If you’re looking to build a summer full of memories, you’ve come to the right place! Banish the boredom blues with our Summer Fun Bucket List. Some days you might be up for a big adventure, some days you might want to stay closer to home. We’ve compiled a list of the best events and activities around Metro Vancouver for any type of day. Bookmark this bucket list, jot down what activities you are most excited about, and see how many you can get through before school starts back up in September!
Central City Summer ArtJam
Drop into City Central from July 4-13 to participate in some FREE daily arts and crafts. Don’t miss a special Christmas in July event on July 13th where you can make holiday-themed crafts and get a special Summer Santa photo.
Learn more here.
Surrey Fusion Festival
Celebrate the vibrant tapestry of the world at the Surrey Fusion Festival! This FREE family-friendly festival, back for its 17th year, is the ultimate celebration of food, music, and culture, and takes place at Holland Park on July 20 & 21, 2024.
Learn more here.
Theatre Under the Stars
Theatre Under the Stars is a not-to-be-missed summer event. Each year, the incredible stage at Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl comes to life with toe-tapping musical delights. For 2024, the two shows are CATS and The School of Rock.
Learn more here.
Best Summer Festivals
Summertime is the perfect season for community gatherings and outdoor festivals, and there are plenty in Metro Vancouver between June and August! Whether they’re single-day or spread out over a week or weekend, they all have something in common: good food, great entertainment, and fun for the whole family!
For more information, click here.
Drop-in Park Pop-Ups
Going to a local park or one that’s new to you is great, but what makes it even better is when there is FREE drop-in programming available to enhance the experience! Each city is different, but most have volunteers who set up interactive equipment, bring fun toys to play with and lead games.
For more information, click here.
FREE Outdoor Movies
Pack your chairs, blankets, and oodles of snacks to enjoy a movie out under the stars! There are always new locations popping up, so check back often to see what’s been added.
For more information, click here.
FREE Outdoor Concerts
Summertime, outdoors, and live music…the combo is like a peanut butter and jam sandwich, they are meant to be together! In cities all across Metro Vancouver, outdoor summer concert series are offering up free (or nearly free) live performances throughout the summer. Mark your calendar, plan a picnic, and soak up the evening sun while listening to beautiful music.
For more information, click here.
Spray Parks
Don’t let the hot weather keep you indoors- head to one of the incredible splash pads and spray parks around Metro Vancouver! Don’t forget the sunscreen, a towel and a change of clothes!
For more information, click here.
Must-Visit Playgrounds
Pack a bag for the day and visit one of these popular playgrounds that are full of the ‘Wow’ factor. Swings, slides, and climbing walls abound at these great spots!
For more information, click here.
Mini Golf
Who doesn’t love a round of mini-golf? The kids love the whimsical courses and the parents get to feel like a giant-for-the-day. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of mini golf facilities in Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland.
For more information, click here.
Ice Cream Shops
Summer is the best time to try a variety of new flavours and new ice cream shops. When the weather is hot, there’s nothing better than an air-conditioned drive to a new location.
For more information, click here.
U-Pick Berry Picking
You know summer has arrived when the berry fields around Metro Vancouver open. You can take your kids out to the berry patches, teach them about how fruit ends up on our table, get them to help pick the berries (inevitably they will add both over and under-ripe berries into your bucket) and have a blast out in the fresh air getting a bit dirty! Or you can pack a picnic, visit the farm market, and grab a basket of freshly picked berries. Some places offer both options and some only pre-picked berries.
For more information, click here.
Summer Farmers Markets
Whether you’re looking to buy food for your next meal or just want to peruse the vendors, you are guaranteed to find something delightful at a Summer Farmers Market! Metro Vancouver has multiple in each city and they carry everything from locally grow food to handmade wares from local artisans.
For more information, click here
Book your spot at the utterly amazing, and fantastically priced Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience! For less than $40 for a family of four, you can enjoy a 25 m pool, 1 and 3 m diving boards, a hot tub, a leisure pool, a sauna, a steam room, a lazy river channel, a spray park, tidal pool, and THREE water slides!
Go bowling with your kids. Did you know that in the summer Kids Bowl Free at various lanes around Metro Vancouver? All you have to do is sign them up!
Soar about the forest floor when you visit the Greenheart TreeWalk at UBC Botanical Garden.
Catch a game! There are plenty of teams around Metro Vancouver that host special family events or have family-friendly ticket pricing. Check out the schedule of events for the Vancouver Canadians, BC Lions, or Bandits Basketball.
What do kids and adults love equally? Bouncy Castles. Kids burn off some energy bouncing around, and adults get to sit on the side and marvel at their unending energy levels. Check out Kerrisdale Play Palace this summer for some indoor bouncy castle fun!
Ride the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway in Cloverdale. The 55-minute ride will take you on a fun journey & teach you a bit of history.
Been there, done that?  Check our calendar to see exactly what’s happening each week in Metro Vancouver. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to see what’s coming up near you!
