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9 Family-Friendly Summer Festivals in Vancouver
Every summer has a story, so make yours about festivals. Our city shines this time of year, so we found nine festivals that you need to experience to complete your summer fairytale.
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Richmond Night Market
Give your kitchen a rest and take your family to the Richmond Night Market instead. A Vancouver tradition that runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, it's a great place to sample pork sui mai or Osaka balls and watch entertainers. We love that this night market is a short walk from Canada Line's Bridgeport Station.
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Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Summer means it's time to face the music. This festival brings 1800 performers and 300 shows to various spots around Vancouver, and many are free of charge. Acts performing at David Lam Park are perfect for experiencing the vibrations of live music without the obligation of staying if your child is not feeling the love. Ones to watch are Delhi 2 Dublin at David Lam Park or Ester Rada on the Georgia Stage.
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Food Cart Fest
As many as 20 trucks gather every Sunday from 12 to 6 pm for the second annual Food Cart Fest near Olympic Village and Cambie Bridge. With a selection of diverse cuisines, even the pickiest eater will be asking for seconds. There's also live music as well as free face painting and a bouncy castle for kids. There's a $2.50 admission charge, but it's waived if you bring a non-perishable food donation or are a Vancity member.
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Summer Cinema Series in Stanley Park
On a warm summer evening, everything is better outdoors, especially the movies. So take advantage of our long summer nights at the Summer Cinema Series in Stanley Park. Movies are screened on a giant blow-up movie screen at Ceperley Meadow, Second Beach, and the schedule is full of favourites like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. And you can't beat the cost—it's free. This series is popular, so consider arriving at least an hour or two early to get a prime spot. And while Vancouverites like to boast about the lack of mosquitos in our city, the insects seem to love Stanley Park, so bring bug spray.
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Theatre Under the Stars
This year's lineup includes Oliver!, and Hairspray, perfect for the littlest boys and girls in our lives. Bring blankets and settle in for a magical night of live theatre in Stanley Park's natural amphitheatre.
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Vancouver Folk Music Festival
The festival's beach-front site in Jericho Beach Park makes this the perfect summer family outing. Amazing artists, including Natalie Maines (formerly of the Dixie Chicks), Kathleen Edwards and BC's own Hannah Georgas, from over a dozen different countries will gather together in the park for three days of great music, dancing and community. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Bring blankets and food and plan to groove awhile.
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Honda Celebration of Light
Let your pyromaniacs sleep extra long in order to witness this spectacle. This fireworks display attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators with its elegant fusion of music and explosions, what's not to like? English Bay can be nuts on firework nights, but there are plenty of optimal viewing points away from the fray: try the Dundarave Pier, Kitsilano Beach, or the Burrard Street bridge for free alternatives.
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Harmony Arts Festival
This annual celebration of music, performance, cinema, visual and culinary arts is a feast for all the senses. Situated on West Vancouver's waterfront between 14th and 16th Streets, revelers can meander through the stalls of artisans, appreciate the outdoor art galleries, enjoy magical performances in the park, all while munching on freshly popped kettle corn. The Artsy Kids Outdoor Studio is offering paid workshops on everything from felting and paper making to fine art and animation. Admission is free.
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TD Vancouver Chinatown Festival
Held in Vancouver's historic Chinatown, at Columbia and Keefer Streets, this festival draws crowds from all over the city. Children will love the face painting, family friendly performances and balloon art. Games like dragon toss and card matching will keep them entertained, and the adorable mascot, Van Van, is around to give away lots of hugs.