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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for July 30-August 5

This week: Celebrate Pride in the city, enjoy live music by the beach, dance away to Caribbean beats + more 

By Amy Watkins /

Credit: Harmony Arts Festival

Harmony Arts Festival – Friday, July 29 to Sunday, August 7

Take an amble over to Ambleside for West Vancouver’s signature summer festival, which livens up the seaside with visual, culinary, literary and performing arts events over 10 days. Art exhibitions, markets and music stages bring the beach to life and a pop-up marina means you can take your boat straight into the heart of the festivities.

Click here for schedule and information
Ambleside Park, West Vancouver, free admission



Credit: Girls Rock Camp

Girls Rock Camp – Saturday, July 30

Check out the eighth annual showcase of the Girls Rock Camp at The Rio this Saturday. The non-profit society builds self-esteem in young females through music creation and performance. Campers in each session form a band, write a song together, build music skills and perform at a showcase concert at the end of the week in front of an audience.

1.30 p.m. to 4 p.m., tickets for $10
The Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway



Credit: Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival

Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival – Saturday, July 30 to Sunday, July 31

Good Vibrations is the theme of the 16th annual Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival, which features 15 live bands over two stages playing music from the islands including reggae, calypso, salsa and soca. Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boy Experience from Santa Cruz will be playing a two-hour tribute concert to celebrate 50 years of the Beach Boys. And don’t forget to check out Caribbean artists and tuck into traditional island food.

1 p.m. to 10 p.m., free admission
Maple Ridge Fairgrounds, 23448 105 Ave.



Credit: CanCity

CANCity Beer Fest – Saturday, July 30

If canned craft beer is your jam, then check out Vancouver’s newest beer and cider festival for plenty of options to quench your thirst. Celebrating the best of B.C.’s canned craft beverages, the one-day festival features tastings, beer-can art installations, food trucks and entertainment at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza.  

2 p.m. to 8 p.m., tickets $25 plus fees, 19+
Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, 649 Cambie Street



Credit: Vancouver Street Dance Festival

Vancouver Street Dance Festival – Saturday, July 30

Celebrate street dance at Vancouver’s all-day funky festival of dance battles, live DJs, popping, locking, breaking, waacking and other hip-hop moves. Take a workshop, listen to live music or just watch the experts show off their skills at this popular festival.

11 a.m. to 8 p.m., free admission
Robson Square, 800 Robson Street



Credit: Powell Street Festival

Powell Street Festival – Saturday, July 30 to Sunday, July 31

Vancouver’s Japanese-Canadian cultural festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with a packed schedule of activities, including everything from fighting to flowers, with aikido and ikebana demonstrations, guided tours through the historic neighbourhood and traditional dance, music and food.

11.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m., free admission
Oppenheimer Park, 400 block of Powell Street



Credit: Flickr/Peter Vanderheyden

Pride Parade – Sunday, July 31

The rainbow crosswalks have been given a new coat of paint and it’s time to dust off your party hat for a colourful parade through Davie Village in support of the LGBTQ community. Over 150 floats will join in the festivities on the newly expanded route, which begins at Robson and Thurlow and travels through Denman to finish at Sunset Beach for a fun festival.

12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Davie Village



Credit: Sunset Beach Festival

Sunset Beach Festival – Sunday, July 31

Part of the Pride parade celebrations, the new location for the after-party means you can take a dip in the sea if things get too hot, or head to the beer garden for a cold drink. Otherwise, the Pride market features artisan sellers and local community supporters as well as speakers and DJs throughout the day.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free admission
Sunset Beach, 1204 Beach Avenue



Credit: 420 Monthly

B.C. Bud Farmers Market – Monday, August 1

It’s not legal yet but Vancouver already has a farmers’ market where you can speak to the growers and find out more about where cannabis comes from. It’s part actual market and part peaceful protest against licensed producers gaining a monopoly on the legal market.

12 p.m. to 5 p.m., free admission
Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza, 750 Hornby Street



Credit: Tacofino

Tacofino Yaletown – opening August 1st

Yaletown says hola to Tacofino’s latest location when the new burrito bar’s 40-seat dining room and 16-seat patio opens in time for the long weekend. Celebrate the extra day off with a tasty burrito and eclectic Mexican food from Tofino’s taco kings.

1025 Mainland Street, check online for opening hours