As usual, July 2011 is packed with not-to-be-missed events, including Canada Day, Vancouver's 125th Birthday celebration in Stanley Park, outdoor theatre, concerts, festivals, and the famous fireworks competition, the Celebration of Light.
Ongoing Summer Events
Free Vancouver Summer Events & Activities 2011
Vancouver Summer Farmers’ Markets
Summer Night Markets – Vancouver Chinatown & Richmond Summer Night Market
Bard on the Beach
Ongoing though July 3
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
What: Called the “best jazz festival in the world” by The Seattle Times, this year’s festival includes 1800 musicians, 400 concerts, and 40 Venues across Vancouver.
Where: Various locations, see site for details.
Cost: Various, see site for details.
Friday, July 1
Canada Day! Your Guide to Canada Day Events & Celebrations
Sundays, July 3 - August 28
Sunday Afternoon Salsa in Robson Square
What: Organized by Salsa Vancouver, this annual series of free, outdoor salsa dances are open to everyone, regardless of skill level. Try the free lessons at 3pm, watch the performances at 5pm, or check out the social dancing throughout the afternoon.
Where: Robson Square, across from the Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Thursday, July 7 – Sunday, July 17
Vancouver Indian Summer Festival
What: The inaugural Indian Summer Festival brings the best of India to Vancouver, with Indian arts, music, dance, theatre, film, yoga, and cuisine.
Where: SFU Woodwards, 149 West Hastings St., Vancouver
Cost: Tickets start at $8
Friday, July 8 – Sunday, July 10
Vancouver 125th Birthday Celebration: Summer Live in Stanley Park
What: In honour of Vancouver's 125th Birthday, the City of Vancouver is celebrating with a free, three day festival in Stanley Park. Festival includes 180 performances, kids' activities, family sports, arts, and more.
Where: Brockton Point in Stanley Park, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Friday, July 8 - Saturday, July 9
Canada Cup of Beer 2011
What: Vancouver's largest outdoor Beer Festival features a beer tasting of Canadian beers, beer producers, samples and more. Must be 19+.
Where: Thunderbird Stadium, UBC, Vancouver
Cost: $20 - $25; group discounts available
Fridays, July 8 – September 2
Enchanted Evenings Concert Series at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden
What: Enjoy Friday night concerts in the gorgeous, tranquil Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden in Chinatown. This summer’s repertoire includes classical, world, Asian, Gypsy jazz, African and fusion music.
Where: Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall St., Vancouver
Cost: $32; $29 for students
Friday, July 8 – Saturday, August 20
Theatre Under the Stars: Bye Bye Birdie and Anything Goes
What: TUTS is a summer tradition, performing acclaimed musicals under the stars at Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl.
Where: Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver
Cost: Tickets start at $19; free for kids under 5
Friday, July 15 - Sunday, July 17
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
What: Vancouver’s legendary Folk Music Festival covers three music-filled days at Jericho Beach, with eight stages, 70 hours of music (folk and world music) a festival market, food vendors and more. Grab your face paint, bring a blanket to sit on, and join the party.
Where: Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver
Cost: $45 - $50 Friday only; $75 - $80 Saturday or Sunday; $135 - $165 Weekend Pass; student, youth and senior discounts available.
Saturday, July 16
Gay Day @ Playland
What: Show your Pride by wearing a bright red shirt and joining the fun at Playland. Part of the greater Vancouver Pride Festival, this event includes a gay beer garden, plus the carnival games, rides and roller coasters of Playland.
Where: Playland Amusement Park, 2901 Hastings Street East, Vancouver
Cost: $27; VIPs available
Saturday, July 16 - Sunday, July 17
Surrey Fusion Festival
What: Surrey’s biggest two-day multicultural celebration has 40 international pavilions celebrating music, food and culture, a World Music Stage and a Celebrations dance stage, and much more!
Where: Holland Park, Surrey
Cost: Free!
Saturday, July 23 - Sunday, July 24
Caribbean Days Festival
What: North Vancouver hosts the biggest Caribbean event--and the biggest single-weekend event--in B.C., with two days of tropical cuisine, culture, music and more. Free events include a Multicultural Parade and a Waterfront Party concert with live music.
Where: Waterfront Park & Lonsdale Quay Plaza, North Vancouver; details here
Cost: Free!
Saturday, July 23 – Sunday, July 31
Vancouver Pride Festival
What: July is packed with Pride events—including picnics, art shows, and movie nights--leading up to the climactic Vancouver Pride Parade on July 31. Check out the Pride Society site for event listings and details.
Where: Various locations around Vancouver; see site for details
Cost: Various; see site for details
Saturday, July 30, Wednesday, August 3, & Saturday, August 6
Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition
What: The Vancouver summer favourite is back for its 21st anniversary! For three nights the skies over English Bay light up in a musical pyrotechnic extravaganza. As an international fireworks competition, each country has one night to wow the judges and audience.
Where: Best Places to Watch the Celebration of Light Fireworks
Cost: Free
Saturday, July 30 - Sunday, July 31
35th Annual Powell Street Festival
What: The Powell Street Festival is an annual celebration of Japanese Canadian arts, culture and heritage that features dance, music, film and video, visual arts, martial arts demos, an amateur sumo tournament, craft vendors, traditional displays, and tons of Japanese food.
Where: Oppenheimer Park (400 block of Powell Street), Vancouver
Cost: Free
Ongoing through September 25
The Colour of My Dreams: The Surrealist Revolution in Art at Vancouver Art Gallery
What: The most comprehensive exhibition of Surrealist art ever to be shown in Canada, the exhibition includes works by André Breton, Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Man Ray, Edith Rimmington, and many others.
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver
Cost: $22.50; $17 for seniors; $16 for students; $7 for kids 5 - 12; free for kids under 5. Admission by donation Tuesday nights.
