Things to Do in Vancouver – August 2024

Outdoor Movies
Throughout August
Think your popcorn tastes best al fresco? Throughout the city you’ll find a wealth of options for catching a movie outdoors this summer. Downtown, Sunset Cinema takes place on the plaza outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Wednesday nights with choices ranging from Barbie (August 7) to The Fall Guy (August 21) – all for free. In Stanley Park, Summer Cinema offers free general admission with a paid option to upgrade to the VIP section. Located in the meadow right by Second Beach, Tuesday night screenings in August include School of Rock (Aug 6) and Twilight (Aug 20). Other options for catching a flick outside include Summer Movie Nights outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Thursday evenings, and Deckchair Theatre on the North Shore by the Polygon Gallery, also on Thursdays.

Harmony Arts Festival
August 2 – 11
Over on the beach in West Vancouver, the Harmony Arts Festival has a little something for everyone. For 10 days, the waterfront along Ambleside will come alive with two live music stages, a huge beachside patio with food trucks and vendors, a visual arts hub, Indigenous artist and carvers, kid’s arts studio and more. For select days during the festival, you’ll also find art markets featuring local artists and makers. Tickets are required for some of the events, including the fashion shows, some workshops and the Best of the West food and wine pairing event, but many events are free, including all musical performances.

Powell Street Festival
August 3 & 4
As the city’s celebration of Japanese culture, the Powell Street Festival has everything from martial arts demonstrations to live music, arts and crafts, and fun (and Instagrammable!) food. The festival takes place in Oppenheimer Park on the Downtown Eastside, historically the base for Vancouver’s Japanese community. Along with musical and dance performances, and plenty of family-friendly crafts, you can also participate with the chance to try sumo wrestling or Japanese singing, or take an interactive walking tour exploring the 1907 Japanese Riots in Vancouver.  

Music on Main Summer Pop-Up Concerts
August 19 – 21
Mount Pleasant is one of our favourite Vancouver neighbourhoods, with a vibrant arts community—home to the Vancouver Mural Festival celebrations this month, among other things. Music on Main is another example of the area’s commitment to the arts, and their summer pop-up concerts in Mount Pleasant Park are a great opportunity to drop by and see what they’re all about. The free concerts start at 6:30 pm and feature a mix of styles and artists, from classical to contemporary, and everyone is welcome to throw down a picnic blanket and join the fun.