Discover Indigenous Events in Vancouver This Summer

Looking for things to do in Vancouver this summer? Along with exploring must-hit attractions, securing coveted restaurant reservations, and wandering the city's best neighbourhoods, allow time to discover Vancouver through a different lens. Here are recommended Indigenous events and experiences to add to your summer itinerary, offering insight into the histories, cultures, and stories of these lands.

Indigenous Events in Vancouver this Summer

Talaysay Tours

One of the most meaningful and impactful ways to deepen your understanding of Indigenous cultures and the unceded lands on which Vancouver sits is to join a Talaysay Tour. Indigenous-owned and operated, the company has been sharing Indigenous stories, perspectives, and connections to the lands since 2002. There are many experiences to explore depending on your schedule and interests, but here are three recommendations to get you started.

Talking Trees Walk Tour in Stanley Park

No trip to Vancouver is complete without a visit to Stanley Park, the 1000-acre West Coast rainforest at the edge of downtown. Dive deeper into your exploration of this iconic destination by joining the Talking Trees tour. You’ll learn how Indigenous people have utilized this land for thousands of years for food, medicine, and technology.

You’ll wander beneath the forest canopy, admiring the foliage and learning how Indigenous people have practiced stewardship, selective harvesting, and reciprocal relationships with the land for millennia.

Dates: 10 AM and 12 PM every day

Price: $80 for adults 18+ and $64 for children ages 4-17

Salish Sea Journey at Jericho Beach

Head out for a unique land-and-sea-based experience to explore the Coast Salish people’s connection to the ocean. Board a voyageur canoe and paddle along Vancouver’s stunning coastline, learning about marine life, ocean systems, stewardship and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Dates: Every Thursday, April-September, at 5 PM

Price: $145 per person, with options for a private charter

Pacific Spirit Park - Forest Therapy (Bathing)

Forest therapy, also known as forest bathing, is a nature-based wellness experience that invites you to slow down, engage your senses and build a deeper connection with the natural world. Unlike many of Talaysay’s other tours, the Pacific Spirit Park Forest Therapy excursion focuses less on learning and more on being present in the forest through a guided, immersive journey.

This is not a strenuous hike or outdoor adventure, but rather a gentle invitation to pause, reconnect with nature, and experience the restorative power of the forest.

Dates: Thursdays at 10 AM

Price: $90 per person

Canoe Cultures

Support Indigenous tourism through the unique experience of joining a Canoe Cultures tour. This Indigenous-led operation offers guided canoeing adventures through False Creek, sharing stories, histories and cultural knowledge about the Coast Salish peoples.

Canoe Cultures Granville Island Public Market

In addition to canoe tours, you can check out two Canoe Cultures festivals in Vancouver this summer. The first of these Indigenous events is happening at Granville Island and will feature live cedar strip canoe demonstrations and a 20-booth Indigenous marketplace.

Date: August 6-9

Price: Free admission!

Canoe Cultures at the PNE

Make your way to the PNE Fairgrounds this September for Canoe Culture’s two-day festival celebrating Indigenous music, arts, and culture. Explore art installations, enjoy live performances, and browse handcrafted goods from more than 50 Indigenous artisans.

Dates: September 4-5

Price: Free admission!

Summer Indigenous Events in Whistler

Set aside a day (or two) to explore the mountains and beautiful village of Whistler. On your itinerary, include a visit to Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, where you can learn about the rich histories and distinctive cultures of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl peoples.

In celebration of National Indigenous History Month, the Cultural Centre will host a variety of experiences and excursions, inviting you to connect with Indigenous teachings, traditions, and contemporary cultural expressions.

Rooted Flow | Shayla Stonechild Yoga

If you’re hoping to weave some wellness into learning about Indigenous teachings, join Shayla Stonechild’s flow class. Shayla’s practice is grounded in healing, reclamation and empowerment. She weaves Indigenous teachings with traditional yoga practices, creating space for participants to “return to their bodies in a way that honours lineage, resilience, and lived experience.”

Dates: June 19, 7:00 PM and June 20 at 10:30 AM

Price: $37.48 per person

Spo7ez Summer Solstice Feast

Celebrate the summer solstice over a 10-course family-style meal of incredible Indigenous cuisine. Each of the chef-prepared dishes will feature seasonal, locally sourced, and foraged ingredients such as wild game, salmon, and foraged foods. The evening will be warm and inspiring, encouraging connection to the land, the food, and each other.

Date: June 20 at 6:30 PM

Price: $160 per person

National Indigenous Peoples Day at the SLCC

Experience a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre's National Indigenous Peoples Day festivities in Whistler. This full-day Indigenous event brings together live performances, storytelling, Indigenous cuisine, artisan vendors, cultural demonstrations, and family-friendly activities, creating countless opportunities to connect with the traditions, creativity, and living cultures of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl Nations.

Date: June 21 at 10 AM

Price: $25 for museum admission. Free for kids under 18!

Indigenous Peoples Day Events in Greater Vancouver

Indigenous Peoples Day events throughout June are taking place across the Greater Vancouver area in celebration of National Indigenous History Month. Consider taking a trip beyond the city to immerse yourself in Indigenous culture. Here’s one to have on your radar.

National Indigenous Peoples Day in Fort Langley

Make a day trip to Fort Langley Historic Site to join a vibrant National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. Shop for meaningful gifts and souvenirs from Indigenous vendors, enjoy traditional dance and singing performances, and enjoy delicious food in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.

Date: June 13 at 10 AM

Price: Admission to the fort on the day is free!

Squamish Nation Youth Powwow

This July, the 4th Annual Squamish National Youth Powwow will welcome visitors to celebrate Indigenous cultures, dance and community at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre near West Vancouver. This all-ages dance competition powwow, held by the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), welcomes visitors and spectators from all backgrounds. Enjoy traditional foods, shop from over 100 vendors, and immerse yourself in community spirit.

Date: July 10-12

Price: $15 per day or $20 for a weekend pass; children under 12 get free entry.

Incorporating Indigenous events and experiences into your travel plans will enrich your trip through a deeper understanding of the lands, cultures, and communities that make Vancouver so special. Amidst the energy of the summer, take time to slow down, connect, and embark on experiences that will stay with you long after your trip ends.