School’s out and it’s time to celebrate with fun events all around the city! These cultural events range from festivals to poetry nights. Grab a few friends, or go with the family and enjoy the sunshine. Join in on the fun going on around the Lower Mainland and take in the summer.
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Saint-Jean Baptiste Day Celebration
June 24, 11–4 p.m.
Canada Place
999 Canada Pl., Vancouver
This celebration is all things francophone! This event embraces French Canadian culture, heritage and so much more. With children’s entertainment and performances, this is fun for the whole family. Learn more about what makes this culture so unique. Admission is free for everyone.
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East Side Pride
June 27, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Grandview Park
1657 Charles St., Vancouver
www.vancouverpride.ca/events/east-side-pride
This exciting event hosted by the Vancouver Pride Society offers a chance for the public to learn more about the groups that are involved in the LGBTQ+ community. Performances by local bands, serenades by some of the East Side’s top drag performers and so much more.
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SHIAMAK Summer Funk 2015 – Rise of the Champions
June 27, 6–8 p.m.
Bell Performing Arts Centre
6250 144 St., Surrey
www.bellperformingartscentre.com
(604) 507-6355
Come to the annual student showcase, and watch students perform their hard work! Watch as teams work together, and compete for the ultimate prize. This dance performance is unique and gives students an opportunity to perform in a professional setting. Enjoy the glitz and glam of creative props and costumes.
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MOMIJI Japanese Festival
June 27, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Vancouver Japanese United Church
4010 Victoria Dr., Vancouver
The Momiji Japanese Festival is hosted by Momiji Preschool. This exciting event offers fun and games for the kids! Peruse the flea market with items that can be purchased while chowing down on a great Japanese lunch with tons of sweets and foods.
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2015 Newton Community Festival
June 27, 11–4 p.m.
Newton Wave Pool
13730 72 Ave., Surrey
www.newtonbia.com/newton-community-festival
Join other families at the Newton Community Festival, which brings together people from all over the community. Enjoy live entertainment, food and craft vendors, or check out the community and business displays. This fun-filled event helps bring together a community and puts on a great day that the whole family can enjoy!
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eatART Powers the Vancouver Art Gallery
June 28, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby St., Vancouver
Come on down and enjoy this unique experience and watch as eatART powers the Vancouver Art Gallery. Teams of four or eight will ride for 45 minutes to raise funds for eatART, and the cycling teams will be generating power needed for the sound stage to work at the same time! Whether you volunteer as a team member and help power the stage or attend the beer garden, this is a summer experience you won’t want to miss!
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Ships to Shore Steveston 2015
June 29–July 1, 12 noon–7 p.m.
Imperial Landing & Britannia Shipyards
5180 Westwater Dr., Richmond
www.richmond.ca/discover/events/ShipstoShore.htm
Climb aboard more than 20 historic and unique vessels at this weekend-long festival! Boarding of all the ships is free, and there are more things to see such as roving pirates, wooden boat shows and dragon boat demonstrations. With food vendors and much more, the event doesn’t stop until the Canada Day fireworks appear!
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Canada Day – It’s a Party!
July 1, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel
6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby
(604) 297-4565
Hosted by the Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel, this Canada Day celebration is for all! There’s multicultural family entertainment that includes musicians, displays, demonstrations and of course, carousel rides! The festivities include live children’s entertainers, and a parade!
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Canada Day Fireworks Party!
July 1, 8 p.m.
FlyOver Canada
201 – 999 Canada Pl., Vancouver
(604) 620-8455
Join FlyOver Canada while they celebrate Canada’s birthday in their special and unique way! Enjoy burgers, poutine and drinks served by Vera’s Burger Shack. There will be live music all day and unlimited access to the ride! End the day off with the best view of the Canada Day Fireworks display over Coal Harbor from FlyOver Canada’s flight deck.
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East Van Summer Jam 2015
July 4, 12 noon–9:30 p.m.
Strathcona Park
857 Malkin Ave., Vancouver
(778) 986-4209
The East Van Summer Jam (EVSJ) prides itself on celebrating East Vancouver arts and culture. EVSJ dedicates 100% of its profits to sustainability projects and music programs for at-risk youth. Kids attend the festival free of charge! With food vendors, musical performances and a 19+ beer garden, this event has something for everyone. Celebrate East Vancouver culture and have a good time knowing that your money is going towards a good cause.
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MEC Vancouver Paddlefest
July 4, 9–5 p.m.
Jericho Sailing Centre
1300 Discovery St., Vancouver
Are you an avid kayaker? Have you always wanted to test your canoe or rowing skills? If so, this is the event for you! This year’s Paddlefest is back for more fun in the sun! Go for a test paddle, participate in hands-on clinics and browse exhibitor’s booths. This fun event has live music, entertainment, food vendors and fun kids’ activities!
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Latin Film Night at the Cinematheque
July 7, 7–10:30 p.m.
The Cinematheque
1131 Howe St., Vancouver
Vancouver Latin American Film Festival and Latincouver work to present to the public two films: Lion’s Heart and The False Prophet. These two films are in Spanish with English subtitles, so all can enjoy! Celebrate Latin film and enjoy popcorn while doing so!
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Teen Angst, a comedic reading series.| Photo courtesy of Sarah Bynoe.
Teen Angst
July 7, 8–10 p.m.
Cottage Bistro
4468 Main St., Vancouver
This hilarious show is brought to you by Sarah Bynoe and everyday people, like you. Teen Angst is a comedic reading series that allows people to share their embarrassing poems, diaries, journals and writings from their teen years. Everyone has those years where they felt they could do no wrong, but looking back on them now can feel embarrassing. Teen Angst combines embarrassment, teen years and all things in between in this hilarious show.
