Summertime is here and we’ve pulled out the best events in July around Metro Vancouver! The opportunities are endless as the summer months roll around and the days get longer. From outdoor concerts to fireworks, festivals to spray parks, there are plenty of options for family-friendly fun. If you’re looking to build a summer of memories, check out our Summer Fun Bucket List. Need a week or two of structured camps for the kids? Take a look at our Summer Camp Guide for offerings.
Bard on the Beach | June – September
Expose your kids to Shakespeare early and they’ll be hooked for life. Two Family Days (2pm performances) are designated for the 2025 season: July 13 and August 17. Don’t miss two of my favourite Bard shows; the hilarious The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] and the incredible Much Ado About Nothing.
Theatre Under the Stars | June 27 – August 16
Get ready to bop along to two incredible family-friendly productions this summer! Don’t miss Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde this summer. Bring your blanket, grab a cup of hot chocolate and get ready for an evening of superb theatre under the stars!
Golden Spike Days Festival | June 28 – July 1
The Golden Spike Days Festival is one of the oldest and longest-running family events in BC and is proud to have been named to The Tri-City News’ A-List as ‘Favorite Community Event,’ multiple years running. The festival is held at Rocky Point Park around Canada Day, attracting upwards of 40,000 people with live entertainment, special events ,and activities for all ages.
Railway Museum of BC | July-August
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.
The Collective Summer Markets | Various July Dates
With everyone aiming to shop locally right now, there’s no better place to spend your hard-earned dollars and support small businesses than at The Collective Markets. Put a visit to The Collective Markets on your summer bucket list for a day of family adventure! With 5 different markets to choose from, there’s bound to be a Collective Market near you!
Canada Day | July 1
is being reframed all across Metro Vancouver. Canada Day celebrations are working hard to recognize our true past, and honour where our country truly started. Celebrations are happening in cities across Metro Vancouver.
Khatsalano Street Party | July 5
Local merchants turn Kitsilano’s legendary West 4th Avenue into a gigantic, 10-block street fair with a wide variety of food options, bustling patios, giveaways and special activities. The Khatsahlano Street Party happens July 5.
Carnaval del Sol | July 11-13
Carnaval del Sol reaches its 17th anniversary in 2025 and the celebration will be EPIC. This year will be a connection between the generations and among the many different countries that make up Latin America. In different plazas, a different Latin American country will be honoured. Enjoy music, dance, heritage, and food that represents various countries.
VSO in Deer Lake Park | July 12
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs a FREE evening concert surrounded by the beauty of Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park.  The VSO offers a crowd-pleasing program of light classics and popular favourites. This is a wildly popular event, so be sure to come early (as in 1 to 2 hours early).
Aldergrove Fair Days | July 18 – 20
From the tractor pull and fast draw competition to midway rides and great food, there’s something for everyone at Aldergrove Fair Days. Don’t miss this beloved community event with tons of family-friendly stations and shows.
Boundary Bay Airshow | July 19
Get ready to see stunning aerobatic maneuvers from some of the most exciting pilots and aerial acts in North America. If you love planes, this is one show you won’t want to miss!
Celebration of Light Fireworks | July 19, 23, 26
Three provinces will take part in Vancouver’s annual Honda Celebration of Light fireworks festival this summer.  The popular event regularly attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators to the shores of English Bay. This year, it’s a FULL CANADIAN CELEBRATION! Don’t miss thr Yukon, Quebec and Nova Scotia lighting up the skies for the 2025 festival.
Country Fest | July 26-27
Country Fest has been celebrated in Maple Ridge for more than 100 years!  The tradition at the Albion Fairgrounds continues with FREE admission (parking is $2); loads of family-friendly entertainment; crazy lawnmower races; and animal exhibitions of all sorts…the list of activities and entertainment goes on!
Caribbean Days | July 26-27
Find that beat and get your groove on! The Caribbean Days Festival is a weekend packed full of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture. Enjoy spicy Caribbean food as well as other international fare, then relax with an ice-cold drink in the hot sun
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 in 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.
Outdoor Movies
The wonderful – and FREEÂ 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.
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.
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.
But Wait… There’s More!
For a complete listing of all the best events around Vancouver, click on our Calendar, and stay tuned to all the best local family events through our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok pages. Or, get important information and deals delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for our e-newsletter.
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 events calendar.
