It’s the second weekend of September and the second-to-last weekend before the autumnal equinox marks the official start of fall. Here are some events worth checking out while it’s still technically summer. Vancouver Fringe Festival The Vancouver Fringe Festival began Thursday, promising “every kind of every thing” in its 41st year. More than 80 shows are on the schedule this year, with performances of theatre, comedy, dance, drag, music and more in the program. The festival runs through Sept. 20, and schedule and ticket information can be found on its website. Vancouver Queer Film Festival Also beginning Thursday and running through Sept. 20 is the Vancouver Queer Film Festival. Featuring 87 films, plus parties, special events and industry workshops, the festival will continue online from Sept. 21 through 27. The full program and ticket information are available online. Car Free Day on Main Street Car Free Day heads to Mount Pleasant this Sunday, closing Main Street between East 10th and King Edward avenues from noon to 7 p.m. Along that route, in addition to dozens of food and community booths and vendors, there will be six stages set up with local musicians, DJs and other performers. The free street festival is the last of this summer’s Car Free Days across Metro Vancouver. Picklefest Vancouver A few blocks north and a day earlier, Picklefest Vancouver returns to the City Centre Artists Lodge for its second year. Featuring more than 40 vendors, a home-pickling contest, gift bags for all ticket holders, and more, Picklefest Vancouver 2026 runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online. Recovery Day BC Described by organizers as “the world’s largest mental health and addiction recovery health information fair,” Recovery Day BC is bringing a huge, free street festival to New Westminster’s Uptown neighbourhood on Saturday. The 14th annual event celebrates mental health and addiction recovery, and is expected to draw tens of thousands to the intersection of Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue, where the main stage will be located. Recovery Day BC runs from noon to 6 p.m. Filipino Fest at Museum of Surrey The Museum of Surrey is hosting a celebration of Filipino culture on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Filipino Fest will include “food, live performances, vendors, textile displays, Tagalog and English storytelling sessions, and more,” according to organizers. Admission is free. Polish Festival Vancouver Head to The Shipyards in North Vancouver on Saturday for Polish Festival Vancouver. Featuring Polish food, music and dance performances, children’s activities and more, the free festival runs from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Richmond Farm Fest The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Farm at Garden City Lands is hosting Richmond Farm Fest this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located in the 136.5-acre Garden City Lands park, the festival aims to celebrate agriculture’s unique role in Richmond’s “cultural and economic story,” according to organizers. The city is home to more than 200 active farms, and the festival will celebrate their bounty with garden tours, culinary demonstrations, live music and more. For the sports fans The B.C. Lions, Vancouver Whitecaps and Vancouver Rise are all in action at home this weekend. The CFL team kicks things off at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Montreal Alouettes at B.C. Place. On Sunday, the other football takes over. Vancouver Rise FC will host Ottawa Rapid on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Swanguard Stadium in Burnaby, while the ‘Caps host Austin FC at B.C. Place at 3:30 p.m.
