Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for August

From romantic tragedies to secret dining events and more, here are our top picks for August

1. Trivia nights at Outpost – Every Monday

Instagram/OutpostThroughout the summer, Port Moody’s Outpost will be offering a fun series of trivia nights, hosted by IG 2000 Trivia and North Point Brewing. With up to six players per team, bring your friends along and show off your skills while sipping beer, wine or cider and eating artisanal pizza. No registration is required to attend. Plus, the top three teams will win a prize!
3001 Saint Johns Street, Port Moody; Every Monday, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

2. Bard on the Beach: Romeo and Juliet – Wednesday, August 3 to Saturday, September 24

Bard on the BeachBard on the Beach is back for the 33rd season, and this year, Shakespeare’s beloved romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet will be featured in a limited run with previews showing August 3rd to 7th, and an official opening on August 9th. Additional special events include, Talkback Tuesdays, featuring a post-performance Q&A session with cast members (August 16th, 23rd and 30th). Exploring Romeo and Juliet brings together SFU’s Paul Budra for a wide-ranging conversation about the play and its themes, followed by an audience Q&A (Saturday, August 13th at 11 a.m.), and a summer camp program coached by professional actors (and intended for ages 13 to 18) will be offered August 15th to 26th, weekday mornings.
Howard Family Stage, Senakw/Vanier Park, Vancouver; Tickets from $27; Details online

3. Vancouver Mural Festival – Thursday, August 4 to Sunday, August 14

Photo Credit: Gabriel Martins Celebrate the return of Vancouver’s Mural Festival with 11 days of block parties, mural tours and over 30 new murals across the city. Explore the creative side of Vancouver’s great outdoors with an incredible line-up of 150+ visual and performing artists and experiences. Beautiful new murals will bring walls to life in neighbourhoods across Vancouver, while an extensive schedule of events will connect and bring communities together. Hosting daily mural tours, public talks, live performances at the all-new City Centre Festival Hub, plus a spectacular all-ages festival closing street party in downtown Vancouver, you won’t want to miss out!
Various locations; Details online

4. Britannia Mine Museum: Pride Night at the Museum – Friday, August 5

Instagram:britanniaminemuseumTurn up the fun this summer at Britannia Mine Museum, who will be hosting its first ever after-hours pride night, “Old Town, New Queens”. In its historic 99-year-old mill building, the 20-storey building will be transformed into a huge performance space featuring some of the most amazing LGBTQIA+ drag artists from the Lower Mainland. Tickets include a drag performance, access to the museum’s exhibits and more. Drag performers will also be available for meet and greets at the gold-panning pavilion through the night, with food trucks and an alcohol-free ‘mocktail’ bar available on site.
150 Copper Drive, Britannia Beach; From $35; 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Details online

5. Music on Main – Tuesday, August 9 to Friday, August 12 & Tuesday August, 16 to Thursday, August 18

Facebook/Music on MainBack by popular demand, Music on Main returns to Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant Park with completely fresh music that is sure to capture the spirit of blissful summer days. And the best part? It’s totally free to enjoy. So grab your friends, bring a picnic or pick something up from the event’s food trucks, sit back and listen to the music! 
Details online

6. Ambleside Music Festival – Friday, August 12 to Sunday, August 14

Facebook/Ambleside Music FestivalMusic enthusiasts and festival lovers rejoice as this summer, the inaugural three-day Ambleside Music Festival will transform West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park into one of the city’s premiere open-air concert and festival venues. Performing over two stages, headliners include The Offspring, Mother Mother, Marianas Trench and Walk Off The Earth followed by an exciting lineup of music acts such as Charlotte Cardin, Grandson, St. Paul and The Broken Bones, and more! This year, Ambleside Music Festival will also be partnering with One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization that assists in replenishing the forests of British Columbia. 
VIP weekend packages for $525, with weekend passes from $245 per person, and general admission children’s passes (for ages 6 to 12) for $122.50 per child; Details online

7. Vancouver International Polo Festival – Saturday, August 13

Vancouver International Polo FestivalGet your hats at the ready, as this year’s Argentinian-themed Vancouver International Polo Festival will feature an afternoon of polo matches, a spectator-assisted divot stomp, a roaming band and tango dancers, three special guest DJs spread across the grounds, creative cuisine, interactive polo activations and custom polo-themed art installations and gallery-style art walk. The festival will also play host to polo clinics and interactive games with 100 percent of proceeds benefitting B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Southland’s Horse Rescue, aimed at making a meaningful difference in the lives of horses and ponies in need of a ‘second chance’.
Southlands Riding Club, 7025 MacDonald Street, Vancouver; General admission tickets are $25 per person; From 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Details online

8. Le Dîner en Blanc – Thursday, August 18

Facebook/Dîner en BlancAfter a two-year hiatus, the city’s largest dinner party is returning to Vancouver and is taking place at a new secret location where guests are invited to dine and dance under the stars. Just don’t forget to bring your own table, chairs (white), “a picnic basket containing fine food, proper stemware and white dinnerware” (catered option available), plus table settings—basically everything but the kitchen sink. And for those wanting to attend the event, tickets are are offered in stages: phase one is for members from a previous edition of the event; phase two is for new members who are referred by previous attendees; and phase three is for people who signed up for this year’s waiting list.
Details online

9. Meowfest – Saturday, August 20

meowfestYes, you read that right! Presented by Catit, Meowfest is Canada’s biggest festival for the cat-loving community, with the mission to increase awareness of cat rescue and adoption while raising funds for hardworking feline organizations. Enjoy a day full of food, fun, felines, music, presentations, face painting, prizes, beer, food trucks and shopping. Plus, you can check out the adoption area with amazing rescue kitties and see the “celebrity cats” at their meet and greets.
Rocky Mountaineer Station, 1755 Cottrell Street, Vancouver; Tickets from $20 (All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Langley Animal Protection Society, and other local animal rescue organizations); From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Details online

10. Picnic and Bubbles – Sunday, August 21

Picnic + BubblesLes Dames d’Escoffier B.C. is excited to announce its summer fundraiser, Picnic and Bubbles, in collaboration with restaurants across the province, all in support of women in hospitality and Food Banks B.C. Participating restaurants are located throughout Vancouver, and the Okanagan, and each unique picnic for two includes a main dish created by your chosen restaurant, two side dishes, dessert, and bubbles or wine, beer, cider, etc. depending on the venue, in a ready-to-go package.
Various locations; $150 per picnic for two; Arrive at the scheduled pick-up time between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.; Details online

BONUS: Theatre Under the Stars – Now until Saturday August 27th