It’s the time of the season for…summer-ing! That’s right, South Delta, the moment has come: break out last year’s sunscreen — or buy a fresh bottle, packrats! — and protect your winter skin because you’re about to soak up a ton of UV rays with all the upcoming open-air fun. Nothing says summer vibes more than sipping patio cocktails, sharing a charcuterie picnic, or jiving to live music with friends and family in the great outdoors. Buckle up for the official kick-off to the laidback season of sun, swimming, and sandals. Soak up the summer at these glorious alfresco hotspots, events, and more!
(Some of) South Delta’s Prime Patios
The first patio visit is an annual right of passage in the Lower Mainland, including in Ladner and Tsawwassen. We’ve rounded up some of the top spots for celebrating summertime:Home to one of Delta's largest heated patios, Riverhouse Restaurant, Pub & Marina is the place to be for gorgeous views of the Fraser River while enjoying their locally-sourced menu. Hit them up for happy hour daily from 3pm-6pm or enjoy River Nights Monday through Wednesday.
Barnside Brewing Co. is a farm-based brewery with a recently refreshed, dog-friendly patio to satisfy all your beer-drinking needs. Dine on a farm-fresh menu as you quench your thirst with their diverse selection of rotating taps.
If you’re thirsty for more hops, check out Four Wind Brewery’s patio at their Taproom & Kitchen, less than a 5-minute drive down the street. They offer a succulent collection of craft beer alongside from-scratch food with a fusion taco focus. And keep an eye out for their new Southlands Market Square location, hopefully opening 
later this year!
later this year!The inviting patio at Britannia Brewing Company in Ladner has a backyard vibe with picnic tables, astroturf, and plant life. Enjoy a wide selection of in-house beer, craft cocktails, and classic Canadian grub, especially during happy hour Monday through Friday from 2:30pm-5:30pm.
The clubhouse at Kings Links showcases spectacular sweeping views of the mountains and more from their sunny deck, 9am-5pm daily. Whether you book a tee time or just want to wet your whistle, snack on comfort food, and absorb some vitamin D, this patio has you covered.
Beach Grove Cafe’s bright, chic aesthetic would feel right at home in a Nancy Meyers movie. Part lifestyle boutique and part cafe, this multifaceted business has a cute streetside patio to enjoy a latte, iced tea, or pastry while people-watching on Beach Grove Road.
Sharkey’s Seafood Bar & Grille in Ladner has the perfect waterfront patio on the river for savouring some of the most delicious seafood in town, as well as yummy turf-based offerings for all ye landlubbers.
Match Eatery & Public House in Delta’s new Cascades Casino is a sports bar giving a neighbourhood pub vibe, with a fun patio from which to cheer on your favourite team and feast on their wide selection of comfort food and ice cold bevvies.
Patios PLUS Live Music? Let’s Boogie!
L’aromas offers an extensive menu of delicious food and drink at their community café, playing host to free live music nights at their 1200 56 St. location (which is still known to many long-time locals as Petra’s). Come early to enjoy happy hour from 2pm-6pm for deals on beer, wine, tapas, and pizza, and stay late to rock out
on their fab patio most Fridays and Saturdays.Showcasing local talent every Friday and Saturday night, as well as during Sunday brunch, Gracie’s Next Door is Tsawwassen’s ultimate venue for enjoying live music from a lovely outdoor dining space. Their daily happy hour from 3:30pm-5:00pm will entice you to arrive early and chow down on their Mexican-focused menu.
The stunning golf course views of Tsawwassen Springs from Pat Quinn’s patio is the perfect backdrop for grooving to live music every Friday night, from now until the end of June. With a late-night happy hour from 8:30pm-10:30pm offering deals on appies and drinks, you can snack and sing simultaneously without putting a huge dent in your wallet.
Local Events & Festivals to Enjoy with Friends & Family
Delta’s free live music series, Concerts in the Park starts mid-June, so brush off your lawn chairs and fill your picnic baskets to cheer on a stellar local lineup in Ladner at Memorial Park and in Tsawwassen at Winskill and Diefenbaker Park.If syncopated rhythms and a boisterous horn section are more your style, Jazz at Southlands is a must. On August 12th from 5pm-8pm and August 19th from 12pm-3pm, head to Market Square for talent-packed performances in a welcoming outdoor setting.
Calling all aircraft enthusiasts! The Boundary Bay Airshow is shouting your name. Head out to Boundary Bay Airport on Saturday July 22nd at 11am for a thrilling — and not to mention free! — spectacle featuring the USAF Air Combat Command A10 Thunderbolt II. This South Delta staple is a fantastic, family-friendly event.Looking to fill your BC Day weekend with some fun in the sun? Tsawwassen Sun Festival from August 5th-7th is filled to the brim with cool activities from bingo at the SD Recreation Centre to the annual Rotary Parade, classic car show, carnival games, live entertainment, softball tournament, beer garden, and more at Winskill Park.
Clear your nasal passages — and your phone storage for photo ops — to optimize your time at the inaugural Sunsets in the Sunflowers festival, hosted by Kelly Family Farms this August. More details to come, but we hear they’re planting over 400,000 sunflowers!
Buckle up for the Barnside Harvest Festival, happening in Ladner’s Paterson Park, September 15th-17th. With three days of live music, farm-fresh markets, delicious eats from the Delta Firefighters Charitable Society BBQ and a variety of local food trucks, games in the Family Farm Zone, craft beer, and dog-friendly events on Sunday, this festival has something for the whole family. Don’t sleep on securing early bird tickets (before July 1st) so you can see The Sheepdogs, 54-40, Dear Rouge, and more take the stage.
Parks & Pop-Ups & All Things Outdoors
Pop-up parks are returning to Delta’s streets and wharves just in time for summer. Gather your pals for some outdoor urban playtime with an arcade, music, games, and more. For a more relaxing experience, take advantage of the outdoor reading room at the Tsawwassen library.Remember Barnside Brewing Co., Four Wind Brewing, and Britannia Brewing Company from earlier? Well, you can hop on your favourite two-wheeler and cruise to all three spots on a Bikes & Brews tour. Feel the wind in your hair as you cycle along the Boundary Bay Dyke Trail before hydrating with delicious craft brews. (And don’t forget your helmet!)
Break out your bathing suits and head down to Centennial Beach for South Delta Watersports. New this year is their paddle shack at Southlands with rentals starting at $22/hr, including free beachside delivery! Check out our Neighbourhood News article from last summer to learn more about this thriving local paddleboard business.
And of course, how could we leave out Big Splash Waterpark, opening July 1st for another sunny Tsawwassen season of slippin’ and slidin’ for the kids.
Markets & More
Southlands Grange Farmers Market is running every other Saturday from June 10th to November 11th in 2023 and is Tsawwassen’s one-stop-shop for local delicacies from flowers, fruit, and gourmet baked treats, to artisanal goods, veggies, honey, and more! Check out the market schedule for special events throughout the season, including night markets on June 16th, August 26th, and September 8th.
Ladner Village Market on 48th Avenue is on every other Sunday starting June 11th until September 10th. Guided by a make it, bake it, grow it philosophy, this market mainstay is celebrating its 27th season and will continue to feature over 160 artisan vendors showcasing gourmet food, farm-fresh produce, artistic creations, and more!
Cross the bridge to Westham Island for a delightful afternoon of outdoor exploring. Visit the island’s hard-working producers at Westham Island Herb Farm for berry picking, fresh-cut flowers, and more; Emma Lea Farms for a delicious stocked market at their farm stand and an ice cream shoppe; and Cropthorne Farm for a family-run business where you can purchase organic veg, herbs, and flowers. Or, mosey through the gorgeous paths of the George C. Reifel bird sanctuary (note that you’ll need to plan your visit); enjoy some casual playground time or a picnic in the park; or drop by the Angel Estate Winery to pick up some delectable fruit wines.
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