VM Picks: Top 100 + Summer Bucket List
It’s back! Our Top Picks 100+ Summer Bucket List for 2025.
Sip your way through bubble tea festivals with the craziest flavours you’ve ever tasted. Find those secret spots to stay cool and make a splash without breaking the bank. And don’t forget to get your hands dirty at u-pick berry farms, picking juicy berries like a pro. Whether you’re exploring the city or conquering scenic trails, our list has it all. Let loose, create amazing memories, and make this summer an absolute blast in beautiful Vancouver.
Updated June 2025
Top Picks Summer Bucket List
Arts & Music Festivals & Events
- Willowbrook Summer in the Courtyard – June 27-August 29
- Summer Market at the MET (Metropolis at Metrotown) July 3-July 6
- Khatsalano Block Party on West 4th (July 5)
- Indian Summer Festival (July 12)
- Festivibe – Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver (July 13)
- Music and Arts Festival in Harrison Hot Springs (July 11-20)
- Theatre Under the Stars (July 2- August 16)
- Outdoor Movies at Wesbrook Village- UBC (July 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 at 530pm)
- Bard on the Beach Family Day (July 11 & August 17)- Much Ado About Nothing
- Vancouver Chinatown Festival (July 12-13)
- Metropolis at Metrotown’s Explore the Galaxy –
-Galaxy Dance Party- July 19, 12-2pm, FREE
-Starlab Pop-Up Planetarium – July 26 & 27, 12-3pm, FREE - Surrey Fusion Festival (July 19-20)
- Eastside Arts Festival (formerly known as CREATE! Arts Festival) (July 18-27)
- Harmony Arts Festival (August 1-10)
- BC Dumpling Festival (August 9)
- Vancouver Bubble Tea Festival (August 9-10 at Swangard Stadium)
- Langley Arts Alive Festival (August 16)
- Outdoor movies at Stanley Park (July 8-August 26 every Tuesday
- Richmond Maritime Festival (August 23-24)
Fairs ‘n Fests
- Cultus Lake Adventure Park (Open now – September 2)
- Kitsilano Showboat (Open now -August 17 -every Wed, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays)
- Playland (Now Open – August 15)
- Greek Summerfest (July 3-6) and (July 10-13)
- Boundary Bay Airshow (July 19)
- Aldergrove Fair Days (July 18-20)
- Ribfest Port Moody (July 18-20)
- Honda Celebration of Light (July 19, 23, 26)
- Pride Festival (August 1-3)
- Abbotsford Agrifair (August 1-3)
- Abbotsford International Airshow (August 8-10)
- Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) (August 16-September 1)
- Richmond Maritime Festival (August 23-24)
- Car-free Days (Commercial Dr – September 6) (Main Street – September 14)
Water fun
- Cultus Lake Water Park
- Big Splash Park
- Watermania
- Bridal Falls Water Park
- Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tour
- Jericho Beach >> Read more
- Granville Island Water Park >> Read more
- Queen Elizabeth Park Fountain >> Read more
- Rent a kayak
- Third Beach in Stanley Park
- New Brighton Park and Pool >> Read more
- White Pine Beach >> Read more
- Try Paddleboarding
Be a tourist
- Greater Vancouver Zoo
- Stanley Park Horse-drawn Tour
- Harrison Hot Springs
- Granville Island >> Read More
- Sunday Salsa at Robson Square
- Head up to Whistler >> Read more
- Shop local on Main Street
- Explore New West Quay and Pier Park
- Explore Steveston Village >> Read more
- Take a harbour cruise
- Ride the Whistler Peak2Peak Gondola
- Sea to Sky Gondola >> Read More!
- Ride bikes around the Stanley Park seawall
Outdoor Adventures
- Wildplay Elements Park >> Read more
- Funbox (World’s biggest bouncy park) – Coquitlam – Open Now -September 2
- Chilliwack Sunflower
- Grouse Mountain
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- U-Pick flowers at Sage and Solace Farm
- Treetop walk at UBC >> Read more
- Go to a U-Pick Berry Farm! >> Read more
- Castle Fun Park Minigolf
- Twilight Drive-in Theatre
- Bike the seawall
- Fly a kite >> Read more
- Camping >> Read more
- Visit a million dollar playground >> Read more
- Have a picnic >> Read more
Night and Day Markets
- New West River Market
- Shipyard Night Market
- Circle Farm Tour
- Food Truck Festival
- Richmond Night Market
- Kitsilano Farmers Market
- Vancouver Farmers Market >> Read more
- Main Street Station Farmers Market
- West End Farmers Market
>> Farmers Markets to visit
Museums
- Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site >> Read more.
- HR MacMillan Space Centre
- Vancouver Police Museum
- ArtStarts Gallery
- Bloedel Conservatory
- Burnaby Village Museum
- London Heritage Farm and Gardens
- West Coast Heritage Railway Park
- Vancouver Maritime Museum
- Roedde House Museum
- Museum of Vancouver
- Vancouver Art Gallery
- BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
- Beaty Biodiversity Museum
- Polygon Gallery Kids First
- Britannia Mine Museum
- Fort Langley National Historic Site
Sports
- Vancouver Canadians at Nat Bailey Stadium
- Whitecaps FC2 Game
- Vancouver Bandits Basketball
- Richmond Outdoor Go-Kart Track
- Crankworx Whistler
- BC Superweek Pro-Cycling Series
- Rogers Arena tours
- Go bowling
- Go fishing >> Read more
- BC Lions Football at BC Place
- Go Swimming >> Read more
- Go on a bike ride >> Read more
- Play Ultimate Frisbee>> Read more
Animals & Gardens
- Maplewood Farm
- Southlands Heritage Farm
- Visit Lavenderland in Richmond
- Van Dusen Gardens
- Abbotsford Agrifair
- Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
- Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
- UBC Farm
- Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
- Vancouver Aquarium
- Greater Vancouver Zoo
- Capilano Salmon Hatchery
- Bloedel Conservatory
- Mann Farms
Rainy days (or a break from the heat)
- The World of Kidtropolis
- Metropolis at Metrotown
- Granville Island Kids Market
- Adventure Zone
- Circus Play Café
- FlyOver Canada
- Science World
- 6Pack Indoor Beach
- APEX Adventure Plex
- Climb Base 5
- Castle Fun Park
- Brentwood Rec Room
- Central City Fun Park
Take a Hike
- Hike in Manning Park
- Brandywine Falls
- Gold Creek Falls >> Read more!
- Lighthouse Park >> Read more!
- Mystery Lake >> Read more
- Shannon Falls >> Read more
- Rolley Lake Campground >> Read More
- Stawamus Chief
Summer Getaways
- Nanaimo
- Tofino >> Read more
- Salt Spring Island
- Harrison Hot Springs
- Cultus Lake
- Whistler >> Read more
- Richmond >> Read more
- Osoyoos
- Kelowna
- Parksville
- Hornby Island
- Revelstoke
- Seattle, Washington
- Portland, Oregon
We can’t wait to see what fun things you are up to with your families this summer. Our hopes is that this list helps you create unforgettable memories with your family. Did you know you can bookmark this page so that you can visit it again? We update it every year. Make sure to tag us at #vancouvermom so we can share all your incredible summertime adventures! Did we miss your favourite spot? Let us know.
