Card shows to public discos: Here are 7 awesome events in Metro Vancouver this week

Barbecues, block parties, opera and music festivals — this week has it all.

Looks like this weekend is shaping up to be one of the busiest so far this summer, as the FIFA World Cup approaches the finals. Alongside the major festivals like Vancouver Folk Music Festival and Surrey Fusion Festival, this week also offers smoky barbecues to open-air block parties and family-friendly performances, packing Metro Vancouver's calendar with music, markets and community events. Here are the Top 7 events that made our list.

Public Disco Block Party Public Disco turns a motel courtyard into a techno dance floor. City Centre Artist Lodge is all set to host the annual outdoor block party for Public Disco on Saturday, July 18, with underground electronic music making a comeback. This year's lineup features headlining sets from Musclecars and DJ Heather, with supporting local DJs Luke McKeehan and Lerma.

Organizers say the event is designed as an inclusive community dance space which explores house, techno and the deeper currents of underground electronic music. It offers wheelchair accessible washrooms, shaded seating, picnic tables and lower-stimulation zones with less or no direct music throughout the venue. When: Saturday, July 18, 4 to 10 p.m. Where: 2111 Main St. Tickets: $61.38 via AdmitONE Next Gen Card Show Trading card fans can spend Saturday hunting for rare finds at the Next Gen Card Show inside the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre.

More than 90 vendors will offer Pokémon, One Piece, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, sports cards and other collectibles. Giveaways, snacks and activities will also be available. The Next Gen Card Show is organized by Jacob Venos and Asha Macdonald.

Together the duo brings enthusiasm, excitement and eagerness to the trading card world. When: July 18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Round House Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews Admission: $10 via Next Gen (free for kids 10 and younger.) Vancouver Folk Festival

This is probably one to mark on your calendar if live music is a part of your ideal summer weekend, with ocean views as an added bonus. The 49th annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival returns to ʔəy̓alməxw Jericho Beach Park on July 17 to 19. The lineup features artists from Canada and around the world for three days of concerts, collaborative workshops and cultural performances across four stages.

The weekend is planned around discovery, with artists from different musical backgrounds pairing off throughout the day in a series of workshops, leading up to evening listening sessions at the mainstage with sunset views on the shore. From exploring a new favourite artist to dancing barefoot around the mainstage or introducing your little ones to live music for the first time, Vancouver Folk Music Festival remains one of the city's best summer traditions. When: July 17 to 19.

Friday: 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Where: ʔəy̓alməxw Jericho Beach Park, 3941 Point Grey Rd. Tickets: $75 and up (discounted for seniors, students and youth) Surrey Fusion Festival Surrey Fusion Festival is bringing the world together this July with Punjabi beats, global flavours and World Cup celebrations.

The festival returns Saturday and Sunday at Holland Park, turning the city into one of Metro Vancouver's largest multi-cultural events. This year's theme, "One World, One Game," celebrates the excitement of the FIFA World Cup along with international flavours, local performances and community spirit. Canadian rock band 54-40, known for hit-single “I Go Blind,” leads the live music lineup on Saturday, followed by Punjabi singer Kulwinder Billa, (known for hits like “Tich Button” and “Pagal”) taking the lead on Sunday.

Don’t forget to catch live soccer action with thousands of fans as the festival is also one of the official FIFA World Cup fan zones in Surrey. There will be live entertainment across eight stages throughout the weekend, alongside a Family Zone, Indigenous Village, cultural marketplace, dance battles and interactive activities. When: July 18 and 19, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Holland Park Admission: Free Port Moody Ribfest Ribfest is an annual, three-day community event organized by the Rotary Club of Port Moody. It brings together food vendors, live music and family-friendly activities. The festival features award-winning rib vendors, live music throughout the weekend, a Family Fun Zone, a Rotary Lounge, dozens of food vendors and food trucks, plus a 50/50 draw that can grow to a jackpot of up to $240,000 (half of the jackpot goes to the winner, while the other half benefits great causes.)

Along with ribs, the festival offers roasted corn, vegetarian and vegan food options, coffee, baked goods, ice cream and a park-wide beer garden. “There’s something for everyone — come hungry,” reads a note from the organizers. Check out the full music schedule on the Ribfest website.

When: July 17 to 19, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Where: Rocky Point Park, 2800 Murray St., Port Moody Tickets: Admission by donation (cash or tap). White Rock Night Market This Friday marks the return of White Rock Night Market.

On selected Fridays, once a month from May to September, Marine Drive comes alive with different food trucks, local makers, live entertainment and a licensed beverage garden, making it an easy excuse to take a waterfront stroll. More than 30 local makers and artisans will join six featured food trucks serving everything from Malaysian street food and Eastern European rolls to spiral-cut potatoes, fresh lemonade and kettle corn. The White Rock Night Market is the perfect way to spend a Friday evening.

It’s an opportunity to explore the beautiful White Rock Promenade, enjoy great food, shop locally, and connect with the community. And the best part? Admission is free.

When: Friday, July 17, 3 to 10 p.m. Where: Memorial Park on the White Rock Promenade, 15300 Marine Dr. Admission: Free Opera in the Park featuring Vancouver Opera The weekend wraps up with Opera in the Park in Burnaby. A free family-friendly pre-show begins after 5 p.m., followed by the main performance at 7:30 p.m. featuring the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and Vancouver Opera.

Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and explore different food trucks or set up picnics before the performance. Organizers recommend taking transit or other transportation as parking is limited. When: Sunday, July 19, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Where: Deer Lake Park, 5435 Sperling Ave., Burnaby Admission: Free