15 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this weekend: July 21 to 23

Jul 20 2023, 2:00 pm

Another summer weekend has arrived and it’s filled to the brim with great events and activities!

Plan your days with our checklist of 15 fantastic events happening in Metro Vancouver from July 21 to 23. Four Fires Festival, Honda Celebration of Light, and more.

And for more fun things happening around town be sure to check out our Listed section.

The Cup 2023

The Cup

The Cup/Facebook

What: Get your chicest hats and flashiest bowties out! The city’s most fashionable festival is back this summer and some huge musical acts are coming to the party.

The Cup is taking over Hastings Racecourse on Saturday, July 22. The day-long event is serving up live entertainment, delicious food, and even a fashion competition with a big cash prize.

When: July 22, 2023
Time: Gates open at noon
Where: Hastings Racecourse — 188 N Renfrew Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Starting at $55, purchase online.

Honda Celebration of Light and Red Bull Air Show

What: There will be even more reasons to look to the sky during this year’s Honda Celebration of Light – and that’s before the sun even goes down.

Event organizers have announced that the fan-favourite Pete McLeod and the Red Bull Air Show will return over English Bay for all three nights this summer. That means that you will see jaw-dropping aerial acrobatics on July 22, July 26, and July 29 before the massive fireworks displays.

  • Schedule and nations:
    • Saturday, July 22: Australia, represented by Howard & Sons
      • With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show
    • Wednesday, July 26: Mexico, represented by Grupo Avacon
      • With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show
    • Saturday, July 29: The Philippines, represented by Blue Peacock
      • With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show
  • Time: 10 to 10:25 pm (25-minute duration each night). Rain or shine.
  • Location: English Bay, Vancouver

Burnaby Pride

What: Burnaby’s annual Pride event recognizes and celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Burnaby. Enjoy a full afternoon of live performances, activities, and more at Burnaby Civic Square.

When: July 22, 2023
Time: 12 to 6 pm
Where: Burnaby Civic Square – 6100 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby
Admission: Free

Four Fires Festival 2023

Four Fires Festival

Four Fires Festival/Facebook

What: The second annual Four Fires Festival is happening at Concord Community Park from July 22 and 23, and there are many cultural events and activities for everyone to enjoy.

Four Fires Festival includes live music, cultural dance groups, multiple food trucks, an artisan market, and dozens of Indigenous paddling teams from Oregon, Washington, and BC.

When: July 22 to 23, 2023
Time: 10 am to 7 pm (Saturday), 10 am to 6:30 pm (Sunday)
Where: Concord Community Park, Creekside Park, and False Creek, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Public Disco Free Block Party

What: Get your dancing shoes on because Public Disco is throwing a free block party in Downtown Vancouver. The all-ages event features feel-good tunes by ESB, DJ Hector, Kozue, and Star x Dust. There will also be a pop-up market, food vendors, and licensed bars for your summer fun.

When: July 22, 2023
Time: 3 to 10:30 pm
Where: Bentall Centre’s Neighbourhood Patio and pop-up art gallery – 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Surrey Fusion Festival 2023

What: Surrey Fusion Festival’s 2023 theme of “Dance Around the World” will be on full display at over 50 cultural pavilions and on the eight stages at Holland Park. Explore them all to discover traditions from around the world that bring people together and build bridges between cultures.

When: July 22 and 23, 2023
Time: 11 am to 10 pm
Where: Holland Park – 13428 Old Yale Road, Surrey
Admission: FREE

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Club Leon

club leon whitecaps fc

Kirby Lee | Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

What: Local soccer fans will get a rare chance to see the Vancouver Whitecaps take on a team from Mexico’s top league this week.

Club Leon, the reigning CONCACAF Champions League title holders, will play the Whitecaps at BC Place on Friday, July 21. It’s the first match for both clubs in the Leagues Cup, a “World Cup-style” tournament that runs until August 19.

When: July 21, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online

Port Moody Ribfest 2023

What: Port Moody Rotary Ribfest is officially returning to Metro Vancouver this summer, and foodies are pumped about it.

This event features a lively beer garden, live music, family-friendly events, tented seating, and of course, lots and lots of ribs. Admission is by donation to Rotary Club of Port Moody.

When: July 21 to 23, 2023
Time: 11 am to 9 pm
Where: Rocky Point Park, Point Moody
Cost: By donation

Spot the Bot Comedy show

What: House of Comedy hosts an interactive comedy game show where the audience tries to figure out which comedian has been provided jokes by the AI Joke Bot. This month’s comics include Janice Bannister, Nic Enright-Morin, Roger Nairn, Parvin Sohal, Tania Taylor, and emcee Erin Jeffery.

When: July 21, 2023
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: The Attic at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy – 530 Columbia Street, New Westminster
Tickets: $16 plus fees, purchase online

Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival

Lakeland Flowers

Lakeland Flowers/Submitted

What: The first Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival, presented by Lakeland Flowers, will delight visitors of all ages from July 21 to September 4.

Guests of the largest summer floral experience in the Lower Mainland will discover 45 acres of huge sunflowers, lush lavender, buckwheat, phacelia, and more.

When: July 21 to September 4, 2023
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 3663 Marion Road, Abbotsford
Cost: $10 general admission which includes a u-pick five-stem bunch. Children 3 and under are free. Purchase online

White Rock Pride Family Day

What: White Rock Pride Society is hosting its second 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: July 22, 2023
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Mirimar Plaza – 15165 Thrift Avenue, White Rock
Admission: Free

Vancouver Bandits

What: Vancouver Bandits wrap up their Canadian Elite Basketball League home season at the Langley Events Centre this weekend! They take on the Edmonton Stingers on July 21 and the Winnipeg Sea Bears on July 23.

When: July 21 and 23, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm (Friday), 7 pm (Sunday)
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200 Street, Langley
Cost: Various, purchase online

Burnaby Artisan Farmers’ Market

What: Launched in June 2008, this open-air market offers visitors an assortment of food and craft stalls to peruse. Shop for fresh fruits and veggies as well as artisan goods while you listen to live entertainers.

When: Every Saturday until October
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: North Parking Lot of Burnaby City Hall – 4949 Canada Way at Deer Lake Parkway, Burnaby

Celebration of Light Fireworks and Sunset Cruise

What: On July 22, 26, and 29, sail off on Prince of Whales’ luxury catamaran, where you can watch the world-famous Honda Celebration of Light fireworks in a lively atmosphere with panoramic views from the Pacific Ocean.

Passengers can enjoy complimentary hot drinks and a delectable assortment of small menu items and delicious catered snacks served by Truffles Fine Foods during the excursion, and locally sourced alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase on board.

When: July 22 (Australia ), July 26 (Mexico), and July 29 (The Philippines)
Time: 7:30 to 10:30 pm
Where: Prince of Whales on Granville Island – 1666 Duranleau Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S2
Cost: $189 per person plus taxes and fees, purchase online

Neighbourhood Patio at Bentall Centre

Bark Park

Bark Park (Bentall Centre/Vancouver)

What: The Bentall Centre’s Neighbourhood Patio pop-up takes place every Thursday and Friday throughout the summer, with live music, art and dance nights, pop-up markets, and more. In addition to DJs and live music, the pop-up patio will offer a chill space to enjoy sips and snacks right in the heart of Vancouver.

This week’s highlights include Thirsty Thursday with discounted drinks, live music, food, and a Bark Park Takeover on Friday. Bring your furry friends to Neighbourhood Patio to enjoy delicious eats from Good Dogs. Plus $1 from every beverage sold will go towards Loved at Last Dog Rescue.

When: Every Thursday and Friday until August 25, 2023
Time: 3 to 9 pm
Where: The Breezeway at Bentall Centre — 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Reserve a table online

Railtown Tailgate BBQ

What: Mouthwatering barbecue, refreshing drinks, and good times are being served at Railtown’s Tailgate Barbecue this summer. Join Chefs Dan Olson and Tyler Day of Railtown Cafe and Railtown Catering as they fire up the custom-made 12-foot barbecue barrel for a delicious event on the Boxcar Patio.

Dig into the slow-smoked brisket, pork shoulder, beer-brined chicken and brats, and melt-in-your-mouth Jalapeño Corn Bread. Each guest will also enjoy their choice of two Southern-style sides.

When: July 23 and August 20, 2023
Time: Seatings at 3 and 5 pm
Where: Boxcar Patio – 917 Main Street, Vancouver
Cost: $35 for Tailgate Plate, $35 for a Vegetarian Plate, $25 for the Cheeseburger or Beyond Meat Burger Plate. Order online

Boundary Bay Airshow

What: Boundary Bay Airshow, presented by the City of Delta and Alpha Aviation, will feature a variety of world-class aviation attractions, including aerobatic teams, a Red Bull racer, and more.

Boundary Bay Airshow was first held 15 years ago and regularly draws massive crowds of over 15,000 to the waterside airport.

When: July 22, 2023
Time: Gates open at 11 am, Airshow starts at noon
Where: Boundary Bay Airport – 7800 Alpha Way, Delta
Admission: Free

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