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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for July 23-29

This week: Celebrate multiculturalism at Holland Park in Surrey, enjoy fireworks at the beach, join in the fun for Pride Weekend + more

By Amy Watkins /

Credit: Kiss of Africa

African Descent Festival – Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23

Celebrating the UN’s decade of people of African descent (2015-2024), this two-day free festival features Afrobeat music, samba dance, drum cafes and Afrocentric fashion. In addition, speakers will talk about the history of B.C.’s black communities in Strathcona, Hogan’s Alley and Salt Spring Island.

12 p.m. to 9.30 p.m, free admission
Thornton Park (near Main Street Skytrain)



Credit: Facebook/SurreyFusionFestival

Surrey Fusion Festival – Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24

Celebrate the diverse cultures of the Lower Mainland at the Surrey Fusion Festival. Listen to world music, check out cooking demos and visit the 39 pavilions that each represent a different country and feature traditional food, dress and art.

11 a.m. to 10 p.m., free admission
Holland Park, Surrey (SW Corner of King George Boulevard & Old Yale Road)



Credit: Facebook/CelebrationOfLight

Honda Celebration of Light – Saturday, July 23, Wednesday, July 27 & Saturday, July 30

It’s the West End’s time to shine with the annual Celebration of Light festival illuminating the skies over English Bay. Head down to the beach at 7:30 p.m. to enjoy live music as part of ShoreFest and stay for the fireworks at 10 p.m., which kick off with a display from the Netherlands. Local restaurants such as The Boathouse and Beach Bay Cafe and Patio will be offering special fireworks seating and menus, and paid seating is available on the beach from $49.

7.30 p.m. to 11 p.m., free admission
English Bay, arrive early to get a spot



Credit: Caribbean Days

Caribbean Days Festival – Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24

Get in the carnival spirit with this colourful celebration of Caribbean cuisine, culture and music in North Vancouver. Taste traditional rotis and other island treats like Carib beer while listening to the sounds of calypso and reggae. Look out for the multicultural street parade, which runs from Sixth Street and Lonsdale Avenue on Saturday, July 23 at 10 a.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., free admission
Waterfront Park, North Vancouver (Near Lonsdale Quay Seabus Station)



Credit: Facebook/HiatusMusicFest

HIATUS Music Festival – Saturday, July 23

Experience the best of experimental live music from Vancouver and across the globe at HIATUS, a boutique music and lifestyle festival that takes over the Waldorf Hotel this weekend with five stages of music, visual art installations, surprise interactive experiences and food trucks to keep you fuelled up throughout the festival.

1 p.m. to 11 p.m. (after party 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.); tickets from $39.95
Waldorf Hotel, 1489 East Hastings Street



Credit: Facebook/SummerClothingSwap

Celebrating Summer Clothing Swap – Sunday, July 24

Looking for an eco-friendly way to update your wardrobe this summer? Take part in the Celebrating Summer Clothing Swap and bring in your gently loved clothes and go home with some new-to-you duds. Clothing drop off takes place at 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. and then you can fill up your bag with exchanged items between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Bring in washed items suitable for women, men or kids, including accessories and jewellery.

12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m., $10 admission (cash only)
The Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street



Credit: Lindsays Diet

Queers and Beers Pride Edition – Sunday, July 24

Monthly meet-up Queers and Beers will be hosting a special party for Pride this weekend. The parking lot patio will get a tropical makeover thanks to Greenscape, and the celebration will include 24 B.C. brews, special casks, exclusive brews, video games, food trucks and vintage-vibe tunes.

5 p.m. to 10 p.m., tickets from $10 (first two tastes included if bought in advance)
The Cobalt, 917 Main Street



Credit: Facebook/jah9

Yoga on Dub – Tuesday, July 26

Relax with a Rastafari perspective on yoga at Jah9’s Yoga on Dub class. Unroll your mat and enjoy slow-tempo beats from The Dub Treatment as you do Kemetic Yoga (an ancient Egyptian form of yoga that focuses on controlled breathing and meditation). Food, kombucha and a marketplace will be offered at Fortune Sound Club to fill your heart and belly.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m., tickets for $40
Fortune Sound Club, 147 East Pender Street



Credit: Facebook/VancouverPrideSociety

Davie Street Party – Friday, July 29

Pride Weekend is almost here! Start the celebrations at the Davie Street Party, which this year has an expanded beer garden that spills out onto Davie Street’s newly repainted rainbow crosswalk in the heart of the village. Join in the fun with local businesses and LGBTQ2+ community groups and artists from around Vancouver.

6 p.m. to 12 a.m., advance tickets for $5 ($10 at the door), 19+
Davie Street (From Burrard to Jervis)



Credit: Facebook/DînerEnBlanc

Le Dîner en Blanc tickets go on sale – Thursday, July 21

Tickets for the fifth annual Dîner en Blanc go on sale this weekend. Held at a secret location in the city, Vancouver’s most exclusive picnic involves turning up dressed all in white with hundreds of other diners to enjoy a spectacular evening of food and fun.

Tickets for $37 (and $8 membership) starting Thursday, July 21
Event on Thursday, August 18, location details released on the night