There’s something extra special about summer in Hillhurst Sunnyside. People are out more, routines slow down a bit, and there are more opportunities to connect with neighbours and spend time in the community.
At HSCA, summer is full of ways to connect, whether you're hoping to meet new people, try something new, or simply spend a little more time being part of what’s happening around you.
Here's a snapshot of what a week can look like at HSCA this summer:
Mondays
Fresh Routes | 4–6 pm
Fresh Routes brings affordable groceries and fresh produce right into the neighbourhood, making it easier to access healthy food close to home.
Wednesdays
HSCA Farmers' Market | 3–7 pm
Our outdoor Farmers' Market is a midweek anchor for fresh food, local vendors, familiar faces, and a chance to slow down and enjoy the season.
Thursdays
Neighbour Night | First & Third Thursdays | 5:30 pm
Take a night off from cooking, connect with neighbours, and enjoy a shared activity. Each gathering is a little different, but the focus is always the same: bringing people together.
Fridays
Hillhurst Sunnyside Drop-In Play & Mini Mother Goose
Families with young children can take part in this free summer program offered in partnership with Carya. We're so excited to welcome Mini Mother Goose to HSCA this summer and continue building partnerships that create welcoming, accessible spaces for families in our community.
Parents and caregivers with children ages 0–6 can enjoy play time, snacks, and a mini Mother Goose circle from 10–11:30 am on July 10 & 24 and August 7 & 21. No registration is required.
Saturdays
Pickleball | 10:30 am–12 pm
Welcoming, social, and open to all levels, Pickleball is a great way to get moving, meet people, and have some fun. Come on your own or bring a friend.
Sundays
HSCA Flea Market | 7 am–3 pm
Every Sunday brings a fresh mix of vendors, vintage finds, handmade goods, and unexpected treasures. No two Sundays are quite the same.
Beyond these weekly touchpoints, HSCA offers a variety of free and paid programs for all ages throughout the week. Whether you're looking to learn something new, stay active, connect with others, or simply get out of the house, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Neighbour Day is June 20
One of the amazing things about Hillhurst Sunnyside is how much of our community life is created by neighbours and local businesses. From parades and concerts to art festivals and street sales, people are constantly finding ways to bring others together, share their talents, and create opportunities for connection.
Neighbour Day is a perfect example. This year, residents and local businesses are organizing a full day of activities across the neighbourhood:
🎨 Neighbour Day Art Festival
10 am–3:30 pm
Framed on Fifth & 1st Street Tattoo
1207 & 1209 5 Avenue NW
Browse artwork from local artists, meet members of the community's creative scene, and enjoy a vibrant street-level arts experience.
Food trucks will be located across the street at HSCA, 1320 5 Avenue NW.
🛍️ Kensington Street Sale
9 am–2 pm
10A, 11, 11A, 12 & 13 Street NW
(Between Kensington Road and 5 Avenue NW)
A neighbourhood favourite where residents set up shop on their front lawns and driveways. Expect treasures, treats, conversations, and plenty of reasons to explore the area on foot.
🎭 Sunnyside Neighbour Day Parade
1 pm arrival | 2 pm start
Violet King Park
7 Avenue & 5 Street NW
Bring a costume, bring your neighbours, and join this fun, family-friendly tradition filled with music, creativity, and neighbourhood pride.
🎵 Free Community Concert featuring Home by Midnight
4 pm
West Gladstone Triangle Park
Gladstone Road & 13 Street NW
Pack a lawn chair and enjoy an afternoon of live music featuring classics from the 1950s through the 1970s. Chalk and bubbles will be available for kids.
Whether you spend the day at one event or all four, Neighbour Day is a wonderful reminder of what makes Hillhurst Sunnyside such a special place to call home.
Beyond these weekly touchpoints, we offer a range of programs for all ages throughout the week. Some are free, some are paid, and all are built around creating space for people to show up and take part.
Take a look at our Program and Recreation Calendar to find free and paid programs and ways to get involved: www.hsca.ca/programsrecreationcalendar
There’s always more happening than we can fit here. The best way to stay in the loop is by signing up for our monthly e-newsletter, where we share upcoming programs, events, and community updates. Visit www.hsca.ca/newsletter-sign-up .
And we’d love to hear from you, too. What are your favourite ways to connect in Hillhurst Sunnyside during the summer? A go-to spot, a weekly routine, a photo, a story, even just one word. Share it with us at communications@hsca.ca and you might see it featured in a future edition of The Voice. However you take part, there’s a place for you here.
However you take part, there’s a place for you here.