More than 20 FREE and cheap things to do in Vancouver this July
Have lots of fun without spending lots of money!
For more great events happening around town, be sure to check out our Listed section.
One-time-only events and activities
Evo Summer Cinema Series at Stanley Park
Fresh Air Cinema
What: Hundreds of people will gather in Stanley Park every Tuesday from July 8 to Aug. 26 for Canada’s largest outdoor movie series. You can watch a curated lineup of Hollywood hits and family favourites on the giant 40-foot inflatable movie screen.
When: Every Tuesday from July 8 to Aug. 26, 2025
Time: Screenings begin a little after sunset
Where: Ceperley Meadows beside the Second Beach pool – 8501 Stanley Park Dr., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Tour De Concord Vancouver – Free Family Bike Festival
What: Concord Pacific’s Free Family Bike Festival and Tour de Concord Cycling Race return on Sunday, July 13. The event will feature thrilling races, children’s activities, food trucks, a beer garden, and more.
Attendees of the expanded Free Family Bike Festival can check out bike vendors and displays, enjoy free popcorn for kids, visit the beer garden for adults, and bring their own ride in for complimentary bike safety checks and tune-ups.
The festival also features enhanced safety, live showcases by Zero Gravity Trials, a family kids zone, food trucks, live music and DJ, and over $10,000 in draw prizes.
When: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Time: 9:55 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Concord Pacific Place (False Creek next to Science World) — 88 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
Cost: Free; register online
Khatsahlano Street Party 2025
What: One of the city’s largest free music and arts festivals, Khatsahlano will take place on Saturday, July 5, between Burrard Street and Macdonald Street.
There’s sure to be something for all musical tastes, with over 60 artists to discover throughout the #CampKhats themed summer party. You’ll want to check out the MacDonald Stage, presented by Daily Hive and Third.Space, which will showcase powerhouse performer Missy D, folk alt-rockers Shred Kelly, rising indie-pop group Cherry Pick, and more.
When: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: West 4th Avenue from Burrard Street to MacDonald Street
Cost: Free
Fridays on Front
Fridays on Front
What: Fridays on Front, the popular free block party series, is firing back up starting on Friday, July 11, 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: Every Friday from July 11 to 25, Aug. 8 to 22, 2025
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Front Street Mews in Downtown New Westminster
Admission: Free
Summer Movie Nights on the Square
What: Every Thursday evening from July 3 to Aug. 14, Downtown Van will inflate a large 33-foot screen in šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square at the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery for the family-friendly Summer Movie Nights.
This summertime tradition will see a massive crowd of moviegoers watch their favourite flicks under the stars. Activities start at 5 p.m., so there will be plenty of fun before the screening starts.
When: Every week from Thursday, July 3 to Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025
Time: Activations start at 5 p.m.; movies start at dusk
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square – 850 W. Georgia St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
White Rock Pride Family Day
What: White Rock Pride Society is hosting its fourth annual Pride Family Day at Miramar Plaza. The family-friendly event will feature a vendor market, food carts, a kids zone, and live performances throughout the day.
When: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Mirimar Plaza — 15165 Thrift Ave., White Rock
Cost: Free
Honda Celebration of Light fireworks 2025
Honda Celebration of Light
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 Yukon on Saturday, July 19, staged by Midnight Sun Fireworks; 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 19 and 23.
- Schedule and provinces:
- Saturday, July 19: Yukon – Team Midnight Sun
- With pre-fireworks Snowbirds Air Show and BC Honda Dealers Drone Show
- 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
- Saturday, July 19: Yukon – Team Midnight Sun
- Nightly schedule:
- CF Snowbirds Air Show: 6:30 p.m.
- 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
Let’s Hear It For Yaletown
Yaletown BIA
What: Let’s Hear It For Yaletown, a vibrant jazz festival curated by Vancity Hot Jazz Society and hosted by Yaletown Business Improvement Association (BIA), will be taking over Bill Curtis Square every Wednesday to Friday as well as on Canada Day.
This is your chance to hear Canadian hot jazz bands perform live right in the heart of Yaletown. Dancing along to the music is highly encouraged.
When: Wednesday to Friday until Friday, July 11, 2025
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bill Curtis Square (Canada Line Station at Mainland and Davie)
Cost: Free
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
North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market
What: North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market (SYNM) is celebrating its 12th anniversary in Lower Lonsdale in 2025. The popular free event takes place every Friday and features a beer garden, live music, market vendors and food trucks.
When: Every Friday until Sept. 12, 2025
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free
Symphony at Sunset 2025
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra/vancouversymphony.ca
What: Who doesn’t love a free summer concert? One of Vancouver’s most beloved summertime traditions, Symphony at Sunset, is back at Sunset Beach Park this July for its sixth year. The annual event brings together the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and hundreds of beach-goers for a magical evening of live orchestral music surrounded by stunning city and ocean views.
When: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: 1204 Beach Ave.
Cost: Free
Deckchair Cinema at The Polygon Gallery
What: The Polygon Gallery has announced the return of Deckchair Cinema starting on Thursday, July 3, on Lower Lonsdale’s waterfront deck.
Hosted in partnership with presenting sponsor Rogers Communications, the open-air film series will feature music and entertainment, drinks from Strathcona Beer Company, and more.
When: Every Thursday from July 3 to Aug. 28, 2025
Time: Music and concession open at 7 p.m., screenings begin at sundown
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Crt., North Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Free Outdoor Yoga Classes with Mat Collective
What: Mat Collective is hosting free yoga classes at Hadden Park at Kits Beach every week throughout the summer.
Every instructor brings their own style to their outdoor class, starting with a grounding warm-up before moving on to flows and holds, working your way up to a peak pose, and concluding with a meditative finish.
When: Every Tuesday from June 17 until August 26, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Hadden Park — 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver
Cost: Free, register online to reserve your spot.
Recurring events and activities
Bill Reid Gallery — Free Admission Day
Bill Reid Gallery
What: The Bill Reid Gallery is named after the renowned Haida artist and is the only public gallery dedicated to the contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast. The gallery is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Collection and also hosts a variety of special exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, and more.
Guests can visit the Bill Reid Gallery for free from 2 to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: 639 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Vancouver Public Library Movie Screenings
What: Vancouver Public Library hosts a variety of movie screenings for the public at its branches throughout the month, and the best part is that they are free to check out. Expect to see the latest Hollywood Blockbusters, timeless classics, and more.
When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: Various VPL Branches
Cost: Free
Family Saturdays at Chinatown Storytelling Centre
What: Learn about Chinatown’s heritage and culture through hands-on activities during Family Saturdays at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. The event happens on the third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes guided tours, prizes, special offers from neighbouring restaurants, and free admission for youth 17 years and under.
When: The third Saturday of each month.
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Centre is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Where: 168 East Pender St., Vancouver
Cost: Free for youth 17 and under, guests under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission $10-$12, purchase online
Vancouver Art Gallery – Free First Friday Nights
Vancouver Art Gallery/Facebook
What: The Vancouver Art Gallery was founded in 1931 and is renowned as one of North America’s leading visual arts institutions. The largest public art museum in Western Canada currently has a variety of exhibitions on display, and you can check them out for free during the Free First Friday Nights events.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: 750 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Community Jam at The Improv Centre
What: The Improv Centre welcomes performers of all levels to get up onstage with professionally trained improvisers at its free monthly community jam. The 18+ event features theatre exercises, improv games, and more during the fun, interactive jam.
When: The last Saturday of every month
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Improv Centre — 1502 Duranleau St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Burnaby Central Railway
Burnaby Central Railway. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)
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
Farmers markets in Metro Vancouver
Trout Lake Farmers Market
Trout Lake Farmers’ Market/eatlocal.org
This farmers market began back in 1995 and became the cornerstone of the Vancouver Farmers Market collective of markets. One of the most popular markets, Trout Lake has food trucks on-site and a variety of vendors selling fresh local produce, locally made goods, and all things food.
When: Every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Lakewood Drive and East 13th Ave., Vancouver
Surrey Urban Farmers’ Market
What: Located just steps away from the Surrey Central SkyTrain station and bus loop, Surrey Urban Farmers’ Market is a vibrant gathering place that aims to promote small-scale farmers, food producers, and artisans.
When: Every Saturday until Oct. 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Royal Kwantlen Park at the corner of 104th Street and Old Yale Road, Surrey
Athenia Acres Farm Markets
Athinia Acres Farm Markets (Nina LaFlamme Photography/Submitted)
What: Athinia Acres, a 30-acre regenerative organic farm, hosts a new, curated farm market experience every Sunday. Shop for certified organic produce, fresh florals, and a rotating lineup of local vendors with artisanal items, food, and drinks.
When: Every Sunday until Oct. 26, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 12800 No. 2 Rd., Richmond
Southlands Tsawwassen Farmers Market
What: This Delta farmers market features local produce, sweet treats, blooms, bevvies, artisans, live music, food trucks and more. There will also be themed celebrations on select dates throughout the season.
When: Every other Saturday until Nov. 8, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Market Square, Southlands – 6313 Market Ave., Delta