Khatsahlano, Symphony at Sunset and more events happening in Vancouver this weekend

Thousands of people took to the street on Vancouver's West Side for the 2024 Khatsahlano Street Party. (CTV News)

Concerts, outdoor markets and “Vancouver’s largest free music and arts festival” are all on offer this weekend. Here are some things to do in Metro Vancouver for the first weekend of July.

Khatsahlano Street Party

More than 50 local performers will take to multiple stages along West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano Saturday for the annual Khatsahlano Street Party.

Organized by the local business improvement association, the free festival aims to be “bigger and more exciting than ever,” celebrating music, art, food, shopping and community from Burrard Street to MacDonald Street.

The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and much more information can be found on the Khatsahlano website.

VSO’s Symphony at Sunset

Head to Sunset Beach on Saturday night for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s annual “Symphony at Sunset” performance.

The free program features classical favourites and selections from popular film scores, all performed with the scenic backdrop of English Bay in the setting sun.

The full orchestra’s performance starts at 8 p.m., while a prelude performance by the VSO School of Music begins at 6:40. The concert program can be found on the VSO website.

Queen’s Park Summer Concert Series

This weekend also marks the start of Arts New West’s free Queen’s Park Summer Concert Series, which will feature performances on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the month of July.

The schedule features “a variety of musical styles from a wide range of artists from the Metro Vancouver region,” according to organizers.

Thursday shows run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bandshell, and Sunday shows run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Habitat. The full lineup can be found on the Arts New West website.

Indian Summer Festival

Also kicking off this weekend is the Indian Summer Festival, an annual exploration of contemporary South Asian arts and cultures.

The theme of this year’s festival is “Borderless Solidarities,” and events at venues around Vancouver and Surrey will aim to “invoke an audacious and unfashionable idea – an insurgent solidarity that refuses the inertias of this troubled time,” according to organizers.

The first event will be held Friday, and the festival will continue through July 13. A full schedule of events and ticket information can be found online.

Big Marché in Coquitlam

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this month, the park and ride at Guildford and Pinetree ways in Coquitlam, across from city hall, will transform into a summer craft market.

The “Big Marché” is organized by Uniquely Vancouver and will feature food trucks, artisan vendors, a farmers market, a beer garden, a library bus, yard games, craft activities and performances.

Hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Summer Market at the Met

Metrotown is also hosting a summer market this weekend, with vendors and entertainment outside the mall in its South Plaza, where the dolphin fountain is located.

"Summer Market at the Met" runs from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

With files from MOVE 103.5’s Leanne McLaren