Vancouver Waterfront
The Vancouver Waterfront is a vibrant 32-acre urban and recreational district along the Columbia River, featuring the 7.3-acre Vancouver Waterfront Park, the iconic Grant Street Pier, and numerous local restaurants and wine tasting rooms. Visitors can grab milkshakes, ice cream, seafood or tapas at one of the many restaurants along the Waterfront.
Music and performing arts
The Vancouver/Portland metropolitan area has an abundance of music to experience and enjoy. Both the Vancouver Symphony and the Oregon Symphony, for example, draw world famous artists every season. Jazz and Bluegrass communities are very active in Vancouver and Portland, too.
Separately, amazing ballet performances by the Oregon Ballet Theater are seasonal staples, as well as Broadway touring shows and musicals that visit the area’s performing arts venues annually.
Nearly all the music and performing arts communities provide different levels of classes and workshops for anyone interested in playing or performing or participating in some way in the music and performing arts.
Sports
In Vancouver, we have access to multiple major and minor league professional sports leagues based in both Vancouver and Portland. This includes the Portland Trailblazers and Portland Fire, both of whom play to boisterous crowds across the river at the Moda Center. Similarly, minor league baseball is well represented by three teams at local stadiums that are easily accessible: Portland Pickles, who play at Walker Stadium; Hillsboro Hops, who play at Hillsboro Ballpark; and Ridgefield Raptors, who play at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.
Vancouver Farmer's Market
From late spring to fall, Esther Short Park hosts the Vancouver Farmer’s Market, offering artisanal goods, prepared foods, and fresh produce and plants. The Summer Concert Series is also held here several days a week during the months of July and August. Music lovers enjoy live big-name concerts held at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater and year-round performances from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra that always please.
Community
Vancouver, Washington is home to the first U.S. Army post in the Pacific Northwest. It is the original “Vancouver” (older than our neighbor north of the U.S. border). It is a richly diverse, inclusive city. More than 16 percent of Vancouver residents speak a language other than English at home, while 11 percent of the population was born outside of the U.S. Vancouver loves community and celebrates community.
Here is a sampling of events that bring our community together on a yearly basis:
- Saturday in the Park Southwest: Washington's longest-running LGBTQ+ pride celebration. Held annually on the second Saturday of July at The Vancouver Farmer’s Market, this free, family-friendly event brings the community together for unity, acceptance and support.
- The Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: A free all-ages festival produced in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and Odyssey World International Education Services. The festival celebrates Black culture and community resilience, with live music, historical exhibits and a community marketplace that highlights Black and Brown-owned businesses along with nonprofit resources for those communities.
- Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival: A major celebratory cultural event that features bands, wine tastings, fine arts displays and food vendors. Each year includes major headliners, such as the Paquito D’Riviera Quintet and New York Voices.
- Vancouver USA Arts and Music Festival: A free community celebration that includes three outdoor stages, local art vendors, family activities and performances accompanied by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
