States before landing in Vancouver this week.

When: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
Time: 10 p.m.
Where: Harbour Event Centre – 760 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Dîner en Blanc 2026

What: True to Dîner en Blanc events of the past, the location will remain a closely guarded secret until the evening of the gathering, when guests will assemble at designated meeting points before being guided together to the final destination.

Additionally, this year will feature the theme Une Soirée Parisienne — La Belle Époque. The evening will celebrate an era of Paris defined by elegance, artistry, and refinement.

When: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
Tickets: Registration available online