Summer is full steam ahead with so many things to do — festivals, outdoor concerts and more.
If you’re looking for more things to do to make your summer days count, here’s what is happening in Burnaby this weekend to get you up and moving.
Symphony in the Park
An annual summer tradition for 30 years, Symphony in the Park returns to Burnaby this weekend.
Folks from across the region can enjoy an evening of symphonic music in the heart of Burnaby’s beautiful Deer Lake Park at this free, outdoor concert on Saturday, July 15, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. featuring the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
This year’s performance, conducted by David Bui, will include a wide range of film-music classics like Monty Norman’s James Bond Theme, William’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone I. Hedwig’s Theme, Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra: III. Imperial March and more, transporting you to other worlds.
The organizers encourage using alternate transportation as parking is limited on site, and arriving early to enjoy some free family-friendly activities and food trucks. Fancy a cozy picnic with orchestral music? Just bring a blanket or chair.
When: Saturday, July 15 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn (6450 Deer Lake Avenue)
Cost: Free. For more info see City of Burnaby website.
BCIT Planetarium VidLaser show
A Vancouver-based independent production company is bringing back its long-running laser, light and astronomy shows after a pandemic hiatus at the British Columbia Institute of Technology planetarium on Saturday, July 15.
At 8 p.m. on Saturday, the series of light and laser shows will kick off with VidLaser Zeppellin 360 Fulldome Video, combining new digital laser abstractions with some analog laser imagery from the original 1978 show.
There is also a free astronomy show, Phantom Of The Universe — the Hunt for Dark Matter, at 7 p.m., with music by Micky Hart of the Grateful Dead and narration by Tilda Swinton.
For more information and tickets, visit eventbrite website.
When: Saturday, July 15; shows start from 8 p.m.
Free astronomy show starts at 7 p.m. (it is advised to arrive 10 minutes early, and no late entries will be admitted)
Where: BCIT Planetarium (3700 Willingdon Ave.)
Cost: $2 to $30; visit eventbrite website.
Fiji Festival 2023
Celebrate Fiji's culture and multiculturalism the Fijian way at the annual Fiji festival held in Burnaby this weekend on Sunday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The free festival will bring diverse communities together to revel in Fijian traditions including a Yagona ceremony. There will be live entertainment featuring performances of Polynesian, Melanesian, Meke, Hawaiian and Bhangra dances.
The festival at Swangard Stadium will also have a soccer tournament, a kid zone, fashion show, live music consisting of folk songs and Indian classical music and diverse food options.
When: Sunday, July 16; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Where: Swangard Stadium (6100 Boundary Rd.)
Cost: Free
Girolino
While Giro di Burnaby, a pro cycling race in Burnaby, was cancelled earlier this year, the City of Burnaby is keeping the spirit alive with its family-friendly Girolino race for kids aged five to 11.
The event, which saw more than 220 kids pedal and dash in its debut last year, will return to Confederation Park this Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. While registrations for riding have closed, spectators can drop by the park to cheer on the young cyclists as they embark on their races.
When: Sunday, July 16, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Confederation Park
Cost: $5 for participants.
Opera in the Park
If you miss Saturday’s Symphony in the Park, worry not — Sunday’s Opera in the Park will have you covered.
Revel in music against the backdrop of Deer Lake Park in the series returning for a second year and featuring classics like Habanera in Carmen by Bizet, Overture from The Magic Flute by Mozart and So anch’io la virtù magica from Don Pasquale by Donizetti.
Organizers once again encourage using alternative transportation as parking is limited on site, and arriving early to enjoy some free family-friendly activities and food trucks. Bring a blanket or chair to make a picnic evening out of it.
When: Sunday, July 16, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn (6450 Deer Lake Ave.)
Cost: Free. For more info see City of Burnaby website.
Drag showcase at the Rec Room
Burnaby’s monthly drag showcase, hosted by The Established, Shanda Leer, is back to the Rec Room at the Amazing Brentwood on Sunday, July 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Baby, That’s a Drag at the Rec Room will include two stars of ENBY 6, Mx. Bukuru and Rogue, along with Jas Minh, Levi Thrust and baby, that’s drag. The tickets are priced at $20, and food and drinks are not included with the admission.
The event is for ages 19 and over; two pieces of valid ID are required.
When: Sunday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: The Rec Room at Brentwood (1920 Willingdon Ave.)
Cost: $20; for tickets visit website.
