What's happening in Vancouver this July

by Gregory Adams

Now that the sun's out and blazing, it's time to get outside and explore everything a Vancouver summer has to offer. While many of us will be kicking off July by celebrating our home and native land on Canada Day (it is our 150th anniversary, after all), the rest of the month offers plenty of other ways to party too. Check out an outdoor concert or movie screening, or get the scoop on Vancouver's finest eats. The summer's only getting hotter, people. [Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver/Vision Event Photography]

Catch the community spirit at the Khatsalano Street Party
What's better than going to a music festival on a sunny summer's day? Going to one for free, of course! The annual West 4th Ave. Khatsalano Street Party on July 8th is a mind-boggling who's who of local talent, where over 50 acts will be spread out on various street stages between Burrard and MacDonald. Headliners this year include pop rock perfectors The Zolas, scrappy indie trio The Courtneys, Vancouver punk legends D.O.A. and moody, melodic singer-songwriter Louise Burns. Add to that the countless food trucks, patio hangouts, and all-ages activities Khats has to offer – and you've got one of the best community events of the year.

Watch film favourites in the park
Summer blockbusters aren't just made for movie theatres. The Evo Summer Cinema Series is once again inflating a giant screen at Ceperley Meadow, right beside Second Beach, to show some family-friendly films for free. The July schedule busts-out animated caped crusader comedy The Lego Batman Movie, as well as action-packed classics like The Goonies, Toy Story and National Lampoon's Vacation. Films start at dusk, so you have the whole day to enjoy before bringing a blanket and a couple bags of popcorn to the fresh air cinema.

Catch Mary Poppins ‘Under the Stars’
Stanley Park's a gorgeous and green sight any time of day, but there's something especially magical about lounging in the beautiful Malkin Bowl for Theatre Under the Stars. Though you'll be surrounded by those West Coast cedars and spruces, the theatre will transport you to early 20th century London for a production of Mary Poppins. The musical opens July 7th, with the month-long run offering brand new dance numbers and twists on the classics, A Spoonful of Sugar and Let's Go Fly a Kite. The latter may even give you an idea of what to do before the big show.

Start screaming for more Earnest Ice Cream
Whether it's scooping up a good old-fashioned cookies 'n cream or specialized palate-expanders like bourbon peach or strawberry basil, Earnest Ice Cream offers Vancouverites some of the city's most to-die-for dessert treats. Both its Fraser Street and Quebec Street locations are prone to having a line up out the door until closing time, but starting this summer you can scoop up the local company's frozen treats at two more locations. Pick up a pint at the just opened retail/production facility in East Van (1485 Frances Street) or grab a cone from the new Lower Lonsdale location in North Van (127 West 1st Street) by August.

Channel your inner food critic in Olympic Village
From organic smoked-meat sandwiches to garden-fresh salad bowls to berry-sweetened popsicles, the YVR Food Fest has got plenty of mouth-watering options for local foodies.  There'll be plenty of time to take a taste of something special at Olympic Village between June 27th and July 3rd, but the Street Food Showdown on July 2nd will be a smorgasbord of awesomeness. Over 80 food carts and restaurants will be on site, with the public voting on who's got the best eats. Expand your palate and get at it like a Food Network pro.

Hit new heights for Make a Wish
Bringing a smile to a child's face through Make a Wish is reward enough, but you'll bring an ecstatic grin to your own if you sign up for the Foundation's Rope for Hope event. Brave, heights-loving benefactors can head to the top of Vancouver's Hyatt Regency hotel on July 6th and rappel down the 36-storey building for charity. All monies raised go towards granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Raise a kid's spirit by rappelling down a rope for hope.

Lap up Gastown cycling action
Over 20,000 sports fans are expected to be downtown to watch cyclists whip along Water Street as part of the annual Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix. Canada's oldest one-day cycling event will find pedal pushers blasting around a tight circuit for the early evening race on July 12th, rushing past businesses, restaurants and eager onlookers. Whether you want to watch the race while sipping an IPA on a resto patio or secure a spot by a sidewalk security barrier, it's probably a good idea to get into Gastown early if you want to peep in on the Grand Prix action.

Get patriotic on Grouse
There is plenty to do in the city for our country’s birthday this year. One fun way to show your Canadian pride is to head up Grouse Mountain for a full day of festivities. Slap on your finest red and white and stand with fellow patriots as organizers try to make the Guinness World Record for the “largest human maple leaf.” Eat some Canadian cuisine like a deep-fried BeaverTail or a gravy-and-curds covered poutine burger. Other Canada Day activities up on Grouse include a street hockey shootout, an axe toss as part of their lumberjack games, and a chance to snap a pic with mountain mascot Grizwald the grizzly bear.