Things to Do in Vancouver – July 2024

Patio at BC Place
June 28 – July 1, August 2 – 5, August 30 – September 2
The award for Vancouver’s biggest patio goes to…. The Patio at BC Place! This brand-new, pop-up patio at Terry Fox Plaza debuts on Canada Day weekend, and opens again for our other two long weekends over the summer. With space for up to 1,000 people, the patio is home to a range of food and beverage vendors offering everything from Indigenous-inspired food items, to smokehouse and barbecue offerings, Canadian desserts and even a make-your-own-Caesar bar. The patio also promises live music and DJs, and games like Jenga, corn hole and mini putt.

Junction Public Market
June 28 – September 29
A brand-new public market hits downtown Vancouver this summer! Junction Public Market is located just east of Canada Place at Granville and Hastings, and offers a mix of market vendors, food trucks, a bar (the Sipping Container, natch), and live entertainment on the Music Box stage. Constructed out of shipping containers, the market will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am – 7 pm with more than 25 vendors that will be rotated throughout the summer, giving you even more reason to plan a return visit.

Carnaval del Sol
July 5 – 7
Carnaval del Sol is the biggest Latin American event in the Pacific Northwest, and we can’t think of many better ways to spend a summer afternoon. With the theme “Year of Harmony”, this year’s festival takes place at Jonathan Rogers Park in Mount Pleasant. The opening night party is headlined by Gambeat y La Grooving Familia, so grab your friends, a can of Cerveza Carnaval from Granville Island Brewing and get down to the DJs spinning tunes all night. The next two days are more family-friendly, and general admission will give you access to main stage musical performances and dance classes, as well as the beer garden, a food plaza with vendors such as La Taqueria, Crema Ice Cream or Romero’s, and two whole areas dedicated to family-friendly performances and activities.

Vancouver Chinatown Festival
July 13 & 14
Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, and the annual Vancouver Chinatown Festival celebrates the neighbourhood’s resilience, diversity and vibrant culture. Centred around Keefer and Columbia Streets, from 12 pm – 6 pm visitors can enjoy everything from dragon dance demonstrations to tap dance performances. Explore history with guided tours of the neighbourhood, or cultural diversity with a lantern- or fan-making lesson. Kids are well catered to with Princess singalongs, Marvel character meet-and-greets, face painting and magic shows, while plenty of food vendors are guaranteed to keep everyone happy.