Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for August 19 to 25

Dare to dine in all white, work out en masse, check out live music al fresco + more

 

1. KitsFest – Friday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20

Join the beautiful people on Kits Beach for KitsFest to celebrate Vancouver’s sporty side, featuring activities from boot camps and basketball to Zumba and sunset yoga. Spin by the sea or take part in a fun run to join in the fitness festivities.
Kits Beach; 9 a.m. to sunset; free (register online to take part)

 

2. Whitecaps FC Pride Night – Saturday, August 19

Keep the Pride spirit going with Whitecap FC’s night of celebrating inclusivity in sports. The special game (versus Houston Dynamo) kicks off with a Pride March at 6:15 p.m. on the corner of Granville and Robson Streets. The event will also include festivities at Terry Fox Plaza featuring an epic drag queen performance hosted by Connie Smudge, and demonstrations by Terminal City Roller Girls and Rain City Ultimate Club.
BC Place; 7 to 10 p.m.; $27; more event info here

 

3. TD Concerts on the Pier – Saturday, August 19

Head to White Rock for al fresco concerts on the pier throughout the summer. This Saturday, New Wave rockers Platinum Blonde and acoustic artist Spirit take to the stage for the grand finale. A free trolley service will be running in White Rock for the special event.
White Rock waterfront; 7 p.m., more event info here

 

4. Watch & Learn Market – Saturday, August 19 & Sunday, August 20

Interact with Vancouver’s amazing artists, makers, performers and designers at a celebration of creativity that includes art workshops, live mural paintings and musical performances, as well as food trucks, craft brewery beer garden and an Etsy Vancouver Marketplace.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, 630 Hamilton Street; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; $7 day pass, $10 weekend pass; more event info here

 

5. PNE Summer Nights Concerts – Saturday, August 19 to Monday, September 4

Kicking off with Mother Mother, the PNE Summer Nights Concerts span the decades with performances from The B-52s, Colin James, Billy Currington, The Doobie Brothers, ZZ TOP, High Valley, Tom Cochrane with Red Rider, Rick Springfield, The Gipsy Kings, The Pointer Sisters, and Huey Lewis and The News.
8:30 p.m.; free with PNE admission; more event info here

 

6. Ratha-Yatra Parade – Sunday, August 20

Vancouver’s 45th annual Ratha-Yatra Parade celebrates the traditional Indian chariot festival with members of the community taking part in the parade to Stanley Park’s Second Beach where a family-festival includes music, dancing, meditation and a free veggie feast for the thousands of attendees.
Parade starts at Howe and Burrard (under the Granville Street Bridge) and ends at Second Beach via Beach Avenue; parade kicks off at 11:30 a.m., the festival at 1 p.m.

 

7. Summer Series at Grandview Park – Sunday, August 20

Bring the family out for a fun afternoon of music on The Drive with live band Buddy & the Scarecrow’s blend of rock, blues, reggae and contemporary hits. The next Summer Series on September 17 will feature three free sessions with Ocean and Crow Yoga.
Grandview Park (Charles Street and Commercial Drive); 1 to 4 p.m., free; more event info here

 

8. Social Sundays at VanDusen – Sunday, August 20 & Sunday, August 27

Summer sounds, signature cocktails and lawn games will get you grooving at VanDusen Botanical Garden on Social Sundays in August. This week sees Vancouver’s six-piece Company B Jazz Band entertain garden guests as they tuck into sandwiches, salads and signature cocktails from Truffles Cafe. Beatles tribute band the Day Trippers bring the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s on August 27.
5251 Oak Street; Sundays in August from 3 to 5:30 p.m.; live music and activities are included free with garden admission ($11 adults, all ages but 19+ with ID for liquor sales); more event info here

 

9. Solar Eclipse Viewing – Monday, August 21

For the first time in 99 years, there will be a total solar eclipse across the whole of North America—and in Vancouver we will have 86 per cent totality. Head to the H.R. Macmillan Space Centre for a community viewing party with solar telescopes, live streams, sun projections, and solar eclipse glasses for safety. The Space Centre will be open for eclipse-themed shows and activities during and after the viewing.
On the grass outside of Gordon Southam Observatory; 8:45 a.m. to noon (eclipse begins at 9:10 a.m., maximum at 10:21 a.m. and ends at 11:37 a.m.; admission, including solar glasses, by donation; more event info here

 

10. Le Dîner en Blanc – Thursday, August 24

Vancouver’s most elegant al fresco dining experience returns for another year, this time with two mysterious locations that will be revealed on the night of the event. The evening soirée promises magical acoustic music, creative dance, art galleries and fun pop-up features throughout both venues.
Register to get on the wait-list for this year or get an invite for 2018 here