Summer in Vancouver is pure magic. At Nest Dental, we feel so lucky to live and work in such a vibrant, scenic, and exciting city – and we love helping our patients discover all the ways to make the most of it.
Whether you’re a born-and-raised Vancouverite or a new arrival, our guide is packed with free things to do in Vancouver this summer. So brush your teeth, grab your sunnies and get ready to explore!
Watch a Free Outdoor Movie Under the Stars
When it comes to stuff to do in downtown Vancouver, outdoor movies are hard to beat. Two of our favourites are:
1. Evo Summer Cinema – This Vancouver summer tradition is the largest outdoor movie series in Canada! Bring a blanket and snacks and grab a spot on the Grand Lawn at Ceperley Meadow in Stanley Park to watch a movie on the huge 40-foot screen.
Movies are held every Tuesday now through August 26. While the flicks start right after sunset, arrive early to secure a good seat. This year’s lineup includes Legally Blonde (July 22, 2025), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (July 29, 2025), and more!
2. Downtown Van Summer Movie Nights – Downtown Van also hosts free summer movie nights on Thursday evenings through August 14 at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza). Activities, which include live music, performances, food trucks and games, start at 5pm and the movies begin at sundown. The schedule runs the gamut from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (July 24) to Wicked (August 7).
Sing Along at an Open-Air Concert
3. Summer Sounds at the Plaza – The list of fun things to do in downtown Vancouver continues with Summer Sounds, a free open-air concert series presented by Vancouver Civic Theatres.
The concerts are held on Thursdays through August 14, 2025 from 5 to 7:30pm at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) and feature local, national and international artists, such as Canadian Brazilian roots musicians Tio Chorinho & Flávia Nascimento (Jul 24) and local favourite DJ O Show (Aug 14).
4. Live Symphony Performance – The Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra will hold its 9th annual free outdoor concert at Jack Poole Plaza on Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 7 to 9:30pm. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for the family-friendly event set against the backdrop of Vancouver’s waterfront and North Shore Mountains.
Hit Up a Vancouver Festival
Festival season is upon us and with it comes a bunch of free events in Vancouver:
5. Eastside Arts Festival – This week-long, interactive art-making celebration brings together local artists, musicians and community members to create, learn and explore throughout the Eastside Art District. While many events do have a fee, on Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 1 to 7pm, there will be free public art activities and a free concert in MacLean Park. Check out the schedule for more complimentary events.
6. Harmony Arts Festival – This festival will return to the West Vancouver waterfront from August 1-10, 2025. Don’t miss free live music and events that celebrate culinary and visual arts in the community.
7. Vancouver Pride Festival – Catch the Pride Parade on Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 1 to 3:30pm from a viewing point on Pacific Blvd. Or celebrate at the Davie Village Pride Festival, which is making its triumphant return after a six-year hiatus. The free, all-ages event will also be held on Sunday, August 3, from 2 to 10pm on Davie Street (Burrard to Jervis) and at Nelson Park.
8. Vancouver Vegan Festival – This free Vancouver event is family-friendly, dog-friendly and delicious. From yoga and dance parties to workshops and food, there’s something for everyone. The festival will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Kistilano Beach from 10am to 8pm. See the schedule to start planning your day.
Take Advantage of Free & Reduced Museum Admission
Many Vancouver museums and galleries offer pay-what-you-can and free admission days including:
9. Bill Reid Gallery – This public gallery, the only one dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast, has free admission on the first Friday of every month from 2 to 5pm.
10. Vancouver Art Gallery – Embrace the visual arts with free admission on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 8pm. However, you should reserve a spot in advance to guarantee entrance.
11. Vancouver Maritime Museum – Learn all about the history of the waters around Vancouver at the Maritime Museum. The first Sunday of each month is pay-what-you-can admission.
12. Museum of Vancouver – The Museum of Vancouver offers a deep dive into the city through stories, objects and shared experiences. On the first Sunday of the month, pay what you can for tickets.
Celebrate Kitsilano Showboat’s 90th Anniversary With a Performance
13. Kitsilano Showboat is turning 90 in style! The iconic venue commemorates the occasion with a full schedule of nightly performances at 7pm from Wednesdays through Sundays through August 17, 2025. The community stage offers a venue for entertainers of all ages and shows are usually multiculturally based. This season includes Irish, Chinese and Polish folk dance groups, jazz music, variety shows, and so much more.
Get Moving With a Free Outdoor Class
Have fun and get fit with these free outdoor classes:
14. Free Outdoor Yoga Classes – On Tuesdays in July and August, Mat Collective offers free yoga classes at Kits Beach from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Every instructor brings their own style. View the schedule and then register for a class to secure your spot.
15. Free Outdoor Dance Classes – Join Dance Dance Dance, free pop-up dance classes held on Fridays, July 18-August 15, 2025, at 6:30pm at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn Plaza (650 Hamilton Street). From salsa to voguing, there will be an eclectic mix of styles. No experience is required. The events include a free dance lesson followed by social dancing.
Stroll Through Vancouver’s Farmers’ Markets
16. Support small farms, browse fresh produce and enjoy a sense of community at one of Vancouver’s many summer farmers’ markets:
- West End – Saturdays through October 25, 2025, from 9am to 2pm
- Downtown – Wednesdays through December 17, 2025, from 2pm to 6pm
- False Creek – Thursdays through October 2, 2025, from 3pm to 7pm
- Kitsilano – Sundays through October 26, 2025, from 10am to 2pm
- Mount Pleasant – Sundays through October 26, 2025, from 10am to 2pm
- Trout Lake – Saturdays through October 25, 2025, from 9am to 2pm
- Riley Park – Saturdays through October 25, 2025, from 10am to 2pm
See the Sky Light Up at the Celebration of Light
17. Last, but not least, in our round-up of free activities in Vancouver this summer is the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light. There will be three different fireworks shows on three different nights that can be viewed from the beaches of English Bay. The all-Canada fireworks competition will feature:
- July 19: Yukon (Team Midnight Sun)
- July 23: Quebec (Royal Pyrotechnie)
- July 26: Nova Scotia (Fireworks FX)
The nightly schedule is as follows:
- 6:30pm – Snowbirds – The Royal Canadian Air Force’s 43 Air Demonstration Squadron (July 19 and 23)
- 10pm – Electric drone show presented by the BC Honda Dealers
- 10:15pm – Fireworks
Make the Most of Your Vancouver Summer
Whether you’re soaking in some culture with a symphony performance or sampling local treats at a farmers’ market, there are plenty of fun activities in Vancouver, BC that don’t cost a dime. We hope these ideas help you have your best summer yet!
Is a Dental Visit Also on Your Summer To-Do List?
When you’re not busy taking advantage of the free things to do in Vancouver, treat your smile to a spa day at Nest Dental. Our general dentists, Dr. Sonia Sahi, Dr. Ming Jin, and Dr. Nafisa Pirbhai, are here to help you keep your oral health on track with gentle, comprehensive care.
Book a dental exam today!
