Wednesday, May 27, 2026
ADVT 
Life

Five Family-Friendly Free Summer Activities

By Tarana Rana, 14 Jul, 2017 12:47 PM

    Enjoy these free classic summer events in Vancouver with your family

     
    Summer is arguably Vancouver’s best season. Besides the plethora of outdoor activities, the entire city comes alive with festivals, community events, and much more. Here are the top five family-friendly events to check out this summer season.
     
     

    Summer Cinema at Stanley Park      

     
    Grab a blanket, some snacks, and head down with the family to Stanley Park for a free, outdoor movie screening this summer. 
     
    Every Tuesday evening from July 4th onwards, a series of free movies are shown each week right up until August. The movies are screened on the lawn by Second Beach, and start at dusk. 
    Visit freshaircinema.ca/summercinema for the movie schedule. 
     
     
     

    PNE Free Admission Days       

     
    PNE is a Vancouver summer staple – especially if you’ve got kids. On Tuesday, August 22 and 29, there is free gate admission for all ages between 11 am and 1 pm.
     
    Head out early and make a day of it – with games, displays, rides, and attractions – there is something for everyone at the fair! Free days are always popular, so be sure to head out early to beat the crowds. 
     
     

    Star Gazing at Gordon MacMillian Southam Observatory        

     
    On a clear summery night, stop by the Observatory for an up close and personal view of the night sky. The observatory has a 1/2 metre Cassegrain telescope with which you can try and spot planets, star clusters, and moons.
     
    Plus, every Saturday night from 8 pm onwards, admission is by donation. 
     
     
     

    TD Concerts at the Pier       

     
    Soak up some songs and sun with the family at White Rock’s 3rd annual TD Concerts at the Pier. This summer concert series runs through July and August at the iconic White Rock pier.
     
    This free event will have live performances from American and Canadian artists, including local talent from White Rock. The series start on July 6, with a grand finale on August 19. For the full lineup of artists and dates, visit whiterockbia.com 
     
     

    Port Moody RibFest      

     
    Nothing says summer like a good barbeque! From July 21-23, head down to Rocky Point Park in Port Moody for the Rotary Club’s 3rd Annual RibFest.
     
    This event is on from 11 am to 9 pm and features three jam-packed days full of music, and a host of kid-friendly activities like face painting and climbing walls, to name a few. Not to mention more barbeque than you can possibly imagine. Visit portmoodyribfest.ca for more details. 

    MORE Life ARTICLES

    Have a sense of purpose for longer life

    Have a sense of purpose for longer life
    We know that happiness is associated with a lower risk of death. New research shows that the meaningfulness and sense of purpose that older people...

    Have a sense of purpose for longer life

    Why students form close-knit groups in schools

    Why students form close-knit groups in schools
      It is a mixture of freedom and uncertainty that prompts students to cluster by race, gender, age, and social status in schools, a study shows....

    Why students form close-knit groups in schools

    Guess Who's Coming To Work? Mom & Dad Step Into The Cubicle On Bring In Your Parents Day

    Guess Who's Coming To Work? Mom & Dad Step Into The Cubicle On Bring In Your Parents Day
    Seta Whitford-Stark was dumbfounded last year when she found out her daughter Amy quit her job at an employee-recruiting agency to work for LinkedIn, an Internet company that Seta had never heard of. Amy tried to explain what the online professional networking service did, but Seta couldn't quite grasp the concept or why the 29-year-old would want to work there.

    Guess Who's Coming To Work? Mom & Dad Step Into The Cubicle On Bring In Your Parents Day

    Women have a much stronger sense of smell than men

    Women have a much stronger sense of smell than men
    Researchers have found biological evidence in the brains of men and women that may explain the olfactory difference between genders....

    Women have a much stronger sense of smell than men

    Gaming violence not linked to societal violence

    Gaming violence not linked to societal violence
    Contrary to popular beliefs, a study has uncovered that increasing consumption of violent video games and movies is not linked to rise in societal violence....

    Gaming violence not linked to societal violence

    Even A Newborn Can Post A Selfie

    Even A Newborn Can Post A Selfie
    Called The New Born Fame, the stuffed toy looks like a mobile dangling over a baby's crib but it lets the newborn post pictures and videos online.

    Even A Newborn Can Post A Selfie