15 fun things to do in Vancouver this weekend: Sept. 19 to 21
The last weekend of summer has arrived in Vancouver! How are you spending it?
We’ve got some great ideas, including the Shipyards Festival, the Pop-Up Foodie Fair, and 13 other fantastic events happening around Metro Vancouver from Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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Pop-Up Foodie Fair
Bread & Cheese Co.
What: The Fall Foodie Pop-Up, hosted by the organizers of the Metro Vancouver Croissant Crawl, is happening on Saturday, Sept. 20, at UBC Farm.
Guests will be served up fall-inspired food trucks, artisans and makers, and family-friendly activities. Best of all, admission to the Fall Foodie Pop-Up is free, so you can save your money for all the tasty eats.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: UBC Farm Farmers Market — 3461 Ross Dr., Vancouver
Admission: Free
Linkin Park
What: Linkin Park has sold over 100 million records globally, won two Grammys, and has taken home six American Music Awards. The group is beloved by fans for smash hits like “One Step Closer” and “What I’ve Done.”
When: Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices. Purchase online
Vivacity – Vancouver’s Premier Medical Aesthetics, Longevity, and Healthy Aging Show!
What: Vivacity, presented by Beautifi, is the first-of-its-kind consumer event redefining the future of medical aesthetics, healthy aging, longevity, and wellness.
Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West from Sept. 19 to 21, Vivacity boasts 50,000 square feet of innovation, expert insights, and hands-on experiences. More than 20,000 highly engaged attendees are expected to connect with leading brands and learn about transformative solutions, to not only look their best but to feel it too at any age.
When: Friday, Sept. 19, to Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West — 1055 Canada Pl., Vancouver
Cost: Various options. Single-day tickets start at $32.50 — Available online
Fire Dragon Festival
Fire Dragon Festival
What: The annual Fire Dragon Festival, presented by Chinatown Celebration Society, is on Friday, Sept. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 20.
You can meet the artists in residence on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., including Bagua Artist Association, Steven Dragonn, and Sifu Michael Tan from Chau Luen Athletics, to ask questions about the Fire Dragon as well as the festival.
Then on Saturday at 7 p.m., the ceremony and main parade commence on Carrall Street in Chinatown.
When: Friday, Sept. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 20
Time: 6 to 8 p.m. (Friday), 7 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free
ʔəm̓i ce:p xwiwəl (Come Toward the Fire)
What: The ʔəm̓i ce:p xwiwəl (Come Toward the Fire) festival is hosted by The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in collaboration with Musqueam. Indigenous artists, musicians, speakers, performers and dance groups from Musqueam as well as Indigenous nations across Turtle Island (North America) will perform this weekend.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts – 6265 Crescent Rd., Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed events, purchase online
Oktoberfest at Parallel 49
What: Every day until Sunday, Oct. 5, Parallel 49 Brewing will be celebrating Oktoberfest in their massive tent and biergarten. Come enjoy live music from a traditional Rheinlander band from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and 5:30 to 9:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
There will also be a great selection of Oktoberfest-style beers, traditional German food features and specials, and more. Plus dress up on Fridays and Saturdays for your chance to win the best-dressed Oktoberfest outfit.
When: Now until Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025
Time: Parallel 49 open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday
Where: Parallel 49 – 1950 Triumph St., Vancouver
Admission: Free, seating available first-come, first-served served
Vancouver International Travel Expo
Vancouver International Travel Expo
What: The eighth annual Vancouver International Travel Expo brings together airlines, cruises, and tour operators from across the globe.
Turn your dream trip into reality, whether it’s an African adventure to an all-inclusive vacation. Plus, someone will win a cruise for two with Celebrity Cruises or Two Return Tickets with Turkish Airlines during the expo.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East, Halls A & B
Admission: $15, purchase online
Science World’s Tech-Up Showcase – Free Admission
What: For one day only in September, the general public will have free admission to Science World as part of the attraction’s Tech-Up initiative.
Head to the Dome on Friday, Sept. 19, for the Tech-Up Showcase presented by Amazon Future Engineer. The day-long event is open to all ages and experience levels, with special programming in STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art and design, and math.
Entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, and Science World’s exhibits will also be open for guests to explore.
When: Friday, Sept. 19, 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Science World – 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Vancouver Giants vs Penticton Vees
What: The Vancouver Giants start the new WHL season at the Langley Events Centre this weekend with a game against the Penticton Vees on Saturday, Sept. 20.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200th St., Langley
Cost: Various; purchase online
Mount Pleasant End of Summer Block Party
Mount Pleasant BIA
What: End of Summer Block Party, hosted by the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Area (MPBIA), is happening at 11th Avenue and Kingsway on Saturday, Sept. 20
The free community celebration features dining, shopping, kids’ activities, and live entertainment. And it promises to be a great way to celebrate the last weekend of summer.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Kingsway and 11th Avenue
Cost: Free
Taste of Abby Fall Food Festival
What: Taste of Abby is a celebration of Abbotsford’s agriculture, history, food culture, and culinary cultivations. Taking place from Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 28, the annual event allows folks to enjoy seasonal experiences, featured collaborations, and special menus and promotions around the city.
When: Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations around Abbotsford
Tickets: Online
Vancouver Rise vs Ottawa Rapids – Fan Appreciation Match
What: Don’t miss the final regular-season match of Vancouver Rise FC’s 2025 season. Come support your professional women’s soccer team as they take on the Ottawa Rapids and experience every heart-pounding moment as the energy builds with each play.
Get your tickets starting at $19, plus service charge and fees.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. kickoff
Where: Swangard Stadium — 6100 Boundary Rd., Burnaby
Cost: Starting at $19 plus service charge and fees; purchase online
Shipyards Festival and Car Free Day North Vancouver
Shipyards
What: The Shipyards Festival is an all-day music fest that coincides with Car Free Day North Vancouver, presented by TransLink. At the bottom of Lonsdale, Carrie Cates will be transformed into a “pedestrian paradise” filled with live concerts, a brewery district festival, activations by local businesses, food trucks, and more.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Time: Noon to 9 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free
Vallea Lumina
What: Vallea Lumina lets visitors experience a heightened natural landscape of the forest through video, lighting, sound, and special effects, put on by The Adventure Group. The pathway through an old-growth forest lets your imagination come alive as you walk through a mysterious valley filled with enchantment on this evening excursion.
When: Now until October 4, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Cougar Mountain Basecamp, Whistler
Cost: Various prices, purchase online
Orpheum Tours by Vancouver Civic Theatres
What: Vancouver Civic Theatres is hosting guided tours of the historic Orpheum theatre this fall. The event is led by the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, and will be sure to delight music fans, architecture enthusiasts, and history buffs.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, Oct. 18, and Nov. 15, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Where: Orpheum – 601 Smithe St., Vancouver
Cost: $10 plus fees, register online