Summer is here, and there are so many free events that it’s hard to capture them all in one list! Our Summer Bucket List has our TOP free and paid activities of the summer, along with our favourite Family Fun Vancouver guides, but here is another fun way to check off the best events of the summer– with an ABC list of FREE Family Fun in Metro Vancouver!
Art Gallery
Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery on the first Friday of every month from 4pm-8pm for FREE entrance! Reserve your spot ahead of time to guarantee your spot.
Burnaby Village Museum
Stroll down the streets of a 1920s community where a village has been created with both heritage & replica buildings. Period costumed townsfolk give demonstrations in the homes, businesses & shops: watch the blacksmith at the forge, listen to the rhythm of the platen press, and help churn butter.
Community Soccer Zones
Vancouver is a host city for FIFA World Cup 2026, which means free community watch parties and fan zones are popping up all over the city! Bring a chair and your family for these fun festivals.
Dumpling Festival
One of Coquitlam’s most popular festivals is back again this year! Roam the festival to check out the different booths and vendors, play games and win prizes, and of course, try some of the delicious dumpling vendors on site! The festival is free, but there is a cost to purchase dumplings.
Eco-Adventures in Metro Vancouver
Did you know that you can explore popular Metro Vancouver parks, learn new information about the local areas and wildlife from educational guides for FREE? Metro Vancouver parks host exciting events throughout the year for families to find out more about nature and the environment around them.
Festivals
Summertime is the perfect season for community gatherings and outdoor festivals, and fortunately, there are plenty in Metro Vancouver between June and August! Whether they are single-day or spread out over a week or weekend, all of the festivals below have something in common: good food, great entertainment, and fun!
Granville Island Kids Market Events
Granville Island Kids Market is the place to be for kids (and young-at-heart adults). In addition to the plentiful stores and activities, the Kids Market hosts free, drop-in events for kids each month. Check back to see what’s happening each month.
Hot Summer Nights
Hot Summer Nights is back in the City of North Vancouver to give families a chance to meet local firefighters! The various stations are set up at parks around North Vancouver so kids can get a chance to spray the big fire hose, check out the fire trucks, and ask questions about fire safety.
Indigo Free Activities
Enjoy a Summer of Fun at Indigo! Most Saturdays during July and August, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, kids can register to participate in an hour of storytime and crafts. Each reservation will also earn a $5 Indigo/Chapters/Coles gift card!
Jump into Water at these Beaches & Swimming Holes
Spend your day sprawled out on the sand or in the shade at one of Metro Vancouver’s best beaches & swimming holes!
Kitsilano Showboat
Multiple times a week from mid-June to mid-August, the Showboat offers FREE live entertainment. The Showboat stage has been a landmark in Kitsilano since 1935 and has played host to a variety of acclaimed entertainers and performance artists.
Lynn Canyon
Lynn Canyon Park features a suspension bridge that sways 50 meters above the canyon. Lynn Canyon also offers a selection of walking and hiking trails that connect to other parks in the region, such as Lynn Headwaters, Rice Lake, and Inter River Park. This suspension bridge is FREE to cross!
Michael’s Kids Club
The Michaels Kids Club features crafty fun for kids. Similar to Michael’s Make Take, the craft projects are done on a drop-in basis, and most are completely free or require a small fee for supplies.
Night Markets
When the sun goes down, the fun keeps on rolling at great summer night market options around Vancouver. Grab your crew for an evening stroll to taste some new foods, pick up goodies for the week, and listen to some live music as you wind down under the stars.
Outdoor Movies
Life gets even better when the movie is FREE, and it is shown outside, under the stars, in a beautiful setting. Thanks to FreshAir Cinema and countless other outdoor movie companies, communities all around Metro Vancouver can enjoy FREE outdoor movies during the 2025 summer.
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.
Quick! Find a New Playground!
Whatever season of life you’re in, we’ve pulled together the ULTIMATE playground guide so you can pick something close to home or venture out further. Look for a 
to indicate playgrounds that truly have it all!
Rocky Point
Rocky Point is one of our favourite parks to visit for a full day of fun! Start the morning playing on the playground before it gets too warm, then enjoy a picnic on the grass and race through the spray park in the afternoon! Don’t forget to grab ice cream at Rocky Point Ice Cream, check out the pier to watch the boats go by, or head to one of the family-friendly breweries.
Summerween
Central City is hosting a special Summerween Fun Day! Gather your ghosts and goblins for a frightfully fun mid-summer Halloween Party on July 25th. Grab your best costumes and get ready for an afternoon of trick-or-treating around the mall, some fabulous lawn games, and live music to set the mood. Can’t find your costume for the day? That’s no problem because there will also be face painting available on site to transform your look into something spooky, sweet, or silly. Summerween at Central City is a howling good time for all ages!
Tsawassen Sun Festival
The annual Tsawwassen Sun Festival returns for the BC Day long weekend. The beloved pancake breakfast, parade, sports tournaments, and more are perfect for a family day out!
UBC
Explore UBC this summer! Whether you’re a former student, have a teen interested in attending UBC, or just want to spend the day taking in the sights, there are incredible activities and events. Our top spots include: UBC Farm, Greenheart Tree Walk, Japanese Tea Garden, the Rose Garden, and the community splash pad!
Visit the Museum of Surrey
The Museum of Surrey is a vibrant, interactive, and ever-changing, free local venue for wonder, dialogue, and fun for the whole family. Explore the exhibits, check out the accessible playground, and join in the fun at the events hosted there.
White Rock Sea Festival
The White Rock Sea Festival and Semiahmoo Days return to the White Rock waterfront for three days of entertainment and family fun. Enjoy live entertainment, an outdoor movie, a Kids Zone, a traditional salmon BBQ, and fireworks.
eXplore the Gulf of Georgia Cannery
Thanks to the Canada Strong Pass, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery is FREE this summer! Enjoy daily summer experience tours as you explore this historic site.
Yaletown
Visit Yaletown for free live music, dance lessons, and plenty of fun! Stop by the Roundhouse to check out Engine 374, stroll the streets, and don’t miss Pet-a-Palooza on August 23rd!
Zoom around a Pump Track!
Balance, speed, problem-solving, and persistence are all needed when navigating a pump track, but the best thing is that they can be accessed by all levels and abilities because pump tracks allow for flexibility and choice. While they are often continuous tracks, there are plenty of ways to adjust to your level.
Find more great ideas and activities in our Summer Bucket List! Get the inside scoop on the best local family events through our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages.
