Attention, Vancouver! The tail end of spring is upon us, and summer will be here before you know it – which means it’s time to get excited about summer concerts, food & drink festivals old and new, and fun day trips – for starters. So with that in mind, here are over 30 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this June.
Live events & concerts
The Cure
Known for their unique soundscapes and introspective lyrics, British icons The Cure are heading to Vancouver in just a few short weeks. Tickets might be currently sold out on Ticketmaster, but you can definitely snag a couple more closer to the concert date, if you’re potentially willing to splurge a bit more.
When: Friday, June 2nd
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: More tickets to be released soon
Jinx Monsoon
Maybe a little theatre and dramatics are what you’re after this month, and you’ll definitely find them at this live music/comedy event. Being crowned the winner of Season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race is the least of Jinx Monsoon’s accomplishments, as the drag icon continuously has sold-out shows, memorable TV appearances, and more. If you’re looking for a seamless blend of musical talent and comedy, look no further.
When: Wednesday, June 14th
Where: 884 Granville Street
Cost: $93.25
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
It’s hard not to get jazzed up about the return of the Vancouver International Jazz Fest this summer! Especially because it’s coming back in a big way, with a huge lineup spread over an entire week of fun. Now in its 37th year, the Vancouver International Jazz Fest is a great opportunity to enjoy both local and international talent. Venues across the city are joining in, including spots downtown, on Granville Island, and some of the city’s most notable venues.
When: June 23rd to July 2nd
Where: Venues around Vancouver
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Blink-182
Get ready for some more alt-rock icons to take the stage this month. With a career spanning more than three decades, Blink-182 is a powerhouse when it comes to producing hard-hitting pop-punk sounds and infectious hooks – many of which defined the childhoods of a whole generation.
When: Tuesday, June 27th
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: $134.07
Nickelback
Love ’em or hate ’em, Nickelback is a staple listen for rock lovers across Canada and beyond. And the band is coming to more than a handful of Canadian cities during their Get Rollin’ Tour, so get ready to listen to some serious post-grunge.
When: Wednesday, June 28th
Where: 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: $148.75
Steve Aoiki
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Acclaimed American DJ, record producer, and music exec Steve Aoiki is no stranger to blending genres. His staple blend of EDM, electro-house, and pop skyrocketed him to international fame, leading to electrifying solo performances and iconic collabs with A-list artists.
When: Friday, June 30th
Where: 760 Pacific Boulevard
Cost: $154.70 USD
Open-air EDM parties with Sunwave
And last but not least, we come to Sunwave’s exciting lineup of summer concerts. The group is celebrating a decade of dance in Vancouver with several open-air parties – including the following events:
- SUNWAVE at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Museum of Vancouver – Saturday, May 27th
- SUNWAVE // WAVE II AT Shaughnessy Street Park – Saturday, June 10th
- SUNWAVE At Koerner’s Secret Garden UBC Vancouver – Saturday, June 24th
Food & drink
BC Cider Festival
The fourth annual BC Cider Festival is setting up shop in North Vancouver this spring, bringing over 30 local and international cideries together for the ultimate tasting event. Best of all? No drink tokens are necessary!
When: Saturday, June 3rd
Where: The Pipe Shop, North Vancouver
Cost: $75.88
Sponsored: Dine at Moxies new flagship store in the heart of Vancouver
Vancouver foodies, brace yourselves! The beloved Moxies just opened its second location in the heart of downtown Vancouver at 180 West Georgia. Their new flagship store is nothing short from amazing. With a modern take, lush greenery and lots of natural light, this new resto that has almost 300 seats is the perfect spot to hit up while indulging in some delicious summer drinks and dishes.
When: Opens Monday, June 5th at 11 am
Where: 180 West Georgia
Italian Day on the Drive
One of the city’s most beloved food and culture festivals is making a grand return this year. So grab your forks and summer hats and get ready to enjoy the best of Vancouver’s Italian scene, because Italian Day on the Drive is officially back to its full annual programming.
Visitors can lounge on summer patios with fresh gelato and cannolis, sample a wide variety of pizza and pasta, and even try their hand at making a couple of dishes themselves during live cooking demos and competitions.
When: Sunday, June 11th
Where: Commercial Drive
Japan Market Summer Festival 2023
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Three local businesswomen have teamed up to put on a massive two-day Japanese-inspired fest, complete with art, crafts, and delicious eats.
When: Saturday, June 10th and Sunday, June 11th
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza)
Cost: $4 for early bird tickets
Tasting Plates North Vancouver
This June, Vancouver Foodster is hosting another massive food-tasting event, at a location TBA in North Van. Come with an empty stomach and enjoy food from a bunch of restaurants, cafes, and local vendors at Angry Otter Tap & Forno Brewery.
When: Wednesday, June 21st
Where: 1015 Marine Drive, Angry Otter Tap & Forno Brewery
Cost: $51.45+
Foodstock
Vancouver-based band Said The Whale will take the stage at this year’s Foodstock – the food bank fundraising fest put on by the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB) every year to combat food insecurity in the region. The massive food truck fest will feature a ton of local vendors, including Dageraad, Luppolo Brewing, and Pacific Breeze Winery. And for just over $30, you get to enjoy it all.
When: Sunday, June 18th
Where: 6100 Boundary Road, Burnaby
Cost: $30 per ticket
Vegan Night Market
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Similar to the Planted Expo that happened this May, Canada’s first all-vegan market is set to bring plant-based tacos, boozy kombucha, and more to the Waldorf this month. Presented by Peaces and The Vegan Project, the series will commence on June 8th at The Waldorf, and then pop up at Locarno Beach on June 22nd, with dates at both spots in July and August as well.
When: June 8th and June 22nd
Where: 1489 East Hastings Street and Locarno Beach
Cost: $2 minimum donation
15th Annual BC Seafood Festival
This one’s for the seafood lovers out there. The BC Seafood Festival returns for its 15th year as Western Canada’s largest seafood celebration, featuring 20+ “sea-foodie” events. New this year? A new Comox Valley location atop Mount Washington on Vancouver Island.
Guests can expect to take part in interactive MasterClasses, dinners with a variety of BC chefs, happy hours, and friendly competitions including the Fanny Bay Oysters Shucking Competition.
When: June 23rd to 25th
Where: Mount Washington
Cost: Varies per event
Richmond Night Market
No food fest list (or any list, for that matter) in Vancouver is complete without this inclusion. Home to literally hundreds of vendors, it’s become a must for food and drink lovers to visit at least once during the summer months.
When: Open throughout June
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Shipyards Live
North Van’s free outdoor music fest and beer garden has several dates in June, so why not take advantage and come by one Friday? Each week, Shipbuilders Square comes alive with the hustle and bustle of guests looking to enjoy live music and local brews at their beer garden.
As well, the market is bringing back live music and DJs – so consider your Friday night plans made!
When: Every Friday from May 12th to September 15th
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Hit up a brewery in Mount Pleasant
It’s no secret that Mount Pleasant is home to some of the biggest names in local craft brews in Metro Van. Why not get the gang together for a couple of pints? It is peak patio season, after all.
Where: See our picks above
Hang out at a rooftop patio
While Vancouver’s rooftop scene isn’t as bustling as Toronto’s or New York’s – we’ve got a handful of top-notch options to toss your way if you’re craving a rooftop patio experience this spring and summer. And with such gorgeous, sunny weather, we doubt you’ll need much convincing!
Where: See our picks above
Check out your local Farmers’ Market
With April showers out of the way, we’re hoping to make a ton of trips to our local farmers’ markets this summer. After all, berry season only comes once a year!
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Arts & culture
Second Annual Vancouver Greek Film Festival
The Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC and The Cinematheque are hosting the second annual Vancouver Greek Film Festival – so get ready to experience in-person screenings of a mix of contemporary and classic Greek films!
When: June 1st to 4th
Where: 1131 Howe Street
Vancouver Short Film Festival
Here’s another one for the film buffs out there: Vancouver’s Short Film Festival, which features dozens of short films of various genres that are as visually compelling as their narratives are captivating. Examples of Canadian films include Wok Hei (Directed by Joel Salaysay)
Films can be seen in-person at the VIFF Centre from June 2nd to 4th, or streamed online until June 11th.
When: June 2nd to 4th
Where: 1181 Seymour Street
Doors Open Richmond
Get ready to experience almost 40 art galleries, museums, and heritage sites all in one go, thanks to Doors Open Richmond. Returning from June 3rd to 4th, this beloved event makes some of the most popular institutions, cultural organizations, and food and drink spots accessible to all.
Highlights of this year’s fest include a chance to explore Richmond’s ‘Highway to Heaven’ – where guests can visit the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre, Lingyen Mountain Temple, Richmond Jamia Mosque, and Thrangu Monastery Canada, and either the Steveston Buddhist Temple or Eastern Catholic Church Richmond.
When: June 3rd and 4th
Where: Locations around Richmond
Happy Valley at Firehall Arts Centre
The Firehall is closing its 2022-23 season with the premiere of rice & beans theatre’s Happy Valley from Thursday, May 25th to Sunday, June 4th. Performed by award-winning playwright Derek Chan 陳嘉昊, Happy Valley dissects the historic, political, and cultural context surrounding Hong Kong’s current democratic struggles.
When: Until June 4th
Where: 280 East Cordova
Science World After Dark
Science World’s popular “After Dark” series is officially back, which means adults get free reigns over all the exhibits, with optional flowing drinks available. So if getting tipsy at Science World on a Thursday sounds like a good time (which we definitely think it is), you won’t want to miss this.
When: Thursday, June 15th, and the third Thursday of every month
Where: 1455 Quebec Street
Cost: $37 per person
Free nights at Vancouver Art Gallery
Thanks to a new partnership with BMO, the Vancouver Art Gallery is set to launch free admission to the public on the first Friday of every month, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The next free Friday night will be on June 2nd – so mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy some after-work art!
When: Friday, June 2nd
Where: 750 Hornby Street
See what’s on at The Cultch
Meanwhile, The Cultch also has a great lineup for the season. Their options are more for the classic play experience, but of course, expect some contemporary premises and tour-de-force performances from them.
When: Showtimes throughout June
Where: Online and in-person options
Cost: Varies per show
Sports & outdoors
35th annual Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival
The largest dragon boat fest in North America is back this month with new cultural programming and expanded food trucks and vendors. The highly-anticipated races in False Creek will be accompanied by free concerts from local names like Sabai and Dear Rouge. Oh, and it’s free to attend!
When: June 24th and 25th
Where: Concord Pacific Place, Creekside Park, and False Creek, Vancouver
Admission: Free
Playland 2023
With new ice cream flavours and noodle bar options, you’ll definitely eat well at Playland this year – and have plenty of energy to tackle returning fave attractions like the Climbing Wall and Sweet Escape Mini Golf course. So whether you’re a ride person or not, you’ll have plenty of fun at Playland!
When: Open weekends in June starting June 3rd
Where: 2901 East Hastings Street
Cost: $31.50-41.50 online, $33.50-$45.50 in-person GA
Spend the day in Osoyoos
Known for its sunny lake days and delicious wine and craft cider, Osoyoos is truly a summer destination like no other. From visiting its plethora of family-owned farms and wineries to cycling or golfing in Canada’s only desert, there’s so much fun to be had, no matter what your preferred day trip activity is.
Hop on a ferry
Did you know that there are more than 40,000 islands in BC? And while you can’t visit all of them, there are around 40 Gulf Islands that are accessible by ferry from Vancouver, and they’re home to some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the country. So why not hop on a ferry and get exploring?
Where: See our picks above
Go on a dog-friendly hike
With so many beautiful spring hikes in BC to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down your top choices. Luckily, there are plenty near Vancouver that offer unparalleled views, for both you and your dog to enjoy!
Where: See our picks above
So there you have it, Vancouver. Get ready for an action-packed month!
