10 Things to Do in Vancouver in Summer

Vancouver is one of the best cities to spend the summer, as you can do outdoor activities while enjoying the sea breeze in your face. Temperatures range from 13-22 degrees Celsius, with long, sunny days and little chance of rain. You can start your holiday by exploring the night markets, where you can enjoy a gastronomic experience or go in search of delicious wine at the local wineries.

The beaches also offer family-friendly activities, and there are plenty of open spaces such as Vancouver's Chinese Garden. Additionally, Pride Week takes place during this season, with entertaining activities such as parades, evening parties, picnics in the parks and more. Among the best things to do in Vancouver this season are the summer festivals, the Carnival of the Sun and the final days of the Otello Tunnels season.

Night markets are a summer tradition in Vancouver, so don't miss them. They're a great way to escape the hot and humid days, where you can enjoy street food, refreshing beers and entertainment shows. Most of them offer free access, here are the best options:

• Richmond Night Market: This is an annual market, available on weekends from June to September. It's a great option if you're looking for things to do in Vancouver at night. You can enjoy a fair with food stalls and roller coasters, and I recommend trying the butterbeer and Asian specialties.
• Fort Langley Night Market: At this farmers' market, you'll find seasonal produce and crafts. The area also hosts open-air movie nights, which are definitely not to be missed. It's available on Fridays during the summer in the town of Langley, forty minutes from downtown Vancouver.
• North Vancouver Shipyard Night Market: Vancouver's North Vancouver Shipyard Night Market is notable for having an outdoor beer garden where you can cool off and have a good time. You can visit every Friday from May to September, in Shipbuilders' Square.
• Granville Island Market: This is a must-see location and a must-see attraction on the island. You can sign up for a guided tour of Granville Island Market to see the brewery and sample local food at the food stalls.

For an unforgettable summer in Vancouver, there's nothing better than soaking up the sun's rays on the local beaches. Between June and August, the pleasant temperatures favour water sports and activities in the bays. There are plenty of options for cooling off in the city, so pack your sunscreen and swimming costume.

Take a bike ride along Vancouver's waterfront while soaking up the sun's rays. Before visiting the beaches, be aware that campfires and alcohol consumption are prohibited, although special areas are designated in the summer where they are permitted. To help you plan your itinerary, here are some of the best beaches in town:

• Kitsilano Beach: Known as Canada's Hollywood, due to its resemblance to the California coastline. You'll find volleyball and tennis courts, where you can spend the day playing by the sea. There are also green areas and areas for the little ones, ideal if you are looking for things to do in Vancouver with children.
• Spanish Banks Beach: This is an uncrowded beach, ideal for waterside skim boarding. In the area you will find picnic tables and playgrounds.
• English Bay: is a bay where you can have a great time, sliding down the concrete skating rinks, playing beach volleyball, taking a bike ride or enjoying the nice weather by the beach.

Vancouver's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a paradise that will transport you to the Asian continent. It offers tranquil paths, koi fish ponds and mythical pagodas. I recommend a visit during the summer, as there are classical and Asian music shows on Fridays from June to September. During your visit you can see exhibitions of Chinese culture, as well as learn about the history of the garden.

Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and even cool off with a jasmine tea. Note that it's a local landmark, having been in Vancouver since 1986, as a tribute to Chinese culture. You can buy tickets from 10 euros per person to indulge your senses with this outdoor experience.

British Columbia is a wine-producing region par excellence, where you can indulge in a tasting of local wines. Wine tourism is one of the most interesting activities in Vancouver during the summer, as the weather conditions favour the harvesting of a variety of grapes with different flavours. To start your wine tour I recommend you to opt for:

• La Fabrique Winery: an urban winery located near the Gastown district, where you can get to know the facilities where the wines are produced. You will find natural wines, which stand out for their fresh taste, due to the absence of sulphur.
• Vancouver Urban Winery: a winery that uses grapes from the best vineyards in the region, so they have an exceptional wine list.
• Vancouver Urban Winery: a farm located 45 minutes from Vancouver, in Langley. It offers wine tastings, corn mazes, carriage rides and a vineyard where they process grapes into spirits and berry pies.

However, if you're looking to go out for drinks, another option is to opt for one of Vancouver' s best tours and excursions that include food tours of Gastown, a neighbourhood with a historic heritage, as it's the oldest in the city. It's famous for its wine experiences, which are accompanied by delicious food. You can also sample craft beers, Japanese food, organic ice cream, cheesecake and traditional Canadian waffles.

Pride Week, or Pride Parade and Festival, is an annual event that takes place in Vancouver between July and August. It brings together a variety of activities that reinforce support for LGBTQ rights in the city. Thousands of people walk the streets decorated in rainbow colours. It's worth attending, as the festive atmosphere is very friendly, with yoga and spinning classes by the sea, evening parties and more.

It's been going on since 1973 and features one of the largest Pride parades in North America. During the walk, you can explore the streets of Vancouver, taking in the community performances. You'll also enjoy outdoor beer gardens, an arts and crafts market, colourful costume shows, a picnic in local parks, evening events and more. Most activities are completely free. If you're looking for things to do in Vancouver in winter, be aware that the community also offers a similar event in the colder months, known as the Vancouver Winter Pride Festival.

Summer festivals are one of Vancouver's most anticipated activities, bringing music, food, refreshing beers and cultural entertainment to the city. Without a doubt, they're the perfect excuse to take advantage of the warm weather, meet people, get outdoors and have the best summer holiday of your life.

Move to the rhythm of electronic music at Shambhala Music Festival

If you like electronic music, you can enjoy the Shambhala Music Festival in Vancouver in the summer. It's an annual, world-famous event. It's been held in the city since 1996, with themed sections representing the genre varying each year. Unfortunately, tickets sell out months in advance, so to enjoy the shows it's important to buy in advance.

In addition to the music, you can enjoy an immersive and interactive experience, with performances that include special effects. You'll also find local food stalls at the festival market, yoga classes, an art gallery and a souvenir shop. A wedding chapel is also on offer, so participants can experience the wedding of their dreams to the rhythm of electronica.

Join the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and Vancouver Jazz Festival

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is an annual summer event held on Jericho Beach. It's the perfect place to gather to share musical culture, while enjoying traditional dances and food from the region. The main genres include pop, hip hop, Celtic, blues and rock. Note that it's held outdoors and tickets are sold online a couple of months in advance.

The Vancouver Jazz Festival, on the other hand, is a summer tradition that has been held in the city since 1980. It usually takes place from June to July and offers fun activities such as free concerts, art exhibits, open house events at restaurants and late-night pubs, among others. David Lam Park usually hosts the most epic entertainment shows of the festival, as people bring their own blankets and enjoy the performances in the sunshine. Please note that some events require tickets, more information can be found on the official website.

Join the Dragon Boat Festival

In June you can enjoy the Dragon Boat Festival, a Chinese celebration known worldwide, as it revolves around the summer solstice. Specifically, it takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar. You can join the competition in the waters of False Creek, or simply remain a spectator of this fun race.

You can find a great view from some of Vancouver's vantage points, or you can get up close to the opening ceremony with free concerts, outdoor beer gardens, barbecues, family zones and a flea market. Note that some activities are free and are often combined with other local events, such as the Pinoy Festival: which commemorates Filipino culture in Metro Vancouver with food, live music and art galleries.

Vancouver's Carnaval del Sol is a Latin American festival held in July, with a variety of activities for the whole family. Typically, there are football tournaments, art workshops, tango and flamenco performances, free wine tastings, open-air movie nights and cruise ship parties to take advantage of the balmy summer temperatures. In addition, you'll find food stalls, craft markets, outdoor beer gardens, children's zones and family areas.

Please note that you can find tickets from 25 euros, plus tickets at the door are more expensive, so I recommend you buy them online. The event also has VIP passes, family tickets and special offers for children and seniors. In addition, the first 300 people to arrive at the opening location can get in for free.

Canada Day is celebrated every July 1st and offers a varied programme of activities in Vancouver. It's one of the best things to do in the city as it commemorates the country's independence and the events kick off with the Canada Day Parade. It's an enjoyable walk, where you can enjoy themed floats, marching bands and the accompaniment of vintage cars. There are usually mini children's events and food stalls.

In addition, you can't miss the fireworks show at night, which can be seen in different parts of the city such as White Rock, Castle Park, Imperial Landing, Central Park, among others. I don't recommend going to Kitsilano Beach or English Bay, as you won't be able to see the fireworks displays. On the other hand, it's the perfect day to tour Vancouver to take advantage of free events, scavenger hunts and dining experiences.

English Bay is an iconic site for the summer's Honda Celebration of Light. This summer festival showcases the culture of three different countries each year. It is usually held over a weekend, where people can sit on picnic blankets and folding chairs to enjoy the pyrotechnic displays. In addition, free concerts accompany the festive atmosphere, as well as food stalls.

Other less crowded places to watch the fireworks include Concord Pacific and Inukshuk Point. You can also rent a boat or book a cruise to watch the show from the water. It's a family event, ideal if you're looking for things to do in Vancouver with kids, as there are children's activities. You can also look forward to aerial displays, such as acrobatics flying over the bay.

If you want to do something different and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, don't miss the Othello Tunnels. These are five old railway bridges, located about an hour and a half from Vancouver. They span the Coquihalla River and are well worth a visit before the end of summer, as they're only available from May to October. Note that it is part of the Coquihalla Gorge, a 1900's trail that was restored a few years ago.

It has an interesting history, which you can learn about as you take in the sounds of nature, the cool current of the creek and hike through the nearby forest. Rock slides can occur in summer, although this is unusual. For safety's sake, it is best to opt for Vancouver's best tours and excursions and visit the area with a guide. Additionally, it is not recommended to jump, ride a bike or make noise, as this promotes rock movement at high altitudes. Instead, it is ideal for enjoying camping or appreciating the surrounding fauna and flora.