10 Things to Do Outdoors in Vancouver for BC Day Long Weekend 2023

July 17, 2023

5 min read

View from a kayak on water with other kayakers, a bridge, and city buildings under a clear blue sky.

BC Day long weekend is the perfect time to soak up our beautiful province’s nature, culture, and history. In 2023, check out festivals, hikes, parades, beaches and more on the August 5-7th long weekend.

Take a Hike

Celebrate the beauty of British Columbia on a hike. Use our lists of the best summer hikes and even more summer hikes to find trails that take you to mountaintops, glacial lakes, and incredible viewpoints.

Two people hiking on a rocky mountain slope with a lake and snow-capped mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

Check out Brigade Days at Fort Langley National Historic Site

Immerse yourself in the history of the fur trade at Fort Langley’s Brigade Days event on August 5, 6 and 7. It includes historical re-enactments, demonstrations of 19th-century skills like blacksmithing, live music, and food. You can also participate in old-fashioned relay races.

White wooden building with red window shutters and a group of people near the entrance, a wooden wheelbarrow and a wooden structure in the foreground.

Shop at a Farmer’s Market

Vancouver’s farmers’ markets are full of locally grown fruit and veggies. Browse through the stalls to find locally grown produce, baked goods, and prepared foods like jams and beverages. On BC Day long weekend, you can visit the West End, Riley Park, and Trout Lake markets on Saturday and the Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant markets on Sunday.

Fresh vegetables including cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, radishes, beets, green onions, and leafy greens displayed on a market table.

Celebrate Japanese Culture and History at the Powell Street Festival

Head to Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood on August 5 and 6 for the annual Powell Street Festival. Enjoy live music, Japanese food, martial arts demonstrations and lots more.

Colorful vertical banners with Japanese characters displayed outdoors near buildings and trees.

Enjoy the Squamish Days Logger Sports Festival

The 66th annual Squamish Days Logger Sports Festival takes place from August 3 to 6. The four-day festival includes a pancake breakfast, kids events, a parade, and lots of logger sports competitions.

Hit the Beach

With lots of ocean shoreline and nearby lakes, Vancouver has tons of beach options. BC Day weekend is a great time to relax on the sand, have a picnic, or go for a swim. Check out our guides to Vancouver’s beaches and swimming lakes for all the info.

Crowded sandy beach with people sitting and walking near water, city buildings and trees in the background.

Head to VanPrideFest and the Pride Parade

Held at Concord Pacific Place on August 5 and 6, VanPrideFest is a two-day outdoor festival. Enjoy DJs, drag performances, and dancing. Don’t miss the Vancouver Pride Parade on August 6th. It’s a mobile celebration that attracts over 100,000 attendees each year.

Crowd at a parade holding colorful balloon letters spelling PRIDE with a heart shape at the end under a clear sky on Davie Street.

Try Kayaking

Change your perspective and see Vancouver from the water this BC Day weekend. You can sign up for kayak tours, lessons, and rentals at several shops around the city.

Two people paddling a yellow kayak on water near a dock with buildings and boats in the background.

Enjoy Music and Art at the Harmony Arts Festival

The annual Harmony Arts Festival takes place along West Vancouver’s waterfront from August 4-13th. Each day includes live music, kids’ activities, and an outdoor market where you can purchase paintings, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, photography and more from local artists.

Go for a Bike Ride

Explore Vancouver on two wheels. There are lots of ways to try biking in Vancouver. Our city’s car-free bike paths are great for a laid-back ride. If you don’t have your own bike you can rent one from local companies. Or let an expert show you around on a guided tour.