Welcome to the first official week of summer, Vancouver! If you haven’t already, it’s time to dive into the best the season has to offer. We’re talking patios, street festivals, outdoor theatre, and more. From Shakespeare at the beach to night markets, to the next FIFA World Cup watch party, here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this week (June 22-26).
The prestigious Vancouver International Jazz Fest kicks off this weekend, and there are dozens of free and pay-what-you-can shows coming to venues across the city and the North Shore. If you’re on Granville Island perusing the public market or catching a FIFA match this weekend, you’ll find a whole host of talented performers on the Ocean Artworks stage.
When: June 19 to July 5, 2026
Time: Varies per concert
Where: 1531 and 1601 Johnston St., and venues across Vancouver
Cost: Free and ticketed concerts
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
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
If you’d rather be on a patio than at a sports bar, consider checking out one (or a handful) of these patios and outdoor watch parties for the FIFA World Cup this weekend. You’ll get to sip delicious craft beverages in the sun, enjoy live entertainment between matches, and soak up all this amazing sunshine.
Where: Locations across Vancouver and the North Shore
What better way to kick off the official start of summer than with an ice cream crawl? The Vancouver Ice Cream Fest is the perfect way to try a wide range of scoops from as many ice cream shops as your heart desires. It’s Metro Vancouver’s largest self-guided ice cream and frozen dessert festival for a reason!
Where: Participating ice cream shops across Vancouver
The zipline is back, the less-than-$10 happy hour items are back, and tons of exciting new attractions await at this year’s Richmond Night Market, which kicks off at the end of the week. Soon, millions of visitors from across the globe will gather to share in the city’s excitement for the FIFA season and beyond.
When: Opens Friday, April 24, 2026, operates Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Time: 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11 p.m. on Sundays
Where: 8351 River Rd., Richmond
Cost: $7 for GA
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
The Vancouver Maritime Museum has officially partnered with Vancouver by Sea to launch a new, immersive sailing experience that explores Vancouver’s fascinating maritime past and present, and the views alone are well worth it. The museum-to-yacht experience begins this Thursday, June 11.
When: Select Thursdays and Sundays in June, July, August, and September, starting June 11, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: The yacht departs from Vancouver Maritime Museum — 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver
Cost: $1,099 per group (up to eight passengers)
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
Situated behind Granville Island Brewing, this massive watch party is a must-visit at least once this FIFA season. The energy in the air is palpable, with room for up to 1,000 people, a 24-foot screen, food trucks, a beer garden, kids’ games, and a bike valet. The gates here open one hour before each match and close one hour after.
In addition to the matches, the patio will operate alongside the upcoming Vancouver International Jazz Fest, Indian Summer Festival, Canada Day, and dozens more free and ticketed events. If you want to be in the centre of the action this summer, Granville Island is a strong contender for the title.
When: Every FIFA World Cup match
Time: Opens one hour prior to each match
Where: 1441 Cartwright St.
Cost: Free admission
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