10 amazing Vancouver theatre and arts events happening in August
Vancouver theatre and arts lovers have lots to look forward to in August!
From The Lion King to Vancouver Pride events and more, here are 10 great arts events to check out around the city this month!
And for more fun things happening around town, be sure to visit our Listed section.
Broadway Across Canada – The Lion King
The Lion King (Matthew Murphy/Broadway Across Canada)
What: Watch as the Serengeti comes to life as never before in The Lion King by Broadway Across Canada. More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage.
When: Aug. 20. to Sept. 14, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton St., Vancouver
Tickets: Online
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Bradley Sakawsky’s Pro Comedy
What: Vancouver comedian Bradley Sakawsky presents a radical night of laughs inside a skateboard shop. Get ready for a lineup of the city’s funniest comedians curated by Sakaswsky, with huge laughs, unique points of view, and more.
When: Thursday, Aug 21, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Flatspot Longboard Shop — 112 East Pender St., Vancouver
Tickets: $17.34, purchase online
Powell Street Festival
What: The 49th annual Powell Street Festival is happening on Aug. 2 and 3 at Oppenheimer Park and the Paueru Gai (the Powell Street area and Vancouver’s historical Japanese neighbourhood).
There will be over 60 events and 40 performances to check out at this year’s Japanese street festival, including live music, dance performances, film screenings, and more.
Expect to find traditional Japanese food, festival food, comforting community cuisine, sweets, refreshing treats, and more during your visit. There will be over 50 food and craft vendors to discover this year.
When: Saturday, Aug. 2 to Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Oppenheimer Park and Paueru Gai (Powell Street area), Vancouver
Admission: Free
Improv Night with Colin Mochrie and Friends
Colin Mochrie
What: Canadian comedy icon Colin Mochrie is coming to Art’s Club Stanley Stage for two shows this month, and fans won’t want to miss out.
When: Aug. 8 and 9, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Stanley Stage – 2750 Granville St., Vancouver
Cost: Starting at $40, purchase online
Theatre Under the Stars: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde The Musical
What: Theatre Under the Stars’ 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 Aug. 16, and promise to be another great year of theatre in Stanley Park.
When: Now until Aug. 16, 2025 (Performances alternate evenings)
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park – 610 Pipeline Rd., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Vancouver Mysteries Presents… Murder at the Movies
What: VIFF and Vancouver Mysteries are teaming up for Murder at the Movies, an immersive event where guests collect clues, solve puzzles, and can even become part of the twisting plot.
Dress up to attend the glamorous red carpet premiere of Cooking Up Trouble and get ready for romance, intrigue, and murder. Your ticket includes a general admission seat for the performance, a puzzle to solve, clues and a small snack at the Vancouver theatre.
When: Aug. 7 and 9, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. (Aug. 9), 3 p.m. (Aug. 9)
Where: VIFF Centre — 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver
Cost: $85, purchase online
Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival 2025
Einstein Barathyraj/Shutterstock
What: The annual Vancouver Pride Parade will begin at Concord Pacific Place lands in Northeast False Creek and travel westward along Pacific Boulevard and Pacific Street, terminating at Burrard Street. As well, with a shorter route for 2025, the parade will start at 1 p.m. — one hour later than usual. Over 150 parade entries are planned.
Parade spectators can follow the tail end of the procession to the new Davie Village Pride Festival, which will span a three-block stretch of Davie Street between Burrard Street and Jervis Street.
Organizers are promising a “high-energy, inclusive celebration” at the Davie Village Pride Festival, featuring live music, drag performances, DJs, and roaming entertainers, as well as licensed lounges, extended patios, and local businesses spilling out onto the street.
When: Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025
Time: Vancouver Pride Parade — 1 to 3:30 p.m.; Davie Village Pride Festival — 2 to 10 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Pride Parade — along Pacific Boulevard and Pacific Street between Concord Pacific Place/BC Place Stadium and Burrard Street; Davie Village Pride Festival — at Davie Street between Burrard Street and Jervis Street, and at Nelson Park
Admission: Free
Jokers Canada’s Kitsilano Comedy Classic- End Of Summer Bash
What: Jokers Canada is a travelling comedy club that showcases professional and hilarious stand-ups all over the region.
Laugh your way through the end of summer with a lineup that includes Julie Kim (Just For Laughs Montreal), Sharon Mahoney (Comedy Store LA), Myles Anderson (CBC), Ty Boissonnault (Kam Comedy Fest), Graham Clark (CBC Debaters) and Faris Hytiaa (Just For Laughs Montreal) in the Vancouver theatre.
When: Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Hollywood Theatre — 3123 West Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online
Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts
What: The 10th anniversary of the Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts is presented by the South Asian Arts Society and features theatrical and dance performances, a Punjabi comedy show, workshops, and more.
When: Various dates from Aug. 7 to 17, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Various, see the full list of events online
Music on Main’s Summer Pop-Up Concerts
Music on Main
What: Summertime was made for relaxing in the park with pals and listening to great music. Now you can enjoy a live soundtrack thanks to a series of outdoor concerts happening this month.
Music on Main presents Summer Pop-Up Concerts at Mount Pleasant Park from Aug. 18 to 20. The evening concerts will feature a range of music styles, and all performances are free.
When: Aug. 18 to 20, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Mount Pleasant Park — West 16th Avenue at Ontario Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free