Inside Vancouver

20 Unmissable Vancouver Events in July 2012

by Taraneh in Events on June 29, 2012

Fresh Air Cinema. Photo credit: Flickr user Yaletown BIA

July starts out right with Canada Day pyrotechnics lighting up the summer night sky. And is there anything more summery than free outdoor movies – launching in Stanley Park, July 3?

Meanwhile summer festival season is in full swing by mid month. Catch folksy tunes at the annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival, July 15. The lovely Illuminares Lantern Festival lights up Trout Lake, July 21. Also July 21, Khatsahlano! Music Festival transforms Kitsilano into a block party with 30 local bands performing on multiple stages.

Among the quirkier happenings, I’m particularly intrigued by Scout’s Barkeep of the Year showdown at the Keefer Bar, July 2. Then there’s spectator-friendly robot racing (I’m not kidding) and clothes-free celebration at the nudie paradise Wreck Beach.

Of course July ends with a bang too. Celebration of Light, the most highly-anticipated summer event, brings fireworks back to the Vancouver skyline, July 28.

Find the full line-up of July events below. Continue reading:
20 Unmissable Vancouver Events in July 2012

Fiesta in downtown Vancouver: Carnaval del Sol, June 30

by Remy Scalza in Events on June 25, 2012

Photo credit: Latincouver.ca

According to the most recent census figures, people of Latin, Central and South American origins account for just 1.36 percent of Vancouver’s population. But those 28,575 Vancouverites sure know how to throw one huge party.

For the fourth year in a row, Carnaval del Sol is coming to downtown’s Granville Street, this Saturday, June 30. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., five blocks of Granville from Hastings to Smithe Streets will be closed to traffic and filled with Latin music, food, dancing, performances and even a street soccer tournament. Some 50,000 people are expected to turn out for one of the biggest parties of the summer.

Put on your salsa shoes, bring an appetite and check out the Latin flavour this Canada Day weekend. Here’s a preview of what you can expect: Continue reading:
Fiesta in downtown Vancouver: Carnaval del Sol, June 30

Ahoy! Tall Ships Sail Back into Richmond

by Inside Vancouver in Outside on June 25, 2012

Steveston Tall Ships

A trio of classic tall ships, including a vessel conducting critical environmental research in the North Pacific, will be showcased when Ships to Shore Steveston 2012 returns to Richmond on the Canada Day weekend. From Friday, June 29 to Sunday, July 1 visitors can relive the days when Richmond’s Steveston Village was a major port-of-call for fleets of sailing ships from around the world with free boarding and viewing of a flotilla of unique and historic ships.

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Ahoy! Tall Ships Sail Back into Richmond

Canada Day at Granville Island 2012

by Dana Lynch in Events, Family Friendly on June 24, 2012

Free cake for kids at the Official Canada Day Ceremony on Granville Island. Photo: Dana Lynch

Canada Day—July 1—is fast approaching. Of the Top 10 Canada Day Events in Vancouver, the all-day celebrations on Granville Island are among the most popular: the entire island comes alive for Canada Day!

Almost all of the festivities at Canada Day on Granville Island are free—from their 13th annual Canada Day Parade that ends at the site of their Official Canada Day Ceremony (“O Canada” plus cake!), to the free jazz concerts, False Creek Ferries Ballet, MELA! South Asian festival, art exhibits, Disco Party in Railspur Alley, and multiple kids’ activities. But there is one that isn’t (which is absolutely worth the $8-per-person price tag): the Truly Canadian Pancake Breakfast (7am – 10am), a Granville Island tradition that includes hot cakes, maple syrup and Canadian bacon, with proceeds benefiting the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.

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Canada Day at Granville Island 2012

Giant Beavers Return: Canada Day 2012 Party at Canada Place, July 1

by Remy Scalza in Events on June 21, 2012

The beavers are back.

Remember the three-storey-tall, inflatable, buck-toothed critters from the 2010 Olympic Closing Ceremony? They’re back for a special appearance at the 2012 Canada Day Celebrations at Canada Place on July 1.

But you can expect more than just beavers at this party.

In honour of Canada’s 145th birthday, Canada Place (downtown’s waterfront convention complex) is throwing the city’s biggest bash. It’s a full day (10 a.m-11 p.m.) of live music from Juno-award winners, street food galore, interactive exhibitions, a huge parade and – to top it all off – a dazzling, two-barge fireworks show in Burrard Inlet.

Planning to check out the fun? Here are some can’t-miss highlights:

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Giant Beavers Return: Canada Day 2012 Party at Canada Place, July 1