Listen to the Ray Grover Show Fridays at 3:40pm and 5:40pm to find out What’s Up This Weekend in the Lower Mainland!
Spark Animation Festival
What: SPARK ANIMATION is Western Canada's largest celebration of animation, offering a dynamic mix of screenings, insightful Q&As, talks, and master classes led by industry experts. The festival also features community events and an Artist Alley, creating a space for creative professionals and fans to connect, learn, and be inspired by the best in global animation.
When: September 18-21
Where: Roundhouse Performance Theatre 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
More details: https://sparkcg.org/
Fire Dragon Festival
What: The event will bring the Chinatown community together past and present through celebration, cultural activities and performances, culinary exploration, and the appreciation of intangible heritage. Guests are invited to come see and touch the Fire Dragon, enjoy dragon dancing workshops, and witness an exciting Fire Dragon dance performance.
When: September 19-20
Where: Various locations in Chinatown, Vancouver
More details: https://www.firedragonfestival.com/
Taste of Abby
What: Taste of Abby is a multi-day celebration of Abbotsford’s rich agricultural roots and vibrant arts and cultural scene. The festivities kick off with the outdoor Night Market on Friday, September 19, where you can indulge in specialty culinary and libation offerings that highlight the best local flavours, all set to the soundtrack of the Fraser Valley’s top musicians. From unique farm-to-table dinners to exciting pop-up events and exclusive specialty experiences, Taste of Abby offers endless ways to savour the very best of Abbotsford.
When: September 19-29
Where: Various locations in Abbotsford
More details: https://tasteofabby.ca/
Shipyards Festival
What: Get ready to experience the best of live music, entertainment, and community spirit as the Shipyards Festival returns for an unforgettable FREE one-day event! Join us in Lower Lonsdale for a day filled with fun, excitement, and activities for all ages.
When: Saturday September 20, 12-9pm
Where: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
More details: https://theshipyardsdistrict.ca/shipyards-festival
Car Free Day North Vancouver – in conjunction with the Shipyards Festival
What: Get ready to experience the best of live music, entertainment, and community spirit as the Shipyards Festival returns for an unforgettable one-day event! Join us in The Shipyards District for a day filled with fun, excitement, and activities for all ages. Beyond the staple Shipyards Zone, new for this year is the CN Community Zone on 1st Street that extends the festival areas. The car-free CN Rail Community Zone features the Translink Car Free Days of Summer, on-street activations from local businesses along with even more live musical performances.
When: Saturday September 20. 12-8pm
Where: 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
More details: https://www.carfree.ca/city/north-van
Harvest Fair
What: Historic Stewart Farm and Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House invite you to connect with the land and each other. Join us for a vibrant day of connection, culture and community. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Elgin Heritage Park, the event is a heartfelt celebration of the land’s bounty and shared traditions that nourish us all.
When: Saturday September 20, 12-4pm
Where: 13723 Crescent rd, Surrey
More details: https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/events/harvest-fair-1
Vancouver Giants vs Penticton Vees
When: Saturday September 20, 7pm
Where: Langley Events Centre 7888 200th st, Langley
More details: www.vancouvergiants.com
Vancouver Rise vs. Ottawa Rapid FC
When: Saturday September 20, 1pm
Where: Swanguard Stadium 6100 Boundary rd, Burnaby
More details: https://www.vanrisefc.com/
Got Craft Bits and Bobs Samples and Seconds Sale
What: This is the place to shop craft materials, discontinued items, display goods, and stuff by some of your favourite makers! For one day only, attendees to the market can find some of the artists’ regular product line, but here, you will find crafty supplies, seconds (items with small blemishes, but still beautiful and functional!), one-off pieces that are no longer available, display items, small equipment, samples, seasonal items, etc. Browse 40+ stalls including a wide selection of art prints, paper goods, ceramics, jewellery, clothing, home wares, accessories, textiles, and more – all at fantastic prices.
When: Saturday September 20, 11am-4pm
Where: Heritage Hall 3102 Main st, Vancouver
More details: https://gotcraft.com/
Come Toward the Fire Festival
What: A two-day family-friendly festival celebrating Indigenous culture, creativity, and community presented by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam). All daytime programming is free and includes musical performances by Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island (North America), film screenings, dance groups, workshops, storytelling, food vendors, and an artisan market. Our aim is to amplify Indigenous voices and their diverse talents. All members of the general public are welcome to join in the festivities! Join us for our festival finale with Northern Cree and Tia Wood on Sunday night.
When: September 20-21
Where: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
More details: https://www.cometowardthefire.com/
Art’s 11th Annual Scarecrow Festival
What: Bring the whole family to explore over 60+ unique scarecrow scenes, from spooky classics to film favourites. Enjoy festive photo ops, a pop-up pumpkin patch, scavenger hunts, live music, and rotating food trucks every weekend.
When: September 20 – October 31
Where: Art’s Nursery 8940 192nd st, Surrey
More details: https://www.artsnursery.com/page/scarecrow-stroll
Vancouver FC vs. York United
When: Sunday September 21, 3pm
Where: Willoughby Community Park at the Langley Events Centre 7782 200th st, Langley
More details: https://www.canpl.ca/vancouverfc
Recurring:
Public Skate Night at Rollerland
What: Bring the whole family for an evening of music from every era, games, surprise guests and funky roller dancing. Boogie the night away on roller skates and show off your best retro outfit. Don't miss out on this blast from the past - see you on the rink!
When: Saturday evenings, 4-6pm all ages, 7-10pm 16+
Where: Rollerland PNE Fairgrounds 2901 East Hastings st, Vancouver
More details: https://www.rollaskateclub.com/events-vancouver
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
What: On the BMO main stage it’s a new production of Much Ado About Nothing packed with Shakespeare’s wittiest wordplay, romance, and intrigue. It will play in repertory with Shakespeare’s comedy of love and disguise, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, performed with a unique ‘80s twist. At the Douglas Campbell Theatre stage catch the madcap comedy The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]. This high-energy production offers a lightning-fast, wildly entertaining romp through all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets—in just 90 minutes! You can also see The Dark Lady. This powerful and imaginative new work offers a unique re-examination of Shakespeare through the lens of one of the most mysterious figures in literary history: the “Dark Lady” of his sonnets.
When: On now until September 20
Where: Vanier Park 110 Chestnut st, Vancouver
More details: https://bardonthebeach.org/
Junction Public Market
What: Pop in, chow down, drink up! Whether you’re visiting Vancouver or call the city home, we have a curated selection of eats, treats, drinks and shops – right on the waterfront.
When: Tuesday to Sunday, on now until September 28
Where: Granville Square 200 Granville st, Vancouver
More details: https://junctionpublicmarket.com/market-info/
Eastside Flea Vintage and Handmade Emporium
What: Catch our vintage & handmade emporium pop-up on Commercial Drive. Wall to wall finds with over 50 vintage, handmade & collector vendors set up in our 6,500sf venue right in the heart of Commercial Drive! Admission is free!
When: Wednesday to Sundays, On now until October 5, 12-6pm
Where: 1739 Venables st, Vancouver
More details: https://www.eastsideflea.com/
Arts Club Theatre presents: A Doll’s House
What: With happy children, a pristine house, and a husband secure in a lucrative job, beautiful Nora Helmer appears to have it all. But a secret is bubbling under the surface that threatens to alter her reality. Witness Amy Herzog’s captivating adaptation breathe new life into Ibsen’s timeless tale of one woman’s struggle for self-actualization in a world bound by tradition.
When: On now until October 5
Where: The Stanley Stage 2750 Granville st, Vancouver
More details: https://artsclub.com/shows/2025-2026/a-dolls-house
Richmond Night Market
What: We’re turning 25, and it’s all thanks to you! Richmond Night Market 2025 is celebrating a Summer of Love to give back and show our heartfelt appreciation for your support over the past 25 incredible years. Get ready for our most exciting and love-filled season yet! With 500+ global food options, 100+ retail booths, giant bouncy castles, live performances, and endless games, there’s excitement at every turn.
When: Weekends, on now until October 13
Where: 8351 River rd, Richmond
More details: https://richmondnightmarket.com
Value: Rebecca Belmore at the MOA
What: For more than four decades, Rebecca Belmore has been a force for change through her embodied artistic practice. Her work confronts the dominant narratives and social structures of colonialism, and implicates us all in her concern with the social realities of Indigenous experience of capital.
When: On now until October 19
Where: Museum of Anthropology 6393 NW Marine dr, Vancouver
More details: https://moa.ubc.ca/exhibition/value/
Burnaby Central Railway Miniature Train
What: A fabulous miniature railway, that tens of thousands of people get to enjoy every year. A unique park in North Burnaby that has become a favourite destination for families, children, seniors, and visitors from around the world. Where the delight of a young child, taking a train ride for the first or tenth time, is met with a smile by a crew member, who volunteers his or her time to make it all happen.
When: Weekends, 11am-5pm, on now until October
Where: 120 North Willingdon ave, Burnaby
More details: https://bcsme.org/
Nuxalk Strong: Dancing Down the Eyelashes of the Sun
What: In the world’s first-ever dedicated exhibition of the Nuxalk, co-curated by Snxakila–Clyde Tallio (Nuxalk Nation, Director of Culture and Language) and Jennifer Kramer (MOA Curator, Pacific Northwest), Nuxalk ways of knowing are being shared with the world. Nuxalk Strong brings together over 60 Nuxalk historic treasures drawn from the MOA collections, other museums, private and family collections.
When: On now until January 5, 2026
Where: Museum of Anthropology 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver
More details: https://moa.ubc.ca/exhibition/nuxalk-strong/
Kihl ‘Yahda Christian White: Master Haida Artist
What: This exhibition is the first major solo exhibition of Haida artist Kihl ‘Yahda, Christian White. Guest curated by Sdahl Ḵ'awaas, Lucy Bell, also of the Haida Nation, the exhibition features artworks that span the entirety of Christian’s 50-year career, as well as collaborative works from several of his apprentices.
When: On now until February 1, 2026
Where: Bill Reid Gallery 639 Hornby st, Vancouver
More details: https://www.billreidgallery.ca/blogs/exhibitions-page/kihl-yahda-christian-white-master-haida-artist
Farmers Markets:
Surrey Urban Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, on now until October 4, 10-3pm
Where: Royal Kwantlen Park 13035 104th ave, Surrey
More details: https://surreymarket.org/
Fort Langley Village Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, on now until December 6, 9am-3pm
Where: 9025 Glover rd, Fort Langley
More details: https://fortlangleyvillagefarmersmarket.org/
West End Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, on now until October 25, 9am – 2pm
Where: 1100 Comox st between Bute and Thurlow, Vancouver
More details: www.eatlocal.org
Trout Lake Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, on now until October 25, 9am-2pm
Where: North parking lot of John Hendry Park, Lakewood dr at 13th ave, Vancouver
More details: www.eatlocal.org
Riley Park Summer Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, on now until October 25, 10am – 2pm
Where: 50 East 30th ave at Ontario st, Vancouver
More details: www.eatlocal.org
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
When: Sundays, on now until October 26, 10am – 2pm
Where: Dude Chilling Park 8th ave at Guelph st, Vancouver
More details: www.eatlocal.org