Music, food and great times – Coquitlam has it all in an outdoor, summer playground

Enjoying the great outdoors in Coquitlam during the gorgeous summer months comes with its own soundtrack, plenty to do and a full menu of tasty foods to experience. That’s because the city has a host of activities to keep locals and visitors entertained.

If it’s a great time with some wonderful music you’re after, the Summer Concert Series has two dates remaining to get you in a groove as bands play at Town Centre Park on Aug. 2 and Friday, Sept. 6.

“Free to attend for all ages at the TD Community Plaza, it’s a perfect way to celebrate all that the warm, summer nights in Coquitlam have to offer,” says Eric Kalnins, Coquitlam’s Tourism Manager.

The events are alcohol-free and the public is invited to bring their own picnics. But there will also be a small selection of food trucks on site.

Each concert has a different theme. The next one on Friday, Aug. 2 is pop and the last one on Friday, Sept. 6 is R&B to wind down the summer.

“It’s fun, easy to get to and the tiered seating offers great sight lines,” Kalnins says. “In behind is Lafarge Lake. And when you look west, you get a view of a great sunset. It’s a magical setting.”

On Saturday, Aug. 10, see indie artists Current Swell, Royal Canoe and Terra Lightfoot for free at Kaleidoscope Arts Festival, an action-packed music and arts event from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park, where you can try your hand at the arts, browse handcrafted wares in the artisan market, watch artists in action and enjoy tasty bites and sips.

If you are looking for something yummy to eat, either before or after the events, nearby Glen Drive defines the word variety.

“Literally a five to 10-minute walk away, I call it ‘Eat Street’ for the sheer number of great places to dine,” Kalnins says, adding they offer a tantalizing array of ethnic delights.

“There’s Korean, two Persian restaurants, a Neopolitan-style pizza place that has craft beer on tap, Browns Social House, Belgian waffles, sushi, bubble tea, Filipino, Chinese – it’s this tremendous mix and you can take your pick.”

Whatever your taste, visitors are encouraged to come early and stay late.

Plus, getting to Town Centre Park is easy, whether you rely on a car, or take public transit, with three SkyTrain stations in the area – the Lafarge Lake-Douglas stop is a three-minute walk around the lake to the event site.