Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for July 29 to August 4

Get lit up at the annual Celebration of Lights, experience Caribbean culture on the North Shore, get your patio passport stamped on Robson Street + more

 

1. Honda Celebration of Lights – Saturday, July 29, Wednesday, August 2 and Saturday, August 5

English Bay gets lit for the annual Honda Celebration of Lights fireworks extravaganza as Japan, the UK and Canada battle it out with incredible colourful displays that can be seen for free from the beach, or from VIP ticketed areas ($57-$190) that include viewing decks and full al fresco lounges.
Events from 6:30 p.m.; fireworks after dark

 

2. Caribbean Days Festival – Saturday, July 29 & Sunday, June 30

Soak up the sun and feel the island vibes at the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC’s Caribbean Days Festival. Celebrating the tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture of the Caribbean, the two-day festival includes music, dancing, liming and a colourful multicultural street parade.
Waterfront Park, North Van; Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; parade Saturday at 10 a.m.; free

 

3. Columbia StrEAT Food Fest – Saturday, July 29

North America’s biggest food truck festival comes to New West for the fifth annual celebration of B.C.’s mobile munchies, featuring over 90 trucks, live music and beer gardens.
Columbia Street; New West; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

4. Vancouver Bach Festival – Tuesday, August 1 to Friday, August 11

Inspired by the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation, this year’s festival includes Bach and other genres, including contemporary classical music, Renaissance polyphonic music, 18th century operatic repertoire, early Latin baroque music, as well as early and late Romantic repertoire.
Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street; see website for prices and full schedule

 

5. Kendrick Lamar – Wednesday, August 2

The DAMN. tour comes to Vancouver, bringing one of America’s most renowned contemporary rappers and songwriters to the stage, supported by Travis Scott and D.R.A.M.
Roger’s Arena; 7:30 p.m.; tickets from $140 resale

 

6. Davie Street Party – Friday, August 4

Pride weekend is coming! Kick off the celebrations with the Davie Street Party’s multiple stages, delicious food and art performances. Eight DJs will be hosting the Fido Silent Disco, alongside a ChillZone, presented by the West End BIA and sponsored by Together We Can, which will showcase bands, poets and other performers.
Davie between Burrard and Jervis; 6 p.m.; tickets from $5

 

7. Harmony Arts Festival – Friday, August 4 to Monday, August 14

West Vancouver’s 10-day arts festival, now in its 27th year, has a wide range of fun free events from music and film screenings to visual arts activities and a unique art market. Free literature events include a reading in the park with bestselling author Cea Sunrise Person, and two ticketed culinary happenings will take place right on Ambleside Pier, including a mixology event for cocktail lovers.
Check out all the event details here

 

8. Zumba at Canada Place – Every Monday (except August 7) until August 28

Get fit this summer with free outdoor Zumba dancing at Canada Place. With a stunning backdrop of the North Shore, this sunny spot gets a Latin-flavoured makeover for the hour-long exercise classes every Monday evening.
North point of Canada Place; 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

 

9. Let’s Patio on Robson – Now until Thursday, August 31

Robson Street Business Association’s Let’s Patio event includes six participating Robson Street restaurants: Abode, Cactus Club, CinCin, Ebisu, Earls and Milestones. Visit each one this summer, bring your passport, enjoy your favourite dishes and drinks, get stamped and get rewarded. Collect all six stamps and receive a $25 gift card to the restaurant of your choice #onRobson (between Burrard and Jervis).
Passports can be downloaded from the Robson Street website or picked up from one of the above participating restaurants. A minimum $15 purchase before taxes is required to earn each stamp.

 

10. Oh, Canada – Now until Saturday, September 2

Check out the true north strong and funny at Vancouver Theatresports League’s (VTSL) celebration of Canada’s rich comedic history. VTSL’s quick-witted improvisers lampoon Canadian ‘institutions’ such as Anne of Green Gables, Heritage minutes, the Mounties, the Great White North, Hinterland Who’s Who, our obsession with hockey, a certain hunky Prime Minister, maple syrup, lumberjacks and Timmy’s double-double.
The Improv Centre on Granville Island; every Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; tickets from $10