Summer break may be half over, but that doesn’t mean August is doom and gloom. In fact, it is just the opposite! Kick your family fun activities into high gear and leave Summer behind on a high note. My family is working through our Summer Fun Bucket List at the moment, and we can’t wait to check off a few more in August. If your plans have changed and you need some last-minute activities for your child, have a look at our Summer Camp Guide for some great options.
⭐️ Britannia Mine Museum: Giants at Work | June 27 – September 7, 2026
Featured: This summer, Britannia Mine Museum is throwing fun into high gear by inviting kids and families to get up close with giant machines such as towering mining trucks and massive loaders. Learn how these giants help with the workload behind the scenes and learn about the skilled workers who operate, maintain, and design these big rigs to function flawlessly in the bigger picture of BC’s mining industry.
⭐️ Railway Museum of BC | July 1 – September 7, 2026
Featured: All aboard for a summer of FUN! Situated just off the picturesque Sea-to-Sky highway, the Railway Museum of BC is an ideal stop for families traveling between Vancouver and Whistler, and for those looking for a local getaway to Squamish this summer. Enjoy a visit complete with model trains, outdoor train rides on the Mini Rail, exploring old mail cars, interactive exhibits, and checking out the vast collection of trains.
⭐️ Theatre Under the Stars | July 3 – August 22, 2026
Featured: Get ready to bop along to two incredible family-friendly productions this summer! Don’t miss Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Sister Act this summer. Bring your blanket, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and get ready for an evening of superb theatre under the stars!
Harmony Arts Festival | August 1 – 10
The Harmony Arts Festival takes over Ambleside Park in West Vancouver for 10 days of exciting family events. Enjoy FREE musical entertainment, foodie events, and loads of kid’s workshops for cheap.
Tsawwassen Sun Festival | August 2 – 4
This long weekend festival returns to usher in BC Day and the start of August! Enjoy a pancake breakfast, parade, sports tournaments, and more!
Chilliwack Fair | August 7 – 9, 2026
For over 150 years the Chilliwack Fair has been entertaining families in the Fraser Valley. The Fair is an opportunity to celebrate the unique culture and heritage of the community and much more! This event is all about affordable fun so come experience Country Roots and Cowboy Boots at the Annual Chilliwack Fair!
Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival | August 8, 2026
Free: Hear some incredible music by talented artists at the Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival. Visit the Family Area for kids’ crafts, games and activities.
Oval Community Day | August 9, 2026
Free: Did you know that Richmond was recently voted the “Most Active” city in BC?! With plenty of community activities, outdoor tennis and pickleball courts, and loads of trails and playgrounds to enjoy, it’s easy to see why visitors and residents alike flock to Richmond! Continue the celebration of family, health, and sports at Oval Community Day. Enjoy family-friendly activities, sports demonstrations, tournaments, and more!
Music on the Wharf | August 10 & 24, 2026
Free: This fun community event has been running in Maple Ridge since 1997. There are 2 free concerts to enjoy in August so bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on.
Dumpling Festival | August 15, 2026
Don’t miss this fun festival that is sure to thrill the foodies in your life! Featuring new flavours, vendors, and increased capacity, the organizers are excited to welcome the hungry crowds.
Garlic Festival | August 15, 2026
For years, the Richmond Garlic Fest has been supporting the Sharing Farm’s work of cultivating nutritious, sustainably grown produce for community members facing food insecurity. The festival attracts approximately 6000 people from throughout the Lower Mainland. Highlights for festival-goers include live birds-of-prey flying demonstrations, a celebrated children’s area, a diverse farmer’s market, food trucks with garlic specials, and live entertainment.
PNE Fair | August 22 – September 7, 2026
The month of August and the PNE are synonymous with FUN! Every year, thousands of Vancouverites flock to the PNE Fair for the great entertainment, incredible food, interesting vendors, and all the activities that come along with this annual tradition. If you want to save some money on admission, find out how here.
Richmond Maritime Festival | August 22 & 23, 2026
Free: The Richmond Maritime Festival returns to the Britannia Shipyards this August. The FREE family-friendly festival includes live music, roving performers, visual artists, stilt walkers, puppets, storytellers, and dancers, plus wooden boat displays.
Car Free Day Port Coquitlam | August 29, 2026
Free: Port Coquitlam is hosting a family-friendly, community-centred Car Free Day! Join this fun street festival with activities, live entertainment, games, great food, and more.
Port Day | August 29, 2026
Free: The public is invited to attend a free, family-friendly event featuring live music, performances, over 40 exciting community exhibits and displays, and a new maritime career zone. This annual event celebrates the local maritime industry with interactive exhibits, music, marine demonstrations, vessel simulators, and more
Summer Fun Bucket List
If you’re looking to build a summer full of memories, you’ve come to the right place! Banish the boredom blues with our Summer Fun Bucket List. Some days you might be up for a big adventure; some days you might want to stay closer to home. We’ve compiled a list of the best events and activities around Metro Vancouver for any type of day. For more information, click here.
Summer Camp Guide
If you’re already hearing “I’m bored,” then it might be time to register for summer camps for the next few weeks! Sure, they can be pricey, but kids love learning new skills and connecting with others their own age. Save your sanity and book a camp or two that your child will LOVE this summer! For more information, click here.
25 FREE Summer Activities
There’s no denying that family adventures can be EXPENSIVE. But, believe it or not, there are a number of FREE family events & activities happening all over Metro Vancouver this summer. For more information, click here.
U-Pick Berry Picking
You know summer has arrived when the berry fields around Metro Vancouver open. You can take your kids out to the berry patches, teach them about how fruit ends up on our table, get them to help pick the berries (inevitably, they will add both over- and under-ripe berries into your bucket) and have a blast out in the fresh air getting a bit dirty! Or you can pack a picnic, visit the farm market, and grab a basket of freshly picked berries. Some places offer both options, and some only offer pre-picked berries. For more information, click here.
Canada Strong Pass
Looking for an unforgettable (and affordable!) family fun adventure this summer? The Canada Strong Pass is opening the door to some of the best museums, experiences, and train journeys in the country for affordable family fun. National galleries and museums and VIA Rail tickets are completely free for kids and teens. There are discounts for young adults and FREE access to national parks for everyone! For more information, click here.
Drop-in Park Pop-Ups
Going to a local park or one that’s new to you is great, but what makes it even better is when there is FREE drop-in programming available to enhance the experience! Each city is different, but most have volunteers who set up interactive equipment, bring fun toys to play with, and lead games. For more information, click here.
Outdoor Movies
The wonderful – and FREE outdoor movies resume this month in cities across Metro Vancouver. Grab your blankets and chairs, pack a picnic full of delicious treats, and head outside for an epic movie night under the stars! Best of all, some of the movie evenings have additional events happening before the film. For more information, click here.
FREE Summer Festivals
Summertime is the perfect season for community gatherings and outdoor festivals, and fortunately, there are plenty in Metro Vancouver between June and August! From cultural celebrations to annual parties, summer in Vancouver is one big party! For more information, click here.
Mini Golf
Who doesn’t love a round of mini-golf? The kids love the whimsical courses, and the parents get to feel like a giant for the day. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of mini golf facilities in Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland. For more information, click here.
Train Rides & Activities
Trains are fun for every age! Whether you’re riding them, operating them, or building tracks, it’s thrilling to see such large machines up close and personal. You might be surprised by how many trains to ride and explore are available in Metro Vancouver. For more information, click here.
Summer Farmers Markets
If fresh berries and locally grown food are on your mind, plan to visit one of these fabulous farmers’ markets. Almost every farmers’ market is open and there are TONS of them all across the Lower Mainland. For more information, click here.
Spray Parks
Don’t forget that the water spray parks around Metro Vancouver are now open. Pack a picnic, slather on sunscreen, and explore a new park as a family. The outdoor pools are also open for the summer months. For more information, click here.
The Best Swimming Spots!
When the sun comes out and the temperature heats up, there’s no better place to be than on a sunny beach with swimming at your fingertips. Vancouver has truly beautiful beaches– English Bay, Kits Beach, Jericho– the list goes on! But there are also great beaches and swimming holes in other parts of Metro Vancouver. For more information, click here.
Best Ice Cream Shops
Whether you are partial to tried and true favourites like Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate or Vanilla, you fancy yourself a fruit-flavoured ice cream person, or you are adventurous and go for the latest concoction, there are plenty of specialty ice cream shops around Metro Vancouver to satisfy your craving. For more information, click here.
Rainy Day Guide
It’s not always sunshine in our temperate rainforest climate, and while those few days of rain are always a welcome pause for our forests, our kids still need to burn off energy! Check out our guide of totally unique and different rainy day activities in Metro Vancouver. For more information, click here.
But Wait… There’s More!
Love seeing the Family Fun Events in Vancouver in August, but want MORE? Keep tabs on everything happening in #YVR with our calendar, and stay tuned to all the best local family events through our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!
Did you know you can submit your family-friendly event to us? Fill out the form with your event details, and we’ll do our best to get your event added to our busy events calendar.
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