Over 20 free and cheap things to do in Vancouver this September | Daily Hive

More than 20 free and cheap things to do in Vancouver this September

Hub Cycling

Looking for a way to save this September? We’re here to help with a whole bunch of free things to do.

Check out these 22 free and cheap events around Vancouver in September that pack on the fun, like Flats Festival, The Canine Library, and more.

For more great events happening around town, be sure to check out our Listed section.

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One-time-only events and activities

Flats Fest

What: Flats Fest, presented by Low Tide Properties, is the perfect family-friendly event for your summer weekend. Attendees will enjoy live music from Surf Hat and Yukon Blonde, an artisan market, a kids’ zone with a bouncy castle, a site-wide beverage garden, and food trucks.

There will also be an Innovation Zone to explore, a climbing wall to challenge yourself, and complimentary treats while supplies last.

When: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025
Time: 12 to 9 p.m.
Where: 565 Great Northern Way, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Vancouver Fringe Bar

What: For 10 days of the Vancouver Fringe, the Vancouver Fringe Bar features a variety of local bands and artists each night. Acts and activities include fringe bingo, paint and sips, live band karaoke, and more. There will also be food trucks on site nightly.

When: Friday, Sept. 5 to Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025
Time: 5 p.m. to late (weekdays), 3 p.m. to late (weekends)
Where: 1531 Johnston St., Vancouver
Admission: Free

Vancouver Queer Film Festival

What: Vancouver Queer Film Festival is Western Canada’s largest queer arts event. Since 1988, the festival contextualizes and celebrates queer lives and experiences through online and in-person film screenings.

This year, over 100 films from 25 countries will showcase the struggles, joys, and journeys of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. There will also be performances by local artists, post-screening Q&As, and industry events.

When: Tuesday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Venues across Vancouver and online screenings
Tickets: Various prices starting at $7; purchase online

The Canine Library

Hero (Vancouver Public Library/Facebook)

What: Canine Library is woofing it up at John Hendry Park, and participants can choose from various poetry books from VPL’s collection for their session. There will also be fun with VPL’s Children’s tent and poetry workshops with VPL’s Writer in Residence, Selina Boan, during the popular annual event.

When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: John Hendry Park — 3300 Victoria Dr., Vancouver (Behind the Trout Lake Community Centre on the east side and along the path)
Cost: Free

Summer Movie Nights at Lot 19

What: Downtown Van is hosting two more free outdoor movie nights on Thursday, Sept. 4 and Thursday, Sept. 11 at Lot 19. Head down early to enjoy free activations starting at 5 p.m., with the films starting at sundown.

On Sept. 4 is a screening of Lady Bird, and on Sept. 11 is a showing of In the Mood for Love.

When: Thursday, Sept. 4 and Thursday, Sept. 11
Time: Activations start at 5 p.m.; movies start at dusk
Where: Lot 19 – 855 W. Hastings, Vancouver
Cost: Free

Shipyards Festival

What: The Shipyards Festival is an all-day music fest that coincides with Car Free Day North Vancouver, presented by TransLink. At the bottom of Lonsdale, Carrie Cates will be transformed into a “pedestrian paradise” filled with live concerts, a brewery district festival, activations by local businesses, food trucks, and more.

When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Time: Noon to 9 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free

Richmond Night Market 2025

Richmond Night Market

When: The Richmond Night Market is officially open for its 2025 season. This highly anticipated event is the largest night market in North America.

This year is extra special because it marks the 25th anniversary of the market, and there will be some special offers for visitors to celebrate. One of these special offers is the return of its popular Summer Happy Hour with special food and drink deals that are all under $10.

When: Now through Oct. 13, 2025; The night market will be open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays
Where: 8351 River Rd., Richmond

Bike the Night

What: Bike the Night Vancouver is rolling back into town this September with music, lights, prizes, and hundreds of riders cruising the Seawall after dark, and it’s free to join.

Designed for people of all ages and experience levels, the event turns the Seawall into a glowing, music-filled ride route, with a community festival to kick things off.

When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. (family wave) and 8:30 p.m. (main wave)
Where: David Lam Park, Vancouver
Admission: Free (early access available with a $10 lifetime HUB Cycling membership online; general tickets on Hub Cycling’s Bike The Night page)

Scotiabank Dance Centre Open House

What: Scotiabank’s Dance Centre Open House features a wide variety of free classes, demos, and events. Get your feet moving with Hawaiian hula, Afrobeats, dance fitness and more. Participating companies and artists include Co.ERASGA, Claire French/Restless Productions, and Bharata Natyam artist Vidya Kotamraju.

When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Dance Centre – 677 Davie St., Vancouver
Cost: Free

Fort Langley Ukulele Festival

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What: The Langley Ukulele Association is hosting the First Annual International Ukulele Festival, and several of Hawaii’s top musical talents will be performing, including Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, and Bryan Tolentino.

Acclaimed Ukulele performers from the Pacific Northwest will be in the festival lineup, like Neal Chin, Eduardo Garcia, and Luongo family members, Peter, Paul and Mark. There will be a mix of free and ticketed events throughout Fort Langley as well as workshops, so don’t miss out on the fun.

When: Thursday, Sept. 25 to Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations in Fort Langley
Cost: Free and ticketed events, more information online

BC Culture Days 2025

What: BC Culture Days is an annual series of free and interactive creative events hosted by artists and cultural organizations across the province. This year’s three-week celebration invites participants to explore and express themselves artistically through workshops, live shows, and more.

When: Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free

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 to $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

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 Avenue, Vancouver

More than 20 free and cheap things to do in Vancouver this September