Welcome to the final month of spring, Vancouver! It’s time to gear up for a summer filled with outdoor movies and shows, returning food and drink festivals, and so much more. So with that in mind, here are 36 of the very best things to do in and around Vancouver this June.
Live events & concerts
Jon Batiste: UNEASY Tour
Singer and composer Jon Batiste is bringing his UNEASY Tour to Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Tuesday, June 4th.
When: Tuesday, June 4th
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Cost: $142.78
Music Waste
Music Waste is an independent, non-profit music and art festival originating as a protest against the corporate Music West Festival in 1994. Now, the beloved local event is in its 30th year, hosting a lineup of round 70 to 80 local bands.
Since its creation, organizers have added Art Waste and (sometimes) Comedy Waste, showcasing visual artists and comedians in a variety of experimental formats, according to its website.
When: June 6th to 9th
Where: Multiple venues, map here
Cost: $40 for festival passes
Public Disco Granville Island Block Party
Public Disco kicks off its summer series this month with a free block party on Granville Island, which will include live music all day long, including performances by Chi & Ro Lee, Delacru, La Zonida, Maxey b2b J Squeezy, and Table Tutors.
So get ready to don your best disco attire & dance like nobody’s watching!
When: Saturday, June 8th
Where: Lot 55 (Behind Granville Island Brewing), Granville Island
Cost: Free admission
Madison Beer – Spinnin Tour
Known for her debut EP “As She Pleases” among many other pop bops, American singer-songwriter Madison Beer is headed to Vancouver on her Spinnin Tour on Sunday, June 9th.
When: Sunday, June 9th
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Cost: $46
The Teskey Brothers – The Winding Way Tour
Australian blues rock band The Teskey Brothers is bringing ‘The Winding Way’ Tour to Vancouver on Sunday, June 9th. So mark your calendars!
When: Sunday, June 9th
Where: UBC Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Cost: $39.27
Skillet
Memphis-born rock band Skillet currently consists of husband and wife duo John Cooper and Korey Cooper along with Jen Ledger and Seth Morrison, who are all performing in Vancouver on Wednesday, June 12th.
When: Wednesday, June 12th
Where: Commodore Ballroom
Cost: $62.25+
Vampire Weekend – ‘Only God Was Above Us’ Tour
Iconic rock band Vampire Weekend is headed by lead vocalist and guitarist Ezra Koenig who is taking the stage at Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park this month alongside multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij, drummer Chris Tomson, and bassist Chris Baio.
When: Tuesday, June 18th
Where: Deer Lake Park
Cost: $76.99+
Snoop Dogg Cali to Canada Tour
Legendary rapper and personality Snoop Dogg (AKA The D-O-Double-G) is hopping on tour across Canada this June alongside special guests Warren G and DJ Quik. So get ready for a performance to remember!
When: Tuesday, June 25th
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: $79.45+
Cage The Elephant: Neon Pill Tour
Known for hits like “Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked,” “Come A Little Closer,” and “Cigarette Daydreams,” Cage The Elephant will perform live at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, June 26th.
When: Wednesday, June 26th
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: $78.54+
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Every year, Coastal Jazz hosts a slew of local and international talent at venues across the city. And this year, Grammy-winning rapper, advocate, and entrepreneur Killer Mike is headlining the festival!
Mike will perform on June 29th at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and you can snag tickets ($69 to $99 plus fees) to the performance starting at 10 am on Thursday, March, 14th.
When: June 21st to 30th
Where: Venues around Vancouver
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Open-air EDM parties with Sunwave
Sunwave hosts electronic, techno, and house nights at outdoor and indoor locations across the city, including its very own Wave Space. With a roster of talented local and international artists alike, each event offers guests a little something different.
Sunwave is kicking things off at the end of May with an opening Party at the Museum of Vancouver in Kits, followed by an open-air event at UBC, a pool party at Lions Bay, and a closing party at the park.
- SUNWAVE at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Museum of Vancouver – Saturday, May 27th
- SUNWAVE At Koerner’s Secret Garden UBC Vancouver – Saturday, June 29th
- SUNWAVE // WAVE II AT Shaughnessy Street Park – Saturday, July 27th
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Food & drink
Planted Expo Vancouver
North America’s largest plant-based event is coming to Vancouver and bringing over 200 plant-based, vegan, and sustainable exhibitors with it. Here, guests can learn more about the plant-based movement, enjoy delicious food, and discover new sustainable products that benefit you and the planet.
According to the organizers, the Vancouver event will take place from 10 am to 5 pm on June 1st and 2nd.
When: June 1st and 2nd
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West Building
Cost: $20
Brewery & The Beast
Western Canada’s popular all-you-can-eat-and-drink festival is slated to be bigger and better than ever, and it’s the BBQ event of the year. So get ready to have your fill of delicious meat, craft beer, and live music.
When: Sunday, June 2nd, 2 to 5 pm (one hour earlier for VIP)
Where: 88 Pacific Boulevard, Concord Pacific Place
Cost: $149.96 to $173.95+
Vegan Night Market
With plenty of summer and fall markets under its belt (including the city’s first beachside night market), the Vegan Night Market by Peaces.ca is back this June, and you won’t want to miss it. The next market takes place on June 6th at Locarno Beach, followed by bi-weekly summer events until August 29th.
When: Thursday, June 6th And bi-weekly until August 29th
Where: Locarno Beach
Cost: $2 minimum donation
Italian Day on the Drive
This next festival takes ‘la dolce vita’ very seriously, Italian Day on the Drive is Vancouver’s largest cultural street festival, transforming all 14 blocks of Commercial Drive into a lively celebration with fresh gelato and cannolis, patio sips, and plenty of pizza and pasta to go around.
When: Sunday, June 9th
Where: Commercial Drive
Cost: Free admission
Vancouver Ice Cream Festival
Vancouver’s self-guided Ice Cream Fest is back this summer with 25 participating ice cream spots across Metro Vancouver, from BETA5 to Glenburn.
So if you’re looking to beat the heat between June 21st and August 5th, it’s worth checking out some new exclusive cold treats!
When: June 21st and August 5th
Where: 25 participating locations in Metro Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Japan Market Summer Festival
With over 70 Japanese food and arts vendors to peruse, guests will have plenty to uncover at this year’s Japan Market Summer Festival. This includes live entertainment by TATE Sumarai, who will also be available for free photo opportunities.
When: June 8th and 9th
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza)
Cost: $4 to $5 for one adult, $7 to $9 for two adults
BC Cider Festival
The fifth annual BC Cider Festival is setting up shop in North Vancouver this month, bringing over local and international cideries together for the ultimate tasting experience. Guests will get the chance to indulge in craft cider from BC and throughout the Pacific Northwest!
When: Sunday, June 16th, 2024
Where: The Pipe Shop, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: $64.17
Foodstock
A massive food truck festival and fundraiser is returning to Burnaby this year, and it will be headlined by Kelowna-born indie rock band Yukon Blonde and roots rock group The Matinee.
In addition to music, the annual event features local breweries, food trucks, a marketplace, and yard games provided by Knotty Games. Guests are welcome to bring their blankets and lawn chairs, or spread out on the Swanguard Stadium field for an afternoon of peak summer relaxation and fun.
When: Sunday, June 23rd
Where: 3883 Imperial Street, Burnaby
Cost: $38.61
The Ultimate Vancouver Dessert Crawl
From 6 pm to 10 pm on Wednesday, June 19th, those with a sweet tooth can go on a dessert crawl in Vancouver, hopping from restaurants to doughnut shops, to ice cream parlours. Each participating venue will be serving up sweet and savoury treats for guests to enjoy!
When: Wednesday, June 19th
Where: Multiple participating venues
Cost: $43.75
Greek Day on Broadway
Hosted by the Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC (HCCBC), the 50th anniversary of Greek Day on Broadway promises to be bigger and better than ever, spanning multiple blocks throughout Kitsilano in the heart of Vancouver’s Greektown.
When: Sunday, June 23rd
Where: West Broadway, Kitsilano
Cost: Free admission
Shipyards Night Market
The beloved Shipyards Night Market is on every Friday from May 10th to September 13th, so get ready to enjoy the iconic beer garden and outdoor market, and peruse many mouthwatering food trucks.
When: Every Friday until September 13th
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
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
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
Arts & culture
Vancouver Short Film Festival
Here’s one for the film buffs out there: Vancouver’s Short Film Festival, which will feature over 40 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: May 31st to June 9th
Where: 1181 Seymour Street
Doors Open Richmond
Granting visitors free access to dozens of museums, artist studios, faith-based institutions, civic centres, and more – this annual event is all about showcasing and celebrating Richmond’s diversity.
When: June 8th and 9th
Where: Locations around Richmond
Cost: Free admission
Pinoy Festival
Filipino Heritage Month is coming up this June, and this year’s Pinoy Festival invites all to experience a taste of the Philippines right here in Metro Vancouver.
Visitors can peruse a variety of Filipino street food vendors and food trucks, enjoy traditional dances and cultural performances, and dance along to live Filipino bands in the Pinoy rock scene.
When: Saturday, June 22nd
Where: 6100 Boundary Road
Cost: Free to attend
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival
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The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is a celebrated tradition in Vancouver dedicated to the Chinese sport of dragon boat racing. Best of all? The series of races are free to attend!
This year, there will be over 200 teams from around the world competing in the festival, according to its website. Visitors can also enjoy live music on the main stage and check out a variety of local vendors and food trucks.
When: Saturday, June 22nd and Sunday, June 23rd
Where: Olympic Village
Cost: Free
Check out a free outdoor jazz show
Every year, Coastal Jazz hosts a slew of local and international talent at venues across the city for Vancouver’s annual International Jazz Festival. This includes a plethora of free shows on Granville Island and in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery!
When: Shows throughout June
Where: Multiple venues in Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Check out a free museum
For the art enthusiast and casual museum lover, consider checking out one of these fantastic local museums and galleries that are completely free to enter!
Where: See our picks above
Sports & outdoors
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains at Deckchair Cinema
Now in its third year, Deckchair Cinema brings movie-goers together on Cates Deck in front of the Polygon Gallery for weekly al fresco classic film screenings on Thursdays starting June 27th.
Screenings will begin at sunset, and will be accompanied by music and live entertainment leading up to the movie start time.
When: Thursday, June 27th and every Thursday until August 29th
Where: Cates Deck, North Vancouver
Cost: Free admission
Vancouver Canadians
It’s officially baseball season! This month, the Vancouver Canadians are up against the Tri-City Dust Devils, Spokane Indians, and Hillsboro Hops.
When: Games throughout June
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium
Cost: $20+
Playland at the PNE
Between the food and the thrilling rides, visitors of Playland are always in for a fun time!
Don’t forget to check out the historic Wooden Roller Coaster (rated #1 in Canada), and The Beast, which earned the title of Canada’s most extreme pendulum ride.
When: Open all June
Where: 2901 East Hastings Street
Saturday Skate Nights at the Rolla Skate Club
On Saturdays this June, the Rolla Skate Club is hosting Saturday Skate Nights from 5 to 7 pm, with hosted DJs to set the mood. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it’s the perfect opportunity to lace up your skates and hit the roller rink.
When: Saturdays in June
Where: 2901 East Hastings
Cost: $20
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
Work out at one of these parks
we’re hoping for some serious sunshine this June, which would be an opportune time for outdoor workouts! Thankfully, there are plenty of parks in Vancouver with exercise equipment you can use.
Where: See our picks above
So there you have it, Vancouver! Happy June!
