20 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this week: July 21 to 27

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

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Katy Perry

What: Katy Perry is a former American Idol judge and 13-time Grammy-nominated star who has sold over 70 million albums worldwide. Perry is known for a slew of huge hits, including “Firework,” “Dark Horse,” “California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg)”, and “Teenage Dream.”

When: July 22, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices. Purchase online

You might also like:
• Honda Celebration of Light closing major Vancouver roads starting this week
• Free Vancouver Chinatown festival returns with exclusive food collabs next month
• Every Metro Vancouver night market you can eat and shop at this summer

Vessi Warehouse Sale

What: Popular footwear retailer Vessi is hosting its first-ever warehouse sale in Metro Vancouver this weekend, and shoppers can look forward to some deep discounts.

The Vancouver-based makers of the world’s first 100 per cent waterproof shoes say shoppers will see discounts of up to 70 per cent off of Vessi gear and Rove Concepts furniture.

There will also be never-before-seen, limited-edition products available, along with a complimentary Stratus Tote bag for the first 100 customers each day.

When: Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Early access on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.)
Where: Unit 120, 8151 Churchill St., Delta
Admission: Free (Early access on Saturday is $20, which will be applied to your purchase). RSVP online

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Sporting Kansas City

What: Vancouver Whitecaps continue their MLS season this week with an exciting home game at BC Place. Cheer on the ‘Caps as they face Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, July 26, during the Pride Match.

When: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online

Honda Celebration of Light fireworks 2025

What: Look up to the sky over English Bay in Vancouver, and enjoy three different types of shows for each of the three nights of the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light.

This year’s all-Canadian lineup includes Quebec on Wednesday, July 23, staged by Royal Pyrotechnie, and Nova Scotia on Saturday, July 26, staged by Fireworks FX.

This year’s festival will include not only a nightly fireworks show and a supplemental nightly drone show, but also a pre-fireworks Snowbirds Air Show on July 23.

• Schedule and provinces:
  • Wednesday, July 23: Quebec – Team Royal Pyrotechnie
    • With pre-fireworks Snowbirds Air Show and BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
  • Saturday, July 26: Nova Scotia – Team Fireworks FX
    • With BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
• Nightly schedule:
  • CF Snowbirds Air Show: 6:30 p.m. (July 23)
  • BC Honda Dealers Drone Show: 10 p.m.
  • Fireworks: 10:15 p.m., rain or shine. Music simulcasts can be heard on radio station CFMI Rock 101.
• Location: English Bay, Vancouver

Koolfest — The Summer Hot Chocolate Festival

What: The team behind the Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival have launched a summer version featuring iced chocolate creations, among many other fun sips called Koolfest.

The event takes place until Aug. 10 and will feature over 50 vendors serving a variety of items, including iced chocolate drinks, chocolate milkshakes, and other icy beverages such as floats, sodas, affogato-style dishes, horchata, fruit slushies, iced teas, bubble teas, and more.

When: Now until Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025
Where: Participating vendors throughout Greater Vancouver

Theatre Under the Stars: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde The Musical

What: Theatre Under the Stars’s 85th year at the Malkin Bowl will feature Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde The Musical. The shows will run on alternate evenings from June 27 to August 16, and promise to be another great year of theatre in Stanley Park.

When: June 27 to Aug. 16, 2025 (Performances alternate evenings)
Time: 8 p.m., except on Fireworks Nights (July 19, 23, and 26, when shows begin at 7 p.m.)
Where: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park – 610 Pipeline Rd., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Rosé Disco

What: Rosé Disco, happening at the PNE Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 27, features dozens of wineries and eateries to discover.

FEASTER is presenting the huge summer rosé celebration with a sizzling lineup of live music to go with the stunning pink and white landscape and decor.

Thousands of guests will sip on more than 25 rosés and other beverages carefully curated to delight all palettes. This year’s sponsors include 1664 Rosé, Nude Vodka Soda, Harmless Harvest, and Cottage Springs Beverage Co.

A culinary feast will also be served by a variety of top chefs and treat makers. Chow down on eats from Loula’s, Laowai, Ruex, Taco Nori, and more.

When: Sunday, July 27, 2025
Time: 1 to 8 p.m. (GA+ admission), 2 to 8 p.m. (general admission)
Where: PNE Fairgrounds – 2901 E. Hastings St., Vancouver
Price: Various prices, purchase online

Vancouver Aquarium presents Survival of the Slowest

What: Vancouver Aquarium’s new exhibit, Survival of the Slowest, celebrates all things slow in the animal kingdom by giving you a sneak peek behind some of nature’s most inventive creatures. From now until Monday, Sept. 1, this limited-time exhibit lets you step into a world where being slow, small, and even weak can be a powerful survival strategy.

Throughout the exhibit, you can dive into interactive displays to uncover how these naturally slow critters, like the two-toed sloth, have adapted to survive in the wild. Relax into daily Slow & Tell animal presentations so you can chill with the coolest sluggish creatures like the four-toed hedgehog and the armoured armadillo.

When: Now until Sept. 1, 2025
Where: Vancouver Aquarium — 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Tickets are on sale now starting at $41.95

Hidden Wonders

What: Hidden Wonders is a speakeasy magic experience held in a secret location in downtown New Westminster. Shawn is a World Champion of Magic, has performed on Ellen, fooled Las Vegas headliners Penn & Teller twice on Fool Us, and had his magic featured on shows like Fringe, Shut Eye, and X-Files.

When: Thursdays to Sundays
Time: Various showtimes
Where: Secret location in New Westminster. Guests will be provided with the address and password
Tickets: Starting at $50, purchase online

South Granville Summer

What: Get ready for fun in the sun as South Granville Summer Social Club turns a beloved Vancouver neighbourhood into the hottest social club of the season.

When: Various dates until August 2025
Time: Various times
Where: South Granville, from Granville Bridge to W. 16th Avenue
Tickets: All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise specified.

BC Lions vs Saskatchewan Roughriders

What: BC Lions’ CFL season roars on at BC Place this week with a big game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday, July 27.

When: Sunday, July 27, 2025
Time: 4 p.m.
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online

Eastside Arts Festival

What: The Eastside Arts Festival will be held until Sunday, July 27, and features a variety of arts workshops, live performances, art activations, and more in several Eastside Arts District studios, breweries, and venues.

Hosts Eastside Arts Society also welcomes art lovers to a full day of fun at Maclean Park on Saturday, July 26. There will be free art activities for all ages and abilities, an artisan market, a beer garden and food trucks, and live music.

When: Now until Sunday, July 27, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Various costs, with free and ticketed events.

Punchbowl 2025

What: A summer celebration of delicious drinks, great live music, and terrific tacos is returning to Vancouver next month.

The Punchbowl Festival will be going down on Saturday, July 26, at the PNE Fairgrounds, and it’s shaping up to be one of the city’s tastiest events of the summer.

Guests will discover dozens of vendors offering samples of spirits, beer, cocktails, and more, along with delicious tacos to pair with the great live music.

When: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: Daytime tasting from noon to 4 p.m., evening tasting from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: PNE Fairgrounds – 2901 E Hastings St., Vancouver
Price: Punchbowl pre-sale tickets for $30 on sale now

Vancouver Rise vs AFC Toronto

What: Vancouver Rise continue their inaugural Northern Super League season this week with a game against AFC Toronto at Swangard Stadium on Thursday, July 24.

When: Thursday, July 24, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Swangard Stadium – 6100 Boundary Rd., Burnaby
Cost: Various; purchase online

Brewery and the Beast 2025

What: Brewery and the Beast is an all-you-can-enjoy meat and beer festival. This year, over 60 of Vancouver’s best culinary talents will be in attendance, offering all sorts of delicious meaty creations.

Guests are allowed to choose their own adventure when it comes to pairing dishes with a selection of refreshing cocktails, craft beer, ciders, premium wines, seltzers, and non-alcoholic options. There will also be live music and guest DJs to keep the party going.

When: Sunday, July 27, 2025
Time: 2 to 5 p.m. (VIP access at 1 p.m.)
Where: Concord Pacific Place — Concord Pacific Place — 811 Carrall St., Vancouver
Tickets: Starting at $178.95

Vancouver Fetish Weekend

What: Now in its second decade, Vancouver Fetish Weekend draws hundreds of international attendees each year for a mix of nightlife, community events, and kink-positive spaces.

When: Thursday, July 24 to Monday, July 28, 2025
Time: Varies by event. Check the schedule here
Where: Aurum Event Centre — 750 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver (main venue) + various downtown locations
Cost: Varies; single-day tickets and weekend passes available online

Whistler Summer Concert Series 2025

What: Summertime was made for outdoor concerts, and Whistler is offering a stunning backdrop for both artists and music lovers this year.

When: Various dates in July and August 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. (live DJ sets) and 7:30 p.m. (headlining sets)
Where: Whistler Olympic Plaza – 4365 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
Cost: Free

Junction Public Market

What: Junction Public Market is a downtown marketplace at Granville Square just steps from Canada Place.

The unique shopping and dining destination will be constructed with customized shipping containers. The spot allows you to shop from local artisans, treat yourself to the plentiful food vendors and a bar, take in live entertainment, and more.

When: Tuesdays to Sundays until Sept. 28, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Vendors), 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Licensed Patio)
Where: Granville Square – 200 Granville Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free