Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for July 27 to August 2

Raise a glass of your favourite beer, celebrate after hours at the aquarium, work up a sweat + more

1. Columbia Street Food Fest — Saturday, July 27

Billed as North America’s biggest food truck fest, the Columbia Street Food Fest features more than 100 food trucks, a selection of beer gardens, and live music all evening.
Columbia Street, New Westminster; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Details online

2. Vancouver Vegan Festival — Saturday, July 27

Even the most hardened carnivores might want to look beyond meat and find out more about a vegan lifestyle at the new outdoor Vancouver Vegan Festival. With more than 70 vendors, the alfresco festival has plenty of new foods to discover.  DJs, live music, inspiring speakers, and free yoga keep the party going. The festival is—of course—dog-friendly. 
Creekside Park, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Free; Details online 

3. Caribbean Days Festival — Saturday, July 27 & Sunday, July 28

North Vancouver once again hosts the province’s biggest celebration of Caribbean culture with two days of parading, dancing, eating and liming… all with a Caribbean flare. Enjoy some jerk chicken and a cold beer on the north side of the festival or head to the south side for waterfront dancing and music, plus a family zone for little festival-goers.
Waterfront Park, 200 Esplanade West, North Vancouver; Free; Details online 

4. Celebration of Light — Saturday, July 27

Love it or loathe it, it’s that time of year when the West End becomes a focal point of festivities thanks to the fireworks at English Bay. This year, Canada, India and Croatia compete for the title, while the beachside food and music festival will be running every fireworks evening from 2 p.m. Get there early for a good spot!
English Bay, Vancouver; July 27, July 31 & August 3; Free, with VIP tickets available; Details online 

5. Pride at the Pier — Tuesday, July 30

North Vancouver flies the rainbow flag for Pride with a free, all-ages dance party that features local queer DJs, dazzling drag performances, craft and activity stations, giant-sized games and Tacofino Vancouver and Chickpea Food Trucks. 
Shipbuilders Yard, North Vancouver; 5 p.m.; Free; Details online 

6. National IPA Day — Thursday, August 1

Raise a toast to National IPA Day and have a hoppy time celebrating Vancouver’s favourite beer. This day and evening features a rare flight of IPA’s from across North America, including a collaboration beer from the brewery that launched a thousand NE IPA’s, The Alchemist.
Brewhall, 97 East 2nd Avenue, Vancouver; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Details online

7. After Hours Aquarium — Thursday, August 1

Celebrate Pride like never before! Grab some friends, get some drinks, watch fabulously fishy drag performances, and learn all about the freaky sex lives of animals. Explore the Aquarium’s galleries with a drink in hand for a Pride-themed party. 
Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; From $38; Details online

8. MEC x VMF Run the Murals — Friday, August 2

If you love art, running, and parties then sign up for the inaugural MEC x VMF Run the Murals event. Grab your running buddies, kids and friends, and then take part in the 2 kilometre and 5 kilometre routes highlighting some of Mount Pleasant’s best public art, followed by an after-party with food and drinks at the VMF Gallery. 
VMF Gallery, 14 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Details online

9. Queer Improv Festival — Until Wednesday, August 7

Say yes to a festival of improv hosted by QueerProv, Canada’s leading queer improv comedy troupe show full of games, longform, laughs and stories. 
The Junction, 1138 Davie Street, Vancouver; By donation; Details online 

10. Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant and Brewpub — Opening Monday, July 29

Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant and Brewpub finally opens in Stanley Park at the former Fish House Restaurant, with 140 indoor seats, a 50-seat outdoor deck and a 40-seat patio, serving up food and 16 beer taps highlighting all of the current Stanley Park Brewing line-up and small batch innovation brews.
Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant and Brewpub, 8901 Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver; Details online