20 fantastic things to do in Vancouver this weekend: July 29 to August 1

So long, July, and hello, August! No better way to start a new month than with a BC Day long weekend full of events!

Call up your friends and head out to enjoy Honda Celebration of Light, Vancouver Pride, Powell Street Fest, and more.

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

Honda Celebration of Light fireworks – Spain

What: Look up at the night sky over English Bay as the Honda Celebration of Light is returning for its 30th anniversary.

Check out the new family-friendly Morton Park Festival Zone for food vendors, an artisan market, and free concerts each day of the festival. And make sure you don’t miss the return of the Red Bull Air Show each night.

Schedule and nations:

• Saturday, July 30: Spain, represented by Pirotecnia Zaragozana
  • With pre-fireworks Red Bull Air Show

Time: 10 to 10:25 pm (25-minute duration each night). Rain or shine. Music simulcast on The Breeze 104.3 FM and Z 95.3 FM.
Where: English Bay, Vancouver
Cost: Free. Premium viewing areas VIP lounge experiences are also available online.

You might also like:
• "Deliciously Indulgent" Cheese and Meat Festival returns to Vancouver this fall
• You can enjoy FREE outdoor family movies in North Vancouver this summer
• Feel the need for speed with summer bobsleigh at Whistler Sliding Centre (PHOTOS)

Made in Italy

What: Arts Club Theatre presents a comedic and heartwarming celebration of family. Made in Italy is an award-winning musical coming-of-age story set in the 1970s starring Francesco Mantini. The second-generation Italian teen struggles to find his place in Jasper, Alberta, and reinvents himself as a crooner and ladies’ man.

When: Various dates from July 28 to August 21, 2022
Time: Various times
Where: Granville Island Stage – 1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver
Cost: Starting from $39, purchase online

True to Place at Bill Reid Gallery

What: The Canadian premiere exhibition of True to Place: stímetstexw tel xélte explores the artistic practice of 10 Northwest Coast Indigenous artists. The group exhibition is curated by artist and muralist Xémontalót Carrielynn Victor (Stó:lō) and spotlights a spectrum of colour palettes in paintings on a variety of mediums, such as canvas, wood, and digital creations.

When: Now until March 19, 2023. (Open daily until September, then open Wednesday to Sunday from October to April)
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Bill Reid Gallery — 639 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Admission: $6-$13, free for Indigenous Peoples, members, and children 12 years and under. Purchase Online

PRISM Pride Series

What: Pride is back and you’re invited to join PRISM Vancouver for three amazing events.

Grab your crew Friday and head to Pride Happy Hour for specialty beers, DJs, pole performances, and games. Then, join in the fun at Go Down featuring an exclusive performance from rap artist tinywiings, fresh off the Girls in Wonderland stage.

Then, on Sunday evening, join your besties from Tainted Presents at Club Tropicana for a night of exceptional music and drag. Canada’s Drag Race star Vivian Vanderpuss is headlining so you know it’s going to be a grand time.

Pride Happy Hour

When: July 29, 2022
Time: 4 to 9 pm
Where: Container Brewing – 1216 Franklin Street, Vancouver
Admission: $15 to $25, purchase online

Go Down

When: July 29, 2022
Time: 10 pm to 3 am
Where: Village Studios @ Celebrities Nightclub – 1022 Davie Street, Vancouver
Admission: $15 to $25, purchase online

Club Tropicana

When: July 31, 2022
Time: 9 pm to 2 am
Where: Hotel at the Waldorf – 1489 E Hastings Street, Vancouver
Admission: $25 to $40, purchase online

Whistler Summer Concert Series

What: These free outdoor performances are worth the drive. The Whistler Summer Concert Series at Whistler Olympic Plaza showcases a wide variety of genres and talents, including Punjabi folk dancing, interactive choirs, PowWowStep, and more. Upcoming artists include:

• Thursday, July 28 – the della kit and Gurdeep Pandher
• Friday, July 29 – DJ Peacefrog and Choir! Choir! Choir!
• Thursday, August 4 – DJ PRAiZ and Ron Artis II & The Truth
• Thursday, August 18 – Native Thunder and DJ Shub presents “War Club Live”
• Thursday, August 25 – Vinyl Richie The J.B.’s

When: Various dates in July and August 2022
Time: 6:30 pm (live DJ sets) and 7:30 pm (headlining sets)
Where: Whistler Olympic Plaza – 4365 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
Cost: Free

Fraser Valley Bandits vs Edmonton Stingers

What: The Fraser Valley Bandits take on the Edmonton Stingers in their final regular season CEBL home game. It’s also Fan Appreciation and Girls and Women in Sports Night, so cheer them on as they gear up for the playoffs.

When: July 30, 2022
Time: 7 pm
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200th Street, Langley
Cost: Various, purchase online

Fleurs de Villes Pride

What: Fleurs de Villes PRIDE, happening from July 27 to August 1, is 15 fresh floral installations that will be found in Yaletown and the West End.

Flower-bombed benches, rainbows, swings, and selfie frames are being installed in conjunction with the Vancouver Pride Festival, and the popular floral mannequins will pay tribute to Canada’s most famous drag artists.

When: July 27 to August 1, 2022
Where: Various locations in Yaletown and the West End
Cost: Free

Kitsilano Farmers’ Market

What: Kitsilano Farmers’ Market, takes place on Sundays in the parking lot of the Community Centre and offers a good selection of fresh local produce and gourmet treats to stock up on the week. There are also a number of artisan vendors and food trucks to check out at the market.

When: Every Sunday until October 30, 2022
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Kitsilano Community Centre, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver

Vancouver Canadians

What: Baseball is Back #AtTheNat! Join the Vancouver Canadians all summer 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 Canadians play against Everett AquaSox until July 31. Exciting theme nights include Pride Night on Thursday, Fortis BC ‘Nooner at the Nat on Friday, Saturday Fireworks Extravaganza, and A&W Family Fun Sunday with a replica jersey giveaway.

When:  Now until July 31, 2022
Time:  Gates open at 6 pm, first pitch at 7:05 pm (Thursday, Saturday), Gates open at noon, first pitch at 1:05 pm (Friday and Sunday)
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium – 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver
Cost: Select tickets available and start at $20; tickets can be purchased online, over the phone (604-872-5232), or at Nat Bailey Box Office. Admission: $20 Reserved Grandstand/$25 Box Seat/$32 WestJet Premium Plus Zone; Group discounts are also available.

Vancouver Pride Parade and Sunset Beach Festival 2022

What: Vancouver Pride Society’s 2022 festival theme is “Together Again,” with events and activities planned throughout summer. The highlight is the return of the Sunset Beach Festival and the annual Pride Parade, which draws an estimated 400,000 spectators to downtown Vancouver.

When: July 31, 2022
Time: Noon to 3 pm
Where: Through Vancouver’s West End and ending at Sunset Beach
Admission: Free

Violet Chachki “A Lot More Me” Tour

What: Violet Chachki, the season seven winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, will be in town this weekend as part of her ongoing A Lot More Me tour.

Chachki was named “one of the most powerful Drag Queens in America” by New York Magazine, was the first drag queen to ever attend the Met Gala, and recently released the single “Mistress Violet” with pop singer Allie X.

When: July 30, 2022
Time: 7 pm and 10 pm
Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online

Theatre Under the Stars: Something Rotten! and We Will Rock You

What: Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) 2022 season and 81st year at the Malkin Bowl will feature stunning musical productions of Something Rotten! and We Will Rock You. The shows will run alternate evenings from July 2 to August 27.

When: July 2 to August 27, 2022 (performances alternate evenings)
Time: 8 pm, except on Fireworks Nights (July 23, 27, and 30) when shows begin at 7 pm
Where: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park – 610 Pipeline Road
Tickets: Various, purchase online

HAPPYLAND Festival

What: The first annual HAPPYLAND Festival, presented by Timbre Concerts and Sunrise Series, is happening at PNE Amphitheatre and Playland. A fully inclusive Pride celebration, HAPPYLAND features an epic lineup of live music, access to all your favourite rides, food trucks, and more.

Country star Orville Peck headlines the inaugural HAPPYLAND, with the fringed-mask singer performing hits from his acclaimed albums Pony and Bronco.

When: July 31, 2022
Time: 5 pm
Where: PNE Amphitheatre and Playland, Vancouver
Tickets: $65 general admission, purchase online

Richmond Night Market 2022

What: The Richmond Night Market is the largest night market in North America and this year’s theme is Summer Magic Rainbow. The popular annual event draws crowds ready to check out the rows on rows of vibrant cuisine. In fact, there are over 500 different international food items this year.

Visitors can also enjoy a diverse lineup of nightly performances on the 50-ft entertainment stage, showcasing musicians, dance teams, martial arts displays, and more.

When: Now until October 10, 2022
Time: 7 pm to 12 am (Friday), 6 pm to 12 am (Saturday), 7 to 11 pm (Sunday and Holidays)
Where: The corner of Number 3 and River Road (one block from the Bridgeport Canada Line station)
Cost: $6 general admission, free for children under 7 and seniors 60 and older. Purchase online

Anirevo Summer 2022

What: Anirevo, Vancouver’s largest anime convention, is making its return to the Vancouver Convention Centre and it’s going to be filled with special guests, activities, and a huge vendor hall so you can get your shop on.

Expect to see cosplayers representing all your favourite anime characters as soon as you arrive at the Vancouver Convention Centre, including everything from Dragon Ball Z to One Piece to Kill la Kill. You’ll be inspired to dress up yourself when you check out the huge cosplay contest.

When: July 29 to 31, 2022
Time: Various times
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West — 1055 Canada Place
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Powell Street Festival

What: The annual Powell Street Festival is one of the longest-running community arts festivals in Canada, and is a jam-packed weekend celebrating Japanese-Canadian culture, food, and art.

There will be musical and theatre performances, a marketplace with local wares, plus some incredible festival foods to feast on.

When: July 30 and 31, 2022
Time: 11:30 am to 7 pm
Where: Oppenheimer Park and Paueru Gai (Powell Street area), Vancouver
Admission: Free

Drag Brunch on the Drive: Pride Edition

What: Drag Brunch is celebrating Pride Season with an amazing lineup of Vancouver’s favourite Queens. Hosted by Xanax and Mx. Bukuru, the event will feature performances by Jerrilynn Spears, Abeiya Miraj, Margaux Rita, Rich Elle, and Calgary’s Dayna Hart.

When: July 30, 2022
Time: 11:45 am and 1:45 pm (seatings available up to one hour before)
Where: Havana – 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Cost: $40, reserve online

Punkcouver Fest

What: The popular punk rock festival will showcase 24 local bands during two back-to-back weekends, including Aanthems, The Greatest Sons, Balkan Shmalkan, and You Big Idiot. Bring your energy and your dancing shows as you’ll need more at The Wise Hall.

When: July 29 and 30, August 5 and 6, 2022
Time: 7 pm to 11:55 pm
Where: The Wise Hall – 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $25 plus fees for day pass, $90 for four-day pass. Purchase online