People sitting outside in Gastown on a sunny day

Summer event season kicks off in Gastown this Sunday

June 13 2025 –

The summer season is upon us and Vancouver is gearing up for a spectacular array of outdoor events, festivals and cultural celebrations.

Put a pep in your step this weekend in Gastown as the car-free Water Street Pedestrian Zone kicks off this Sunday. From June to September, every Sunday between 10 am and 6 pm, Water Street will become an open-air playground between Richards and Columbia streets. 

“After months of grey skies, the sun finally comes out and reminds us why there is no better place to be than Vancouver in the summer,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “From Gastown to every corner of the city, there is an incredible lineup of events bringing our streets and parks to life. It’s a true reflection of Vancouver’s vibrant spirit, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

From live music to art exhibits, markets and more, Gastown will be the place for a casual Sunday wander with friends, lunch in Maple Tree Square, or to entertain little ones. Come enjoy free, family-friendly events and activities in the Pedestrian Zone, programmed in partnership with the Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS). 

Each Sunday will feature different types of programming to test how the Pedestrian Zone works with varying levels of activity—from large city-wide events to smaller community-focused days. Alongside community-led events, the GBIS will host the Gastown Sunday Set , a rotating series of free events every Sunday. 

All summer in Gastown, the City is testing street and public space changes that will help shape future upgrades and programming in the area, including more seating, expanded patios, placemaking features, cycling enhancements, traffic calming and improved neighbourhood access via two-way Cordova Street. Visitors will also enjoy special summer offerings from local businesses, including shared market stalls, merchandise displays with point of sale, and live music adjacent to patios. 

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Gastown Business Improvement Society to support local businesses and explore new opportunities for them as we head into another summer of outdoor fun in Gastown,” says Lisa Parker, Director of Public Space & Street Use. “We've worked together to create a vibrant, welcoming, pedestrian-first experience every Sunday on Water Street. It’s exciting to see what’s already come out of this collaboration, and we’re looking forward to what’s next.” 

“Gastown has always been a heartbeat of art, music, cuisine and creativity, and now, we’re channelling that vibrant spirit into the Pedestrian Zone every Sunday with the Gastown Sunday Set event series,” says Elise Yurkowski, Director of Operations for GBIS. “Inspired by global initiatives like Paris Breathes, these weekly activations invite everyone to slow down, discover, and reconnect with the culture, people and the businesses that make Gastown unlike anywhere else.” 

Getting to Gastown

On Sundays, complimentary bike valet will be available for those looking to keep things green and cycle into town. Visitors can also provide their proof of purchase from a Gastown business to redeem three hours of free parking at the EasyPark lot at 151 W Cordova Street, which has more than 2,000 stalls, courtesy of the GBIS. The GBIS is also offering additional benefits for visitors looking to use sustainable travel modes such as transit and e-mobility to get to Gastown. Visit gastown.org for more information. 

More outdoor summer fun 

Adding to the buzz is the return of the city’s much-loved annual events including the Honda Celebration of Light, Pride, Symphony at Sunset and Evo Summer Cinema across Vancouver’s parks and public spaces. Public safety continues to be our top priority, and we look forward to a busy summer season of events.   

Upcoming events in Vancouver*  

*As of time of issuance. 

June  

July  

August  

September  

 Plan ahead to attend  

To help these events operate as smoothly as possible, attendees are encouraged to:   

  • Walk, bike, roll, Mobi, Lime, or take transit to and from events whenever possible.  
  • Discover Vancouver’s bike paths with the 2025 Spring Cycling Map (8.4 MB)
  • Put waste in its place in the nearest garbage, recycling or organics bin.  
  • Learn about the rules around alcohol consumption in parks and beaches. 
  • Be considerate of the neighbourhood and keep noise to a minimum when leaving.  

For those cycling or using micromobility devices like electric scooters to the event, please review the event’s website for information on where you can ride and park, including: 

Resources    

If you are travelling in and around the event areas, plan ahead and expect delays.