July rolls on and there are many fun events to check out in Vancouver this week, including Indian Summer Festival, BC Superweek and more. Here are 35 things to do around Vancouver from Monday, July 9 to Friday, July 13.
For even more things happening around town check out our events section.
Monday, July 9, 2018
Indian Summer Festival – Living Legends
The Indian Summer Festival
- What: A rare performance of Sanskrit theatre, performed by the Nepathya troupe at the Chan Centre. This is the first time that Kutiyattam, India’s oldest surviving form of Sanskrit theatre, will be performed in Canada. This ancient art-form has remained unaltered for hundreds of years and has been declared by UNESCO as a ‘masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.’
- When: Monday, July 9, 2018
- Time: 8 pm
- Where: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts – 6265 Crescent Rd Vancouver
- Tickets: Online, $25-$35
PandaLand at Aberdeen Centre
- What: Aberdeen Centre is transformed into a one-of-a-kind bamboo oasis celebrating the iconic, beloved Panda Bear. The exhibit features a family of 9 whimsical origami paper panda bear sculptures and 500 fuzzy adorable panda bears. Aberdeen Centre has commissioned a Hong Kong artist to create live sketches of the Panda scenes on site. The exhibition also features an exclusive cultural fashion show featuring popular Chinese designer Crystal Zhang, the very collection showcasing in this year’s New York Fashion Week.
- When: Every Day until September 3, 2018
- Time: Mall Hours
- Where: Aberdeen Centre – 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond
- Admission: Free
Vancouver Canadians vs Spokane Indians
Image: Vancouver Canadians / Twitter
- What: Vancouver Canadians face off with the Spokane Indians in MiLB action at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium. Plus it’s Dog Day of Summer, where attendees can bring their pets to the game.
- When: Monday, July 9, 2018.
- Time: 7:05 pm
- Where: Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario St, Vancouver
- Tickets: Online
2018 Greek Summerfest on Boundary
- What: Enjoy authentic Greek food and live a day the Greek way. Every year Greek Summerfest showcases local music and dance groups on the outdoor stage while friends, neighbours and families enjoy the beautiful Vancouver summer season with Greek food and Greek hospitality.
- When: Now to Sunday, July 15, 2018
- Time: Various times
- Where:4541 Boundary Road, Vancouver
- Admission: Free
Theatre Under the Stars: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and 42nd Street
- What: Enjoy a carefree evening of theatre surrounded by the scenic beauty of Stanley Park as young talent from across the Lower Mainland share the stage with some of Vancouver’s finest professional theatre artists. TUTS 2018 features performances of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and 42nd Street.
- When: Now to August 18, 2018
- Time: Various times
- Where: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park – 610 Pipeline Road, Vancouver
- Tickets: At Theatre Under the Stars
Free Outdoor Zumba
- What: Take part in a free outdoor Zumba class every Monday (except Aug 6) with ZumbaVancouver.ca instructors. Produced by Vancouver Civic Theatre.
- When: Every Monday until August 20, 2018
- Time: 5:30 pm
- Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 600 Block Hamilton Street, Vancouver
- Admission: Free
Scattering & Gathering
- What: In “Scattering & Gathering” Lakshmi Gill, a widely published Canadian poet of Spanish-Filipino and Punjabi heritage, gives us a glimpse into the Filipino exodus experience. Her poetry will be exhibited alongside the works of acclaimed Filipino-Canadian printmaker Lenore R.S. Lim, creating a dialogue between poetry and prints. Gill and Lim’s works will be joined by those from Filipino artists Danvic Briones, Art Calapatia, Chito Maravilla, Esmie McLaren, Stuart Dee Naval, and poets Maria Castillo and Wilbur Victoria.
- When: Now to Thursday, June 12, 2018
- Time: 9 am to 10 pm daily
- Where: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre – Exhibition Hall – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
- Admission: Free
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Free outdoor movies in Stanley Park – Stand By Me
LeonWang/Shutterstock
- What: One of the most popular summertime events in the city is back as free outdoor movies return to Stanley Park this summer for its 10th anniversary! The Evo Summer Cinema Series features a four-story inflatable movie screen showing film classics and modern blockbusters. Please bring your own blankets and/or lawn chairs and, since it’s a family-friendly event, smoking or alcohol is not permitted. Moviegoers are encouraged to walk, take transit, or bike to Stanley Park for the shows – there will be a bike valet service offered on site each night too.
- When: Tuesday, July 10, 2018
- Time: Dusk
- Where: Ceperley Meadows near Second Beach, Stanley Park
- Admission: Free
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Pro-Am Golf Tournament
- What: Enjoy a legendary golf course while networking with some of Greater Vancouver’s top business leaders. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or a first-time player, all golfing abilities are welcome at this fun annual tournament.
- When: Tuesday, July 10, 2018
- Time: 11:30 to 8:30 pm
- Where: Northview Golf & Country Club – The Ridge Course – 6857 168th Street, Surrey
- Register: Online
Les Miserables
- What: Cameron Mackintosh presents the new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, direct from its acclaimed Broadway return. Featuring the beloved songs “I Dreamed A Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” and many more, this epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.
- When: Tuesday, July 10 to Sunday, July 15, 2018
- Time: Various times
- Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton St. Vancouver
- Tickets: Online
Music On The Plaza
Music on the Plaza / City of Surrey
- What: Enjoy the sounds of Jazz, Cuban, Country and Swing music every Tuesday evening in July and August. Acts include Beautyshop Dolls, Sweetpea Swing Band, Taylor Rae & The Backseat Drivers, and more.
- When: Every Tuesday from July 10 to Augst 28, 2018
- Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
- Where: Civic Plaza, City Hall – 13450 104 Ave, Surrey
- Admission: Free
Hycroft en Blanc
- What: The University Women’s Club of Vancouver’s take on the popular “Dîner en Blanc” experience without the hassle of having to pack a picnic and bring your own chairs. Guests are invited to enjoy a game of bocce or croquet, dance on the terrace, indulge in a sweet and savoury selection of “en Blanc” themed food stations, and stop by the photo booth. The Katherines will also perform live music as entertainment.
- When: Tuesday, July 10, 2018.
- Time: 6 to 10 pm
- Where: Hycroft – 1489 McRae Avenue, Vancouver
- Tickets: Online, $55 to $60
1600+ Pandas World Tour Vancouver 2018
- What: A total of 888 hand-crafted papier-mâché giant pandas will be displayed at Metropolis at Metrotown shopping mall this summer as part of a campaign to raise awareness of wildlife conservation, pandas, and sustainability. Donated proceeds from the free exhibition will go towards World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada to help fund its wildlife conservation research and education programs.
- Where: Grand Court of Metropolis at Metrotown – 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
- When: Tuesday, July 10 to Wednesday, August 8, 2018
- Time: Regular Mall Hours
- Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Glory Daze
- What: Glory Daze is the moniker of Los Angeles based singer, songwriter, and storyteller Lea Beiley. A frequent performer at the legendary Los Angeles Hotel Café, Beiley has also stepped on stage at the iconic House of Blues, the Freehand Hotel, and the Coachella Valley-based Mothership Festival, to name a few.
- When: Tuesday, July 10, 2018
- Time: 8 pm
- Where: Guilt & Co. – 1 Alexander Street, Vancouver
- Admission: Pay-What-You-Can
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Starlight Theatre at Lansdowne Centre – How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- What: Take a trip back to the days of poodle-skirts, greased hair, and doo-wop music – the Drive-In Movie Series returns to Lansdowne Centre for its third year, presented by Fresh Air Cinema. Enjoy classic, family-friendly, and even some of the latest hits on an outdoor screen. Take a drive and cuddle up, or bring a blanket and lawn chair and settle in. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis (first 200 vehicles), and the movie audio will be broadcast over FM radio. Keep in mind that this is a family-friendly event, so smoking and alcohol are strictly prohibited.
- When: Wednesday, July 11, 2018
- Time: Sunset (gates open at 6 pm)
- Where: Lansdowne Centre, west parking lot – 5300 No. 3 Road, Richmond
- Admission: Free
VSO presents Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope/IMDb
- What: The music of a galaxy far, far away will come close to home this summer when the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) performs the famous tunes from Star Wars during a concert series in July. The performance is part of this year’s VSO at the Movies concert series, which is being hosted in conjunction with the VSO’s 100th anniversary season.
- When: Wednesday, July 11 to Friday, July 13, 2018
- Time: 7 pm
- Where: Orpheum Theatre – 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
- Tickets: Tickets available online
How to Advance your Career in the Gaming Technology Industry
- What: Vancouver has a national and international reputation for being a global video game hub, and the gaming industry continues to thrive. Interested in learning more about this fun industry? Network with other enthusiasts and learn from professionals what it takes to break into this exciting future-proof career.
- When: Wednesday, July 11, 2018
- Time: 5:30 to 8 pm
- Where: 1256 Granville St, Vancouver
- Tickets: Online, Free
Prototype 2.0 – A Festival of New Improv Formats
- What: Instant Theatre presents a festival of wild, crazy, and inventive improv formats. Prototype 2.0 promises a show that has never been seen before, and will never be seen again.
- When: Wednesday, July 11 to Saturday, July 14, 2018
- Time: Various times
- Where: Havana Vancouver – 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
- Tickets: Online, $10
Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix
- What: The Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix is one of the most historic cycling events in North America and boasts the highest one-day prize purse for both the winning prize and total prize purse for a Canadian criterium. With over 20,000 spectators in attendance, it’s an electrifying experience.
- When: Wednesday, July 11, 2018
- Time: 5:30 to 9:30 pm
- Where: Gastown
- Admission: Free
Summer Movie Nights on the Square – Ready Player One
The new Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza on June 22, 2017. (Kenneth Chan / Daily Hive)
- What: Vancouver is getting a whole new free outdoor movie series as šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza) is set to play host to Summer Movie Nights on the Square. Each Wednesday evening from July 4 to August 29, Fresh Air Cinema’s large, four-storey inflatable screen will pop up, creating the perfect urban environment to take in a flick surrounded by the concrete jungle – just be sure to bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets.
- When: Wednesday, July 11, 2018
- Time: Activities begin at 5 pm, movie begins at sunset (check sunset times as that will be your best indication of when movies will start)
- Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly North Plaza at Vancouver Art Gallery) – 850 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
- Admission: Free
Volcano | Liz Kinoshita
- What: Eyjafhakkajokull, the Icelandic volcano, erupted in March 2010, scattering dangerous ash and causing cancellations and delays throughout European airspace – the largest disruption of air travel since World War II. Pushed by the steady rhythm of the tap dance and the emotions of music from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, Volcano shares the lifestyles led, the tour routes taken, the feats required to make everything possible, and the reflections that arise when a volcanic eruption brings our feet back onto the ground.
- When: Wednesday, July 11 and Friday, July 13
- Time: 7 pm (Wednesday) and 9 pm (Friday)
- Where: Firehall Arts Centre – 280 E. Cordova Street, Vancouver
- Tickets: Online
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Waterfront Cinema at Canada Place – The Greatest Showman
Free outdoor movies at Canada Place (Port Metro Vancouver)
- What: Each week at dusk, a large inflatable screen will pop up, creating the perfect environment to take in a flick under the stars, all with the North Shore mountains in the background. To give your night two thumbs up, do yourself a favour and bring a lawn chair (or you’ll be sitting on the hard ground) and jackets and/or blankets (it gets cold). And keep in mind that this is a family-friendly event so neither smoking nor alcohol are permitted.
- When: Thursday, July 12, 2018
- Start time: Dusk
- Where: North Point of Canada Place
- Admission: Free
Giro di Burnaby
- What: The Giro di Burnaby returns to the historic “Heights” neighbourhood for its 10th anniversary. The Giro is one race in the BC Superweek series that sees professional cyclists from all over the world come to race on the streets of the Lower Mainland. Bring the family and cheer for these talented athletes as they race in front of you for a prize purse of over $15,000.
- When: Thursday, July 12, 2018
- Time: 3:30 pm
- Where: The Heights neighbourhood (along Hastings and surrounding streets)
- Admission: Free
Summer Fun at Civic Square – The Trollsens and Circus Show
- What: Enjoy a performance by The Trollsens and then a Circus Night at Burnaby’s Civic Square.
- When: Thursday, July 12, 2018
- Time: 7 to 9 pm
- Where: Bob Prittie Library – Metrotown Branch at Kingsborough and MacKay
- Admission: Free
Business Excellence Series: Legalizing Cannabis
Medicinal cannabis (Craig F Scott/Shutterstock)
- What: An expert discussion on the latest information and strategies as Canada ushers in the era of legalized cannabis.
- When: Thursday, July 12, 2018
- Time: 3:30 to 6 pm
- Where: Vancouver Club – 915 W Hastings, Vancouver
- Register: Online, $59-$69
Music By The River – Wax Cowboy
- What: The Arts Council of New Westminster in conjunction with Alex Jopson of City to Suburb Real Estate Group and the City of New Westminster are bringing back Music By The Pier at Westminster Pier Park. Eats at the Pier concession stand will be serving drinks from Steel and Oak Brewing Co. and Pacific Breeze winery. The entire park will be one massive site-licensed area allowing you to take your drink anywhere within the park.
- When: Thursday, July 12, 2018
- Time: 6 to 8 pm
- Where: Westminster Pier Park Festival Lawn – 1 Sixth Street, New Westminster
- Admission: Free
Creating a Feminist Workplace – waaw! TALKS
- What: Join speakers Barbara Chirinos, Merbrat Beyene, and Zoe Grans as they share tools and tips for creating intersectional feminist workplaces. Come along for a rich conversation, filled with fierce feminist wisdom and tangible solutions for combating everyday sexism and uplifting women and gender minorities.
- When: Thursday, July 12, 2018
- Time: 6 to 8 pm
- Where: Suite Genius Mt. Pleasant – 225 West 8th Avenue #300, Vancouver
- Tickets: Online, $15-$25
Long Table Dinners at UBC Farm
- What: The Long Table Dinner Series returns with two more multi-course family-style meals featuring the organic produce grown at the UBC Farm. Enjoy warm weather, live music and twinkling lights at long tables between rows of trees in the Poplar Grove. Tickets include dinner and one beverage. Menu will be unveiled two weeks before the event to maximize in-season ingredients. Proceeds support research and programming at the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at the UBC Farm.
- When: Thursday, July 12 and Friday, August 17, 2018
- Time: 6:30 pm
- Where: UBC Farm, Poplar Grove
- Tickets: Online, $100
Friday, July 13, 2018
Vancouver Folk Festival 2018
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
- What: An incredible weekend of music from close to home and around the globe. Featuring Neko Case, Ry Cooder, Rodney Crowell, James McMurtry, The Dead South, Carole Pope, Archie Roach, Ranky Tanky, Wazimbo & Banda Kakana, Dakhabrakha, and many more acts.
- When: Friday, July 13 to Sunday, July 15, 2018
- Time: Various times
- Where: Jericho Beach Park
- Tickets: Online, $45-$170
The Y2K Party
- What: Fox Cabaret’s monthly dance party devoted the one-hit wonders, party bangers and classics hits of the early to mid-2000s with DJs Trevor Risk and DJ Flipout.
- When:
- Time: 10:30 pm
- Where: Fox Cabaret – 2321 Main Street, Vancouver
- Tickets: Online, $8
Bats of Burrvilla
- What: As dusk descends, watch and learn about bats as they head out to feast on a buffet of insects.
- When: Friday, July 13, 2018
- Time: 7:45 to 9:45 pm
- Where: Deas Island Regional Park, Delta
- Admission: $8 per adult, $4.25 per child/youth/adult 65+, registration required
PoCo Grand Prix
PoCo Grand Prix / City of Port Coquitlam
- What: Join thousands downtown for the third PoCo Grand Prix presented by Dominion Lending Centres, and enjoy an exciting evening of pro cycling, free entertainment and family activities. Part of BC Superweek.
- When: Friday, July 13, 2018
- Time: 2:30 to 10:40 pm
- Where: Downtown Port Coquitlam
- Admission: Free
Free Outdoor Screening of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet
- What: Reel 2 Real is hosting a free outdoor screening of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. Inspired by the Lebanese poet’s work, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet is a wondrous and richly-animated adaptation of one of the most recognized and best-selling volumes of poetry of all time. It will be preceded by free animation workshops at Performance Works, from 5-8:30 pm.
- When: Friday, July 13, 2018
- Time: Dusk, approximately 9:15 pm
- Where: Ron Basford Park’s Amphitheatre (besides Performance Works), Granville Island
- Admission: Free
Coquitlam Summer Concert Series
- What: The three-part series will be themed around the musical genres of jazz, classic rock, and Motown. The event kick-off on Friday, July 13 will be a jazz-themed night, as the members of the Beauty Shop Dolls sing in perfect harmony. They will be followed by The Hummingbird Brigade, a New Orleans style funky-jazz brass band including some of Vancouver’s top jazz musicians.
- When: Friday, July 13, August 3, and September 7, 2018
- Time: 7 to 9 pm
- Where: TD Community Plaza — 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
- Admission: Free
Whistler Presents: Outdoor Concert Series
- What: From the sweet sounds of classical music to your favourite Canadian rock bands, Whistler Olympic Plaza is the place for free concerts this summer. Highlights include Washboard Union (July 13) Stars (August 4) and Lights on September 1).
- When: Various dates from Friday, July 13 to Saturday, September 8, 2018
- Time: Various times
- Where: Whistler Olympic Plaza
- Admission: Free
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