Labour Day weekend: 30 things to do around Metro Vancouver on the last holiday of summer
Credit to Author: Julia Piper| Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2019 15:00:46 +0000
Put the back-to-school shopping aside, and get out and squeeze in every last bit of summer fun before the fall routine starts up. From festivals to outdoor movies, concerts to stage productions, our list of events happening around Metro Vancouver this Labour Day weekend has something for everyone.
The SuperDogs at the Fair at the PNE.
The Fair at the PNE
One of B.C.’s most beloved summer events and an annual tradition for thousands of families across the province. Showcasing a diverse entertainment lineup, internationally acclaimed musical performances, rides and attractions, this year’s Fair delivers another exciting showcase of new exhibits and top-tier entertainment. Highlight’s of this year’s Fair include Reveen: The Superconscious Experience, Knights of Valour, the SuperDogs and a new lineup for the Summer Night Concerts. • Renfrew and Hastings St., until Sept. 2 • Open 11 a.m. till late • pne.ca
Richmond World Festival
Features more than 90 artists on nine stages including headliners The Strumbellas and Bedouin Soundclash. Other highlights include Your Kontinent Digital Carnival, more than 50 food trucks in the FEASTival of Flavour, a Culinary Stage and Global Village, the Wide World of Sports, an Artisan Market, African Zone, Imagination World, the Bamboo Theatre and much more. • Minoru Park, Richmond • Aug. 30 and 31 • Free, richmondworldfestival.com
Paul Brandt is one of the headliners at the inaugural Summerset Music and Arts Festival.
Summerset Music & Arts Festival
The inaugural festival features both world-renowned and locally lauded artists including headliners Rival Sons, April Wine and Paul Brandt. Other highlights include engaging activities, inspiring art installations, a selection of some of B.C.’s finest craft beer, wines and ciders, and a wide array of food truck and local vendor options. • Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Ave. • Aug. 30 until Sept. 1, 4-10 p.m. • Tickets at ticketweb.ca, summersetfestival.ca
Nikkei Matsuri
Nikkei Matsuri is one of the largest Japanese festivals in Canada. It brings an authentic family-friendly Matsuri experience to Burnaby every summer. Hosted by the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, the two-day festival has something for everyone, and aims to showcase the pride of Japanese culture here in Canada. • Nikkei Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres., Burnaby • Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. • $4, nikkeimatsuri.nikkeiplace.org
Pioneer Days
Children are introduced to how life was in the 1920s. Discover the differences in a child’s lifestyle through fun, interactive games and activities. • Kilby Historic Site, 215 Kilby Rd., Harrison Mills • Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Regular admission applies, 604-796-9576, kilby.ca
Celebrate all things Taiwanese at this year’s TaiwanFest.
TaiwanFest
Celebrate all things Taiwanese at this free cultural festival. Enjoy lots of live music performances, culinary demonstrations, food and a whole lot more. • Downtown Vancouver: Granville Street and surrounding locations • Aug. 31 until Sept. 2, opens at 11 a.m. • Free admission, taiwanfest.ca/vancouver
8th annual Crescent Beach Concours d’Elegance
A showcase of unique and often quite rare cars and motorcycles. Proceeds from the event benefit the Children’s Hospital Foundation. • Blackie Spit, Crescent Beach, 3136 McBride Ave., Surrey • Aug. 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • $10, under 17/free • 604-765-7429, crescentbeachconcours.com
16th Annual Corn Festival
Enjoy a taste of Latin America in East Van and join the annual corn harvest fiesta! Celebrate the importance of corn to the peoples of Latin America and their efforts to protect the biodiversity of traditional corns. Try delicious Latin American food, and enjoy music and dancing. Presented by the Canada El Salvador Action Network. • Britannia Community Services Centre, Gym D, 1661 Napier St. • Sept. 1, noon-5 p.m. • Free, britanniacentre.org
Take a ride on the carousel at Burnaby Village Museum’s Labour Day Fair.
Burnaby Village Museum: Labour Day Fair
Join us for the last day of the summer season at the Burnaby Village Museum. Free admission and fun for the whole family. Carousel rides are $2.65 each. • Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby • Sept. 2, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. • burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Chilliwack Sunflower Festival
All sorts of festival fun, including numerous photo ops and props, food trucks, train rides, a field of dahlias, a special show garden, and of course, gorgeous sunflowers as far as the eye can see. • 41310 Yale Rd., Chilliwack • Open daily until Sept. 15 • chilliwacksunflowerfest.com
Enjoy acres of sunflowers at the Richmond and Chilliwack Sunflower Festivals.
Richmond Sunflower Festival
Richmond’s newest festival is a celebration of vibrant colour for all sunflower (and dahlia) fans. Enjoy eight acres of pretty petals, including more than 20 different varieties of sunflowers and dahlias. This family-friendly happening also includes ice cream vendors and weekend food trucks, plus tractor rides, miniature trains and fresh-cut flower stand. • Richmond Country Farms, 12900 Steveston Hwy., Richmond • Open until Sept. 15, ticketed time slots from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily • $8/$15, richmondsunflowerfest.com/
Movies in the Park – A Dog’s Way Home
Join us for a free outdoor film on the big screen in Douglas Park. Film summary: As a puppy, Bella finds her way into the arms of Lucas, a young man who gives her a good home. When Bella becomes separated from Lucas, she soon finds herself on an epic 400-mile journey to reunite with her beloved owner. • Douglas Park, 20550 Douglas Cres., Langley • Aug. 30, 8 p.m. • Free, 604-514-2940, city.langley.bc.ca
Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy an outdoor movie.
Reel 2 Real’s Free Outdoor Summer Film Series: Heidi
Join us on the last evening of the summer film series for a free outdoor screening of Heidi — a 2015 Swiss family film directed by Alain Gsponer, based on the classic children’s novel of the same name by Johanna Spyri. The screening will be preceded by free animation workshops at Performance Works, from 6 to 9 p.m. • Ron Basford Park, 1218 Cartwright St., Granville Island • Aug. 30 • Free, r2rfestival.org
Summer Cinema Series: Port Moody
Beginning after sunset on the main lawn, the Summer Cinema Series will include food trucks, local businesses and vendors and of course … free popcorn! The Labour Day weekend movie will be Captain Marvel. • Rocky Point Park, 2800 Murray St., Port Moody • Aug. 31, 5 p.m. • Free admission, portmoody.ca
Vancouver Whitecaps
Dress in blue and white and head down to B.C. Place to cheer on our Whitecaps as they take on New York City FC. • Aug. 31, 7 p.m. • From $29, ticketmaster.ca
Head to B.C. Place and cheer on the Whitecaps.
2019 WBSC Americas Softball Olympic Qualifier
World-class athletes will be fighting for two spots at the 2020 Games in Tokyo and Olympic glory. • Softball City, 2201 148th St., Surrey • Until Sept. 1 • americassoftballqualifier.com
UBC Thunderbirds Football vs Regina Cougars
The UBC Thunderbirds football team will take on the Regina Cougars in this home game. Go Thunderbirds! • Thunderbird Stadium, UBC • Aug. 31, 7 p.m. • $10/$5, ticketmaster.ca
Shipyards Night Market
Experience 30+ food trucks, two bands, 100+ local artisans and a totally awesome beer garden. • Shipyards District, 138 Victory Ship Way, North Van • Fridays until Sept. 27, 5-10 p.m. • Free admission, northshoregreenmarkets.com
Vendors and kiosks at the Richmond Night Market.
Richmond Night Market
Reminiscent of the all-night shopping extravaganzas seen across Asia, this food and retail experience features a cross-section of cultures and cuisine from more than 100 food stalls and 200 retail vendors. • 8351 River Rd., Richmond • Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays until Oct. 13, doors 7 p.m. • $4.25, richmondnightmarket.com
Kerrisdale Antiques Fair
Features more than 65 specialty vendors with over 250 tables of antique, vintage and retro decor and collectibles all under one roof. • Kerrisdale Arena, 5670 East Boulevard • Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • $8/adult, under 13/free, 21cpromotions.com
Summer Night Concerts at the PNE
There’s great music every night at the PNE Fair. Don’t miss out! • Aug. 30: Hammer’s House Party — MC Hammer with guest Bobby Brown | Aug. 31: Billy Idol | Sept. 1: The Beach Boys | Sept. 2: TLC – 25th Anniversary Tour • PNE Amphitheatre, 8:30 p.m. • Free with gate admission, reserved seating is available starting at $25 at ticketleader.ca, pne.ca/summer-night-concerts
Billy Idol performs on Aug. 31 as part of the PNE’s Summer Nights Concert Series.
Maya Rae
Maya Rae is one of Canada’s Top 35 Jazz Artists Under 35 (CBC), and has headlined the Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton and Calgary Jazz Festivals, as well as Canadian Music Week in 2018. • Frankie’s Jazz Club, 755 Beatty St. • Aug. 30 and 31, 8 p.m. • $17.50, coastaljazz.ca
Quantic Solo Live: Atlantic Oscillations Tour
British-born musician, producer and DJ tours to support his latest release, Atlantic Oscillations (out June 21). • Rickshaw Theatre, 254 East Hastings St. • Aug. 30, 9 p.m. • $25, ticketweb.ca
Music at the Cannery
This wildly popular summer concert series wraps up another great season of toe-tapping shows. The final show features a performance by illiteratty, a Vancouver-based folk band. • Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, 12138 Fourth Ave., Richmond • Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m. • $7/$5, gulfofgeorgiacannery.org
Harrison Hot Springs: Bands on the Beach
Bring your lawn chairs and get ready to rock the end of summer with two days of great entertainment, including everything from bluegrass to indie to new country. • Harrison Hot Springs • Aug. 31, 1-6 p.m. • Free, facebook.com
Hayes Carll. Texas outlaw country singer-songwriter.
Hayes Carll
A native of The Woodlands, Texas, this singer-songwriter’s style of roots-oriented songwriting has been noted for its plainspoken poetry and sarcastic humour. • Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St. • Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m. • $24.50, eventbrite.ca
Mark Farina – All Night Long
DJ and musician is known for his Chicago house, acid jazz and downtempo works. • The Imperial, 319 Main St. • Aug. 31, doors 9 p.m. • $35, eventbrite.ca
Summer Sundays: Rocky Point Park
The Hitsville USA Band presents The Motown Show. Experience this hard-driving revue that captures the soulful sounds of the Motown artists who transformed rhythm and blues music. • Rocky Point Park, 2800 Murray St., Port Moody • Sept. 1, 2 p.m. • Free, summersundays.ca
Bard on the Beach
This annual celebration of the Bard is back, celebrating 30 years with productions on two stages, plus a host of special events. This year’s shows include: The Taming of the Shrew (until Sept. 21), Shakespeare in Love (until Sept. 18), and Coriolanus (held over until Sept. 21). • Bard Village, Vanier Park • Prices vary, 604-739-0559, bardonthebeach.org
The cast of Bard on the Beach’s The Taming of the Shrew, which runs until Sept. 21 at Vanier Park.
BoylesqueTO: Oh Manada!
BoylesqueTO, Canada’s premiere all-male burlesque troupe, will perform its signature show Oh Manda! In this cheeky cabaret revue, the boys will strip down all of your favourite Canadian icons. • Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway • Aug. 31, 9 p.m. • $25/$30, riotheatre.ca
Teatro Intimo del Flamenco
Karen Flamenco brings the glamour and extravagance of a large flamenco dance production onto a small theatrical stage. The one-hour production welcomes audiences of all ages with live traditional flamenco music, dance, storylines, puppetry and magic. • Improv Theatre, 1502 Duranleau St., Granville Island • Aug. 31, 3 p.m. • $12, teatrointimodelflamenco.com