15 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this weekend: August 11 to 13
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No matter what you’re in the mood for, there’s an event for you to enjoy this weekend!
From BC Dumpling Fest to Vancity Hip-Hop 50 Concert and more, here are 15 great things to do in and around Metro Vancouver from August 11 to 13.
And for more fun things happening around town be sure to check out our Listed section.
Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival 2023
Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival/Facebook
What: The Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival presented by Parkland returns to Deer Lake Park this summer with free admission. The festival will also feature performances by Fleet Foxes, Allison Russell, The Dip, Boy Golden, The Trade-Offs, and Bebe Buckskin.
When: August 12, 2023
Time: 2 to 10 pm (Gates at 1 pm)
Where: Deer Lake Park – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Cost: Free. The event site has a capacity of 9,000 attendees
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Vancouver Canadians
What: Baseball is Back #AtTheNat! Join the Vancouver Canadians all season long and cheer on the future of the Blue Jays. You can enjoy the game while enjoying hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, and all other ballpark favourites along with a cold beer. Plus, don’t miss the exciting theme nights.
The Vancouver Canadians are taking on the Tri-City Dust Devils until August 13 with themed games including PlayNow Throwback Thursday with Scratch and Wins for the first 1,000 fans aged 19+, Fortis BC ‘Nooner at the Nat Friday, Fireworks Extravaganza on Saturday presented by Nutrl, and A&W Family Fun Sunday with a clear fanny pack giveaway for the first 1000 fans.
When: Now until August 13, 2023
Time: Gates open at 6 pm, first pitch at 7:05 pm (Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday), Gates open at 12 pm, first pitch at 1:05 pm (Friday and Sunday)
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Start at $20 and can be purchased online at CanadiansBaseball.com, over the phone at 604-872 5232, or in person at the Nat Bailey Box Office
The Irish Fusion Festival
What: The Irish Fusion Festival, Vancouver’s newest addition to the festival scene, launches in False Creek just steps away from BC Place on Friday, August 18, and Saturday, August 19. Tickets for the festival are only $25 for the weekend, and guests will enjoy a fusion of culture with live music, energetic dance performances and family-friendly entertainment. Plus, attendees under the age of 12 will get in free.
In the spirit of community engagement, the festival has partnered with two local charities, Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities (PRDA) and Don’t Go Hungry. A portion of the proceeds from the festival will be donated to both organizations, supporting their vital work in the community.
When: August 18 and 19, 2023
Time: 5 to 10 pm (Friday), 10 am to 10 pm (Saturday)
Where: 80 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Cost: $25 for both days (available through Eventbrite or at the gate), $10 for Friday only (available on the gate), and $20 for Saturday only (available on the gate). Free for children under 10. Purchase online
Vancity Hip-Hop 50 Concert
What: Vancity Hip-Hop 50, presented and hosted by Hollywood Theatre features over a dozen artists in the one-night-only event. Stars include the Rascalz, Split Sphere, Junk, Snak The Ripper, Teon Gibbs, and Shaylen D, A local rising star will also have the chance to take the stage.
When: August 11, 2023
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Hollywood Theatre – 3123 W Broadway Vancouver
Tickets: $25-$65, purchase online
Abbotsford International Airshow
Merrill Dyck/Shutterstock
What: It’s not summer in the Fraser Valley until you’ve spent an August day watching breathtaking flying displays and learning about aviation at the Abby Airshow.
The Abbotsford International Airshow is back in all its glory this summer, and this year’s twilight show is a must-see with fireworks, aerial performances, hot air balloons, and drone shows.
When: August 11 to 13, 2023
Time: Various times
Where: 31216 King Road, Abbotsford
Tickets: From $39.99, available online
Russell & Roots – Country Night
What: Brought to you by Russell Brewing and The Festival Company, Russell & Roots’s Country Night features performances by LOCASH, James Barker Band, Meghan Patrick, and local acts. The 93.7 JR Country-presented event is sure to get the audience toe-tapping and singing along to the artists’ high-energy performances.
When: August 12, 2023
Time: 1 to 10 pm
Where: Softball City — 2201 148th Street, Surrey, British Columbia
Tickets: Starting at $78 — tickets are available here.
Farmhouse Fest Wine Fair
What: Farmhouse Fest – which celebrates wild ales, saisons, sours, and ciders – will be holding its seventh annual event, this time with a new addition: the Farmhouse Fest Wine Fair.
The two-day event, which takes place at the picturesque UBC Farm, will highlight all things funky beer and cider during the first day, but the second day will be dedicated wholly to biodynamic wines.
When: August 12 and 13, 2023
Time: 12:30 to 6 pm (Saturday), 12 to 5:30 pm (Sunday)
Where: UBC Farm, 3461 Ross Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Vancouver Mural Fest’s Mount Pleasant Street Party
Vancouver Mural Festival (Sabrina Miso Creative/Submitted)
What: Vancouver Mural Festival’s Mount Pleasant Street Party goes down at the City Centre Artist Lodge at 2111 Main Street.
The former Motor Hotel building as well as surrounding streets will be home to live entertainment, food trucks and pop-up bars, an artisan market, and more. Best of all, the festivities will be free to enjoy.
When: August 10 to 13, 2023
Time: 5 to 10 pm (Thursday and Friday), 2 to 10 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: City Centre Artist Lodge – 2111 Main Street, Vancouver plus surrounding streets
Cost: Free
Vancouver Bandits Championship Weekend
What: Hometown favourites the Vancouver Bandits host and compete in the CEBL Championship Weekend this week at Langley Events Centre The exciting event will feature a variety of exciting happenings, including the CEBL Awards on August 9 and CEBL Commissioner’s Breakfast on August 11.
Juno-nominated artists SonReal and Boslen are performing in the CEBL Life Concert Series at Good Co. Granville in Vancouver on August 12.
The Bandits will take on a Western Conference Finalist on August 11 at LEC, and tickets to the game will also include admission to the Eastern Conference Final on the same day. And then make plans for the CEBL Championship Finals on August 13 to see which team will win it all.
When: August 9 to 13, 2023
Time: Various times
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200th Street, Langley (Good Co. Granville for concert)
Cost: Various; purchase online
Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
What: Jazz pianist Jeff Goldblum and his backing band Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are performing at the Vogue Theatre in their first-ever Canadian performance.
The Oscar and Primetime Emmy-nominated star has released three albums with his jazz band, Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra: The Capitol Studios Sessions, I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This, and Plays Well with Others. The latter was released in March 2023 with Goldblum appearing on Late Night with Seth Myers and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
When: August 12, 2023
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices. Tickets available online
Black Block Party 2023
Yardie Grabz/Facebook | Emerald Osagie/Facebook
What: A popular festival celebrating Black music, arts, and culture is returning to Downtown Vancouver this weekend.
The free event is open to everyone and features live performances by Black artists, vendors, an art installation, a raffle, and more.
When: August 12, 2023
Time: 12 to 9 pm
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square – 850 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Whisky Smoke
What: Whisky Smoke is treating guests to a number of exciting firsts this year including a new wine showcase added to the festivities and a shift to a Friday evening event. Guests will also be in the heart of the thoroughbred racing as the event will now be held trackside.
The highly anticipated event features 24 wines, more than 12 whiskies, cognac, and beer for guests to sip on. Brands that you can discover include Westland Distillery, Stauning Whiskey, Talisker, Lastella Winery, and Daou Vineyards.
When: August 11, 2023
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: Hastings Racecourse — 188 N Renfrew Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Starting at $75. Register online
BC Lions vs Calgary Stampeders
What: BC Lions continue their CFL season at BC Place this week with a game against the Calgary Stampeders on August 12.
When: August 12, 2023
Time: 4 pm
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online
BC Dumpling Festival 2023
@bcdumplingfest/Instagram
What: Presented by The Asian Arts and Culture Society, this year’s event will take place on August 12 and will feature live entertainment, activities, and a huge range of local food and beverage vendors.
The festival will showcase different types of dumplings from all over the world and is a great chance to try all your favourites – as well as something new – all in one place. This year’s edition will highlight Korea in particular.
When: August 12, 2023
Time: 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Town Centre Park — 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Tickets: 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 will feature 92 films from 27 countries showcasing the struggles, joys, and journeys of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. There will also be performances by local artists, post-screening Q&As, and more.
When: August 10 to 20, 2023
Time: Various times
Where: Venues across Vancouver and online screenings
Passes: Purchase online
Juke’n on the DL Part III
What: Juke Fried Chicken and DL Chicken have teamed up for the ultimate collaboration once again. The two much-loved local Vancouver chicken spots are popping up at New Westminster’s Steel & Oak Brewing for another round of Juke’n on the DL.
In addition to live music, games, and craft beer from Steel & Oak, attendees can expect to devour a menu of exclusive fried chicken offerings and sides during this event.
When: August 12, 2023
Time: 11 am to 7 pm (or until sold-out)
Where: Steel & Oak Brewing — 1319 3rd Avenue, New Westminster