(VANCOUVER, WA.) — Whether you are looking to beat the heat or celebrate it, Vancouver has all you need to enjoy your summer. OpGov.news is happy to present a list of summer activities for those in the Vancouver area.
Vancouver never misses a chance for engaging community activities.
First up is Vancouver Celebrates America 250
“Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in true Vancouver style at the Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds. Spend the day enjoying live music, family games and activities, and food vendors. Get to know more about Vancouver history with guided tours of Marshall House and exciting demonstrations from the Fort Vancouver Historic Weapons Program,” the City of Vancouver website said.
Photo Credit: City of Vancouver Webpage
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to close out the day with a film screening of “A League of Their Own” (PG) under the stars.
This event is free for all ages.
When: Friday, July 3, 2026
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Where: Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds
1501 E. Evergreen Blvd. Vancouver, WA
For more information, including an itinerary of the events of the day, visit the City of Vancouver website.
Next, the Thursday Waterfront Concert Series.
Thursdays in July come out to the Columbia River Waterfront for a selection of music from around the world.
Photo Credit: City of Vancouver Webpage
“The north shore of the Columbia River is the place to be on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for the Vancouver Waterfront Concert Series. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music from around the world. Bring a picnic or get something to eat at a delicious local restaurant on the waterfront. Alcohol is not permitted in parks,” Visit Vancouver website said.
The first concert will be on July 9 and will feature Dina Y Los Rumberos, Cuban and international dance music.
The event is free for all ages.
When: Thursdays July 9th, July 16th, July 23rd and July 30th 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Waterfront Park
695 Waterfront Way
Vancouver, WA 98660
For more information, visit the event website.
If weekends work better for you this summer, then check out the Sunday Sounds Concert Series.
“The Columbia Tech Center Sunday Sounds Concerts hit the stage in East Vancouver on Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy an exciting lineup of genre-defying crowd favorites," the City of Vancouver website said.
Photo Credit: City of Vancouver Webpage
Food will be available to purchase from local vendors, or you can bring a picnic of your own. Alcohol is not permitted in parks.
The event is free for all ages.
When: Sundays July 12, July 19, July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 9, and Aug. 16 6-8 p.m.
Where: Columbia Tech Center Park
17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98683
For more information, visit the event website.
If you prefer movies over music, Vancouver has you covered with Friday Night Movies in the Parks.
Photo Credit: City of Vancouver Webpage
“Start your weekend off right with the Free Friday Night Movies. Arrive early to enjoy fun activities from our community partners. Movies begin at dusk. All movies are open captioned,” the event website said.
There will be food available for purchase from local vendors, or you can bring a picnic from home. Alcohol is not permitted in parks.
The event will kick off on Aug. 7 with Fantasia 1940 (G) at Esther Short Park. Pre-movie activities begin at 5 p.m. (Subsequent events pre-movie activities begin at 6:30)
This event is free for all ages.
When: Aug. 7 at 5 p.m. for pre-movie activities showing begins at dusk (usually around 9 p.m.)
Aug. 14, Aug. 21, Aug. 28 pre-movie activities begin at 6:30 p.m. with the showing
beginning at dusk (usually around 9 p.m.
Where: Aug. 7: Fantasia 1940 (G) at Esther Short Park
Aug. 14: Lilo & Stitch – 2025 (PG) at Fruit Valley Park
Aug. 21: Zootopia 2 (PG) at Bagley Community Park
Aug. 28: Superman – 2025 ASL Version (PG-13) at Columbia Tech Center Park
For more information, please visit the event website.
Finally, the arts are a celebrated thing in Vancouver. The Vancouver Arts & Music Festival features award-winning musicians, visual artists and performers from Vancouver, our region and around the world, August 7-9, 2026.
The three-day event will feature art shows, pop-up galleries, dance performances, family activities, food vendors and three concerts by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA.
Located in historic Esther Short Park, the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival is sure to have something for everyone.
If you have an event you would like to add to this list or would like to comment on this report, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org.
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