10 Types of Events to get you Outside this Summer (and most are free!)

I’ve been having a lot of fun this summer getting out to enjoy free events around various towns and cities we’ve been visiting. Summer is a great season for free outdoor events. So, in an effort to keep the “I’m bored” thoughts at bay, I’m sharing some different types of events that will help get you outside this summer.

1. Sandcastle Competitions

Sandcastle competitions are such a great reason to get outside and have a beach day. It’s also a fascinating art form that only seems to happen one season a year. While entering the competitions might come with a fee, it’s free to wander around and have a look!

There are a few sandcastle competitions close to our area:

Parksville Beach Festival in Parksville, BC

Peach Fest in Penticton, BC

Sand Sculpture Competition in Birch Bay, WA

2. Car Shows

While gas-fueled cars don’t really scream sustainability, I do have a fascination with vintage cars. Car shows are a great way to get outside and see a piece of transportation history. These are great free events to wander around, enter some contests or play games, and have some interesting conversations with the car owners.

Some car shows in our area are:

PoCo Car Show in Port Coquitlam, BC

Langley Cruise In in Langley, BC

3. Music Festivals and Events

Music outdoors is quintessential summer in my mind. And there are always many free concerts and music festivals around our area. These are great ways to not only get outside, but also to experience some new music you might not always listen to. One of my favourite concert memories of late was from the Vancouver Jazz Festival where I was blown away by a band I had never heard of before. You just never know what you’ll discover at these free concerts.

Some places to look for free music events local to us are:

Fort Langley Jazz Festival in Fort Langley, BC

Vancouver Jazz Festival in Vancouver, BC

Summer Concert Series in Coquitlam, BC

Concerts at the Pier in White Rock, BC

4. Outdoor Operas and Symphonies

If you’ve never been to an opera or a symphony and are curious to see what it’s like, check and see if your local organizations have a free summer series. We are very lucky to have both opera and symphony performances for free in the summer here. These events are also held outdoors in a park setting, which makes for a fun summer outing.

Some local events near us are:

Opera in the Park in Burnaby, BC

Symphony in the Park in Burnaby, BC

Victoria Symphony Splash in Victoria, BC

5. Outdoor Cinemas

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and set up for a movie night! These free events offer a massive movie screen, huge loudspeakers, and entertainment all outdoors. From parks to art gallery squares, there are a number of outdoor movie locations to choose from all summer long. This is a great way to get the family outdoors and have a unique experience together.

Some free outdoor movie events local to us are:

Summer Cinema in Vancouver’s Stanley Park

Summer Movie Nights at Vancouver Art Gallery

Sunset Cinema at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Outdoor Movie Nights in North Vancouver, BC

Moonlight Movies in New Westminster, BC

6. Night Markets

Summer Night Markets are filled with games, vendors, unique food trucks, and entertainment. There are various free and ticketed markets out there with different themes and focuses. They are a fun way to get outdoors and experience new things!

Some night markers in our local area are:

Richmond Night Market in Richmond, BC

Vegan Market in Vancouver, BC

Langley Night Market in Langley, BC

7. Community Garage Sales

Summer is the garage sale season, so garage sales are easy to find, but if you’re looking for a day of shopping second hand, cities and neighbourhoods often put on garage sale events. This means you will find more sales in a more concentrated area. It’s a great time to be out wandering around and looking for great deals on second-hand items.

Some community garage sales in our local area are:

Township Wide Garage Sale in Langley Township, BC

Walnut Grove Community Garage Sale in Langley, BC

City Wide Garage Sale in Coquitlam, BC

Annual Garage Sale in Port Coquitlam, BC

If you’d prefer to host your own garage sale instead of shopping at one, check out Krista’s post for great tips on having a garage sale: Garage Sales – Why they’re important and how to have one

8. Car Free Days

These events are a great opportunity to leave the car at home and get out to enjoy some live entertainment, eat some food, and shop some market booths.

Some car free days local to us are:

Commercial Street and Main Street Car Free Days in Vancouver, BC

Car Free Days in the Lower Mainland, BC (Surrey, New Westminster, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, North Vancouver, and the list goes on!)

9. Street Festivals

Street festivals are great for their lively, party-like atmospheres. From shopping deals to food trucks and entertainment they are definitely a great way to spend a day outdoors. And a great way to support local shops, artists, and vendors!

Some street festivals close to us are:

Italian Day in Vancouver, BC

Khatsahlano in Vancouver, BC

Hyack Festival in New Westminster, BC

10. Art Festivals

Summer is a great chance to get outdoors and enjoy some artwork. While some art festivals are ticketed events, the organizations that run them also tend to be community minded and host some free events within their festivals.

Some art festivals local to us are:

Eastside Arts Festival in Vancouver, BC

Arts Alive Festival in Langley, BC

More sustainable summer ideas

If you’re looking for more ideas on what to do this summer, check out some of Krista’s fun and frugal activity suggestions:

Fun and Frugal Summer Activities to do with Kids

Summer fun with kids: How to build a solar oven

Fun and frugal summer activities: Making popsicles with kids

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