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<\/p>\nAbi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 19, 2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy: Vancouver Page<\/p>\n
Metro Vancouver is heading into one of the busiest stretches of the summer calendar.<\/p>\n
The PNE Fair returns this weekend, waterfront festivals are filling up the region, and night markets are keeping the crowds out well after sunset.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Add live music, dragon boats, food festivals, car shows and even mud wrestling, and there is plenty competing for attention from Aug. 17 to 23.<\/p>\n
So if you are looking for a major summer attraction or something a little more offbeat, here are 27 events happening across Metro Vancouver this week.<\/p>\n
The PNE takes centre stage<\/p>\n
One of Vancouver\u2019s biggest summer traditions is back as the PNE Fair 2026 opens on Aug. 22, bringing rides, food, entertainment and fairground favourites back to Hastings Park.<\/p>\n
The opening weekend also marks the start of the PNE Summer Night Concerts on Aug. 22, giving fairgoers another reason to stay into the evening.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in Vancouver, comedian Ali Wong takes the stage on Aug. 22, while Spaghetti Disco offers a different kind of Saturday-night outing.<\/p>\n
Festivals fill the waterfront<\/p>\n
Several of the week\u2019s biggest events are happening close to the water.<\/p>\n
The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Regatta takes place on Aug. 22, while the Vancouver Water Lantern Festival runs Aug. 22 and 23.<\/p>\n
In New Westminster, the Hyack Summer Music & Fireworks Festival is set for Aug. 22, combining live entertainment with a fireworks display.<\/p>\n
The Richmond Maritime Festival also returns Aug. 22 and 23, celebrating the city\u2019s waterfront history and maritime culture.<\/p>\n
Food and culture take over the weekend<\/p>\n
Metro Vancouver\u2019s cultural calendar is equally busy.<\/p>\n
The Afro Caribbean Summerfest runs Aug. 22 and 23, followed by the Indonesia Festival on Aug. 23.<\/p>\n
Food lovers can also catch the final days of the Surrey Greek Food Festival, which continues through Aug. 23.<\/p>\n
For those looking for a farm-to-table experience, the Metro Vancouver Feast of Fields takes place on Aug. 23.<\/p>\n
The Vegan Night Market returns on Aug. 20, while the Shipyards Night Market takes over North Vancouver on Aug. 21.<\/p>\n
Richmond\u2019s long-running Richmond Night Market is also open from Aug. 21 to 23.<\/p>\n
Cars, dogs and something a little dirtier<\/p>\n
Car enthusiasts have two major events to choose from this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Cruise the Shore Car Show runs Aug. 22 and 23, while the Fort Langley Car Show takes place on Aug. 23.<\/p>\n
Dog owners can head to Pet-A-Palooza: Day of the Dog on Aug. 23 for a celebration centred on four-legged visitors and fur babies.<\/p>\n
And for anyone looking for one of the more unusual events on the calendar, The Big Dirty Mud Wrestling takes place on Aug. 22.<\/p>\n
Summer favorites are still going strong<\/p>\n
Some of Metro Vancouver\u2019s established summer traditions are entering their final stretch.<\/p>\n
Theatre Under the Stars continues through Aug. 22, while Kitsilano Showboat wraps up its season on Aug. 23.<\/p>\n
Bard on the Beach remains ongoing, giving theatre fans another outdoor option.<\/p>\n
The Vancouver Outdoor Salsa Festival takes place on Aug. 22, while White Rock Concerts at the Pier brings live music to the waterfront on Aug. 20.<\/p>\n
Visitors looking for a more scenic outing can also catch The Magic of Sunflowers, running Aug. 21 to 23.<\/p>\n
Markets and neighborhood gatherings<\/p>\n
For a more casual outing, several neighborhood markets and public spaces are worth adding to the week\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n
Junction Public Market runs from Aug. 18 to 23, while Gastown Sunday Set closes out the week on Aug. 23.<\/p>\n
Together with Vancouver\u2019s night markets and outdoor festivals, they add another layer to a week already packed with reasons to get outside.<\/p>\n
Your Metro Vancouver event checklist<\/p>\n
Here are all 27 events at a glance:<\/p>\n
PNE Fair 2026
Starts Aug. 22
\nPNE Summer Night Concerts
Starts Aug. 22
\nConcord Pacific Dragon Boat Regatta
Aug. 22
\nVancouver Water Lantern Festival
Aug. 22\u201323
\nHyack Summer Music & Fireworks Festival
Aug. 22
\nAli Wong Live
Aug. 22
\nSpaghetti Disco
Aug. 22
\nAfro Caribbean Summerfest
Aug. 22\u201323
\nIndonesia Festival
Aug. 23
\nRichmond Maritime Festival
Aug. 22\u201323
\nMetro Vancouver Feast of Fields
Aug. 23
\nPet-A-Palooza: Day of the Dog
Aug. 23
\nCruise the Shore Car Show
Aug. 22\u201323
\nFort Langley Car Show
Aug. 23
\nThe Big Dirty Mud Wrestling
Aug. 22
\nThe Magic of Sunflowers
Aug. 21\u201323
\nSurrey Greek Food Festival
Until Aug. 23
\nTheatre Under the Stars
Until Aug. 22
\nBard on the Beach
Ongoing
\nKitsilano Showboat
Until Aug. 23
\nVancouver Outdoor Salsa Festival
Aug. 22
\nWhite Rock Concerts at the Pier
Aug. 20
\nVegan Night Market
Aug. 20
\nShipyards Night Market
Aug. 21
\nRichmond Night Market
Aug. 21\u201323
\nJunction Public Market
Aug. 18\u201323
\nGastown Sunday Set
Aug. 23<\/p>\n
From Richmond and New Westminster to Fort Langley, Surrey and downtown Vancouver, the final weeks of August are giving Metro Vancouver plenty of reasons to stay out.<\/p>\n