It officially feels like summer in Vancouver, and the city is gleaming with possibility. Will you catch a FIFA match screening from your local patio, discover a new artist at the Queer Arts Fest, or head to the beach to see The Merry Wives of Windsor? Here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this week (June 15-19).

Bard on the Beach: The Merry Wives of Windsor 

The iconic Shakespeare comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, is kicking off this year’s Bard on the Beach program, and you won’t want to miss it. The music-filled adaptation is set in the community athletic centre of a (fictional) Vancouver suburb that happens to be obsessed with soccer. In it, the main character, John Falstaff, attempts to woo two married women so he can steal their husbands’ fortunes, but the two women instead come together to turn the tables on him.

When: Opens Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Time: Showtimes at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1695 Whyte St.
Cost: $30 to $103 per person, depending on seating

Madison Beer: the locket tour 

Madison Beer is on tour, and she’s coming to Vancouver this week to play at UBC Doug Mitchell Stadium.

When: Monday, June 15, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 6066 Thunderbird Blvd.
Cost: $75.45

Queer Arts Festival 

SUM Gallery and locations across the city will transform for the Queer Arts Fest starting this Friday, June 5, which holds space for the queer and trans communities at a time when rights are being stripped away, and futures are uncertain. This year’s festival, On the Edge, embraces both danger and possibility, with immersive exhibits, art workshops, a clothing swap, and the opening ArtParty on June 5.

When: Friday, June 5 to June 30, 2026
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Where: 268 Keefer St. 
Cost: Free admission

Ne-Yo & Akon: Nights Like This Tour 2026 

Ne-Yo and Akon are bringing their Nights Like This Tour to Rogers Arena this Wednesday, which means downtown will be on absolute fire between this and the FIFA World Cup matches.

When: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: 800 Griffiths Way 
Cost: $175.50

Salsa at the Park 

Always wanted to learn how to salsa? The community is vibrant and welcoming in Vancouver, and dancers take over Sun Hop Park in Mount Pleasant every Friday this month. Learn some new moves, no matter your skill level, and make a couple of friends in the process!

When: Friday, June 19, 2026
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: 3333 Main St. 
Cost: Free

Exploration Blank Improv Show 

The Improv Centre is introducing a hilarious new show based on a rotating crew of space explorers, who must rely on audience suggestions to explore a different “galaxy” every show.

When: Runs Fridays and Saturdays until June 27, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1502 Duranleau St. 
Cost: $31.50+

Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum

Fans can dive into how both early adjustments and more recent innovations have changed the way we experience professional soccer. This Science World exhibition also highlights the host nations of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with objects connected to Canada’s recent international football history on display.

When: Friday, May 15, 2026, to Sept. 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 1455 Quebec St. 
Cost: $37.50 per adult

Junction Public Market

If you’re already downtown for a match, why not check out Junction Public Market? The iconic shipping container pop-up market has over 30 new vendors this year, and it’s completely free to check out.

When: April 30 to Sept. 7
Time: Open Tuesday through Sunday at varying times
Where: 200 Granville St. 
Cost: Free admission

Catch a movie at the Rio 

There are tons of classics playing at the Rio this week, from Trainspotting (30th anniversary) to Midsommar.

When: Movie screenings daily
Time: Showtimes vary
Where: 1660 East Broadway 
Cost: $16 per adult

Shipyards Night Market

This year is a big one for the iconic Shipyards Night Market, a.k.a. North Van’s free-to-enjoy weekly spring and summer event. Grab a beer from the brewery district, a bite from a rotating roster of local food trucks, and take it all in.

When: Every Friday from May 15 to Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission

And that’s a wrap for the week!

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Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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