Make the most of your summer and explore these community events in Vancouver
VANCOUVER — Discover the art, culture and natural beauty of Vancouver without breaking the bank. Vancouver Parks and Recreation has a full line up of events planned this summer, including festivals, concerts, movie nights, and charity runs and walks. Check out local craft vendors and breweries one day and enjoy a movie under the stars the next!
Make the most of your summer and explore these community events in Vancouver.
Party on the waterfront
Be sure to check out the only event happening at the new Vancouver Waterfront Park this year. The Summer Celebration on the Waterfront presented by iQ Credit Union is on Fri., July 5. Listen to local band, Top Shelf, perform under the bandstand from 6 to 8 p.m. Stick around and watch “Mary Poppins Returns” on the big screen at dusk.
Bring a picnic dinner, grab a bite at one of the top-notch waterfront restaurants, or enjoy on-site food trucks. It all happens at Waterfront Park, 695 Waterfront Way, at the east end of the park near the basalt seating.
Free concerts
Dance your summer afternoons or evenings away at one of Vancouver’s three summer concert series. Each concert is free, family friendly and a perfect opportunity to hear some of the Pacific Northwest’s most talented artists. Enjoy food from local vendors, or bring your own food (no alcohol permitted).
The Columbia Tech Center Sunday Sounds Concerts presented by Gaynors Automotive, hits the stage on Sundays at 6 p.m. There are performances each week from July 7 to Aug. 11, with bands like Hit Machine and Precious Byrd, featuring Grammy winning bassist, Lonnie Chapin. New this year, visit the beer and wine garden, benefitting the Vancouver Farmers Market. The concerts take place at the Columbia Tech Center Park, Southeast Sequoia Circle at Southeast Tech Center Drive in east Vancouver.
Enjoy some tunes on your lunch break at the Noon Rhythms Concerts presented by Hilton Vancouver. Running from July 10 to Aug. 14, you can add a little musical inspiration to your work week each Wednesday at noon with these concerts at Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St. in downtown Vancouver. Noon Rhythms offers an eclectic performance lineup that includes the Vancouver Pops Orchestra and the Caribbean flavor of Dina y los Rumberos. New this year, grab a bite to eat or pick up some local produce during the show at the Esther Short Farmers Market!
Summer is official with the start of Vancouver’s signature music event, the Riverview Community Bank Six to Sunset Concerts, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Esther Short Park is the place to be every Thursday at 6 p.m. with performances running from July 11 to Aug. 15. This year’s stellar schedule includes Stone in Love, Hit Factory featuring Patrick Lamb and Super Diamond, a nationally touring Neil Diamond tribute band endorsed by Neil himself. Raise a glass to summer fun at Pub in the Park, supporting Leadership Clark County.
Free movies
Start your weekend off right with the Vancouver Parks and Recreation free Summer Movie Series presented by HAPO Community Credit Union. Held at parks throughout Vancouver each Friday between July 12 and Aug. 16, all movies are family friendly and will be closed captioned. Show up at 7 p.m. to enjoy fun activities before the movie begins. The big screen comes to life at dusk with blockbusters like “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” “Bumblebee” and “Captain Marvel.”
Festivals
Summer is the season for festivals, fun runs, and cultural events in Vancouver! While some offer free admission, they all provide fantastic opportunities to connect with neighbors and celebrate the wide variety of interests that make our city such a fantastic place to live. The Recycled Arts Festival, held June 29 to 30, is popular for visitors of all ages. Experience something new when you attend cultural events like 4 Days of Aloha July 25 to 28, or the Fourth Plain Multicultural Festival Sept. 7.
Dog parks
Give your pup the best summer ever with Barks in the Parks from Vancouver Parks and Recreation! Barks in the Parks is a series of three pop-up, off-leash dog parks hosted in neighborhoods throughout Vancouver. Let your pooch enjoy time with new fur-ends as you connect with other dog lovers in your community.
- July 1-19 | Endeavour Park | 2701 N.E. Four Seasons Lane
- July 22-August 10 | Bagley Park | 4607 Plomondon St.
- August 12-27 | David Douglas Park | 1016 N. Garrison Road
Plan your summer
Seize the summer and save with Vancouver Parks and Recreation events! Just remember, while admission to all of the events highlighted here are free, consider setting aside some funds to purchase food, gifts and other locally made treats from the hundreds of local artists and vendors you’ll encounter this summer.
Connect with Vancouver Parks and Recreation on Facebook or visit www.cityofvancouver.us/events to plan your perfect summer in the Couve.
About Vancouver Parks and Recreation
Vancouver Parks and Recreation builds upon the City’s strong legacy of parks, natural areas and recreation dating back to the dedication of Esther Short Park in 1853. Each month, the Parks and Recreation Department provides hundreds of recreation opportunities for youth, adults, seniors and persons with disabilities at its two community centers. Parks and Recreation operates 1,600 acres of parkland at 113 sites, including 90 parks, 20 miles of trails and many natural areas for the City of Vancouver. The Parks and Recreation Department cultivates community in the City and beyond through on-going special events and volunteer programs that celebrate the City’s natural spaces.
Information provided by Vancouver Parks & Recreation.
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