You can never be bored in Vancouver this summer! The upcoming month is filled with events and activities that will keep you busy day and night. It’s just up to you to choose the events you'd like to attend. Check out our list of the top Vancouver events in August and get inspired to hit the city!
BC Cultural Crawl (August 1 to 31)
The BC Cultural Crawl is a truly unique initiative that brings together communities from across the province and encourages them to organize their own events at a grassroots level. The founders of the cultural crawl idea like to stress that it's a self-guided exploration of community culture for everyone who decides to participate, either as an organizer or as a visitor. Last year, over 70 communities took part in the event and came up with a rich variety of music, theatre, and dance performances as well as with exhibitions, visual arts, festivals, art walks around neighbourhoods, and much more.
Harmony Arts Festival (August 2 to 11)
Harmony Arts Festival
Every summer for the last 23 years, West Vancouver’s waterfront has come alive with the popular Harmony Arts Festival. The community-based event celebrates the North Shore with music, theatre and dance performances, film and video screenings, and art installations by both local and national artists and performers. Besides the artistic dimension of the festival, the organizers also make it a great culinary experience for all visitors. So come over and try it yourself in several venues in spectacular West Vancouver. On August 10, little visitors get their own day of programming called Creative Kid’s day, filled with fun activities and workshops.
Powell Street Festival (August 3 to 4)
The 37th annual Powell Street Festival showcases the best of Japanese Canadian arts, culture, and community spirit. The program features a mix of dance, music, film and visual arts together with martial arts demonstrations and even an amateur sumo tournament. Visitors will also have a chance to hunt for beautiful artisan works at the numerous craft vendors and traditional displays and satiate their appetites with delicious Japanese food. The event is free and all activities take place at Oppenheimer Park.
Vancouver Pride Parade (August 4)
Vancouver Pride Parade
Vancouver Pride Parade celebrates its 35th birthday and hopes to do so in style! The event will be hosted by Joan-E and Connie Smudge, together with Drag King Ponyboy. Nowadays, the Vancouver parade is considered one of the city’s flagship events that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and is among the largest events of its kind in the world. The parade will begin at Robson Street and Thurlow Street, follow Denman Street to Pacific Street and Beach Avenue and finish at the Sunset Beach Festival site. The event is free, so everybody is welcome to join in and celebrate diversity and LGBTQ culture at the parade.
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (August 9)
New Jersey natives Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons return to British Columbia to deliver their energetic show filled with old hits. Especially known for their 1960s work, the Four Seasons were one the most popular bands before the Beatles boom. "Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)," "Walk like a man," and "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night!)" are just a few of their famous songs that they'll likely perform at the concert. Ticket prices range from $111 to $131 and the event takes place at River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond.
Vancouver Chinatown Festival (August 10 to 11)
Vancouver Chinatown Festival
Experience Chinatown to its fullest during the annual Vancouver Chinatown Festival. The event takes place in historic Chinatown (at Columbia Street and Keefer Street). Every year, about 60,000 visitors accept the invitation to the biggest Chinese party of the year in Vancouver. In 2013, the slogan of the festival “Discover Chinatown. Explore the World,” promises an even more thrilling multicultural experience. Some of the most popular features of the festival include stage performances of dance and music groups, historical and culinary walking tours, a day market, and a young star challenge. The event is free.
Vancouver Queer Film Festival (August 15 to 25)
Vancouver Queer Film Festival
Every summer, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival introduces the best in independent queer cinematography to our city. In 2013, the festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary and features more than 70 films from 20 countries that will screen over 11 days. The second biggest film festival in Vancouver, it takes place in six affiliated venues all around the city. This year, the festival has a special section focusing on India, with films Queens! A Destiny of Dance and Chitrangada: The Crowning Wish. Single tickets for the screenings are $12 and $8 for students, seniors, and the underemployed.
Yaletown Farmers Market (August 15 to September 26)
Yaletown Farmers Market Vancouver
Yaletown Farmers Market is the latest addition to the palette of farmers markets offering fresh and local produce in Vancouver. It's an attempt to start a tradition of short-season markets right in the heart of the Yaletown community, neighbouring the picturesque heritage brick buildings in the area. Visitors can expect veggies and fruits, top-notch meat and seafood, baking products, home-made preserves and syrups, and much more. The market will take place every Thursday at Mainland Street, between Davie and Helmcken.
Fair at the Pacific National Exhibition (August 17 to September 2)
Fair at the Pacific National Exhibition Vancouver
The end of the summer in Vancouver wouldn’t be the same without the traditional 17-day fair at the Pacific National Exhibition. The event features more than 500 performances, including concerts held every night, shows for kids, cultural shows, and more. Some of the biggest names of 2013 include the National, the Beach Boys, and Great Big Sea. In the Italian gardens, a special Bollywood Wedding theatre and an interactive dance performance plus the winner of the Georgia Straight's Best Outdoor Interactive Theatre Event of 2009 will keep you entertained in the evenings. Besides the cultural program, there will be over 50 amusement park rides for all adrenaline lovers.
Stanley Park Celebrating 125 Years (August 24 to 25)
Stanley Park celebrates its 125th year, and the residents of Vancouver are all welcome to join in the party. The celebrations will take place at venues throughout the park, so let’s hope for nice weather. The planned festivities include live music performances at Second Beach, family entertainment, interactive workshops, and ecology walks at the Arch, historical tours at the Gardens, rugby and cricket demos, and much more. The whole celebration will highlight the park’s unique ecology and teach both kids and adults about some of the intriguing things that go on in the park.