Things to Do in Vancouver: August 2019
Wendy Underwood
August in Vancouver is a month awash in summer festivals! From the outdoorsy to the artsy, thought-provoking through those that push all serious thoughts aside, our city is full of fun this month. Along with the four festivals listed below, check out our suggestions from last month, many of which run throughout the summer.
Vancouver Mural Festival
August 1 – 10
For the fourth year, Vancouver Mural Festival will be bringing colour to Mount Pleasant’s buildings, warehouses and alleys, adding to the 120+ existing murals with 25 new pieces by a line-up of both local and international artists. Along with guided tours of the works (or download the map and tour them yourself), there are pop-up parties, a 5K mural run, and other public art events, culminating in the Mount Pleasant Street Party on August 10. Did we mention that OBEY’s Shepard Fairey is doing a DJ set at Fortune Sound Club?
Vancouver Queer Film Festival
August 15 – 25
As Western Canada’s largest queer arts event, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival showcases the brilliant, dialogue-provoking work of British Columbian, Canadian and international filmmakers celebrating queer lives and diverse experiences. Kicking off with the operatic Vietnamese feature, Song Lang, the festival also includes documentaries such as Mr. Leather, which follows the second annual Mr. Leather competition, held in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Humble-brag: The Burrard is a sponsor.
SeaWheeze Sunset Festival
August 17
Maybe you missed out on one of the in-demand Lululemon SeaWheeze half-marathon spots, or maybe you just didn’t want to run 21 kilometres. Either way, you can still grab tickets for the after-party, the SeaWheeze Sunset Festival down at Stanley Park. The festival starts with an alfresco yoga practice lead by Baron Baptiste, before the party starts with DJ Kaskade and Big Wild. And you won’t go hungry – fuel up at the village of food and beverage vendors before hitting the dance floor (technically a “dance lawn”).
Pacific National Exhibition Fair (PNE)
August 17 – September 2 (closed Monday Aug 19 & 26)
Our version of a state fair, the Pacific National Exhibition Fair (known as “the PNE”) is home to the same sorts of things: weird food (Kit Kat “fries”), Sham-Wow vendors, the Super Dogs show, and stomach-churning rides. And we love them all! On top of that, the entertainment at the PNE is amazing – catch nightly concerts by acts like The Beach Boys, ZZ Top, Smokey Robinson, and MC Hammer.
Planning on checking out some of these events and activities? Search our site for some great rates!
Photo Credits:
Feature Image: Vancouver Mural Festival: Vancouver Mural Festival website
Mount Pleasant Street Party: Vancouver Mural Festival website
Still from Mr Leather: Vancouver Queer Film Festival website
Sunset yoga at SeaWheeze Sunset Festival: SeaWheeze website
The Hellevator ride at the PNE: PNE website
