Extend Your Summer in Vancouver

Not ready to say goodbye to summer just yet? There is still a buzz in the city, with some of the best activities of the season yet to come! From live performances to sporting events, there is something for everyone. Take a look and explore our Chef Concierge’s top picks for events and happenings before the summer comes to a close.

Bard on the Beach – Until September 19

This is Western Canada’s largest professional Shakespeare festival, held annually at Vanier Park in Vancouver. Founded in 1990, the festival features plays inside open-sided theatre tents, with scenic backdrops of English Bay and the city. This year, experience the Shakespeare classic Macbeth or a modern adaptation of The Merry Wives of Windsor, set in a fictional Vancouver suburb that is seriously obsessed with soccer.

RBC GranFondo Whistler – September 12

The RBC GranFondo Whistler is a mass-participation road cycling event that brings thousands of riders from around the world to the Sea to Sky corridor each year. The flagship route takes riders from Stanley Park in Vancouver to Whistler along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, with fully supported aid stations, traffic-controlled sections, and incredible mountain views along the way. The event weekend also includes family-friendly activities, celebrations in Whistler Village, and shorter and longer route options for riders looking for a different challenge.

Richmond Night Market – Until September 20

The Richmond Night Market is the largest Asian night market in North America. It features a 600-foot zipline that lets you soar above the action for a bird’s-eye view of the fun. Devour crab meat noodles, BBQ squid, ramen, Japanese poutine, Brazilian pastries, spare ribs, sushi, Afghan bolani, or even sausage in a waffle cone! The market features more than 200 food and retail stalls, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy, and that you leave very well fed.

Car Free Days on Main – September 13

Car Free Days of Summer has become a beloved tradition, celebrating the vibrant communities of Vancouver by transforming busy streets into lively, car-free zones. What started as a movement to promote sustainable living has grown into one of the city’s most anticipated events, attracting thousands of attendees each year. Spanning from 10th Avenue to 24th Avenue, this large street festival transforms Main Street into a pedestrian-only zone featuring live music stages, local artisans, food trucks, and family activities. The festival offers a unique opportunity for people to explore their neighbourhoods in a new way, free from the noise and congestion of traffic.

Grouse Mountain & Grouse Grind – Closed Mid-October

For the more adventurous among our guests, this is your last chance to tackle the famous Vancouver landmark, the Grouse Grind. This 2.9-kilometre (1.8-mile) steep hiking trail on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver is known as “Mother Nature’s StairMaster,” climbing 853 metres (2,800 feet) via 2,830 wooden and stone steps. If the climb is not for you, you can ride the gondola and experience some epic views on the way to the top! At the peak, ride the new Grouse Gravity Coaster, watch the famous Lumberjack Show, visit the resident grizzly bears, and take a scenic chairlift ride for panoramic views of the city.

Vancouver Flamenco Festival – September 19–27

The Vancouver International Flamenco Festival is a vibrant celebration of flamenco music, dance, and culture that has been a part of Vancouver’s arts scene for more than 35 years. Held on the iconic Granville Island, the festival brings together Canadian and international artists to showcase both traditional and contemporary flamenco. Audiences can experience passionate dance, rhythmic hand clapping, powerful vocals, and intricate guitar performances, as well as workshops and demonstrations for people of all ages and skill levels.

Simranpreet Anand: Living With The Eternal at the Polygon Gallery – Ending September 6

Visit one of our favourite contemporary public art galleries, located on the waterfront in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale. With a focus on photography, media art, and innovative visual practices, the gallery presents exhibitions by both Canadian and international artists. One such exhibition is Living With The Eternal by Simranpreet Anand, a body of work that weighs the spiritual significance of sacred materials against the costs and methods of their mass production. This exhibition will wrap up at the end of summer.

Shipyards Night Market – Until September 11

Running every Friday, this is a free weekly summer event in North Vancouver. The market features a range of food trucks, stalls with local artisans, a beer garden, and live music. It is easily accessed from the Wedgewood via the SeaBus from Waterfront Station.

If you would like more bespoke recommendations, please contact our Clefs d’Or Concierge, Melvin Ky, before your stay with us. Happy exploring!