10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this week (June 8-12)

It’s a big week for the Vancouver arts scene! Bard on the Beach is back with a new comedic production, the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra is performing, and a sticky note art show is coming to East Van. There’s a little something for everyone to check out, so here are 10 fun things to do in and around Vancouver this week (June 8-12).

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, 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

This week, the Canadians are back at the Nat Bailey Stadium adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Park, and they’re up against the Everett Aquasox.

When: Games from Tuesday, June 9 to Friday, June 12, 2026
Time: 1:05 and 7:05 p.m.
Where: 4601 Ontario St. 
Cost: $20+

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 Cultch is hosting a Global Soundscapes Festival, put on by the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra. The event brings four days of adventurous classical and world music to the historic theatre, with string instruments showcased from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Canada. It’ll be a feast for the ears!

When: Thursday, June 11 to June 14, 2026
Time: Showtimes at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1895 Venables St. 
Cost: $25 to $40 per person

Gallery 881 is hosting STICKY, the fifth annual Sticky Note Show that will have you looking at your post-its a little differently moving forward. The community event is all about making art more accessible and fun for all, and it just goes to show that you don’t need any fancy or expensive materials to make great art!

All sticky note pieces are priced at $25 a pop, if you want to take home an original piece of artwork by a newly discovered local artist.

When: Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday
Where: 881 East Hastings St. 
Cost: Free admission

Science World’s soccer ball dome is now complete, and to celebrate the start of the FIFA World Cup next week, it’s transforming for a very special edition of Science World After Dark. The 19+ event will showcase the featured exhibit, Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum, as well as feature opportunities to experience what it’s like to be on the field yourself.

When: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: 1455 Quebec St. 
Cost: $40 per person

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)

Organized by performance company Boca del Lupo, this immersive event is part of the Vancouver International Children’s Fest (May 29 to June 14), exploring what it would be like to talk to the trees. Using massive puppets and immersive sound, this theatrical experience invites audiences of all ages to dive deep into their love of nature.

When: Until June 14, 2026
Time: Showtimes vary
Where: 1218 Cartwright St. 
Cost: $15 per person

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

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. Not only can attendees look forward to more food trucks, participating breweries, and live performances this May, but the launch of an all-new block party series is set to bring even more fun to the area around Shipbuilders Square.

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

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