Metro Vancouver Summer 2025: Top Festivals, Concerts & Plays You Won’t Want to Miss
Metro Vancouver turns into a vibrant cultural playground each summer, filled with world-class concerts, multicultural festivals, and open-air theatre that draw crowds from all over BC and beyond. From free community celebrations to blockbuster Broadway musicals under the stars, there’s something for everyone in this dynamic and diverse region. Whether you’re a local planning your weekends or a visitor crafting the ultimate Vancouver itinerary, this ultimate 2025 guide to summer concerts, festivals and plays will keep your calendar full of unforgettable experiences. Get ready for live music, global flavours, family-friendly fun, and stunning performances all summer long!
Metro Vancouver Summer 2025 Festival, Concert and Plays
Bard on the Beach
Dates: June 10 – September 20, 2025
Location: Vanier Park, Vancouver
Enjoy timeless stories of love, power, and wit under the setting sun. Bard on the Beach, Vancouver’s premier Shakespeare festival, returns to the beautiful waterfront setting of Vanier Park. This year’s line up is Much Ado About Nothing, The Two Gentrlemen of Verona, The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare and The Dark Lady. With professional productions set against breathtaking views of the mountains and ocean, this summer tradition combines literary classics with natural beauty for a truly magical evening.
Theatre Under the Stars: Broadway in the Park
Dates: June 27 – August 16, 2025
Location: Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park
Step into the magical world of musicals as Theatre Under the Stars lights up Stanley Park with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde. These energetic, family-friendly shows are set in the stunning Malkin Bowl, offering the ultimate picnic-and-a-show experience. A Vancouver summer staple for decades, TUTS promises music, laughter, and memorable nights under the stars.
Khatsahlano Street Party: Vancouver’s Biggest Free Music Festival
Date: July 5, 2025
Location: West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano
Experience 10 blocks of high-energy entertainment, local food, fashion, and art at Khatsahlano Street Party—Vancouver’s largest free outdoor music and arts festival. With over 50 performers, beer gardens, and artisan vendors, this event is a full-day celebration of Kitsilano’s creative spirit.
Indian Summer Festival: Culture in Conversation
Date: July 10, 2025
Location: šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn Plaza, 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC
Celebrating its cultural roots with global resonance, the Indian Summer Festival features performances, talks, and exhibitions that challenge, inspire, and connect. From live music to food events, this free festival highlights stories and artistry from South Asia and beyond in a city-wide showcase of inclusivity and creativity.
Carnaval del Sol: The Heart of Latin Summer
Dates: July 11–13, 2025
Location: Jonathan Rogers Park, Vancouver
Get your dancing shoes on! Carnaval del Sol returns, turning Vancouver into a colourful, musical celebration of Latin American culture. From samba to tacos, this festival offers live performances, traditional cuisine, sports tournaments, and family zones in a fiesta atmosphere like no other.
Surrey Fusion Festival: A Multicultural Celebration
Dates: July 19–20, 2025
Location: Holland Park, Surrey
Admission: Free
With over 50 cultural pavilions and international performances, Surrey Fusion Festival is the largest multicultural celebration in Canada. This family-friendly event features live music, global street food, Indigenous storytelling, and dance. It’s a weekend of learning, sharing, and community celebration in the heart of Surrey.
Vancouver Folk Music Festival: Global Sounds by the Sea
Date: July 18-20, 2025
Location: Jericho Beach Park
Admission: Free
Set on the picturesque shores of Jericho Beach, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival offers a laid-back, welcoming space for music lovers to discover folk and world music from around the globe. With free admission this year, it’s one of the most scenic and inclusive musical experiences in the city.
Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival: Music in a Heritage Village
Dates: July 24–27, 2025
Location: Fort Langley, BC
From Dixieland to funk, and everything in between, the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival offers an impressive roster of artists and interactive art installations. Wander through historic streets while enjoying multiple stages, beer gardens, a New Orleans-style parade, and jazz workshops for all ages.
Caravan World Rhythms: 25 Years of Global Beats
Date: July 24, 2025, 5pm-7pm
Location: šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn Plaza, 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC
Admission: Free
Celebrating 25 years of bringing global music to Vancouver audiences, Caravan World Rhythms presents a vibrant lineup of multicultural performances at this free outdoor celebration by Summer Sounds. Expect powerful rhythms, soulful vocals, and a joyful community vibe in the heart of the city.
Vancouver Pride Celebration: Bold, Bright, and Beautiful
Date: July 31, 2025
Location: Downtown Vancouver
Admission: Free
Join Vancouver’s most colourful celebration of LGBTQ+ pride with a day of community connection, creativity, and joyful resistance. The Pride Parade, drag performances, and cultural showcases take over downtown in a city-wide tribute to love, diversity, and equity.
Sarah McLachlan School of Music: Student Spotlight
Date: August 7, 2025
Location: šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn Plaza, 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC
Admission: Free
Be inspired by young musicians from the Sarah McLachlan School of Music as they take the stage for an evening of passionate performances. This free concert is a celebration of local talent and community spirit, showcasing the power of music education.
Summer Sounds Closing Party: One Last Hurrah
Date: August 14, 2025
Location: Downtown Vancouver
Admission: Free
Wrap up your summer with style at the Summer Sounds Closing Party—a free, outdoor music fest that brings together some of Vancouver’s favourite acts. With DJs, live bands, food trucks, and family activities, it’s the ultimate city send-off to the season.
PNE Summer Night Concerts: Summer’s Hottest Stage
Dates: August 16 – September 1, 2025
Location: Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), Vancouver
As part of the PNE Fair, the Summer Night Concert Series offers 17 nights of spectacular live music from chart-topping acts and beloved classics. Included with gate admission, this outdoor concert series has something for everyone—from rock legends to pop superstars. It’s the perfect end-of-summer event paired with mini donuts and midway fun.
Summer on šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn: Culture at the Plaza
Dates: July – August 2025
Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC
Admission: Free
Hosted by Vancouver Civic Theatres, this free summer-long outdoor series includes concerts, dance classes, movie screenings, and collaborations with Vancouver’s top arts and culture organizations. Located in the heart of downtown, Summer on šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn is accessible, inclusive, and filled with artistry for all ages.
Plan Your Ultimate Summer in Vancouver
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, live music by the ocean, multicultural feasts, or open-air theatre, Metro Vancouver’s summer events calendar for 2025 is bursting with opportunity. From Surrey to Fort Langley and the heart of downtown Vancouver, there’s something happening every weekend. Bookmark this list, grab your friends or your little ones, and get ready for a summer full of celebration, culture, and unforgettable memories.
