15 fun things to do in Vancouver this long weekend: Sept. 4 to 7
The Labour Day long weekend has almost arrived in Vancouver, and there are plenty of things to do around the city.
Here are 15 exciting events to check out around town from Sept. 4 to 7, including Car Free Day, Fringe Patio Music Series, and more.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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Car Free Days Vancouver
Car Free Da
What: Vancouver’s ever-popular Car Free Day is returning this month for two epic celebrations across the city.
The massive street festivals are presented by Car Free Vancouver Society as well as Translink, local municipalities, and BIAs to promote the growth of car-free culture and spaces.
Each year, thousands of attendees, food vendors, artisan booths, kids’ activities, and more. There will also be plenty of great live music to check out.
When: Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
Time: 12 to 7 p.m.
Where: Commercial Drive (Sept. 4) and Main Street (Sept. 13)
Cost: Free
PNE Fair
What: The PNE Fair in Vancouver has returned for a huge 2026, and you’ll want to prepare your summer schedule accordingly.
A highlight of the fair every year is the huge summer night concerts. Music lovers won’t want to miss the exciting mix of legends and rising stars coming to the new amphitheatre.
New this year is Wizard of Oz On Ice, a chance to see Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion like never before. LEGO fans will also want to check out the new exhibition, Sean Kenney’s Animal Super Powers made with LEGO bricks.
When: Now until Sept. 7, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: 2901 E. Hastings St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online
Gastown Sunday Set
What: You’re going to want to make Sundays your new excuse to head to Gastown, because Water St is going car-free this summer.
Every Sunday from July 5 through Sept. 6, Water St will transform into a pedestrian-friendly hub for Gastown Summer Set. Expect live DJs, outdoor coffee parties, flower markets, art battles, patio dining, pop-up activations, games, and plenty of surprises.
Stretching from Richards St to Columbia St, the weekly series turns Gastown into an open-air playground where every visit offers something different.
When: Every Sunday until Sept. 6, 2026
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Water Street from Richards to Columbia in Gastown
Cost: Free admission
Vancouver Whitecaps vs St. Louis City FC
What: Cheer on the ‘Caps as they face St. Louis City FC on Sept. 5 at BC Place.
When: Sept. 5, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online
Aritzia Warehouse Sale
Daily Hive
What: The Vancouver Aritzia warehouse sale typically offers customers 50 to 90 per cent off retail prices. This year, Aritzia says there will be “coveted styles — including jackets, coats, dresses, blouses, denim, pants, skirts, accessories and more.”
Aritzia also says that new styles will be arriving daily.
When: Now to Sept. 7, 2026
Time: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Sept. 5, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 6 and 7
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West — 1055 Canada Pl., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Fringe Patio Music Series including Labour Day Weekend
What: The free Fringe Patio music series, located at Ocean Artworks on Granville Island, is a showcase of local musicians running from Sept. 5 to 20.
It kicks off Labour Day weekend with Parlour Panther, Hyaenas, Cowboy Bebop Bebop Band, Krystle Dos Santos, and Alvaro Rojas 5tet, all co-presented with Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. The full schedule is available online.
When: Sept. 5 to 7, then daily from Sept. 5 to 20, 2026
Time: Various times – see full schedule online
Where: Ocean Artworks – covered outdoor public space and pavilion on Granville Island, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Stanley Park Mini Golf
What: The City of Vancouver has opened a temporary 18-hole mini golf experience in Stanley Park. The new attraction will be open to guests until the fall.
Go on a golf adventure through a whimsical mini-golf wonderland created with an artful take on geometric patterns. All ages are welcome to take a swing.
When: Now until Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday through Wednesday) and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Thursday through Saturday)
Where: 690 Pipeline Rd., Vancouver
Cost: $16 to $18 plus tax for nine holes, and $23 to $25 for 18 holes. An 18-hole family package for two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, for $90 plus tax, is also available. Children under three can play for free. Book online.
Vancouver Vegan Festival
Vancouver Vegan Festival/Facebook
What: The Vancouver Vegan Festival returns to Kitsilano Beach with plant-based food and drink vendors, community booths, artisans, and more.
The all-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature a sustainable market, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and more. Get ready to chow down on tasty eats from local food trucks, too.
When: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Kitsilano Beach
Tickets: Free
Our Neck of the Woods
What: Our Neck of the Woods festival is happening this Saturday at Memorial Peace Park and the downtown core of Maple Ridge.
Guests can expect food trucks, family-friendly activities, and a full day of live music on three stages from 2 to 10 p.m. during the free event. Headliners this year include Bedouin Soundclash, Dear Rouge, and Tim & The Glory Boys.
When: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
Time: 2 to 10 p.m.
Where: Memorial Peace Park and the downtown core of Maple Ridge
Cost: Free
Junction Public Market
What: Vancouver’s open-air container market is back, and you won’t want to miss the fun. Now in its third year, the free-to-enter downtown market and hub has over 30 new vendors this year, in addition to live entertainment and community events throughout the summer.
When: April 30 to Sept. 7, 2026
Time: Open Tuesday through Sunday at varying times
Where: 200 Granville St.
Cost: Free admission
Trading Card Con
What: The family-friendly Trading Card Con invites fans of Pokémon, One Piece, comics, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, and more to celebrate their fandoms and shop nearly 500 vendors.
The weekend-long event will also feature live entertainment, giveaways, character appearances, local content creators, and more.
When: Sept. 4 to 6, 2026
Time: 1 to 10 p.m. (Friday), 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Saturday), 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel – 1000 Burrard St., Vancouver
Cost: $18 admission (children under 7 get in free with a paid adult) or $28 for the weekend. Purchase online
Le Picnic by Veuve Clicquot in the JW Garden
What: JW Marriott Parq Vancouver invites guests and locals alike to enjoy a one-of-a-kind rooftop experience this summer: Le Picnic by Veuve Clicquot in the JW Garden.
The champagne Maison’s only Le Picnic pop-up in North America, the hotel’s 17th-floor Aqua Lounge has transformed into a garden-inspired oasis, featuring live music and sweeping views of Vancouver’s iconic skyline.
Sip on perfectly chilled Veuve Clicquot or champagne-infused cocktails, alongside a curated menu of elegant picnic-inspired fare crafted by the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver culinary team.
When: Now until Aug. 31, 2026
Time: Noon to 8 p.m. daily, with live music on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 3 to 7 p.m.
Where: JW Marriott Parq Vancouver – 39 Smithe St., Vancouver
Admission: Open to hotel guests and members of the public; reservations required for non-hotel guests. More information is available online.
Burnaby Village Museum – Summer Season
Tourism Burnaby
What: Burnaby Village Museum is open for a new summer season, and longtime visitors and new guests will discover a variety of new exhibits, entertainment, and activities to enjoy.
The beloved open-air historical attraction transports people back in time and lets them experience life in a 1920s village, complete with heritage and recreated buildings and staff dressed in the period’s fashion.
When: Tuesday to Sunday, plus statutory holidays until Sept. 7, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Burnaby Village Museum – 6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby
Admission: Free, carousel rides $2.71
Vancouver Rise vs Halifax Tides
What: Vancouver Rise continue their Northern Super League season this weekend with a match against Halifax Tides at Swangard Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5.
When: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
Time: 4 p.m.
Where: Swangard Stadium — 6100 Boundary Rd., Burnaby
Cost: Starting at $20 plus service charges and fees. Purchase online
The Death and Life of Granville Street Walking Tour
What: Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours invites participants to discover a century of change in just six blocks.
Led by award-winning author and historian Aaron Chapman and Forbidden Vancouver founder Will Woods, the Death and Life of Granville Street Walking Tour will explore the layers of history hiding in the historic neighbourhood, including vaudeville stages, movie palaces, urban planning experiments and more.
When: Sept. 5, 12 and 19, 2026
Time: 1 p.m.
Where: Meet at Vancouver City Centre Station
Cost: $35, purchase online
Nikkei Matsuri Japanese Festival
What: The Nikkei Matsuri festival is a massive celebration of Japanese arts, culture, and heritage at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre on Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6.
Guests of the annual cultural celebration will enjoy live performances, food trucks, and more. And returning this year is an outdoor dance party on Friday, Sept. 4.
When: Sept. 4 to 6, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m. (Friday), 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre — 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Cost: Various prices, purchase online.
Plus, here’s an event happening next week that you need to get on your radar!
Vancouver Fringe Festival
What: Vancouver Fringe Festival returns to Granville Island and beyond from Sept. 10 to 20, 2026, embracing every kind of everything. This year, there will be more than 80 shows, two days of free Kids Fringe events, and the return of the free Fringe Patio music series from Sept. 5 to 20. Tickets and information are available online.
When: Sept. 10 to Sept. 20, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues on Granville Island and other venues across Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed events; prices range from $16 to $20, depending on each show. Purchase online