15 of the very best things to do in and around Vancouver this July

Vancouver is absolutely alive with summer energy right now, and that will only get stronger throughout the month of July. So saddle up for some iconic events like Khatsahlano, the Dude Chilling Park Fest, and more. Here are 15 of the very best things to do in and around Vancouver this July.

The month wouldn’t be complete without celebrating Canada Day right: at a free community event with your loved ones, under a sky of fireworks.

Where: See our picks above

This summer, two beloved musicals known for their feel-good music and inspiring storylines take the stage at Vancouver’s Malkin Bowl. Theatre Under the Stars is officially back for its 86th year of live theatre, showcasing Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

When: Thursday, July 3 to Aug. 22, 2026
Time: Various showtimes
Where: 610 Pipeline Rd.
Cost: $35 to $69 for GA

Head to South Granville for some exciting, free events at the plaza all month long, from hyper-local produce markets to live orchestra concerts, to popular “plaza pours.”

Here are all the upcoming events you can check out:

• Graze Produce Pop-up: Noon to 6 p.m. on July 2, South Granville Plaza West (Granville x West 13th Ave.)
• Graze Produce Pop-up: Noon to 6 p.m. on July 9, South Granville Plaza East (Granville x West 14th Ave.)
• Plaza Pours Wine Tasting: 5 to 6 p.m. on July 9, South Granville Plaza West (Granville x West 13th Ave.)
• Bend and Flow Community Yoga: 10 to 11 a.m. on July 12, South Granville Plaza East (Granville x West 14th Ave.)
• Graze Produce Pop-up: Noon to 6 p.m. on July 16, South Granville Plaza East (Granville x West 14th Ave.)
• VMO Concert: 6 to 8 p.m. on July 17, South Granville Plaza East (Granville x West 14th Ave.)
• Graze Produce Pop-up: Noon to 6 p.m. on July 23, South Granville Plaza East (Granville x West 14th Ave.)
• Plaza Pours Wine Tasting: 5 to 6 p.m. on July 23, South Granville Plaza West (Granville x West 13th Ave.)
• Bend and Flow Community Yoga: 10 to 11 a.m. on July 26, South Granville Plaza East (Granville x West 14th Ave.)
• Graze Produce Pop-up: Noon to 6 p.m. on July 30, South Granville Plaza East (Granville x West 14th Ave.)

When: Events throughout July
Time: Varies per event
Where: Varies per event
Cost: Free

The prestigious Vancouver International Jazz Fest is now in full swing, and there are dozens of free and pay-what-you-can shows coming to venues across the city and the North Shore. If you’re on Granville Island perusing the public market or catching a FIFA match this week, you’ll find a whole host of talented performers on the Ocean Artworks stage.

When: Friday, June 19 to Saturday, July 5, 2026
Time: Varies per concert
Where: 1531 and 1601 Johnston St., and venues across Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed concerts

The Heated Rivalry vinyl release party at Neptoon Records will celebrate the release of the show’s legendary soundtrack on vinyl, and if you arrive early, you could get your hands on some fun freebies and signed prizes,

When: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 5 p.m. (entry begins at 4:45 p.m.)
Where: 3561 Main St. 
Cost: Free admission

Also happening on July 11 is this year’s Symphony at Sunset, a time-honoured Vancouver tradition that brings together classical music lovers and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for a magical evening of live music. This year, the event will take place at David Lam Park for the very first time.

When: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: 1300 Pacific Blvd.
Cost: Free

Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival is back with a more “whimsical” theme this year, complete with over 50 of the city’s best food truck vendors, live music across multiple stages all day long, and plenty of local activations to check out.

When: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: Noon to 9 p.m.
Where: West 4th Avenue between MacDonald and Burrard Streets
Cost: Free admission

Everyone’s favourite free music and beer festival is returning to Dude Chilling Park at the end of the month, and you won’t want to miss it. This year, the drinks will be flowing from Main Street Brewing, Brassneck, and Steamworks, and bites will be available from Carp Sushi, AJ’s Brooklyn Pizza, Kobo Ice Cream, and Sula.

When: July 25, 2026
Time: 1 to 7 p.m.
Where: 2390 Brunswick St. 
Cost: Free admission

The Polygon has officially brought back its popular outdoor movie nights this summer, and its second event of the year is coming up this week on Thursday, July 2. So if catching a movie under the stars sounds like your ideal way to spend a Thursday night, head to Cates Deck in front of the art gallery; screenings commence at sunset, and admission is by donation and includes popcorn as well as access to the gallery’s exhibitions.

This upcoming Thursday, the film Shaolin Soccer will be screened.

When: Every Thursday this July until Aug. 27, 2026
Time: 7 to 11 p.m.
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: Admission by donation

The iconic Shakespeare comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, is kicking off this year’s Bard on the Beach program, and you won’t want to miss it. The music-filled adaptation is set in the community athletic centre of a (fictional) Vancouver suburb that happens to be obsessed with soccer. In it, the main character, John Falstaff, attempts to woo two married women so he can steal their husbands’ fortunes, but the two women instead come together to turn the tables on him.

When: Shows throughout July
Time: Showtimes at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1695 Whyte St.
Cost: $30 to $103 per person, depending on seating

Fans can dive into how both early adjustments and more recent innovations have changed the way we experience professional soccer. This Science World exhibition also highlights the host nations of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with objects connected to Canada’s recent international football history on display.

When: Friday, May 15, 2026, to Sept. 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 1455 Quebec St. 
Cost: $37.50 per adult

The zipline is back, the less-than-$10 happy hour items are back, and tons of exciting new attractions await at this year’s Richmond Night Market.

When: Opens Friday, April 24, 2026, operates Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Time: 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11 p.m. on Sundays
Where: 8351 River Rd., Richmond
Cost: $7 for GA

Ice cream crawl, anyone? The Vancouver Ice Cream Fest is the perfect way to try a wide range of scoops from as many ice cream shops as your heart desires. It’s Metro Vancouver’s largest self-guided ice cream and frozen dessert festival for a reason!

Where: Participating ice cream shops across Vancouver

The Vancouver Maritime Museum has officially partnered with Vancouver by Sea to launch a new, immersive sailing experience that explores Vancouver’s fascinating maritime past and present, and the views alone are well worth it. The museum-to-yacht experience begins this Thursday, June 11.

When: Select Thursdays and Sundays in June, July, August, and September, starting June 11, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: The yacht departs from Vancouver Maritime Museum — 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver
Cost: $1,099 per group (up to eight passengers)

This year is a big one for the iconic Shipyards Night Market, a.k.a. North Van’s free-to-enjoy weekly spring and summer event. Grab a beer from the brewery district, a bite from a rotating roster of local food trucks, and take it all in.

When: Every Friday from May 15 to Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission

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