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Things to do in Vancouver in July 2025
Vancouver comes alive this July with an exciting lineup of events, festivals, celebrations, and attractions throughout the city. As you explore these events, don’t forget that Vancouver is also home to many incredible attractions and sights. There is so much to see here this summer!
Canada Day
The month begins with a nationwide celebration on July 1st, which is Canada Day. To celebrate, maybe start off with a visit to Granville Island to watch the annual False Creek Ferries Water Ballet at 8am and then enjoy the activities nearby (music performances, bands, artisans and makers, food vendors, dance classes, kids’ activities, and an official Canada Day Ceremony with anthem and free cake at 1pm).
If you’re looking for something truly unique, why not head to The Jack Poole Plaza at 11:30am and watch a nationwide, simultaneous Canada Day drumming performance, which is to celebrate unity, diversity, inclusion, peace and love. Right beside the Jack Poole Plaza will be your next event: Canada Day at Canada Place. Canada Place will be packed with people and food trucks, and a stage with musicians and cheerful Canada joy and celebrations from 11am to 6pm.
- July 1 | Canada Together (Canada celebration at Canada Place) – https://www.canadaplace.ca/canadatogether
- July 1 | Canada Day on Granville Island – https://granvilleisland.com/
Week 1
During the same week, Vancouver heads straight into a busy weekend that is packed with numerous large events: The Khatsahlano Street Party, the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival, and the Symphony at Sunset.
The Khatsahlano Street Party is a large, 10-block celebration of music and arts that takes place on West 4th Ave between Burrard St and Macdonald Street. Explore local artisans, food trucks, patios, beer gardens, and over 50 top musical acts.
The Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival takes place in downtown Vancouver and features outdoor performances, traditional and contemporary Taiwanese music, cultural workshops, artisan markets, Taiwanese street food, and an art exhibition.
The Symphony at Sunset is a great event to end the Saturday of July 5th, as it is a large symphony set up outdoors at sunset beach, and it will play from 8pm to 9:30pm as the sun sets. If you’re looking to attend all of these, you’ll have some tough decisions to make which and when to attend these!
- July 4 – July 6 | Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival – https://tccfestival.ca/
- July 5 | Khatsahlano Street Party – https://www.khatsahlano.ca/
- July 5 | Symphony at Sunset – https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/symphony-at-sunset.aspx
Week 2
In the following week, check out Vancouver’s Chinatown Festival along Keefer and Columbia Street and experience the rich, cultural background of Chinese heritage in Vancouver. Not only are there local artisans, dance performances, and free kids activities to experience, but the festival is also a perfect time to explore Chinatown itself. A noteworthy visit while you are there is the Newtown Bakery on E Pender St (give their apple tarts a try!).
On the same weekend, the Carnaval del Sol festival is taking place in Jonathan Rogers Park. This is a Latin American cultural festival that features music and dance performances, soccer matches and a variety of Latin American food vendors.
- July 11, 12, 13 | Carnaval del Sol – https://www.carnavaldelsol.ca/
- July 12 – July 13 | Vancouver Chinatown Festival – https://www.vancouver-chinatown.com/festival
Week 3-4
End July with a spectacular firework event at English Bay as part of the Celebration of Lights festival. This event takes place on three different days and features food trucks, an air show by the Royal Canadian Airforce’s Sunbirds, a drone show, and then a large firework show that is set against the backdrop of English Bay. Then, wrap up July with cocktails and tacos at the PNE fairgrounds Punchbowl Festival, which celebrates creative drinks, live music, and features over 250 of the finest beer, cider, wine, canned cocktails, and more.
- July 19 | Celebration of Light – https://hondacelebrationoflight.com/
There is more
Apart from these major events, there are also a few ongoing festivals throughout the summer. To name a few, check out the Vancouver Ice Cream Festival, the Richmond Night Market, the Junction Public Market, and the Vegan Night Market. Below are the dates and links to more information to all of the events mentioned in this blog. And don’t forget that Vancouver is also home to some of the most beautiful sights and attractions in Canada!
- June 20 – Aug 4 | Vancouver Ice Cream Festival – https://nomsmagazine.com/vancouver-ice-cream-festival/
- Now – Oct 12 | Richmond Night Market – https://richmondnightmarket.com/
- Now – Dec 24 | Junction Public Market – https://junctionpublicmarket.com/
Author Bio:
Alex Drost is the Marketing Coordinator for UBC Conferences & Accommodation at the University of British Columbia.
