Family friendly events in Vancouver this weekend: August 24-25
Summer fun is far from over, and Metro Vancouver is bursting with exciting family festivals this weekend, August 24-25! Head to the PNE Fair for thrilling rides and games, explore the Richmond Maritime Festival, or bring your pup to Pet-A-Palooza in Yaletown for some tail-wagging fun. Don’t miss out on the Farewell to Summer Fireworks Festival or the colorful Light Up Chinatown celebration. These free, family-friendly events are the perfect way to soak up the last days of summer before school starts!
Seven family friendly events this weekend
Richmond Maritime Festival
August 24-25, Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, 5180 Westwater Dr, Richmond, 11am-6pm
Ahoy, parents! The Richmond Maritime Festival is back for its 21st year on August 24-25, 2024, at the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, from 11am to 6pm, and it’s FREE! Explore the 8-acre site with your family, where you’ll discover live music, tasty food trucks, maritime-themed activities, beautifully restored wooden boats, and more. Dive into Richmond’s rich heritage as you tour historic buildings that tell the stories of the multicultural communities who once worked these shipyards. It’s a perfect summer outing for all ages—don’t miss it!
>> Read more about the Richmond Maritime Festival
PNE
August 17-September 2, 2024, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
Wrap up your summer in style at the PNE Fair—Vancouver’s ultimate end-of-summer bash! Round up your family and friends for a day packed with fun. Catch the legendary SuperDogs, belt out tunes with the Dueling Pianos, check out cool agricultural exhibits, and cheer on the fabulous performers at the “For the Love of Drag” show. There are cooking demos for the foodies, Music in the Park for the music lovers, and, of course, the iconic Summer Night Concerts!
Indulge in all your favorite fair eats, scream your lungs out on Playland’s wild rides, try your luck at the midway games (hello, giant prizes!), or just kick back and soak up the summer vibes with your crew.
Farewell to Summer Fireworks Festival
August 24, 3pm-930pm, New Westminster Quay, 810 Quayside Drive,
The Hyack Festival Association is throwing an epic summer send-off, and you’re invited! Head down to the New Westminster Quay for a day of fun, filled with unique artisan market vendors, awesome exhibitors, live entertainment, and mouthwatering food. And don’t miss the grand finale—an unforgettable fireworks show that will light up the sky and wow thousands of excited spectators. Be sure to grab your spot and be part of the magic!
Light Up Chinatown
August 24-25, 500 Columbia Street, Vancouver (Chinatown)
Join the 4th annual Light Up Chinatown! presented by RBC for a free, two-day family-friendly festival packed with live performances, mouthwatering street food, and vibrant lantern displays. Stroll through Chinatown, enjoying limited-edition dishes from local restaurants, fun activities like face painting, lantern crafts, lion dancing, and an arcade on wheels! Catch exciting acts on the Odlum Brown Main Stage and don’t miss out on exclusive food collaborations by top Vancouver chefs. Plus, take a guided walking tour with Bob Sung for a tasty dive into Chinatown’s history!
August 24 – 11am-9pm
August 25 – 11am – 6pm
Turtle Island Festival
August 24, Sunset Beach, 1204 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC, 12pm-10pm
Turtle Island Fest, the largest Indigenous music festival, is back and ready to celebrate with a vibrant showcase of music, culture, and community! Join us for live performances by incredible Indigenous artists, a family-friendly marketplace with traditional foods, workshops, a youth showcase, and a special children’s play area. Enjoy the opening and welcoming ceremonies, a fashion show, and a community feast by Sundance & Sons and Bannock Busters. This free, family-friendly event is all about amplifying Indigenous voices and reclaiming space—don’t miss out!
Granville Block Party
August 24-25, 2024, Granville and Robson Street, Vancouver, 1pm-7pm
Get ready for the Granville Block Party, a fun-filled event perfect for families! Enjoy live music across three stages with incredible acts like Mazacote and Dawn Pemberton, plus a Locals Lounge Stage featuring fresh new talent. Kids will love the mini golf, arts & crafts, and street performances, while adults can sip on Red Truck Beer and indulge in tasty eats from the Red Truck Food Truck. Don’t miss out on local goods at the Vintage & Handmade Society Market, cool activations from Cineplex’s The Rec Room, and an exclusive tour of the historic Orpheum. And of course, grab a sweet treat from Lee’s Donuts!
Pet-A-Palooza
August 25, 2024, Yaletown, 1100 Mainland Street, Vancouver, 11am-4pm
Get ready for PET-A-PALOOZA, the West Coast’s biggest outdoor pet festival, and the ultimate summer fun for you and your furry friends! This free, family-friendly event is packed with exciting activities like a pool party and foam party just for dogs, yoga with adoptable puppies, and even a hilarious peanut butter licking contest. Plus, your pet can sample treats, toys, and grab loads of free goodies while you enjoy a fun day out with the whole family!
